Chapter News

Northeast Region

Waterbury, Conn. Oct. 14, the chapter held an anthem reading session. Several members brought some of their favorite choral anthems to share. They also accompanied and directed the choir, made up of the other participants plus some invited choir members from local churches. A wide variety of anthems was presented, and some were by local composers. Participants also received a listing of the anthems and ordering information. This event was held in the chancel of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Waterbury, where the grand piano, Austin chancel organ, and McManis gallery organ were all used. Registrar and Treasurer Michael Petruzzi coordinated the event.

—William Degan

Cape Cod and the Islands, Mass. The chapter held its annual convocation and installation of officers on Oct. 22 at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Chatham. This event was held in conjunction with a Choral Evensong in commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. An assembled choir of 55 voices from more than ten Cape congregations joined to sing music of Ireland, Harwood, Howells, Rutter, and Vaughan Williams. Region I Councillor Cheryl Duerr officiated at the installation. Musicians included chapter members Deb Gemma, organ, Joan Kirchner, soprano soloist, the Rev. Dr. Judith Davis, cantor, and Maury A. Castro, choirmaster.

—Maury A. Castro

Merrimack Valley, Mass. Oct. 13, the Boston and Merrimack Valley chapters cohosted a Spooktacular organ recital at Grace Episcopal Church in Salem. Abbey Siegfried, Merrimack dean, introduced the delightfully spooky program wonderfully played by organists Fred MacArthur and Mark Engelhardt, who performed the second half of the program dressed in 18th-century period costume. Organ selections fit for a Friday the 13th included Marche Grotesque by R. Purvis, West Wind by A. Rowley, Funeral March of a Marionette by Gounod, and Scherzoso by J.H. Rogers. The second half of the program featured Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, Totentanz and That Sinking Feeling by Albright, and three selections from Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition. During intermission Siegfried, accompanied by Louise Mundinger from the Boston chapter, led a sing-along of The Addams Family Theme Song, plus cleverly reworded carols in keeping with the spirit of Halloween. All were invited to enjoy refreshments in the church hall after the program.

—Jodi Templer

Binghamton, N.Y. August 26, our summer outing was a potluck picnic at the home of members Tim and Johanna Masters in nearby Brackney, Pa. Johanna is the director of music and organist at First Presbyterian Church in Montrose Pa. Some years ago, Tim procured and assembled a 1938 two-manual Wicks (direct electric model) pipe organ in their home. Recently he built an impressive two-manual Hauptwerk organ, including the hardwood console, equipped with three different sample sets of English, French, and Dutch organs. He demonstrated the different features of the Hauptwerk organ, including, for instance, how a sample set of a five-manual Dutch organ can be configured so that it can be played on a two-manual Hauptwerk instrument. Most of the attendees got to play both organs. Attendees also enjoyed the lovely rural setting of the Masters’ home, which included a visit to their garden, and a picnic out on their patio on a perfect day. • Oct. 6, Lee Roseboom, organist at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, was joined by members Patti O’Connell (French horn), Jean Henssler (organ), Richard Van Auken (organ), Evelyn Van Auken (piano), and Mike Roseboom (tenor) in a celebration and dedication of the church’s new Roland organ. The recital was preceded by a dedication service led by Pastor Worley.

—John Holt

Westchester County, N.Y. Oct. 22, the chapter partnered with Rye Presbyterian Church and the New York City AGO chapter in sponsoring a recital at Rye Presbyterian Church to celebrate the 35th anniversary of Rye’s Casavant. The recital featured the organ and percussion ensemble Organized Rhythm. Clive Driskill-Smith, organist, and Joseph Gramley, percussionist, gave a program of outstanding beauty with a satisfying amount of showmanship. It included Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man and Hoe-Down from Rodeo, Paul Creston’s Meditation, and Ives’s Variations on “America.” The second half of the program was dedicated to Holst’s The Planets. A surprise feature was the addition of a commissioned piece, Pluto, by Stephen Eddins, which was inserted into Holst’s work. It brought a more contemporary sound to the work, using global instruments like the Peruvian box drum and African rhythm instruments. Driskill-Smith played the 68-rank Casavant installed in 1981, rebuilt in 2002, and upgraded in 2016. It was promised that he would “use every stop,” and he certainly did! The performers chatted with the audience at a reception afterward.

—Karen Longwood

Rhode Island. The chapter closed its 2016–17 program year in June with a weekend in Newport celebrating the completed renovation of the Casavant in historic St. Mary’s Catholic Church—the church in which John and Jacqueline Kennedy were married. On June 3, Simon Couture, vice president and tonal director of Casavant, gave a delightful lecture on details of the renovations of the organ that was followed by a festive service with full choral liturgy sung by the choirs of St. Mary’s. On June 4, the annual members’ recital and dinner took place at St. Mary’s with resident organist Cody Mead, Gigi Mitchell-Velasco, Roger Castellani, and Peter Krasinski participating.

—Doris Alberg

Vermont. Sept. 24, the chapter presented member Lynnette Combs in a recital to celebrate the 125th birthday of the 1892 William Johnson, Opus 782 (II/9) at First Baptist Church of Bellows Falls. The recital was titled “Light from Leipzig: J.S. Bach and His Influence,” and included works by C.P.E. Bach, J.S. Bach, Krebs, Brahms, Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, Hindemith, Reger, and Thayer. Following the recital, church members sponsored a festive reception, including a birthday cake that was made depicting the console and facade of the 125-year-old organ.

—Vaughn L. Watson

Mid-Atlantic Region

Delaware. Oct. 7, the chapter commemorated the 500th anniversary of the beginning of the Reformation with a program titled “Signs and Wonders” held at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Newark. Organized and led by chapter member and PhD. candidate Chad Fothergill, the program began with a short service of Morning Prayer in the style of 16th-century Wittenberg. Next came a presentation by Fothergill that combined historical information with thoughtful consideration of what the Reformation means to today’s church musician. The morning concluded with a hymn festival involving choir, organ, piano, handbells, and brass quartet. A number of chapter members and local clergy participated in this service that featured readings and musical numbers in a wide variety of styles.

—William Robinson

Central Maryland. Sept. 18, the chapter held a clergy-musician dinner meeting at the Church of the Transfiguration in Braddock Heights. After a delicious potluck supper, the installation of officers was conducted by Miriam Meglan. The new officers are Peggy Brengle, dean, Brian Bartoldus, sub-dean, Dottie Winter, secretary, Jody Brumage, treasurer, J. Pinoake Browning, registrar, Truuke Ameigh, Peg Bruckart, and Lindsey Williams, members-at-large. The speaker for the evening was Ted Davis from St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church in Baltimore. He spoke on clergy-musician concerns, emphasizing that attitudes between the two parties and good relationships are key to a harmonious, healthy, and productive workspace. The calendar for the remainder of the year was presented and includes worship planning, social-music swap, hymn festival, a bus trip to Taylor & Boody, and year-end banquet.

—Lindsey Williams

Mid-Shore Maryland. Oct. 16, for the first program of the season we had the honor and pleasure of presenting AGO National Chaplain, the Rev. Dr. Don E. Saliers, who spoke about music and worship in the church. He gave us many thoughts to ponder and encouraged us to press on toward the praise of God through music. He reminded us that we touch more folks than we may ever know, and some of us shared those experiences. He was a dynamic and engaging speaker and inspired us all as church musicians. It was the perfect beginning to a new season of work as organists, directors, and teachers. Every chapter should have this experience!

—Dale Krider

Central New Jersey. Sept. 17, the annual chapter dinner, held at a popular local restaurant, continued the tradition of beginning the season with enjoying fellowship, renewing friendships, and welcoming new chapter members.

• Oct. 1, “Organ Spectacular,” the tenth annual recital at St. Paul Church, Princeton, was played by Princeton University organist and recitalist Eric Plutz on the 1925 Aeolian-Skinner organ, renovated a decade ago by Patrick J. Murphy and Associates. Plutz is currently dean of the chapter. An enjoyable program with the title “A Town Hall Concert” included music by a variety of composers all active at the turn of the last century: Widor, Hollins, Italian composer Marco Enrico Bossi, American composer Isaac Van Vleck Flagler, represented by Variations on an American Air, and ending with an organ sonata by Guilmant. The reception afterward was provided by chapter members.

• Oct. 23, a PowerPoint lecture with demonstration at the piano on new research into styles of ornamenta­­tion, especially grace notes, in 18th-century keyboard music was presented by member Beverly Jerold, AAGO, a scholar and published author and musician. Various European countries were represented in the writings and examples that were briefly analyzed and played for us; excerpts of longer pieces by J.S. Bach and François Couperin, among others, were performed to illustrate the beautiful effect of the correct use of the ornament. As early as 1702, French writer Saint-Lambert stated a general rule: “Ornaments must never alter the piece’s melody or rhythm.”

—Mary Giordmaine

Metropolitan New Jersey. Sept. 11, the chapter kicked off the program year with a program titled “Music for Organ and Vocal Soloists” at St. Catherine of Siena Church, Mountain Lakes (Kathie Hegarty, host organist). The evening began with a catered dinner that provided the opportunity to reconnect with colleagues and introduce new members to the chapter. Thanks to performers Kathie Hegarty, Barbara Bailey, Jim Little, Andi Campbell, Anne Matlack, Patricia Ruggles, Randy Svane, and Jeeminn Lee, who gave us a beautiful after-dinner concert with contrasting vocal styles in the sanctuary.

—Bev McGregor

Northern New Jersey. Oct. 14–15, the chapter and West Side Presbyterian Church, Ridgewood, N.J., cosponsored a weekend with Thomas Ospital, titulaire of the Grand Organ at the Church of Saint-Eustache in Paris, and newly appointed organist in residence at Maison de la Radio (headquarters of Radio France). On Saturday, he gave a magnificent masterclass in which Stewart Holmes, Kristen Dabaghian, Stacie Yao, Janice Van Dyke, John Connor, and Claire Bachner played music by Bach, Guilmant, Gigout, Duruflé, and Widor. Ospital offered concrete suggestions that participants and audience alike could appreciate and employ, no matter their level of proficiency. Saturday’s masterclass was eclipsed by a stunning recital the next day to a substantial crowd at West Side Presbyterian Church. The high point of the recital was Ospital’s 20-minute improvisation of a four-movement symphony based on six themes submitted by West Side’s minister of music, Debbie Holden-Holloway. The weekend ended with West Side organist Erik Eickhoff and Chris Wilhjelm taking Ospital on a tour of Manhattan tourist sites. It was another highlight of his short weekend in New Jersey.

—Stewart Holmes

Southwest Jersey. Oct. 15, the chapter held its annual Service and Installation of Officers at Chews United Methodist Church, Glendora, Gary Langel, host. The service began with the installation of new officers by member and Regional Councillor Glenn Rodgers. New officers installed were Vernon Williams, dean, David Rhody (SPC), sub-dean, Cathleen O’Neill, secretary, and Gail Gassaway, treasurer-registrar. Class of 2020 executive committee members also installed were Christopher Daly, Ruth Fink (AAGO), Richard Kurtz, and Joanne Owen. The service continued with a prelude by organist-pianist Gary Langel, and included solos, a flute and piano duo, readings, hymns, and a sermon by Chaplain Laurie Johnson. Following the service, members enjoyed dinner at a nearby restaurant.

—Joyce Ann Routon

Chambersburg, Pa. Oct. 27, the chapter combined with the Cumberland Valley chapter and presented “Pipes Spooktacular,” an organ recital with programmatically appropriate music at Mercersburg Academy Chapel in Mercersburg. The audience was invited to come in costume if so desired. Some of the performers also wore costumes. At the end of the program trick-or-treat candy was distributed. This program was for all ages. The audience was invited to come have a closer look at the pipe organ, especially to give the younger ones a chance to see where all the sounds originated. This has been a successful annual event anticipated by many year after year.

—Helen Wingert

Harrisburg, Pa. Sept. 15, the chapter presented an “Organ Plus” program at Camp Hill Presbyterian Church, Dan Dorty, host organist. Performing members included Tyler Canonico, Dan Dorty, Shawn Gingrich, Dan Glessner, Don Golden, Timothy Koch, Jordan Markham, Shelly Moorman-Stahlman, and Mary Jane Nelson. The “plus” instruments included piano, handbells, violin, trumpet, flute, cello, clarinet, soprano recorder, and an organ duet. • Oct. 8, the chapter hosted organists from the Lancaster County chapter in the first segment of “Hands and Feet Across the Counties.” The second segment will follow later this year as Harrisburg chapter organists present a recital in Lancaster. This recital was held at Messiah College in Grantham, Pa. Lancaster organists participating were Ross Ellison, Robert Horton, Margaret Marsch, Karl Moyer, Paul Reese, and Douglas Wimer. The chapter thanks Hospitality Chair Phyllis Conrad and her committee for their work in arranging post-concert refreshments for our chapter events.

—Mary Jane Nelson

Lancaster, Pa. Oct. 13, the chapter met at St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran in Lancaster. The meeting began with the installation of four new board members by Chaplain Robert Kettering. Guest artist Balint Karosi, organist at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Manhattan, formed the rest of the evening’s program. In addition to being an organist, composer, conductor, and harpsichordist, Karosi is also an expert on improvisation. His presentation gave members the tools to take a theme and develop it harmonically, rhythmically, and melodically—a useful skill for extending a prelude, improvising a postlude on a final hymn, communion improvisation, or as needed.

—Nancy L. Maurer

Pittsburgh, Pa. Oct. 23, the chapter met at Calvary Episcopal Church in Shadyside for its regular dinner and program. Giancarlo Parodi, organist of the Basilica di S. Maria Assunta in Gallarate (near Milan), was the speaker. He presented photos of many historic organs in Italy, complete with audio examples and stories about each instrument. Fr. Stephen Concordia, OSB, director of the St. Vincent Camerata, served as his translator. Before the meeting, Parodi taught a masterclass at Calvary Church for students from Duquesne University, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Seton Hill University, and St. Vincent College.

—Kathy Csellar

Southeastern Pennsylvania. Oct. 8, Sub-dean Art Kalemkarian presented a program titled “Hymns and Service Repertoire” at Media Presbyterian Church. He discussed and demonstrated hymn-playing techniques on the organ, and showed ways to utilize the instrument to its fullest capacity using useful repertoire for church services.

—Nancy Brown

Williamsport, Pa. Oct. 20, members shared organ music of the Reformation at Trinity Episcopal Church, Williamsport. Arrangements of Ein feste Burg, Erhalt uns, Herr, Nun freut euch, and In Dir ist Freude by composers ranging from J.S. Bach to David Cherwien were featured. Members participating included Ellen Bardo, Donna Elkin, Leatha Kieser, Nancy Marchal, and Carol Waltz.

—Carol Waltz

Charlottesville-Albemarle, Va. Oct. 17, the chapter sponsored a program titled “Reformation 500: Celebrating the Church Year with the Hymns of Martin Luther” led by husband and wife team of Paul Weber (speaker and choir director) and member Florence Jowers (organist) at Christ Episcopal Church, Charlottesville. The program spanned the liturgical year with hymns all linked to Martin Luther. Weber directed the choir made up of volunteer chapter members and joined by choir members from the church. The anthem was “Grant Peace, We Pray” by Mendelssohn. The choir also led the hymns of Martin Luther that were presented to show how they might have been sung 500 years ago (unaccompanied, alternating men and women, organ improvisations on verses, etc.). Weber explained every musical setting, and Jowers played interludes between hymns and sometimes between verses, as well as a spectacular postlude, a toccata on “Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice” by Lionel Rogg.

—Alice Layman

Winchester, Va. The chapter celebrated its first Shape Note Festival, “Singing in the Valley,” during the weekend of Oct. 6–8. The festival opened Friday evening at Goodson Chapel-Recital Hall, Shenandoah University, with a capacity audience seated in shape note formation. The guest lecturer, Joshua Rush Barnett, MA in musicology (Univ. of Maryland), MM (Shenandoah Univ.), presented a brief history of shape note singing and introduced tunes published in the Virginia Harmony (Winchester, 1831), one of which was “Amazing Grace.” Barnett then taught and demonstrated to the group how to sing shape notes. The evening closed with participants singing “Amazing Grace.” Session two of the festival was held at Christ Episcopal Church. Barnett highlighted the importance of melodies from shape note tradition as part of America’s musical culture and how they are used today. He spoke of singing schools throughout the Shenandoah Valley, particularly at Singers Glen near Harrisonburg. Attendees participated in singing the shape note tunes Sherburne, Restoration, and Bridgewater. Several guest groups demonstrated their skills singing Appalachian tunes. Of particular interest was Chris Meyer playing his musical saw. On Sunday afternoon at First Baptist Church, the festival continued with the focus being on “Shape Notes—Then and Now.” Each of the mostly folk hymn melodies, which in all probability might have been lost had they not found their way into the tune books, were heard in an older version, either the original ballad version or a shape note setting, plus a setting by a contemporary composer, hence the title for the program. The original ballad “Ballad of Captain Kidd” (tune now known as Wondrous Love) was sung by Philip Sargent. Then a trio performed a more recent work, The Passion According to St. Matthew, by contemporary composer William Averitt who used the same tune. This was followed by Thomas Mitts playing Samuel Barber’s Variations on “Wondrous Love.” The Festival Choir sang the original tune Star in the East from Southern Harmony (1835), which was followed by the brass quintet playing Douglas Wilson’s setting of the tune. The grand finale was James Laster’s composition, The Virginia Harmonies, for choir, brass quintet, and organ with Laster conducting. The work is based on the tunes Greenfield, Little Marlboro, The Ninety-Fifth, Pisgah, Exultation, and Harmony Grove (New Britain). Virginia Harmony is a tune book published in Winchester in 1831.

—Gloria Harris

Southeast Region

Gainesville, Fla. Oct. 17, the chapter hosted a potluck for area young organists who are not currently AGO members. Introductions, great food, and thoughtful conversation were enjoyed at a member’s home in Alachua. Members in attendance included Mark Coffey, Larry Hartley, Hye Jin Park, Ruth Lewis, Willis Bodine, Gene Dunnam, Lorraine Amick, Stella Wiering, and Laura Ellis.

—Laura Ellis

Palm Beach County, Fla. Oct. 14, the chapter held its second event of the season, “Favorite Practical Repertoire Workshop,” at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Palm Beach Gardens. Members gathered in the narthex for coffee, pumpkin bread, and muffins, then moved into the beautiful sanctuary. Organists Stewart Foster, Barbara Thompson, Jerry Myers, Jan Fulford, Jane Illsley, Joanne Nelson, Daniel Bayless, and Hal Pysher played their favorite pieces for the group and much repertoire was shared. Joanne Nelson surprised Jan Fulford, dean, with a lovely birthday gift from the chapter. Daniel Bayless, organist at St. Mark’s, hosted the event and took attendees on a tour of the church and school following the workshop. Lunch at Newk’s Eatery ended a wonderful morning!

—Jan Fulford

Sarasota-Manatee, Fla. Oct. 13, the chapter met for lunch to celebrate anniversary of the 50th and 60th founding dates of what eventually became the current merged chapter. Host Steven Phillips, music director at First Presbyterian Church, Sarasota, described the new organ at the church. Mary Mozelle then played a short recital of works by Sowerby, Mozart, and Gawthrop. During lunch, members browsed a table of memorabilia from the history of the chapter. Following lunch, Dwane Grace, dean, gave a brief history in which he noted that dues to the organization at the time of founding were $4, and, if that were a hardship, could be paid $.35 each month. He also read a certificate of congratulations from National AGO. Following his talk, several longtime members shared anecdotes of their chapter experiences.

—Paul Adams

Space Coast, Fla. Oct. 7, members held their opening general membership meeting at a member’s home. The event started with light refreshments, the group sang the round “Dona Nobis Pacem,” and Lori John, past dean, installed the 2017–18 officers. The board presented Lori with a past-dean pin in appreciation for her service as dean during the last several years. After the business meeting, the hostess welcomed members to examine and play her 21st-century practice instrument, a Hauptwerk virtual pipe organ.

—Barbara Burgess

Atlanta, Ga. Oct. 10, the chapter held its second chapter meeting, dinner, and recital of the 2017–18 season at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Atlanta, hosted by Ray and Beth Chenault. Guest recitalist Dexter Kennedy presented a beautiful recital of works by Bach, Mozart, Duruflé, and others on Buzard’s Opus 29.

—Keith Williamson

Augusta, Ga. Oct. 9, the chapter held its annual Clergy-Musician Program at Trinity-on-the-Hill United Methodist Church in Augusta with Lisa Wilson, organist of Trinity, as the host. Keith Shafer, dean, welcomed everyone to the program and the Rev. Danny Key, director of music at Trinity, offered a prayer before the meal. After a wonderful dinner and fellowship, Don Dupee, sub-dean, introduced the guest speaker for the evening, Catherine Stapleton Nance, director of music ministries at St. John’s United Methodist Church in Aiken, and a doctoral candidate in worship studies. The topic, which was of interest to both clergy and musicians, was “Worship as Christian Formation.”

—David Salter

Savannah, Ga. Oct. 28, the chapter sponsored an organ masterclass with Olivier Latry at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in downtown Savannah. The event was hosted by Director of Music Mac Fogle. There were three masterclass participants. Monica Harper Dekle played Évocations, III (Allegro deciso) by Dupré. Timothy Hall played the fourth movement (Quasi largo) from Symphony No. III by Vierne. Adam Cobb played Dieu parmi nous from La Nativité du Seigneur by Messiaen. The performers played on the cathedral’s recently renovated Noack. • Oct. 29, Mr. Latry played a solo recital to rededicate the organ at the cathedral. The program included music by Bach, Mendelssohn, Fauré, Dupré, Alain, Langlais, and Duruflé. Latry concluded the program with an improvisation on two themes chosen by Fogle—a theme from the Addams Family and “Hedwig’s Theme” from Harry Potter. His encore was the Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, BWV 565, by Bach.

—Bill McNair

Oxford-University of Mississippi. Sept. 7, the chapter presented “Lessons from Leipzig,” with guest artist Robert Knupp. The program began with a lecture on organs of J.S. Bach’s era, German Romantic organs, and research into the music and performance of Bach’s music from Leipzig, and concluded with a recital featuring the music of Kuhnau, Bruhns, and Bach. Chapter officers dined with Knupp at McEwen’s on the square before the event, and had social time at City Grocery afterward.

—Joseph Garrison

Charlotte, N.C. Oct. 22, the chapter presented the Atlanta Master Chorale under the direction of Eric Nelson in concert at Christ Lutheran Church, Charlotte. The Chorale’s program included a variety of selections of varying styles and genres. The enthusiastic audience displayed much adoration for the superb performance.

—Lee Northcut

Charleston, S.C. In September, Hurricane Irma barged in, forcing the chapter to cancel its opening dinner. The October meeting, however, proceeded as scheduled on Oct. 9, with fairly clear skies. Members gathered at Christ Our King Catholic Church in Mount Pleasant for an informative and well-received program by Scott and Suzanne Atwood, director of music ministries and director of children’s choirs, respectively. “Building and Growing Children’s Choirs: Strategies for Success” drew on their extensive experience developing one of the best children’s choir programs in the area.

—Edmund LeRoy

Greater Columbia, S.C. Oct. 7, the chapter hosted an organ crawl to Charlotte, N.C., where members visited three churches. The first stop was St. John’s Baptist Church where chapter member Monty Bennett introduced the group to Létourneau Opus 113 (III/43) installed in a favorable acoustic. The group also enjoyed seeing the organ in the chapel that dates from 1840. At Providence United Methodist Church, organist Andrew Pester introduced the group to Aeolian-Skinner Opus 1472 that was built for the Kennedy Center concert hall in Washington, D.C. The removal, transport, and rebuilding was accomplished magnificently by Parkey Organbuilders of Norcross, Ga. The large sanctuary provides a wonderful ambiance for this large, exciting organ. The III/62 organ is still playable from the original console. The last stop was St. Peter’s Episcopal Church where music director and organist Elizabeth Lenti welcomed the group. Member David Lowry demonstrated Fisk Opus 136 (III/41) that was installed in 2010 in the renovated sanctuary.

—Frances Webb

Spartanburg, S.C. Sept. 25, the chapter held its first meeting of the 2017–18 season at Two Samuels Restaurant in Spartanburg. Dean Bill Cooper called the meeting to order and welcomed new members. He then announced upcoming programs for the year. Secretary Larry Blackmon read the minutes of the May meeting, and Treasurer Erica Pauly gave the financial report and update on memberships. After the business meeting, members enjoyed a delicious dinner and had a good time visiting.

—Bill Cooper

Low Country, S.C. The chapter’s first meeting of the 2017–18 year was a potluck dinner hosted by Glenn and Kathy Ragsdale at their home on Spring Island in Okatie, S.C. Dean Chad Martin summarized the programs for the coming year, and encouraged members to bring a friend to the programs. Members practiced for the upcoming Festival of Hymns and Anthems under the direction of Debby Graves and Beth Cory. The chapter continued its “Every Second Friday Noontime Recital Series” with organ and piano duets at Port Royal United Methodist Church. Organist Raymond Ackerman, past dean, and Diane Mullis-Waddell, pianist, provided a varied program. • Oct. 13, Joseph Roenbeck and Jason A. Wright, director of music at All Saints Episcopal Church, Hilton Head Island, hosted an Organ Demonstrator (series by Wayne Leupold Editions) for elementary school children on Hilton Head Island. For this event, Roenbeck had a silent cartoon created and provided improvisation. Later that evening, he also improvised for the silent film The Passion of Joan of Arc. • Oct. 15, the chapter presented a Festival of Hymns and Anthems for the Church Year at St. Andrew-By-The-Sea United Methodist Church, Hilton Head. Several church choirs from Hilton Head, Bluffton, and Beaufort participated under the direction of Debby Graves, Tim Reynolds, Rusty Floyd, Chad Martin, and Ella Davis. The Serenade Savannah Brass and flutist Karen Wylde accompanied, and Laura Floyd and Chad Martin sang the inspiring duet “The Holy City.”

—Greg L. Hollinger

Knoxville, Tenn. Sept. 19, at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension, the chapter’s 2017–18 season began with a recital by Todd Wilson, head of the organ department at the Cleveland Institute of Music and director of music at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Cleveland. He is generally regarded as one of the finest organists performing today. His recital opened with Marcel Dupré’s Cortège et Litanie and continued with three of Bach’s Schübler Chorales and the Passacaglia in C Minor. After intermission came Edwin Lemare’s Carmen Fantasy and Soliloquy by David Conte—the only living composer represented. The recital ended with the Allegro vivace from Widor’s Symphony No. 5.

—Allison Ensor

Nashville, Tenn. Oct. 9, the chapter program featured composer Philip Stopford in a choral reading session of his works, featuring the Sanctuary Choir of Belmont United Methodist Church. Gayle Sullivan, the church’s director of music ministries, and Robbie Jones, organist, were hosts for the program and preceding dinner.

—Rhonda Swanson

Great Lakes Region

Evansville, Ind. Sept. 30, the chapter launched “New Notes for Choir,” an anthem reading session for local church choirs. The event was held at Methodist Temple and featured conducting and accompaniment by Robert Nicholls, Barbara Waite, Neil Jones, and Joan Nevill. More than 30 singers attended from several area congregations to sing a total of nine anthems recently commissioned by local churches. Additionally, attendees heard a performance by local young organist Nolan Snyder as well as an update on his experience at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music Pre-College Organ Academy.

—Rachel Luttrull

Southern Indiana. Oct. 9, Greg Zelek played an organ recital as part of the Soaring Eagle “Emerging” Artist Concert Series, created to showcase a promising young concert organist and also to honor the memory of departed members of the arts and educational communities in Southern Indiana. This program was cosponsored by the chapter and St. John Presbyterian Church. The recital was presented in memory of Ovid “Bud” Chambers, who made significant contributions to the community as an instrumental music teacher and band director at New Albany High School and also director of music at Central Christian Church. Larry Kinser, a former student of Chambers, gave the memorial presentation. Zelek is currently the principal organist of the Madison Symphony Orchestra and curator of the Overture Concert Organ and Series. He is also concertizing throughout the United States. David K. Lamb, AGO Councillor for Membership, was the coordinator of the program. A catered dinner preceded the recital, which was held at St. John Presbyterian Church in New Albany, Ind. Special guests for the evening were the members of the national Committee on Sharing Skills and Resources, including Lamb, Marilyn Schempp, Jim Kosnik, Eric Birk, Paul Carmona, Peter Bates, and Zelek.

—Judith E. Miller

Cincinnati, Ohio. Sept. 30, the chapter held its fall opener at Faith Lutheran Church, hosted by its organist, Dean Donna Wernz. The gathering of more than 30 organists included members of the Cincinnati Chapter of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians (NAPM). (The Cincinnati chapters of AGO and NAPM have begun to share some meetings and events in the past few years.) The program was a presentation on hymn improvisation by two chapter members, Gregory Schaffer, principal organist and choirmaster at the Cathedral-Basilica of the Assumption (Covington, Ky.), and Sub-dean Mark Behnken, organist at College Hill Presbyterian Church (Cincinnati). Demonstrating his points at the console and with handouts, Schaffer suggested at the outset that he was most interested in providing examples of hymn embellishment and harmonic enhancement rather than improvisation in the compositional sense. Using the well-known Puer nobis tune as a solo line, he began accompanying it with descending and ascending scalar lines, then adding pedal lines and counterpoint that emerged from the combined elements. Eventually, chords began to support the forward movement over long pedal notes. Variations were suggested for individual stanzas. Among other concepts, he discussed the substitution of the minor mode that could be resolved to the major, as well as various factors that govern the choice of tempo. He warned the listeners to beware of problems inherent in published versions of hymns that have little regard for either congregational singing (due to the choice of key) or weak support offered by poorly conceived organ accompaniment. He suggested some ways of training the ear to introduce harmonic variation such as using the circle of fifths, listening to good jazz music, practicing the harmonizing of common scales to discover alternative harmonic structures. He also warned organists that it is better to be guilty of the “sin of omission” to gain clarity and simplicity as opposed to the “sin of commission” that can lead to wrong notes and muddy textures. Behnken then spoke to the chapter about the need to know what and for whom the organist is playing. Different settings of common texts can be interesting or distracting. Once an appropriate setting is selected, registration should be designed to help interpret the text, stanza by stanza. He then demonstrated the need to pay attention to the principal beat when a hymn tune begins on a weak beat, as in the case of “Amazing Grace” (New Britain). He also showed that the organist can change rhythms very effectively on an unsung stanza or on a coda. Interludes can also use a minor mode for contrast as long as the congregation gets clues from the organist about the completion of the bridge and the return to the melodic line. Passages can also be repeated in echo style for or a prelude or a postlude. After a congregational sing-along to “Holy, Holy, Holy” (Nicaea), the meeting adjourned for conversation and refreshments.

—Robert Benson

Columbus, Ohio. Sept. 10, to celebrate the kick-off of Ohio State University’s first home game of the season, the chapter presented Todd Wilson (Cleveland Institute of Music) at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Upper Arlington. He shared valuable insights on how to tackle and register major choral music scores from piano accompaniment to the organ with question and answers from those in attendance.

—Brian Johnson

North Central Region

Central Iowa. The life and legacy of the late Robert M. Speed, a Des Moines organist, conductor, composer, and educator, were celebrated Oct. 8 in a concert presented by the chapter. An audience of 300 heard organists perform on the III/43 Reuter at West Des Moines United Methodist Church. Performers were Ruth Harris, Sawyer Shiffler, Linda Bryant, Deanna Snyder with flutist Joni Kinnan, Carl Gravander, the Grand View University Choir under the direction of Kathryn Duffy, Mark Babcock, David Raymond, and William Ness. Shiffler was Speed’s last organ student. Ness, now a Boston area church musician and concert artist, is acknowledged as one of Speed’s most accomplished students. Five Speed compositions were on the program. Speed was a native of Knoxville, Iowa, who played piano at an early age and by age 15 was a church organist. For 44 years, he taught music and English literature at Grand View University in Des Moines, and for 48 years was organist and music director at Des Moines’ Central Presbyterian Church. He was an active composer with at least 30 compositions published. He died June 18, 2017, at age 87.

—Bev Duffy

Wichita, Kans. Sept. 17, the first meeting of the chapter was held at Lorraine Avenue Mennonite Church. “Coda—A Sacred Music Reading Session” was presented by DeAnn Diller from Senseney Music Inc. and four chapter members. Designed as a follow-up to the reading session at the chapter’s January Jubilee 2017, Donna Hetrick, Galen Shriner, Chris Shaw, and Kathy Fehrmann played organ and piano excerpts of repertoire from collections available for purchase from Senseney Music. Following the presentation all enjoyed a reception of cookies, fruit, and iced tea.

—Christopher Shaw

Central Missouri. Sept. 17, the chapter presented a members’ recital of French music played on the Cavaillé-Coll suite of the church’s Allen digital organ. Guest artists were Mike Thornton, flutist, Susan Quigley-Duggan and Laura Wiebe, sopranos, and faculty members of Swinney Conservatory of Music at Central Methodist University in Fayette, and Jerome Cole, who is completing his master’s degree in organ performance at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music studying with Christopher Young. Members performing included Pam Huttsell, Laura Wiebe, Jerome Cole, Susan Quigley-Duggan, Thomas Halpin, Amy Crousore, Schuyler Wheeler, Rochelle Parker, Craig Datz, Carol Virkler, William Daly, and Mike Thornton. Following the recital, 20 members adjourned to Les Bourgeois Bistro for dinner in Rocheport located on the beautiful river bluffs overlooking the Missouri River. Dean Mary Kabiri conducted a short business meeting and distributed an outline of the 2017–18 program agenda.

—Tom Perkins

Greater Kansas City, Mo. Sept. 24, Village Presbyterian Church of Prairie Village, Kans. (Elisa Bickers, FAGO, principal organist and associate director of music) and the chapter cosponsored a recital by distinguished organist Douglas Cleveland (John Delo faculty fellow in organ at the University of Washington School of Music, and director of music and liturgical arts at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Medina, Wash.). Also present at the concert was composer Pamela Decker, named Distinguished Composer for the upcoming 2018 AGO National Convention, where Cleveland will premiere her new composition at Village Presbyterian Church. The September program was presented as part of the opening series of concerts for the new Opus 22 instrument by Richards, Fowkes & Co.

—Norm Kinnaugh

St. Louis, Mo. A joint meeting of the St. Louis AGO Chapter and the St. Louis Chapter and Duchesne Branch of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians took place at St. Francis de Sales Oratory, St. Louis, on Oct. 23. Members from both organizations shared a meal, then moved to the historic church for a program on “Gregorian Chant and Organ Music and Motets Based on Chant.” Host Nick Botkins, director of sacred music and master of choirs, noted that this occasion might be the first time that the chapter has gathered in this historic, Gothic Revival church. The cathedral-like space was the ideal setting for the ethereal music that was presented. Twelve singers, directed by Botkins, began the program with 16th-century chant by de Zacharia that was proper to the beginning of the office for that hour. Compelling chant from the front was often sung in alternatim with the organ in the balcony, as when Marian antiphons set by Dupré were complimented by sung versets from “Ave Maris Stella.” Gregorian and Solesmes chant, and motets by Sheppard and Stolzer were interspersed with chant-based organ works by Howells, Oldroyd, and Alain. Organist Nicholas Bideler’s spectacular organ playing concluded with Duruflé’s Prélude, adagio et choral varié sur le thème du Veni Creator. This was made all the more amazing when Botkins disclosed that 40 percent of the three-manual Wicks (1924) is not working and in need of updating and repairs. The masterful singing and playing brought shimmering whispers and growling magnificence to this joint AGO/NPM gathering.

—Dawn Riske

Lincoln, Nebr. Oct. 23, member and associate dean at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln School of Music Christopher Marks presented “American Organ Sonatas 1863–1935” at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. Organ sonatas are not well known because they were not written for church performance. A few can be found on YouTube. According to Marks, organ sonatas represented “compositional ambition and seriousness—the best the composer had to offer.” These pieces were written for solo organ, contain three or four movements, and use cyclic elements. Eugene Thayer and Dudley Buck were among the first American composers of organ sonatas, and Thayer even used variations on “The Star-Spangled Banner” in the third movement of his Sonata No. 2 in C, written ca. 1863. Felix Borowski was an early 20th-century composer who wrote three large-scale, Romantic organ sonatas. Edwin Lemare was the most highly regarded and highly paid organist of his generation, as well as the greatest performer and one of the most important composers of the late Romantic English-American Organ School. Other early 20th-century sonata composers were Pietro A. Yon and E.S. Barnes. Programmatic organ sonatas were written by Clarence Dickinson, Storm King, in 1920, A Pageant in 1921 by H.B. Jepson, and The Chambered Nautilus in 1922 by Humphrey Stewart. Sonatas of the 1930s solidified the American style, using syncopation that sounded almost like ragtime, jazz influence, and purely American harmonies reminiscent of Copland. Marks identified Leo Sowerby’s 1932 Symphony in G Major as the ultimate American organ sonata. After the well-received program, members enjoyed a social time.

—Sinda Dux

Madison, Wis. Oct. 7, chapter members visited the main chapel of the Sacred Heart School of Theology in Franklin (a suburb of Milwaukee). Charles Ludwick, director of liturgical music at the school, talked about the chapel (which is in the round, with the altar in the center, and utilizes a triangle motif in its decor) and its organ. The two-manual Berghaus mechanical-action organ was built in 1994 and has 35 ranks. The organ case, made of solid red oak, is 30 feet tall. The five slender towers built into the case were inspired by the high, narrow stained glass windows in the chapel. Those who wished to try out the organ had the opportunity to do so, after which Ludwick gave the group a tour of the building in which the chapel is housed. Following the visit to Sacred Heart School, the group went to Organ Piper Pizza in nearby Greenfield, where they enjoyed pizza, conversation, and live music played on the restaurant’s Wurlitzer theater organ.

—Naomi Matthee

Southwest Region 

Las Cruces, N.M. Oct. 1, the chapter and Peace Lutheran Church of Las Cruces cosponsored a chamber recital. “The Little Organ that Could!” celebrated the relocation of Wicks Opus 5675 from New Mexico State University to the church’s fellowship hall. Participants included Teresa Ross Savage (violin), Christine Sanders (vocalist), Karen Billings, CAGO, Pamela Shaffer Reinhard (violin), Laroy Borchert (clarinet), Howard Smolleck (dean), Stephen Helmreich, CAGO (host), Lisa Van Winkle (flute), David Kendrick (trumpet), Vicar Day Hefner (vocalist), and Monte Coleman (sub-dean). The program included selections by Bach, Buxtehude, Liddle, Mozart, Poulenc, and Telemann, that showcased the organ’s adaptability for solo performance, vocal and instrumental accompaniment, and congregational singing. The program concluded with a rousing jam session on Martin Luther’s hymn “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.”

—Karen S. Billings

Dallas, Tex. Oct. 10, the first recital of the Robert T. Anderson Recital Series for 2017–18 was played by the amazing Thomas Ospital, titulaire of the grand organ of Saint-Eustache in Paris and newly appointed organist-in-residence at Maison de la Radio (Radio France Concert Hall). The recital was on the Schudi Opus 6 (1978) at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Dallas. Ospital offered a program of French organ works and transcriptions, concluding with an improvisation on “Promenade” from Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition that sparkled, bringing the audience to its feet at the end. It was a great beginning for the series. It is interesting to note that one of his teachers at the Paris Conservatory, Michel Bouvard, played a recital on the Opus 100 Recital Series on Oct. 15 in the Meyerson Symphony Hall on Fisk Opus 100.

—Michael Shake

West Region

Orange County, Calif. Oct. 9, the chapter together with Christ Cathedral, Garden Grove, presented an afternoon and evening featuring Johann Vexo, choir organist at Notre-Dame Cathedral, Paris. During the afternoon program, Vexo gave an informative talk on the organist music scene in France for church organists and recitalists. After a delightful dinner, Vexo played a stellar recital in the Cathedral Arboretum. His registrations utilized the rich sounds of the organ and blended them into perfect balance and clarity. Included on the program were works of J.S. Bach, Mendelssohn, Franck, Widor, and Litaize. He concluded the recital with Prelude et fugue sur le nom d’Alain by Duruflé, capturing the profound nature of this work.

—Jennifer Puhl

Ventura County, Calif. Oct. 1, the chapter held its first annual meeting at the Westlake Methodist Church. Members shared “accessible” organ favorites for the seasons of Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany. The members who shared were Ann Luthringer, Linda Fern Fay, Joseph Peeples, Barbara Artinian, Mark Holmstrom, Raymond Egan, Roberta Palmer, and Leslie Frank. Those in attendance enjoyed the organ music on the Rodgers hybrid organ and left the meeting with new musical ideas as well as ordering information for the selections of their choice. Following the presentation an Installation of Officers was held. The Rev. Lewis Fry, chaplain, and Peter Bates, district convener, installed the officers for 2017–18: Gary Henricksen, dean, Leslie Frank, sub-dean, Joseph Peeples, secretary, Jim Pearson, treasurer, and Lance Crane, Ann Luthringer, and Ryan Macias, members-at-large. After the meeting several of the members and friends enjoyed dinner together at Cisco’s Mexican Restaurant in Westlake Village.

—Ivan Shobe

Hong Kong. With the generous support of the Centennial Millennium Fund from the New York City chapter and Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Man, S.C., the chapter organized the first Summer Organ Academy from August 22 to 29. Sixteen young people, ages 13–18 and new to the organ, received intensive and vigorous tuition over the weeklong program on pipe organs in Hong Kong. The program also included visits to other instruments in Hong Kong. The Academy closed with a concluding recital of short performances by each youngster on the four-manual Rieger at the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts. • Sept. 2, Anne Lam, former dean of the chapter, joined with local cellist Eric Yip to give a recital of music for cello and organ on Fisk Opus 149. The recital included music by Bach, Chopin, Schumann, and Wammes. The unusual combination of the two instruments was received with great acclaim.

—Felix Yeung

Seattle, Wash. Oct. 23, the chapter gathered at University Lutheran Church for a tour of the III/27 organ recently built by member René Marceau and Associates (see February 2017 TAO). Marceau described how and why components of the previous instrument were kept, modified, or replaced, while host organist Logan Hamilton demonstrated the audible results. Marceau thanked past dean Carl Dodrill and his Pipe Organ Foundation for studying the mechanical structure of the previous instrument and suggesting practical ways to accomplish the new work. After this, members got to experience organbuilding first hand, assembling the Orgelkids USA organ kit, in town for the upcoming Pedals, Pipes & Pizza event, under the supervision of members Beverly Roecker and Sam Peters. A sumptuous dessert table, an open console, and a used music exchange featuring Advent and Christmas music completed the evening.

—David Nichols

Spokane, Wash. Oct. 1, chapter members and fellow musicians presented a celebration of musical arts for organ, piano, strings, and choir at Messiah Lutheran Church. Works performed included Haydn’s Missa brevis Sancti Joannis de Deo, Mozart’s Church Sonatas No. 5 and No. 10; Karg-Elert’s Choral-Improvisations, Fauré’s En Prière, Haydn’s Divertimento “Il maestro e lo scolare” (piano, four-hands), Zipoli’s Versets and Canzona in C, and Haydn’s Piano Trio No. 31. This varied program of choral, organ, and instrumental music was presented to a near capacity crowd. Comments from so many attendees were glowing and many expressed the hope that similar programs will be offered soon and frequently! Chapter members performing included Janet Ahrend (piano), Nisha Coulter (piano and choir), Jim Holmes (continuo and piano), M. David Matney (organ), Germaine Morgan (cello), Chris Nelson (organ), and Jim Tevenan (organ). A fine volunteer choir of 16 voices was featured in the Haydn choral work under the superb direction of Stan McDaniel. Messiah’s II/23 Werner Bosch tracker organ was an exceptional instrument proving its versatility in both ensemble and solo works. The Haydn Divertimento, written at a time when works for piano four-hands were rare, displayed the composer’s keen sense of wit throughout with Janet Ahrend and Jim Holmes embellishing their parts to the delight of the listeners in an attempt to out-do each other as in “anything you can do, I can do better!” It is also worth mentioning that member M. David Matney designed and produced a beautiful, informative printed program for this concert, which showcased the dedication and talent of the chapter in every regard.

—James M. Wallrabenstein

Singapore. Oct. 7, the chapter and Queenstown Lutheran Church jointly presented “Word Through Music” in celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. Guest flutist Cheryl Lim, together with members of the chapter on organ and cello, presented one of the flute sonatas by J.S. Bach. Various organ and vocal works based on Lutheran hymn tunes were also presented. The audience participated in singing the hymns. The Rev. Lee graced the evening with a reading of a paraphrase of Psalm 46 by Martin Luther.

—Yap Wai Hoong

Northeast Region

Fairfield West, Connecticut. October 9, the chapter enjoyed a demonstration of the Newberry Memorial Organ at Yale University’s Woolsey Hall by Thomas Murray, university organist. A tour of the organ by curators Nicholas Thompson-Allen and Joe Dzeda followed the demonstration.

—Jonathan Ryan

Greater Hartford, Connecticut. A large grant from the chapter helped support the 19th annual Albert Schweitzer Organ Festival Hartford, held from Sept. 30 to Oct. 2. This year the festival was held at its new home at Hartford’s Trinity College after 18 seasons at First Church, Wethersfield, Conn. First place in the Young Professional Competition went to Colin MacKnight, second place to Collin Boothby, and third place to Joey Fala. In the High School Competition, first place went to Katherine Johnson, second place to Elena Baquerizo, and third place to Martin Jones. Audience prizes were awarded to MacKnight and Jones, and hymn playing awards to Fala, Boothby, and Jones. Isabelle Demers, Faythe Freese, and Christopher Houlihan judged the competitions and opened the festival with solo performances at the Cathedral of St. Joseph, Hartford, where they were joined by a festival choir and Chorus Angelicus under the direction of Gabriel Löfvall. Among the many exciting developments this year, prize money increased substantially, and a new board of directors was formed to support the festival in future years. Bob Clement, a longtime supporter of organ music, and musicians, and a champion of the festival, passed away on Nov. 18 after a short illness. He is remembered here for his dedication to talented young organists and his passion for their artistic development.

—Vaughn Mauren

New Haven, Connecticut. October 30, chapter members met at United Church on the Green, New Haven, for a catered evening dinner and fellowship.

• November 5, 30 members and guests attended an inspiring workshop titled “How to Rehearse a Choir.” The event, held at Bethesda Lutheran Church in New Haven, was led by Ed Bolkovac, professor of choral music at the Hartt School of Music. A catered Cajun-themed lunch followed.

—Vivienne McKay

Merrimack Valley, Massachusetts. October 23, the chapter was most fortunate to host George Bozeman for a masterclass on Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier at South Parish Church in Andover, Mass. A retired organbuilder, esteemed concert artist, and member of the New Hampshire and Boston chapters, Mr. Bozeman presented a unique and insightful workshop on how to perform and idiomatically arrange what many classically trained musicians have studied and perhaps tried to perform on the organ—Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier. Out of 48 total preludes and fugues, Bozeman demonstrated roughly a dozen selections whose texture and style transferred best to the organ, performing them with technical ease and great refinement. His ornamentation and touch brought all the artistic nuances and poetry of fine harpsichord playing, and his tasteful registrations gave these pieces an authentic, German Baroque flavor. Moving away from conventional and sometimes predictable flute and principal choices, Bozeman cleverly employed reed, horn, and string stops with flutes and principals to bring out the contrapuntal voices in the music and make them sparkle. In his presentation, he explained that certain preludes having a pedal point and fugues having passages with a thicker texture could be distributed between the hands and pedals. This was especially effective for chords that Bach inserts at cadences and at the end of phrases and cadenza-like passages. A great example of this was shown in the Prelude in E-flat Minor, Book II. Enriching these chords with pedal created a full and dramatic effect. Bozeman explained that although reworking simpler sections of the bass line in the preludes and fugues into the pedal requires extra effort as opposed to simply playing on manuals alone, it is well worth the time as it produces not only a full, dramatic sound, but also fully exploits the organ’s ability to make Bach’s counterpoint sparkle in a way that the piano and harpsichord cannot. After the demonstration, Mr. Bozeman graciously stayed and answered questions at an open console with guests.

—Silke Maravelis

Binghamton, New York. November 4, the chapter held the fourth recital in its annual Young Artist Series featuring Joey Fala. Fala is a master’s candidate at Yale University, and is a student of Martin Jean and Thomas Murray. The recital, played on the 1996 III/46 Guilbault-Thérien rebuild at United Presbyterian Church in Binghamton, included music of Demessieux, Shearing, Bach, Callahan, and Vierne. A persistent cipher appeared during the middle of the Bach Fantasia, resulting in the subsequent loss of the Choir manual for the rest of the program. Fala calmly adjusted his registrations, and accepted the interruption with poise and good humor. The encore was Fala’s signature piece, Demes-sieux’s Octaves, a piece that is as entertaining visually as it is aurally. Fala invited interested audience members to join him in the rear gallery to see and hear the piece up close, and consequently dazzled and delighted those who participated. Previous Young Artist Series guests have included Joseph and Erin Ripka, Dexter (Tripp) Kennedy, and Nick Capozzoli. • Nov. 11, member Larry Hoey, organist and choir director of First Presbyterian Church in Endicott, N.Y., organized and led “A Concert for Organ and Brass,” featuring himself on the organ, and the local brass quintet, A Touch of Brass. The concert, held at Memorial Park Baptist Church, consisted of several solo organ works, along with works for organ and brass. The concert was in celebration of the church’s recently acquired Allen organ.

• November 13, members Diane Ames and Paulette Fry presented “A Concert of Music for Duo Organists” at United Presbyterian Church in Cortland, N.Y. They were supported in selected pieces by Johanna Ames and Carol Foster on piano, chimes, and special effects. The program featured music by Sousa, Callahan, Glière, and Joe Utterback. As a lighthearted finale titled “Victory at UPC,” the organists accompanied a silent, in-house video, made by church member Tom Corey, of various church members preparing pumpkin pies in the church kitchen, and also helping Doug Campbell, Wicks Pipe Organ Company regional consultant, as he worked on updating the organ. As a clever spoof of silent movie theater organ accompaniment, the organ duo played a medley of themes loosely related to the action on the screen. Paulette Fry is the organist at United Presbyterian Church.

—John Holt

Vermont. October 9, a tour of three churches and their historic organs was held in the Village of Chester. At First Baptist Church, Christian Thayer, resident organist, accompanied a hymn, followed by a mini-recital by Phil Stimmel. Included were works by Healey Willan, Joe Utterback, Louis Couperin, Pietro Yon, and Billy Nalle on the 1927 Estey. At St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Ashley Paine, the church’s organist, accompanied a hymn, followed by a mini-recital by Peter Walker. Included were works by William Selby, J.S. Bach, Louis Vierne, Gaspard Corrette, and Flor Peeters on the 1870 S.S. Hamill. At the Congregational Church, Lorri Bond, resident organist, accompanied a hymn, followed by a brief recital by Lynette Combs. Included were works by David Lasky, Henri Mulet, and C.P.E. Bach on the 1898 S.S. Hamill. A reception was held following the recital.

—Vaughn L. Watson

Mid-Atlantic Region

Baltimore, Maryland. November 17, the chapter celebrated the 25th anniversary of the restoration of the 1882 Johnson & Son pipe organ at Westminster Hall in downtown Baltimore. The organ was restored by the Andover Organ Company of Methuen, Mass. Of the six organists playing, three—Michael Britt, Michael Gaffney, and James Houston—were among the original four performers from the 1991 recital. Also appearing were Mi Zhou, a student of John Walker, Phoon Yu, a student of Donald Sutherland, and Mary Maldarelli. Compositions by Bach, Rawsthorne, Vierne, Chris Lobingier, Bédard, and Joe Utterback were a part of the program. A reception followed the concert.

—Kitty Allen

Mid-Shore, Maryland. November 14, the chapter met at the home of member Marcia Fidis for a potluck dinner and meeting. It was an excellent opportunity to chat with old friends and to meet some new ones. Following dinner, Cynthia DeDakis, FRSCM, missioner for parish music, Episcopal Diocese of Maryland, and consultant in church music and chorister training, presented a stimulating and helpful presentation about her work in church music. It was a great educational experience and we all gained valuable ideas for work in our own parishes.

—Dale Krider

Central New Jersey. November 5, the chapter visited the residence of Glenn Thomas, editor and publisher of The AMICA Bulletin—the Automatic Musical Instrument Collectors’ Association’s (AMICA) bimonthly scholarly journal—and host of AMICA’s recent international convention in Princeton. He described and demonstrated many instruments in his substantial collection of music boxes, player pianos, nickelodeons, and band organs. Each was in excellent working condition and had been lovingly restored. His descriptions of and his dedication to these varied instruments was thorough and infectious.

—Eric Plutz

Metropolitan New Jersey. October 17, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Chatham (host organist Jim Little), was the setting for the chapter’s Dinner and Shared Conversation event. The evening began with wine and cheese followed by a catered dinner in the parish hall. Attendees shared highlights from conferences, conventions, education classes, and other events attended over the summer months. Preston Dibble, district convener, spoke about the Guild’s new mission and values statement. He also discussed the Guild’s recent decision to discontinue publishing salary guidelines and model contract provisions in response to the recent FTC investigation of the AGO. He then answered questions from members on the topic.

—Bev McGregor

Northern New Jersey. Members and guests who attended the October meeting had a wonderful day visiting two churches in the Bergen County, N.J. area. Historian Carol Benecke shared the early and interesting history of Old South Church in Bergenfield and Old North Church (built in 1799) in Dumont. The Old North congregation was founded in 1724 in Bergenfield in an octagonal building. When the Presbyterians wanted their own building and their own religion, they built Old South right next door! In 1801 the octagonal building was in such bad repair that someone donated land in Dumont where they built the present Old North Reformed Church. As there was animosity between the two congregations, Old North was built with a higher steeple than Old South. Pews were sold to provide money for the building. Slaves’ pews were constructed up against the balcony walls but wealthy slave owners sat and worshipped downstairs. Much of the area was, of course, farm and wooded land—both essential for the survival of Revolutionary War troops—and thus an underlying cause of many of the battles to control this area. Host Allen Newman demonstrated the organ for attendees.

—Stewart Holmes

Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. October 21, “Pipes Spooktacular” took place at Mercersburg Academy Chapel in Mercersburg. The program included performers from the Chambersburg chapter and Cumberland Valley chapter in Hagerstown, Md. A variety of music was presented, not only for pipe organ, but also piano and percussion. Several soprano solos and an appearance by a “ghost dancer” were all part of the program. When Elizabeth Krouse played her Fantasy on Nursery Tunes, she invited the younger folks in the audience to come up to see the organ and then explained what she was going to play, asking them to listen for bits of familiar nursery rhymes in what she played. Trick-or-treat candy was given out to the audience at the end of the program.

—Helen Wingert

Erie, Pennsylvania. September 25, the chapter held its service for the installation of officers at Mount St. Benedict Monastery. Officers installed were Walt Gaber (dean), Edwina Gesler (sub-dean), Patrick Bier (treasurer), and Kathrine Swanson (secretary). The service was led by Jo Critchfield, retired director of sacred music at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, and the homily was given by the Rev. Brian Moran, retired pastor of Mount Calvary Lutheran Church. Music for the service was provided by Bruce Gingrich, director of music and organist at First United Methodist Church, Erie, with special music by Dennis Cantoni, clarinetist. For the service, Mr. Gingrich played the new Hauptwerk organ in the Monastery’s chapel that was installed in April 2015 by Encore Organ Technology of North Plymouth, Minn. After the service, Sister Marilyn Schauble, OSB (host), spoke about the installation, detailing its attributes, specifications, and software. After the presentation, members were invited to play the organ. A reception followed the evening’s
program.

—Kathrine Swanson

Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania. October 15, Shelly Moorman-Stahlman gave a presentation to 14 attendees at First Presbyterian Church, Allentown, about her trips to Brazil. She showed slides of the organs she saw and people she met, and talked about the Brazilian students who then came to the United States for a few months to study church music, organ playing, and organbuilding. She stressed how the relationships between Brazilian and American students were life-changing on both sides, and how the Brazilian students were fascinated and touched by liturgies in American churches. The presentation was fascinating, full of personal reflections, and also informative concerning the state of organs and church music in Brazil.

—Tom Dressler

Pennsylvania Northeast. Nov. 13, members of the chapter conducted their seventh Pedals, Pipes & Pizza program at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church in Pittston. The program began with a performance of A Pipe Organ Primer by Hal Hopson, with Raphael Micca, dean, as narrator and Michael Sowa, member, as organist. The program also featured a games session, facilitated by Micca, for the children who attended, as well as an explanation of the mechanisms of the pipe organ and the parts of an organ pipe by Peter Picerno. Many of the visitors to the program brought music to play on the church’s three-manual Kilgen. The program concluded with pizza and refreshments.

—Michael Sowa

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. November 18, chapter members attended the Philadelphia Orchestra concert for the premiere performance of Christopher Rouse’s Organ Concerto. Under the direction of Music Director Yannick Nézet- Séguin, with organist Paul Jacobs as soloist, the performance was a tenth anniversary celebration of the Fred J. Cooper Memorial Organ in Verizon Hall. The organ, Dobson Opus 76, is the largest mechanical action concert hall organ in the United States. The Rouse Organ Concerto was commissioned by The Philadelphia Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the National Symphony, and was written specifically for Paul Jacobs. Also on the program were Samuel Barber’s Toccata Festiva, Op. 36, and the Saint-Saëns Symphony No. 3 in C Minor. Following the concert a reception was held at the home of Fred Haas, grandson of Fred J. Cooper. Along with 50 AGO members and their guests, honored guests included Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Allison Vulgamore, president and CEO of The Philadelphia Orchestra Association, Paul Jacobs, and students from Paul Jacobs’s organ studio at The Juilliard School.

—David Furniss

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. November 18, the Organ Artists Series presented Chelsea Chen at Heinz Memorial Chapel on the University of Pittsburgh Campus. Her varied and very interesting program showed the 1994–95 III/73 Reuter to its best advantage. Her program included music by Cjeilo, Grieg, Langlais, Chen, J.S. Bach, Wammes, and Saint-Saëns. The recital was in memory of Robert Sutherland Lord, former University and Heinz Chapel Organist.

• November 28, the chapter met at the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer. Sub-dean Nathan Carterette was our host. After dinner and a brief meeting Pittsburgher David Mahler, itinerant church musician, presented a program about nourishing healthy singing. By using a variety of styles and types, he had everyone singing hymns traditionally, as well as in rounds, different styles, and with improvisations. He also provided a handout of music and resources. He was assisted by his wife, Julie Hanify.

—Barbara McKelway

Richmond, Virginia. The chapter held its November gathering as our members continued to prepare to host the 2017 Mid-Atlantic Regional Convention. The highlight of this meeting was a program presented by Robert Parkins from Duke University, in which he discussed and demonstrated several pieces of Spanish organ music. Hosting the meeting was St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in the Bon Air neighborhood of Richmond, the home to Taylor & Boody Opus 64.

—John DeMajo

Southeast Region

Central Florida. In September, our first meeting of the 2016–17 season, titled “Year of the Member,” was held at All Saints Episcopal Church in Winter Park with Tim Smith (dean), as host. Before dinner, yearbooks with member contact information and vendor advertisements, compiled by Doug Spike, were distributed. Members then enjoyed a delicious dinner prepared by Chef Roger Pallidino. A members’ recital followed with artists Tim Smith, Katherine Bunn, Ken Stoops, and Josiah Armes playing repertoire from several different periods.

• In October, the chapter held its annual Spooktacular Concert at the Orlando Lutheran Towers in downtown Orlando. Tim Hanes (sub-dean) was the event coordinator. Members Ben Lane, Rick Robinson, Michael Petrosh, and Carolyn Parsons Cutler provided artistic and fun performances for the full-house audience. Tom Taylor accompanied a Charlie Chaplin silent movie on the five-manual Ruffatti, and the Downtown Singers led the audience in a Halloween sing-along. A highlight of the evening was an amazing gesture of affirmation and encouragement to new organists. Peter Kenzie of Church Organ Concepts generously donated an Ahlborn-Galanti Angelus two-manual organ for a student raffle. Scholarship student Nicholas Schefstad is the proud new owner of this practice organ. We also raised over $500 for our scholarship fund during the Spooktacular. Thank you to our hosts at the Towers, Pastor Norton Rosebrock and Odalia Santiago, as well as Travis Pilch for providing audio and visual services that contributed to the success of this event. More information and pictures can be found of this event and others on our Facebook page, Facebook.com/CentalFloridaAGO.

—John Reilly

Atlanta, Georgia. November 11, James F. Mellichamp, president of Piedmont College, and the Atlanta chapter presented Mark Pacoe in recital at the Piedmont College Chapel on the Sewell Organ, a mechanical-action instrument built by Casavant. Pacoe played an exciting program with works by Mulet, Marais, Jongen, Buxtehude, Eben, J.S. Bach, Shearing, Bolcom, and Bovet. Pacoe holds degrees from Duquesne and East Carolina universities and did postgraduate studies at the Eastman School of Music. He serves on the executive board on the NYC chapter and is a member of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians. A published writer, Pacoe is in demand internationally as an adjudicator, and has served on the faculty for the POE in Wilmington, Del. Pacoe currently serves as director of music and organist at St. John Nepomucene and St. Frances Cabrini Catholic parishes in New York City.

—Don Land

Augusta, Georgia. November 4, the chapter held its November dinner and program at Trinity-on-the-Hill United Methodist Church in Augusta (Lisa Wilson, organist). After a delicious dinner and a sharing of our “favorite” wedding stories, members and guests moved to the sanctuary for a program of wedding music. Keith Shafer, director of music at St. Paul’s Church, along with Fabio Mann, trumpet and flugelhorn, shared a variety of pieces for preludes, processionals, and recessionals. John Wilson (AAGO, ChM), director of music and organist, First Presbyterian, Augusta, along with Melissa Schultz, soprano, presented a variety of vocal music for weddings. Dr. Wilson along with Fabio Mann then presented a variety of wedding music for organ and trumpet. In choosing the music for the program, the presenters allowed us to hear pieces that are not always on the standard wedding music list. Attendees were excited to hear new pieces, as well as some old
favorites.

—David Salter

Macon, Georgia. November 1, the chapter met at Northminster Presbyterian to hear a program on hymn playing presented by Joseph Golden, professor and university organist at Columbus State’s Schwob School of Music, and organist and choirmaster at Trinity Episcopal Church in Columbus. The presentation, “Not Like Hymns—Like Music!” introduced an approach to hymn playing that focuses on facilitating the multiple needs of singers, and honors the stylistic standards expected in the preparation and presentation of any sort of serious music.

—Jane Kimbrel

Northeast Georgia. October 15, the chapter met at First Presbyterian Church, Athens. Following a brief business meeting, John T. Coble, organist and director of music at First Presbyterian, presented a fascinating program titled “Improvisation for the Church Organist.” In addition to a well-organized handout and presentation, Dr. Coble invited participants to come to the console and try out the various techniques he proposed. These included ways to make hymn introductions more attractive to a congregation, hymn-based improvisation using a variety of traditional and modern compositional techniques, and many others. He was most supportive and encouraging to all who attempted to apply his ideas to specific hymns and moments when improvisation skills might be demanded in a church service.

• November 5, the chapter met at First Baptist Church in Athens. Following a brief business meeting and refreshments, Ivan Frazier and Lalla Tanner presented a program honoring Martin Luther, “Vater unser im Himmelreich: Martin Luther, Johann Sebastian Bach, and The Lord’s Prayer.” Included was historical information on Martin Luther’s adaptation of the Lord’s Prayer as found in the New Testament into his nine-verse hymn, the tune he adapted for the chorale, its earliest publication, and use by composers of the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. Frazier and Tanner performed Bach chorale preludes, BWV 636, 683, and 737 on the four-manual Möller Woodruff Memorial Organ. In attendance were Lalla Tanner, Erica Spackman, and Carol Corina.

—Ivan Frazier

Savannah, Georgia .October 29, the chapter held its biannual Pedals, Pipes & Pumpkins recital at First Presbyterian Church (Bill and Anne McNair, hosts). The program, which featured fun and “scary” organ music, was intended to expose children of all ages to the king of instruments. In addition to pumpkin carols, costumes, and door prizes, the program included selections such as, “Stars Wars—Throne Room,” “The Pink Panther Theme,” “Hornpipe Humoresque,” Mussorgsky’s Baba Yaga, “Rex: King of Instruments,” Bach’s Prelude and Fugue in C Minor, Albinoni’s Adagio, and Wagner’s Ride of the Valkyries played by four hands and four feet. Performers included Rebecca McClain (dean), James Richardson, Bill McNair, Monica Harper Dekle, Jim Adams, Keith Valade, Kyle Ballantine, Timothy Hall, and the Rev. Peter Hartmann (emcee).

—Justin Addington

Durham-Chapel Hill, North Carolina. November 12, Grace Baptist Church in Durham joined with the chapter to present “Hymn Sing to Help and Hope.” The hymns, interspersed with anthems and scripture, were all arranged by chapter member David Durkop (host), and provided uplifting color and flair as they supported the congregational singing. Seven church choirs participated, as well as the Philippine-American Association of North Carolina Choir and the North Carolina Boys Choir, resulting in a variety of musical styles. The choral finale for massed choir, “One Great Fellowship of Love,” was composed by chapter member Zollene Reissner, and conducted by chapter member Daniel Steinert (AAGO), with David Dur-
kop and Tim Baker (dean) accompanying. Attendees brought bags of food to be donated to the Durham Rescue Mission, along with the collected monetary
offering.

—Lyn Francisco

Wilmington, North California. The chapter met on October 11 at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. Bill Remele, St. Paul’s director of music and organist, presented a lecture-recital on J.S. Bach’s Orgelbüchlein. Remele spoke about Bach’s life during the time he was composing the Orgelbüchlein preludes, and about scholarly studies of the chorales. Then he played and gave specific information about selected preludes.

—Sara Bryant

Greater Anderson, South Carolina. October 29, twelve members of our chapter traveled to the Charlotte, N.C., area for an organ crawl. We enjoyed a tour of the Cornel Zimmer shop given by Chip Mays. Lunch was held at the home of David Wilcox where we were able hear and play the new Hauptwerk virtual pipe organ software. We then traveled to St. John’s Baptist Church to see a presentation of Létourneau Opus 113 by Charlotte chapter member Noel Lance. Following his demonstration, members were able to play the instrument for themselves. The tour concluded with a visit to Providence Road United Methodist Church, home to Parkey Opus 14 (relocated Aeolian-Skinner Opus 1472). Although unable to attend, Charlotte chapter member Adam Ward graciously prepared the space for our visit, and members were delighted by the organ as they each took a turn at the
console.

—Trevis Young

Spartanburg, South Carolina. November 28, the chapter held a members’ recital in the Chapel of the First Presbyterian Church. Over 65 people attended the Advent-themed program that was played on the chapel’s Schoenstein organ. Members performing in the recital were Brennan Szafron, Tashler Greene, Erica Pauly, Marcia Andrews, Mary Lou Miller, Alex Parler, Huger P. Caughman, Jr., Christopher Lane Hill, and Bill Cooper. The recital included works and arrangements by Marcel Dupré, Dennis Janzer, Wilbur Held, Johann Pachelbel, Gerald Near, Paul Manz, Johannes Brahms, Michael Burkhardt, Christopher Lane Hill, and George Frederick Handel. A reception was held in the church parlor after the recital.

—Bill Cooper

Knoxville, Tennessee. October 3, the chapter gathered at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian-Universalist Church for a program appropriately titled “You Didn’t Hear It at Your Church.” The varied selections ranged from two movements from Leonard Bernstein’s Mass to “Java Jive” (“I love coffee, I love tea”) and Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer’s popular song of the 1940s, “Ac-cent-tchu-ate the Positive.” Choral numbers were sung by the Sanctuary Choir and Chalice Singers under the direction of Leslie Gengozian. Piano and organ accompaniment was by Will Dunklin. The church’s organ dates from an 1891 installation in a Baptist church in Georgia. It was moved to All Saints Chapel at the University of the South in Sewanee, from which it was later removed. After years of neglect and ruination at the hands of mischievous students, it was purchased from the university and was considerably reworked and enlarged by Bradley Rule of B. Rule & Company.

—Allison Ensor

Memphis, Tennessee. Thanks to Donna Sloan and St. Brigid’s Catholic Church for hosting Pedals, Pipes & Pizza in October. There were about 15 students who participated in this event designed to encourage the study of the organ. Greg Koziel, organ technician, Jim Walsmith, piano teacher at Colonial Middle School, and André Duvall, sub-dean, facilitated the demonstration and explanation of the pipe organ. It was fascinating to see the students’ and parents’ faces when they played and heard the different sounds of the organ. Students were reminded of the scholarship program for lessons available through the chapter and several were interested. It was a worthwhile endeavor for our chapter.

—Tyrus Legge

Nashville, Tennessee. November’s program featured a solo concert by Craig Cramer, professor of organ at the University of Notre Dame. The concert was cosponsored with First Presbyterian Church and hosted by Raphael Bundage, director of music, and Nick Bergin and Rhonda Swanson, organists. Cramer’s selections included Toni Zahnbrecher’s Introduction, Scherzo and Fuge on B-E-A-T-E (1993). Support by the Swain Fund was gratefully acknowledged.

—Rhonda Swanson

Great Lakes Region

North Shore, Illinois. November 12, the chapter presented a dual workshop titled “Creative Hymn Playing and Adapting Piano Music for the Organ.” This event, hosted by First Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights, was taught by organists Andrea Handley and Chris Urban, Jill Hunt, and Sharon R. Peterson. In the first session Chris and Andrea each addressed creative hymn playing from their own perspectives. Andrea demonstrated various templates she uses for creating her own introductions, alternate harmonizations, and modulations between verses. Chris gave an overview of many published collections of introductions, free harmonizations, modulations, piano-organ duets, music for organ and brass, and music for organ and various instruments. Jill shared her research on Vaughan Williams’s Five Mystical Songs using the piano score, J. Melvin Butler’s organ accompaniment, and the full orchestral score to inform her own organ accompaniment. Sharon gave a demonstration of the possibilities the organ offers to enhance an anthem written for choir and piano, emphasizing the importance of listening and thinking as a conductor while making decisions about the adaptation from piano to organ. The event was a rich presentation and a perfect follow-up to the previous month’s astounding concert presented by Notre Dame Cathedral’s organist, Vincent Dubois.

—Sharon R. Peterson

Southern Illinois. October 11, the chapter hosted David Lamb in a choral reading clinic held at First United Methodist Church in Carbondale. Members and friends enjoyed reviewing a wide selection of anthems useful for services throughout the year. Dr. Lamb discussed the selections and accompanied them on either piano or organ. He is currently director of music for Trinity United Methodist Church, New Albany, Ind., and is the AGO National Councillor for Membership. The program was most informative and was followed
by fellowship and refreshments in the church parlor.

—Sidney Smith

Southern Indiana. October 29, chapter members sponsored a Pipes and Pumpkins event at St. John Presbyterian Church in New Albany, Ind. Organists who performed special selections for Halloween were Bradley Johnson, George Hubbard, Charlie Mitchell, Janet Hamilton, and Tim Baker. Other performers included Ben Eiten, Emery Petry, Kathryn Lambert, and the Adult Handbell Choir and Chancel Choir of St. John Presbyterian (Charles Mitchell, director). Pastor Allen Colwell presented a story. Halloween carols were sung by the audience, and there was a parade of costumes. Treats preceded the program.

—Judith E. Miller

Grand Rapids and Holland, Michigan. The Grand Rapids and Holland chapters met at the new Jack Miller Recital Hall for an evening with Hope College organ professor Huw Lewis and his students. Lewis led an open masterclass sharing valuable pedagogical insights for students from the very beginning to advanced levels.

—Peter Kurdziel

Greater Lansing, Michigan. October 22, Meredith Hines, chapter education chair, organized and presented our Pedals, Pipes & Pizza event held at the historic Central United Methodist Church in downtown Lansing. She was assisted by Darlene Greenman-Ross at the organ and Michigan State University WKAR radio personality Jody Knoll as the narrator to “A Young Person’s Guide to the Pipe Organ.” In addition to the video “Pulling Out All of the Stops,” organbuilder and chapter member Brian Fowler and two of his assistants, operations manager Scott Lumbert and his 14-year-old son, Alex, lectured on the history of the organ and the mechanics of sound production. Following the demonstration, a tour of the organ chambers was held. After a pizza luncheon, the attendees were treated to a mini-recital by the chapter’s three organ scholars: Timothy Behan, Benjamin Foster, and Timothy Nechuta. We were all thrilled with the progress exemplified by our chapter’s youth.

—Barbara Hiranpradist

Cleveland, Ohio. October 23, the chapter was hosted by Dr. and Mrs. Eugene Blackstone for a recital on the organ in their home overlooking Lake Erie. The IV/137 organ contains 7,406 pipes and is inspired by the Aeolian-Skinner tradition. Recitalists were Garrett Law and David von Behren, students of Todd Wilson at the Cleveland Institute of Music.

—Rick Nelson

North Central Region

North Iowa. The North Iowa chapter began a fall project gathering names of organists, pianists, and choir and team directors who have been working a total of 25 years or more in their professions, either paid or volunteer. Over 180 names were submitted from churches and friends, and on Nov. 6 these musicians were honored in an afternoon worship service at First United Methodist Church in Mason City, Iowa. Though not all could be present, those who were, together with family members and church friends, nearly packed the large sanctuary. The Rev. Kathleen Moore, senior pastor, gave the invocation and benediction. The Rev. Dr. Mark Holmer, currently pastor at St. Thomas Episcopal in Algona, Iowa, gave the homily calling to mind the service, influence, and sacrifice of all these church musicians. The choir of First UMC sang the anthem and hosted the reception following the service. The bell choir of First Congregational of Charles City, directed by Nancy Houston, rang two pieces. Additional AGO members Christopher Arp and Mary Jane Crail provided the service music on the 1980 44-rank Schantz. Certificates were presented to those honored and mailed to those unable to attend. The longest-serving musician present has served 65 years. It was a project long overdue, with heartwarming results. AGO brochures were placed on the reception tables.

—Cynthia Johnson

Greater Kansas City, Missouri. St. Mary’s Episcopal Church of Kansas City, Missouri, hosted the chapter’s Schola Cantorum vocal ensemble on Oct. 17. “Music as Prayer” was the ensemble presentation of an Episcopal Choral Evensong service, and was officiated by the Rev. Patrick Perkins of St. Mary’s Church. Joshua Maize was guest conductor of the Schola Cantorum, organist was Fillipa Duke, lectors were Chloe Stodt and Mike Maiden (dean). Members of the ensemble were rehearsal accompanist Matthew Winterhalter, Dale Bolyard, Sara Chesselow, Meaghan Coble, Brad Cutcliffe, Christina Cutcliffe, Doug Fishel, Megan Grodon, Gayle Hathorne, Jeffrey Hon, Kirsten Hyde, Breanne Jeffries, Donna LaBach, Matthew LaMar, Natalie LaMar, Madeline Martin, Sara McClure, Alexis McDaniel, Nicole Murray, Michael Robert Patch, Katie Petrucci, Aaron Redburn, Becky Roper, John Schaefer, Jackson Thomas, and Peter Wheeler.

• October 22, the chapter presented a Pedals, Pipes & Pizza program in Liberty, Mo., at Second Baptist Church (Ann Posey, organist) and at Liberty Christian Church, (Carol Wallace, organist). Student participants were Caroline Dilts, Jacie Johnson, Gavin Jones, and Joshua Santy. Chapter members from the Reuter Organ Company provided visual demonstrations of the various components of a pipe organ and voiced a new organ pipe. Planning committee members and other participants included Ron Krebs, Mike Maiden, Carol Mueller, Ann Posey, Carol Wallace, Tom Watgen, and Thomas Zachacz.

—Norm Kinnaugh

St. Louis, Missouri. November 14, the meeting began with a shared meal, business meeting, and a drawing for CDs. Thanks to Curator Nathan Bryson, members learned about the seven-manual, 449-rank Midmer-Losh in Atlantic City, N.J., which ranks among the largest organs ever built. Another noteworthy instrument is the Wanamaker, which has more stops but fewer pipes. The Midmer-Losh, begun in 1929 and completed in 1932, is a sonic Mount Rushmore, designed for the largest open-span structure in the world. Depending on the event, Boardwalk Hall could hold as many as 44,000 people, and is large enough to contain a flying helicopter. Through restoration efforts, the hall’s original 13-second reverberation time has been brought into the three to six second range. The organ was made possible through the efforts of Senator Emerson Richards, a lawyer who also served as project supervisor. In spite of financial hardships of the Great Depression, Richards advocated for designs with colossal power, unique sounds, and mind-boggling possibilities. Bryson assured members that the seven-manual console was “not as terrifying as it looks,” that efforts were made to make it comfortable, even ergonomic. He outlined the history from its short heyday to its “slow descent into silence.” Factors like talking films, the increasing popularity of amplified sound, the 1944 hurricane, the installation of air conditioning, leaky roofs, poor racking by the contractor, and budget limitations brought the organ into a position where it was basically unplayable. The restoration process of recent years follows the goal of complete mechanical and tonal restoration using materials similar to the originals. The restoration committee and volunteers are rebuilding not just the main Midmer-Losh, but also the W.W. Kimball IV/55 built in Boardwalk Hall’s ballroom in 1930. Staff members are seeking creative uses of the organ and promotion of the pipe organ. Regular recitals are just the beginning. The steps being followed and the collaboration with other companies gives hope that the restoration will be complete by 2023. —Dawn Riske
Madison, Wis. Nov. 19, nearly 70 appreciative residents of Madison’s Oakwood Village Senior Community, their families and friends, gathered in Oakwood’s Resurrection Chapel for a diverse and enjoyable program of music presented by members of the chapter and Association of Church Musicians (ACM). Included were organ selections by Bach, Pachelbel, and Stanford, as well as pieces for Christmas, all played on the chapel’s tracker organ built by ACM member Bruce Case. There were also duets for Celtic harp, German Christmas carol vocal solos, an audience sing-along led with soprano ukuleles, a nine-year-old organist, and a women’s vocal group.

Those participating included Donald DeBruin of First Congregational UCC, Madison; nine-year-old Jay VandeBerg, student of Sue Poulette of Bethany UMC, Madison; Gary Lewis of Bethel Lutheran Church, Madison; Pam Wyss of St. John’s UCC, Monroe; Bruce Bengtson of Luther Memorial, Madison; Alice Kissling of Madison; Ken Stancer of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Madison; and Deb Krattiger, Brenda Payne and Deborah Krauss Smith, all of St. John’s UCC in Monroe.

—Deborah Krauss Smith

Southwest Region

Central Arkansas. May 13, the chapter met at First Presbyterian Church in Little Rock for dinner and an organ recital. Scott Seidenschwarz, organist and choirmaster at the church, was host for the dinner. Following the dinner and business meeting the chapter moved to the sanctuary to hear a recital by Alex Gilson, organ scholar at the Church of the Incarnation in Dallas, and a student of Jesse Eschbach and Pat Coil at the University of North Texas. This was the 13th annual recital celebrating the life of Robert Young Ellis. Dr. Ellis served as professor of organ at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Ark., from 1952 to 1987. During his tenure he influenced innumerable students and colleagues. His former students remember him as a musician of genius and one who brought both wit and sophistication to the lesson and to the classroom.

• September 23, the chapter gathered at First United Methodist Church, Conway, for dinner, installation of officers, and recital. Betty Cohen, organist at the church, was host for the dinner. New officers installed were Mike Metzler (dean), Wayne Simpson (sub-dean and treasurer), Bill McCandless (secretary), board members Beau Baldwin (2019), James Cathey (2018), and Barb Lusk (2017). During the meeting Betty Cohen announced that the recital with organist Tom Trenney was in celebration of a new console and other enhancements to the organ made possible by a gift from the estate of Sarah Frances Coffman. She and her late husband were longtime members of the church and supporters of church music. Betty also noted that the organ was originally installed in 1962, and for many years was the organ used by the Hendrix College organ department. Nichols & Simpson Organbuilders in Little Rock made the renovations and built the console. Following the dinner and business meeting the chapter adjourned to the sanctuary to hear the recital. Mr. Trenney presented a program of Ives, Mendelssohn, Bach, Sweelinck, Conte, Hampton, Shearing, and Locklair, with his own improvisations. Following the recital the audience greeted the artist at a reception.

• October 21, the chapter met again at First Presbyterian Church, Little Rock, for dinner (Scott Seidenschwarz, host), a business meeting, and a recital. Following dinner a brief business meeting was held, presided over by Betty Cohen, immediate past dean. The chapter adjourned to the sanctuary to hear a recital by Alcée Chriss III on the III/61 Nichols & Simpson. Chriss presented a program of Bach, Schumann, Fauré, Guillou, Sowerby, Rachmaninoff, and Taylor. His encore was the Ride of the Valkyries. Following the program Gini Freemyer hosted an afterglow reception at her home.

—Betty Cohen

Austin, Texas. October 17, the chapter sponsored an organ crawl at First United Methodist Church (Scott Davis, host), and a recap of the 2016 Houston National AGO convention. The organ was refurbished by R.A. Colby organbuilders and includes reused pipe ranks with additional digital stops.

• November 18, a clergy-musician dinner was held at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church (Jean Fuller, host). Dinner was followed by a presentation from Charlotte Kroeker of the Church Music Institute.

—Jack Martin

Dallas, Texas October 15, the chapter’s education projects committee organized a Choral Intensive Day that began with “Vocal Pedagogy for the Church Musician” presented by Dale Dietert, senior lecturer in voice at Southern Methodist University, and a reading session presented by the Church Music Institute followed by lunch. In the afternoon, Cynthia Nott, director of the Children’s Chorus of Greater Dallas, held a session on “Working with Children’s Choirs,” and the day finished with a conducting masterclass and workshop under the direction of Allen Hightower, director of choral studies at the University of North Texas.

• November 4, the chapter recital committee invited patrons of its Robert T. Anderson Series to a pre-concert reception at Church of the Incarnation in Dallas. Patrons then joined a large audience to enjoy a wonderful recital by Benjamin Sheen, assistant organist at St. Thomas Church, New York City, who performed a program of mostly English composers, including his own father’s ingenious arrangement of Mendelssohn’s Overture to The Hebrides. This interesting recital also included works by William Walton, Herbert Howells, Jonathan Dove, Healey Willan, J.S. Bach, and Gerre Hancock. It was the first recital of the Robert T. Anderson Series.

• We are pleased to see that one of our former chapter scholars, Henry Webb, now 18, gave a stunning premiere solo recital at the East Texas Organ Festival on Nov. 7 on the Aeolian-Skinner Opus 1173 at First Presbyterian Church, Kilgore. His program included J.S. Bach’s Prelude and Fugue in A minor, BWV 543, as well as the Six Schübler Chorales, ending with Vierne’s Symphony No. 3. There was an immediate standing ovation from the 100-plus audience. As Chapter Scholar he studied with Christina Harmon. He currently studies with Scott Dettra at Church of the Incarnation where he assists in overseeing their vibrant music program.

—William Leazer

West Region

Southern Arizona. November 13, the chapter held its 25th annual Showcase Concert at the Lutheran Church of the Risen Savior in Green Valley. Chapter members Ji Sun Lee, Sara Tobe, and Janet Tolman performed works by Walther, Vivaldi, Tournemire, Bach, Vierne, Decker, Merkel, Burkhardt, and Mulet on the church’s III/28 Holtkamp (2015). Guitarist Michael Lich joined Ji Sun Lee in a Vivaldi concerto, and organist Kathryn Snodgrass joined Janet Tolman in organ duets by Gustav Merkel and Michael Burkhardt. Among those attending was composer Pamela Decker, whose Tango Toccata on a Theme by Melchior Vulpius was performed by her student Sara Tobe. A reception hosted by the church followed the concert.

—Stephen Keyl

Sacramento, California. October 14, in celebration of the newly restored organ at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Bruce Neswick played a splendid recital of works by Gerre Hancock, Sowerby, Distler, Bach, Franck, Howells, and Dupré. Neswick’s program culminated in an improvisation on a submitted theme, bringing members of the audience to their feet in appreciation of his amazing artistry. The following day the chapter sponsored a workshop, “Making Hymn Playing More Exciting,” led by Mr. Neswick, in which he presented useful keyboard practice skills that would enable organists to develop their abilities to move beyond the printed page in making hymns meaningful in the church service. His detailed and very practical examples inspired us to place greater emphasis on what happens between the prelude and postlude as we minister to our congregations.

—Sue Miller

San Diego, California. The chapter’s annual fall student recital was held November 20. Students performed at La Jolla Presbyterian Church.

—Leslie Wolf Robb

San Jose, California. October 14, the chapter presented organist Ugo Sforza in recital at Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church. This is the third year that Mr. Sforza has presented a wonderful recital for the chapter. Sforza earned degrees in organ performance, composition, piano, and cultural heritage (historic keyboard instruments) in Italy and Austria. He has performed organ recitals for concert series and organ festivals in Europe and the United States. His program included a broad variety of organ repertoire. He opened his recital with Reger’s monumental Phantasie und Fuge über B-A-C-H, Op. 46. Throughout the dense, virtuosic fantasy and the extended double fugue, he showcased the variety of tonal colors in the 57-rank Balcom and Vaughan. Next, Sforza and Valerie Sterk (piano) presented Franck’s Prelude, Fugue, and Variation, Op. 18, in the version for organ (harmonium) and piano. Even though performed on the organ, Ugo created sounds that closely resembled the harmonium. Ugo closed his program with three of his original compositions: Organum Vox Dei, Op. 3 (2003), Sunshine, Op. 9 (2012), and a first performance of a new composition, Triumphal March, Op. 18 (2016). Theme and Variations in Honour of Saint Walburga, the first of three pieces in Organum Vox Dei, was inspired by the Saint’s life. As a servant of God, Walburga spent her life caring for the poor. The second piece, Meditation for Good Friday, arose from the composer’s deep reflection upon the meaning of the passion and death of Jesus Christ. The final piece in the set, Regina Caeli, is a tribute to the Virgin Mary. Ugo’s next composition was Sunshine, composed in 2012 after completing his postgraduate organ studies in Edinburgh. In this piece, he aimed to depict the picturesque landscapes of Scotland, long a source of inspiration for composers. The last of Mr. Sforza’s compositions was Triumphal March, combining elements of traditional organ repertoire with influences from 20th-century film music. For more information on Ugo, including recordings of some of his other compositions, visit his website, Ugosforza.jimdo.com.

—Valerie Sterk

Salt Lake City, Utah. October 22, the chapter met at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Salt Lake City for a workshop on choral conducting. Craig Jessop, former music director for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and founding dean of the Caine College of Fine Arts at Utah State University, presented a practical, useful, and inspiring workshop on rehearsal techniques for choirs. Dr. Jessop directed the attendees as a choir, and directed the group through several compositions. He demonstrated rehearsal techniques including warm-ups, count-singing, conducting, directing from the console, and other useful skills as they applied to these pieces. Dr. Jessop’s distinguished career was very apparent and his instruction was very informative and helpful. Alex Oldroyd accompanied the workshop on the church’s III/37 Austin that was rebuilt and enlarged by H. Ronald Poll & Associates. Following the workshop, attendees were invited to observe Dr. Jessop working with the Utah Collegiate Honor Choir at the ACDA state conference that afternoon. The group performed the organ, harp, and percussion version of Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms with Clay Christiansen at the III/65 Lively-Fulcher at Libby Gardner Hall. Jessop and Christiansen reprised the work that they performed 40 years earlier as young musicians in Salt Lake City. It was an inspiring day and a wonderful confluence of the organ and choral communities.

—Becky Ázera

Seattle, Washington. November 28, Bill Hurt hosted a demonstration and explanation of Hauptwerk virtual organ software at his home. Strong interest among chapter members necessitated two sessions in the limited space. Sam Libra performed pieces appropriate to the four virtual organs selected, two Dutch and two French. Hurt explained how pipe sounds are sampled, reproduced, and distributed among speakers spread across the room. He also covered how one plays four virtual manuals from three physical ones and how the software accommodates virtual organs with more stops than the console can manage with its own combination action. Refreshments and open console and social time concluded each session.

—David Nichols

Spokane, Washington. The chapter hosted Todd Wilson for a masterclass on October 22 and a recital on October 23. His visit was cosponsored by the chapter and one of its members, Thomas Jefferson. The masterclass, attended by over a dozen people, was held at St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral. Students for the class were Taylor Giese, Audrey Pratt, Thomas Jefferson, and Chris Nelson, playing works by J.S. Bach, Buxtehude, Messiaen, and Reger. Despite Mr. Wilson’s renowned reputation as an exacting and rigorous performer, his instructive style immediately put everyone at ease, as he went through the methods for approaching a piece of music both from its historic background as well as the interpretation to fit the organ and acoustics of the specific performance. The following day, his recital was attended by over 100 people, and included works of Duruflé, Bach, Widor, and Gerre Hancock. The final piece was an improvisation on the hymn tune St. George’s Windsor (“Come, Ye Thankful People, Come”). A reception followed at the Cathedral. The Spokesman-Review arts critic gave a glowing review of the concert, indicating it was a paramount moment for Spokane organ music performance.

—Vince Roland

Northeast Region

New London County, CT June 11, members and guests of the chapter enjoyed food and fellowship at the lovely waterside home of Shari Lucas, in spite of heavy rain. Officers were elected, followed by an inspiring performance by our host’s Dixieland Band.

—Elizabeth Limkemann

Waterbury, CT September 9, the chapter organized a dinner at a Middletown restaurant, followed by the annual “Bach to School” organ concert at Memorial Chapel on the campus of Wesleyan University. In his program on the Holtkamp organ, university organist and professor Ronald Ebrecht played several pieces by Maurice Duruflé, noting that Duruflé died 30 years ago. Ebrecht, who has studied and written extensively about the composer, provided illuminating comments about the music.

—William Degan

Merrimack Valley, MA September 11, the chapter held its installation of officers at Union Congregational Church in North Reading. Abbey Siegfried (dean) introduced the newly elected officers, and the Rev. Richard Hughes (chaplain) led the ceremony. Former dean Maggie Marshall played the prelude and postlude. After the ceremony, the attendees enjoyed a dinner of delicious lobster bisque generously prepared by Rev. Hughes, along with salads and desserts donated by chapter members.

—Jodi Templer

Springfield, MA September 18, the chapter held its installation of officers at the family home of Lad Pfeifer, past dean. A trio of piano, flute, and cello entertained members during refreshments.

—Mary Jeanne Tash

Binghamton, NY Chapter members, as well as the rest of the organ world, were stunned at the news that Jonathan Biggers had passed away on Sept. 27 at the young age of 56. He died in his sleep of natural causes. Dr. Biggers, Edwin A. Link professor of organ and harpsichord, had been at Binghamton University for 24 years. As a renowned teacher and internationally acclaimed recitalist, he will be greatly missed in our community.

• Sept. 16, several members attended the dedication recital of the new Juget-Sinclair 21-stop tracker-action organ (Opus 45) at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Ithaca, featuring recitalist Michel Bouvard. They also attended his masterclass the next day on French Romantic music performance, as well as a masterclass on improvisation by William Porter. The organ was built in the French Romantic style of Cavaillé-Coll, and is specifically based on the 1890 Cavaillé-Coll organ at Saint-Pierre de Charenton, France. The organ, tuned in equal temperament at A440, has all mechanical key and stop action, with ten combination pedals to control registration changes and to activate the Récit tremolo.

• Sept. 23, the chapter held its annual kick-off dinner at Holy Nativity Lutheran Church. Polly and Bruce Wendling hosted the event, and presented a slideshow review of all the chapter’s events during the last year. Richard Sheasley entertained the group with his travelogue regarding his train trip to the Houston National Convention.

—John Holt

Buffalo, NY September 13, Joanne Jasinski-Siedler presented a seminar on accessible organ music at the Episcopal Church of the Advent in Kenmore for the members of the chapter. She played excerpts from most of the works and collections included in the extensive bibliography she provided, and gave ample time for sharing ideas among those attending the session.

• Sept. 25, the chapter co-sponsored a recital by Scott Hyslop with the Church Musicians’ Guild at the Buffalo Religious Arts Center, formerly St. Francis Xavier Church. When the parish closed in 2007, Mary Holland acquired the building as a repository/ museum for church furnishings from parishes of many religious communities closing in the area. The instrument Dr. Hyslop played was Herman Schlicker’s Opus 2, built in 1932 from the core of an 1898 organ by Garret House that had been moved into St. Francis Xavier in 1911 by the Viner Organ Company. In 2003, some repair work was done and a nave console added by Heritage Pipe Organs. Hyslop’s recital, showcasing the variety of colors available on the instrument, was presented to help raise funds for its repair and maintenance.

—Caryn Lawler

Westchester County, NY The opening meeting was held Sept. 18 at Bedford Presbyterian Church (John Lettieri, host). Outgoing dean John King was honored for his excellent service and presented with a dean’s pin by new dean Terence Flanagan. “Rising Stars” Ryan Kennedy and Alexander Pattavina played a delightful concert featuring music of Bach and Boëllmann on the church’s Pasi Opus 13 (II/31). Both performers are students of Paul Jacobs at the Juilliard School, and are currently organ scholars in two Westchester churches—Ryan at Hitchcock Presbyterian, Scarsdale, and Alex at Christ Church, Bronxville. After a social hour, a delicious dinner, prepared by board member Frank Miller, was served.

—Joyce Gardner

Rhode Island April 11, continuing the 2016 program year, Mark Steinbach, Brown University organist, presented a lecture-recital on the life and works of his teacher, Anton Heiller, at Sayles Hall on the Brown campus. The lecture on Heiller’s life and career as international recitalist, pedagogue, composer, and recording artist included historical documents, photographs, newspaper articles, and concert programs from Steinbach’s personal collection. The recital featured large- and small-scale works including the early Passacaglia in C of 1942 to the late Freu dich sehr, O meine Seele: Vorspiel, Choral, Nachspiel of 1977/78. Scores and related documents were on display, focusing members’ attention on the sound-world of the Second Viennese School that informed much of Heiller’s own musical language.

• June 5, the program year concluded with the annual members’ recital, annual meeting, and dinner at Central Congregational Church, Providence, hosted by Patrick Aiken. The evening began with a recital featuring John Brooks (dean), Patrick Aiken, and “next generation” member Michael Ryan of East Greenwich (current student of Matthew Lewis at Westminster Choir College) performing works of Langlais, Bach, David German, Stanford, Parry, Near, Patrick Gowers, Messiaen, and Alain. New and returning officers for 2016–17 are John Brooks (dean), Stephen Kirby (sub-dean) David Cranmer (secretary), Doris Alberg (treasurer), Stephen Martorella (publicity), Althea Allard (newsletter editor), N. Peter LaMoria (historian/ archivist), Brian Larkin (placement), and Christopher Souza (membership). Auditors are Denise Petrucci and Jackie Gourd, and the executive committee includes Gail Himrod and Philip Martorella (2017), Alan Cotnoir and Cody Mean (2018), and Gina Vecchio and Larry Wilson (2019).

—John Brooks

Vermont June 12, the Artist of the Year 2016 Recital was presented by Susan Summerfield in the Chapel of St. Michael the Archangel of St. Michael’s College in Colchester. Dr. Summerfield, professor of music at St. Michael’s, presented works by J.S. Bach, Amy Beach, Lou Harrison, Fernand Halphen, Milhaud, Richard Stohr, and C.P.E. Bach on the Casavant organ, assisted by Fran Pepperman Taylor, violin. Following the recital, the annual meeting of the chapter was held and the following persons were installed as officers and board members: Vaughn Watson (dean), Marilyn Polson (sub-dean and secretary), Lynette Combs (treasurer), Esther Nui (registrar), Esther Nui and Adam Schneider (executive committee members).

—Vaughn Watson

Mid-Atlantic Region

Baltimore, MD September 18, the chapter opened its new season with a social event at the home of member Kathie Metz. After a time of fellowship and refreshment, John Walker, former national AGO president, officiated at the installation of officers. The new leadership includes Daniel Aune (dean), James Houston (sub-dean), Joy Bauer (secretary), Deborah Woods (treasurer), and Sean O’Connor (registrar). Serving as members of the board are Ken Brown, Kathie Metz, David Storey, Wayne Wold, Stephen Harouff, Wm. Glenn Osborne, and Marvin Mills.

—Kitty Allen

Central Maryland September 19, the chapter met for its annual musician/clergy potluck. The meeting was held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Frederick. Many members brought their clergy and/or music directors. The evening’s speaker was Eileen Guenther, professor of church music at Wesley Theological Seminary, and past president of AGO. Eileen spoke to the members and guests on ten points for building positive musician/clergy relationships. These strategies were practical and could easily be put into place in our church situations. The chapter thoroughly enjoyed having Dr. Guenther with us again for fellowship and inspiring insight.

—Peggy Brengle

Potomac, MD September 25, the chapter presented a combined Tri-Chapter Installation Service for the District of Columbia, Northern Virginia, and Potomac chapters. Christopher Betts, director of music of the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in Bethesda, Md., our host church, played a recital first. Following this, Eileen Guenther, past president of AGO, installed the officers of the three chapters. C.B. “Cricket” Park, rector, welcomed us and led us in the benediction following the event, which concluded with a reception.

—Gerald Piercey

Central New Jersey September 25, the chapter held its kick-off dinner for the 2016–17 season at Big Fish Bistro in Princeton. We enjoyed an excellent meal and time of fellowship. Dean Eric Plutz made a special presentation to honor long-time member and former dean June Tipton.

—Nicholas Steltzer

Southwest New Jersey September 17, the chapter held its fall kick-off workshop at First Presbyterian Church, Pitman, Marilyn Rabbai, host. Member Helen Carrell led a session on “Rules for Organ Registration,” including how to adapt piano scores for choral accompaniment. A workshop and masterclass on choral conducting was led by Christopher Thomas, director of choral activities at Rowan University, using volunteers from local church choirs as a demonstration group. Members were then invited to conduct, with suggestions and comments by Dr. Thomas. Lunch followed the program.

—Joyce Ann Routon

Erie, PA May 20, the chapter met at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Unks for an evening of theater organ music presented by David Peckham. Mr. Peckham studied at the Eastman School of Music and works at his family’s business, Peckham and Son Pipe Organ Service. He has given recitals throughout the US, Australia, and New Zealand, and has recorded four CDs. He is organist at First United Methodist Church, Horseheads, N.Y., and is resident organist at Clemens Center in Elmira. The organ, built in the home of Dennis Unks, retired CEO of OSI, is a hybrid of Wurlitzer parts with a console from a 1924 Washington, D.C., installation. It comprises 21 ranks. Mr. Peckham performed a variety of popular repertoire including music of Harold Arlen, Richard Rodgers, and Sigmund Romberg. The evening also included a performance by retired pastor of St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Cathedral, Monsignor William Biebel. Biebel was a former dean of the AGO and a frequent recitalist with the ATOS. The program concluded with a reception in the Unks’ home.

—Kathrine Swanson

Harrisburg, PA August 28, the annual Shenk Scholarship Student-Teacher Recital was held at Trinity Lutheran Church, Camp Hill, Timothy Koch, host organist/director. The Shenk Scholarship Fund was established in 2001 by a generous gift from chapter member Melvin Shenk in memory of his mother, to promote and encourage the study of organ by interested students in central Pennsylvania. Each summer, selected students receive ten half-hour lessons from chapter members. This fund has given 141 awards over the past 15 years. Numerous past scholarship recipients have continued their study and now serve churches, study music in college, and continue as organists. Freewill offerings at these recitals are added to the scholarship fund. Chapter member teachers and their students who played in this recital were Shelly Moorman-Stahlman, David Schulz, Grady Daub, Christian Gingrich, Julia Coler, Peter Gingrich, Brian Rotz, Franklin Snyder, Jonathan Parsons, Richard Frey, Alyssa Myers, Shawn Gingrich, Elma Hoffman, Max Ludwig, Victor Fields, Abigail Wood, and Joseph Patterson. A reception was held following the recital, hosted by Phyllis Conrad (hospitality chair) and her committee.

—Mary Jane Nelson

Pennsylvania Northeast September 16, the chapter held its fall gathering at St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church, Wilkes-Barre. The evening began with sung Vespers in the upper church led by the Rev. Joseph D. Verespy, pastor. Edward Loch served as lector and Raphael Micca (dean) served as cantor. Pastor Jim Pall offered a beautiful homily on the healing power of music, and chapter members Michael Sowa and Mark Laubach performed voluntaries on the church’s historic Möller organ that was originally installed in St. Casimir’s Church, Pittston, and relocated to St. Nicholas in 2014. The evening concluded with a pasta dinner and the installation of chapter officers.

—Raphael Micca

Pittsburgh, PA September 26, the members gathered at Oakmont Presbyterian Church (host Michael Frank). The program, “A Celebration of Hymnody” (Sarah Wannamaker, coordinator), was presented by members following dinner and a brief business meeting. A small choir was organized that sang a few sections of arrangements and alternate harmonizations that were not given to the audience. The types, styles, and presentations of the hymns were varied: one text used two tunes very effectively; there were many introductions, interludes, and alternate harmonizations, all different and appropriate to the hymns; different voices sang different stanzas of the hymns, some with trumpet, and all with effective use of the organ. The membership enjoyed singing the hymns! Performers included Harry Campbell, Benjamin Cornelius-Bates, Ken Danchik, Ellen Dodge, Ethan LaPlaca, Matthew Lobe, Joyce Moon Strobel, Jacob Temple, Justin Wallace, and Shawn Wilson, trumpet.

—Barbara McKelway

Southeastern Pennsylvania September 16, members enjoyed a covered dish supper followed by the installation of new officers and a hymn sharing session at which members reacquainted one another with some time-honored hymns, and introduced some less familiar ones.

—Nancy Brown

Charlottesville/Albemarle, VA September 20, the annual opening picnic/meeting took place at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Greenwood. Immediate past-dean Larry Smith hosted, and 16 members were in attendance. Barbara Moore (sub-dean) led the program titled “State of Our Guild Chapter.” After a delicious picnic outside, we moved to the sanctuary for small group discussions on the state of organists today and how we will move into the future. Many ideas were offered and have now been shared with all chapter members via email. Our members are challenged with “homework” and will share final thoughts for the year at the end-of-year meeting next May.

—Alice Layman

Richmond, VA September 13, “Singing Creation from a 21st-century Perspective: Theology through the People’s Song,” was the opening program of the chapter’s program year. The gathering, hosted by Chamberlayne Baptist Church, featured a hymn festival led by C. Michael Hawn from Southern Methodist University, accompanied by Crystal Jonkman, chapter member and director of liturgical music and organist at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Bon Air. The 2016–17 officers were installed by Hawn as a part of the service, and readings were presented by his former students who now reside in Richmond.

—John DeMajo

Monongahela, WV August 27, the members and friends of the chapter gathered in the music room of Pamela and Art Dodds in Montrose to present “One, Two, Three, or More,” a salon-style performance of music for organ solo and duet, as well as music for organ and piano, harpsichord, clarinet, and bells. Approximately 30 appreciative guests heard diverse performances by Marguerite Bostonia (secretary/treasurer), Brett Miller (dean), Nancy Bird, Barbara Farmer, Pamela Dodds, James Riggs, and Cloud Ssu-yun Wang.

—Brett Miller

Southeast Region

Sarasota-Manatee, FL September 19, chapter members and guests gathered at Grace Baptist Church, Sarasota, for an evening program of “Pipes and Bites.” Following an interval to socialize and peruse donated organ music, everyone gathered in the sanctuary to hear a lively presentation of theater music played on the historic Wurlitzer pipe organ by the talented performer Bill Vlasak. Bill interspersed his stylish playing with anecdotes about the origin of the pieces and their composers. Afterward, the president of the Manasota Theatre Organ Society, John Fischer, and society member Norm Arnold, answered questions from the audience and shared information on the background and reconstruction of the Wurlitzer at Grace Church. Ranks were added to the original theater organ in order to make it suitable for use as a church organ, and it is used in weekly services.

—Nancy Siebecker

Atlanta, GA May 10, the chapter presented a workshop by clinician David Enlow at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Atlanta.

• May 13, the chapter presented Mr. Enlow in recital at the same venue, hosted by William Jefferson Bush, director of music and liturgy. Mr. Enlow is organist and choirmaster at Church of the Resurrection in NYC. He is a member of the organ faculty at the Juilliard School, dean of the NYC chapter, organist of the Clarion Orchestra, and repetiteur for the Clarion Choir. Mr. Enlow performed works by Dvorˇák, Vierne, Bach, Debussy, and Franck on the III/49 A. E. Schlueter.

—Don Land

Augusta, GA The chapter held its September event as series of multiple programs over several days. Paul Ayres, a freelance musician working in and around London, England, was in the area for workshops and concerts, and provided several events for the chapter. On Tuesday morning, Sept. 27, he presented a choral clinic at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Aiken, S.C. (Kathleen Cartledge, host). That afternoon he presented two organ workshops at St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church also in Aiken (Don Dupee, host). The first was for the students of Mead Hall Episcopal School and the second was for the members of the Augusta chapter and other community organists. On Wednesday, Sept. 28, he presented a choral clinic at Augusta University in the morning, and an organ clinic at Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church, also in Augusta (Richard Cook and Peyson Moss, hosts), for chapter members and community organists in the afternoon. Previous to these workshops, on Sept. 26, Mr. Ayres conducted the Savannah River Winds joined by a chorus made up of community choral groups and church choirs (several of our members were in this chorus) in the premiere performance of an original composition he had written for the Savannah River Winds, “O Laud the Lord.” The concert, choral clinics, and organ workshops, were made possible by a grant from the Cleon W. Mauldin Foundation Trust.

—David Salter

Columbus, GA September 12, the chapter gathered at the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts where 15 members enjoyed conversation over dinner and welcomed a new member. They then moved to Legacy Hall where Joseph Golden discussed and demonstrated many helpful tips for effective hymn playing. Mr. Golden’s talk was based on his well-received presentation at the 2016 national convention, “The Organ as Collaborative Instrument.”

—Barbara Acker-Mills

Savannah, GA September 12, the chapter held its opening meeting of the 2016–17 year at Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church (Monica Harper, host). Following dinner, there was a short business meeting, including a presentation by Ken Double (president of the NTOS) on the upcoming restoration of the Wurlitzer organ in Savannah’s historic Lucas Theatre. After the meeting, members adjourned to the sanctuary for a short service of evening prayer, at which new chapter officers were installed. The voluntary offered by Monica Harper on the Noack organ was the Prelude and Fugue in G Minor by Marcel Dupré.

—Justin Addington

East Carolina September 22, the chapter met at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, Wilson, for the inauguration of officers. Newly installed officers are: Sharon Veitch (dean), Sylvia Wall (sub-dean), Douglas Blackwood (secretary), Lawrence Goering (treasurer), Phil Valera (newsletter editor), Andrew Scanlon (East Carolina University faculty advisor), Jordan Prescott (student representative), and Sheila Link (member-at-large). The service was officiated by the Reverend Matt Johnson, chaplain. Katherine Johnson, the Cathee Jean Huber Fellow in Church Music at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Greenville, presented Sonata IV, Op. 65, by Mendelssohn, and Prelude in G, BWV 541, by Bach, as the opening and closing voluntaries. The service was preceded by a social hour and dinner. The evening was hosted by Dexter Ruffin, organist at St. Timothy’s.

—Sylvia Wall

Fayetteville-Sandhills Area, NC August 30, a delicious catered meal preceded an officer installation service, officiated by Donna Fowler-Marchant of First Presbyterian Church and John Jacobs of Village Chapel, Pinehurst, in the chapel of First Presbyterian Church, Fayetteville. 2016–17 officers include Marcia Heirman Mervin (dean), Homer Ferguson, III, (sub-dean), Donna Davenport (treasurer), Elizabeth Jordan (secretary), and Stephen Gourley, (webmaster/newsletter editor). Friends of the chapter joined the officers for the meal.

—Marcia Heirman Mervin

Grand Strand, SC August 26, the chapter held its opening convocation at Trinity United Methodist Church in North Myrtle Beach, S.C. The evening’s service was highlighted with pre-service music by Becky Nissen, harpist. Member organist Karen Kearney, and hosts Karen Meeker and Albert Evans also participated. In addition, a variety of musical selections were presented by Trinity’s orchestra, choir, and trumpet soloist, as well as speeches on the importance of music in worship. The church hosted a reception following this event.

—Karen Meeker

Greater Columbia, SC September 16, the opening program of the year was a progressive dinner with performances by three new organists at downtown churches in Columbia. The evening began at First Presbyterian Church with appetizers provided by chapter members. The group headed to the sanctuary where Thomas Russell, the new organist and assistant director of music, performed works by Franck and David German on the recently renovated Casavant that boasts a brand-new console. The evening continued with a catered meal provided by the chef at First Presbyterian. At St. Peter’s Catholic Church, the evening continued with Brent Te Velde, associate organist and choirmaster at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, who performed works by Howells and Mendelssohn. Andrew Kotylo, the new organist and choirmaster at St. Peter’s, performed works by Derek Bourgeois and Guilmant on the 40-rank Peragallo. Following the performances, the group enjoyed desserts provided by chapter members. The event captured a record attendance for a chapter meeting and set a precedent for the rest of the program year.

—Frances Webb

Nashville, TN West End Synagogue and Rabbi Joshua Barton hosted the chapter in “Nashville Sings the Psalms,” a program of solo and choral psalms. The participants represented First Unitarian Universalist Church, Congregation Sherith Israel, Glendale Baptist Church, Vine Street Christian Church, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (Murfreesboro), West End Synagogue, Church of the Assumption (R.C.), and The Temple (Congregation Ohabai Sholom).

—Rhonda Swanson

Northeast Tennessee/Southwest Virginia June, the 2014–16 outgoing executive board met jointly with the newly installed 2016–18 board for a restaurant lunch, enjoying fellowship along with combined work to begin the setup of parameters for managing the newly established Randy Farley Memorial Scholarship Fund for Young Organists. The new board is comprised of Larry Dodd (dean), Cheryl Patterson (sub-dean), Edwin Logan (treasurer), Joan Keith (secretary), and Robert Greene, Jr. (member-at-large).

—Joan Keith

Great Lakes Region

Fort Wayne, IN September 25, the chapter held a Welcome Back Dinner at Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano in Fort Wayne. Martin Gigler (dean) welcomed everyone to the gathering and introduced Judy Rice (chaplain) who presided over the ceremony of the installation of the chapter officers. During dessert Gigler announced the program for the year that included a PowerPoint presentation with photographs of all the events. Entertainment was offered by the Luke Lenhart Band. The band, based in Michigan, featured many Beatles songs performed in bluegrass style.

—Martin Gigler

Southern Indiana September 12, the chapter met for a Chadala “Emerging” Artist concert at St. John Presbyterian Church in New Albany. Stephen Kucera, a senior at Kansas State University, was the featured organist. Stephen has participated in three POEs, and he placed second in the 2013 Region VI RCYO. The recital honored the memory of R. Jane Hagmann, piano teacher, organist, and pianist for almost 60 years at First Baptist Church in New Albany. David K. Lamb, chapter dean and AGO councillor for membership, coordinated the program. A catered fellowship dinner preceded the concert.

—Judith E. Miller

Greater Lansing, MI September 19, the 2016–17 opening program of the chapter was held at the historic downtown venue of Central United Methodist Church, Caryn Welter, director of music. An outstanding catered dinner was followed by a lecture by local rheumatologist Dr. Carol Beals on “Ten De-stressors for the Busy Professional.” The evening concluded with the installation of officers: Barbara Hiranpradist (dean), Conrad Donakowski (sub-dean), Brian Fowler (secretary), Ed Corey (treasurer), and board members Meredith Hines, Susanne Hoekzema, and John Horak.

—Barbara Hiranpradist

Cincinnati, OH September 26, the chapter held its fall opener at Trinity Episcopal Church in Covington, KY, just across the Ohio River from downtown Cincinnati. Dean Donna Wernz led the meeting, which featured Regional Director Karl Bruhn as special guest. After installing the chapter officers and executive committee members, Bruhn reported on activities of the Great Lakes Region and the national organization. He noted that the next national convention would be held in Kansas City, Mo., in June 2018, and that the next regional convention would take place July 2–5, 2017, in Youngstown, Ohio. After complimenting the Cincinnati chapter on its highly successful POEA (and the Lexington chapter on its equally successful POE), held this past summer, he discussed AGO plans for POEs and POEAs. He stressed the importance of these and other youth-oriented programs for the future of organ music inside and outside of the ecclesiastical setting. This led to a brief explanation of why AGO membership is shrinking and what the national office is doing to help bring more members into the organization. One important idea is the “January Jubilee” that provides support and instruction for beginning organists on both pipe and digital instruments. Discussion ensued on the Federal Trade Commission’s new restrictions on traditional AGO practices, as presented in the October 2016 TAO. He explained the national office’s position and encouraged members to inform themselves about what the new restrictions will mean. Chapter business was then concluded with a presentation of the year’s planned events by Mark Behnken (sub-dean) and plans for the scholarship program, under the leadership of Tom Graler. A social hour completed the evening’s activities.

—Robert Benson

Cleveland, OH September 18, the chapter met at Lakewood Congregational Church for the season’s opening gathering. Adam Zagotti, dean of the Youngstown chapter and 2017 regional convention coordinator, gave an overview of the Great Lakes Regional Convention before members enjoyed a potluck dinner, hosted by Don Shultzaberger and Max Bunker.

—Richard Nelson

Youngstown, OH September 19, the season began with a program titled “Remembering Jean Langlais” at St. Columba Cathedral. The evening began with a film on the life of Langlais, narrated by Anne Labounsky, that was followed by a recital of various organ works of Langlais played by members of the chapter. Performers included Sean Baran, Anita Gorman, Michael Dragic, Maria Koch, Therese Rose, and Craig Ziobert, students of Dan Laginya, organist-director of music at St. Columba and organ instructor at Youngstown State University Dana School of Music.

—Gary P. Richards

North Central Region

Sioux Trails, MN September 24, Stephen Hamilton, minister of music emeritus at Church of the Holy Trinity (Episcopal) in NYC, presented a “Church Music Repertoire” class for the chapter that concentrated on recently published organ music from a variety of publishers. Grace Lutheran Church and its III/41 Hendrickson provided a wonderful workshop with attendees experiencing an intimate loft setting. Special thanks to Robyn Menk, hosting music director, and Chad Winterfeldt, dean, for their work in organizing the
program.

—Nathan Knutson

Central Missouri September 11, David Ball, winner of the 2016 North Central RYCO, presented a recital at First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the installation of the Middlebush Organ (IV/50 Schantz Opus 731/1335). He played a varied program including works by Bach, Hindemith, Duruflé, Barber, Brahms, Boulanger, Daquin, Mozart, and a new composition, Prelude in D Major, by Daniel Ficarri. Before the program, Michael Bancroft, host organist, gave an interesting history of the Middlebush Organ, followed by a Litany of Rededication led by Pastor Marvin Lindsay. Following a reception honoring Mr. Ball, the chapter adjourned to the dining room for a short business meeting and dinner at which the new officers for 2016–17 were announced: Mary Kabiri (dean), JC Hellemeyer (sub-dean), Schuyler Wheeler (treasurer), and Carol Virkler (secretary). Mary Kabiri introduced several new members as well as special guest, William Wade, district convener. JC Hellemeyer listed upcoming plans and programs for the year.

—Tom Perkins

Greater Kansas City, MO August 28, the Annual French Organ Music Festival was presented and co-sponsored by the Roman Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Kansas City, Mo. (Mario Pearson, music director) and the Greater Kansas City chapter. Performers included organists Thomas Andrews (organist for the Saint Lawrence Center at the University of Kansas and DMA student of Michael Bauer), Dina Pannabecker Evans (co-director of Music for Country Club Christian Church in Kansas City, Mo.), Nicholas Good (CAGO, organist for Christ Church Anglican in Overland Park, Kans., and a doctoral student of James Higdon at the University of Kansas), Jacob Hofeling (organist for Barry Christian Church in Kansas City, Mo., and graduate student of James Higdon), Jan Kraybill (FAGO, principal organist for the Dome and Spire Organ Foundation of Independence, Mo.; also organ conservator at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City, Mo.), and Claudette Schiratti (AAGO, past dean). Conductor Thomas Vozzella (parish musician-organist for Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church of Kansas City, Mo.) directed the Chancel Singers of Saint Andrew’s with an orchestral ensemble.

—Norm Kinnaugh

St. Joseph, MO September 25, the chapter, along with Christ Episcopal Church, co-sponsored a recital by Richard Elliott, principal organist for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, celebrating the 120th anniversary of the installation of the church’s 1867 William A. Johnson organ, Opus 240, originally installed in the South Congregational Church of New Britain, Conn.

—David Lewis

St. Louis, MO September 12, following an executive committee meeting, chapter members shared a meal served by “As You Like It” catering. Registrar Brent Johnson provided attendance prizes of organ CDs and an organ book. Mark Scholtz (dean) welcomed those in attendance and promoted future events. The members’ recital began with event host and director of worship at Salem United Methodist Church, Mary Hitchcock-Reinhart, playing the Buxtehude Praeludium in E Major. The Möller organ was a versatile vehicle for the varied repertoire of the evening. Mary Beth Wittry played Bach’s Organ Sonata No. 4 in E Minor; Stephen Jones played four selections ranging from a Charles Wesley Pastorale to Edward Broughton’s How Majestic Is Your Name. Scott Roberts played his own compositions based on the hymn tunes In Babilone, Saint Thomas, and Grosser Gott. The recital closed with the Allegro maestoso from Mendelssohn’s Sonata No. 4, played by Henry Glass, who has been a chapter member for 60 years.

–Dawn Riske

Southwest Region

Northwest Arkansas September 9, the chapter held its new officer installation ceremony and dinner meeting in Fayetteville at the home of host Charles Rigsby. Programs for the upcoming year were announced, chapter business was conducted, and a general discussion about membership needs and desires was begun. The meeting adjourned to allow members to attend a concert given by departing member Jonathan Story and his wife Kara. Jonathan leaves to take a position in Tyler, Tex., after many years serving the musical community in northwest Arkansas.

—Jeannie Lee

Denver Rocky Mountain September 12, the chapter held its annual scholarship winner’s recital at First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Denver. Scholarships for six free organ lessons, each taught by local AGO members, are provided for up to eight promising piano students in the area. Students performed a wide range of selections from Bach to contemporary composers Janet Correll and Robin Dinda on the 1960 Lawrence Phelps Casavant (III/69). Opening and closing remarks were offered by David Vogels (dean), a regular columnist for TAO, and scholarship coordinator Christine Martson.

—Samuel Chizmar

Albuquerque September 11, members ushered in the 70th anniversary year of the chapter as they gathered at the Cathedral of St. John, Maxine Thevenot, canon precentor and director of cathedral music (host). The hospitality committee (Gloria Chavez-Robinson, Loretta Robinson, and Steve Woodbury) set up refreshments including a Happy 70th Anniversary cake, on which a miniature organ sat. Attendees enjoyed the opportunity to visit with each other and savor the refreshments prior to the installation of the new executive committee. Following the installation, members were treated to a fabulous concert in the nave presented by Richard Gowers, organ scholar at King’s College, Cambridge University, UK. The concert was part of the Friends of Cathedral Music Concert Series, and was co-sponsored by the chapter. Mr. Gowers performed on the Cathedral’s III/65 Reuter pipe organ. His program included Prelude to Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg by Wagner, transcribed by Lemare; Scherzo, Op. 2, Duruflé; Symphonie Gothique, Op. 70, Andante sostenuto by Widor; Prelude and Fugue in G Major, BWV 541, Bach; and Sonata on the 94th Psalm, Reubke. After the concert the audience had the opportunity to greet the artist.

—Sanelma Sutton

Tulsa, OK September 8, the chapter met at the home of Father Jack Powers for dinner and a business meeting. AGO President Michael Bedford installed the new chapter officers, including Lyndon Meyer (dean) and Joseph Arndt (sub-dean).

• Sept. 18, the chapter co-sponsored a recital by Ken Cowan with First Presbyterian Church, presented in memory of Don Whited. Mr. Cowan played an exciting concert on the IV/114 Austin, recently renovated by Foley-Baker.

—Karen Rich

Dallas, TX September 19, the chapter had an auspicious beginning of its new program year with dinner and a business meeting followed by a stellar program titled “The Art of Transcriptions” at Spring Valley United Methodist Church in Richardson, utilizing its III/34 Schoenstein. Featured participants were Dallas music critic, organist, and chapter member Scott Cantrell, who provided an introductory overview of the historical development of the transcription of secular music paralleling the inclusion of organs in public buildings through the ages. Well-known concert organists and chapter members Bradley Welch and Scott Dettra continued with demonstrations of the technical aspects of transcription. Bradley Welch played and discussed the Elgar Enigma Variations and the Larghetto from the Serenade for Strings. Scott Dettra played and discussed the Brahms Requiem and played Edwin H. Lemare’s transcription of Wagner’s Overture from Die Meistersinger. The large, attentive audience was appreciative of the unique and interesting program.

—William Leazer

West Region

Long Beach, CA September 6, the chapter met at the home of Peter Bates, district convener, for its annual potluck and program. The evening included hearing and learning about the new Hauptwerk technology presented by Charles Raasch, dean of the Orange County chapter, assisted by Peter Bates at the keyboard. Danny Pravder, a new member joined Peter for two piano/organ duets by Joe Utterback. Pianist Althea Waites closed the program with music by Chopin.

—David Feit-Pretzer

Orange County, CA May 31, the chapter hosted its annual Study Grant Recipient Recital at Concordia University, Irvine. Two middle school students, Katrina Liao and Patricia Wang, and three high school students, Kailani Cotton, Agatha Teague, and Aletheia Teague, played with technical precision and depth of musical expression. Earlier in February, each student auditioned to receive a grant for organ study. The program is funded by donations from chapter members and by the Rudi Inselmann Endowment Fund. Janet Keulen Thorson, study grant chair, was instrumental in guiding the program from initial application to audition, arranging rehearsal times, planning programming, and disbursing grant funds. Judges were Charles Raasch, Lois Holdridge, and Noberto Guinaldo. After the recital and giving of awards, students and friends enjoyed a lovely reception. —Jennifer Puhl

Eastern Idaho July 28, members and friends gathered at the home of Mark Anderson for the annual summer picnic to honor the life and music of the chapter’s founding dean Darwin Wolford, who celebrated his 80th birthday this past October. Many chapter members played works composed by Dr. Wolford at the event.

—Daniel Kerr

Salt Lake City, UT The chapter started its new year by meeting at First United Methodist Church for business and a potluck dinner. The new officers for the chapter were introduced. Elected officers include Becky Ázera (dean), Heidi Alley (sub-dean), Kathy Fisher (secretary), Tyler Anderson (treasurer), and Ryan North (education coordinator). Janet Griffin, Alex Oldroyd, and Matthew Plooster will serve as members-at-large, while the program committee is made up of Janice Clayton, Teresa Clawson, and Tyler Ballou.
Becky welcomed the group and informed them about the exciting calendar of events for the year that will culminate in the 2017 West Region Convention in Salt Lake City. Following the meeting and dinner, members were invited upstairs to see, hear, and play the church’s newly restored pipe organ. Originally installed in 1906 by George Kilgen & Sons, the organ has been lovingly restored and enlarged by M.L. Bigelow & Co. organbuilders of American Fork. The group then moved to the nearby Cathedral of the Madeleine to enjoy the first recital of the 23rd annual Eccles Organ Festival. Juan Paradell Solé, titular organist for the Sistine Pontifical Chapel Choir in Vatican City, as well as organist for all liturgies presided by Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Basilica, was the recitalist. The varied and interesting program included works by Franck, Renaud, and Guilmant, as well as Spanish composers Jesus Guridi and José Maria Usandizaga. Mr. Solé also performed the U.S. premiere of Luca Salvador’s Pictures from ‘Pinocchio,’ a suite of seven pictures for organ. The performance was exciting to hear and was very well received by the large audience.

—Becky Ázera

Seattle, WA September 24, the chapter met at Forest Ledge mansion overlooking Puget Sound in Burien, with its three-manual Kilgen theater organ. Organist Nathan Jensen presented and accompanied two short silent films, The Impossible Voyage (1904) and Fiddlesticks (1927). Refreshments and open console followed. The ballroom, added in 1923, boasts a 26-foot vaulted ceiling and three organ chambers to provide each family of voices its own expression pedal. While the pipes, chimes, and other components are still intact, a leaking roof destroyed the windchests years ago. Now the sounds are produced electronically, following the original stop list. We thank current owner John White for restoring the mansion and allowing us to hold our meeting there.

—Michelle Horsley, David Lepse, and David Nichols

Singapore September 17, in a collaboration with the Brethren at Freemason’s Hall, the chapter presented an afternoon concert on the newly restored 1970 Walker organ at Freemason’s Hall, Singapore. Members and guest musicians performed the organ music of Samuel Wesley, Walond, Elgar, Muffat, Haydn, and Vierne, while Joanna Paul sang familiar arias by Bach, Handel, and Mozart. An excerpt from Saint-Saëns’s Sonata for Oboe was played by Joost Flach. The program closed with Mozart’s Epistle Sonata for 2 violins, basso continuo, and organ. The event was well attended by members of the public in this lovely, historic space.

—Yap Wai Hoong

Northeast Region

Binghamton, NY August 9, sixteen Binghamton chapter members enjoyed an all-day organ crawl in Albany, NY, thanks to the efforts and planning of hosts Roberta Rowland-Raybold and David Vredenburg of the Eastern New York chapter. The group visited five churches, beginning with Westminster Presbyterian Church. Al Fedak, minister of music and arts, provided opening remarks about the history of the IV/42 1929 E.M. Skinner, and then demonstrated the instrument by playing some of his own published compositions. He then opened the console to the members to play. In 1976, the organ was removed to a private residence and replaced by an electronic organ. Twenty years later, upon the failure of the electronic, the Skinner organ was donated back to the church, and re-installed by Austin Organs, which added a few new ranks. Subsequently, Austin installed a ten-rank antiphonal organ in the rear gallery and updated the original console to include a computerized multiplex switching system and multi-level combination action. At the Cathedral of All Saints (Episcopal), Organ Fellow David Harrison demonstrated the 1904 organ that was rebuilt by Austin in 1925, again in 1956 by Aeolian–Skinner, and yet again in 1974 by Austin. G. Donald Harrison supervised the 1956 rebuild that included installation of a large rear gallery antiphonal organ. Originally built by Möller in 1933, the organ at Trinity United Methodist Church was and remains one of only four orchestral organs designed by Richard O. Whitelegg. In 1976, Möller oversaw renovations and the addition of an antiphonal organ, which included a Trompette en chamade. In 1991 and in 2010, Möller upgraded the console with solid-state relays and 32 levels of memory. The final configuration of the organ consists of 72 ranks over six divisions. Assistant Organist Edward Heffron presented the 1966 III/65 Casavant at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church to the group by playing pieces that showed off various aspects of the organ. The organ and choir loft are situated behind an elaborate reredos designed by H. Lee Hirsche. Adorned with many symbols reminiscent of medieval times, the reredos provides a striking backdrop to the chancel, while not interfering with the sound coming from the organ and choir. At First Lutheran Church, Director of Music and Organist Roberta Rowland-Raybold demonstrated the three-manual Carlson organ before turning over the console to the visitors. When this organ was built, it was determined by the church leaders that they wanted a pipe organ, but no pipes were to be visible. Consequently, the pipe rooms are behind screens in the chancel, while two divisions are in the ceiling (!), speaking through a large square screened cut-out directly over the congregation. All the organs on the crawl were impressive and had personality and impact. As a special treat, ten-year-old Faiz Wareh played a progressive recital, performing one or two pieces at each venue during the crawl.

—John Holt

Syracuse, NY February 17, seventy school-age students from across central New York participated in a Pedals, Pipes & Pizza event held at Syracuse University, hosted by Annie Laver, university organist and assistant professor.

• May 21, an instrument tuning and maintenance workshop was given by Ben Merchant, Ryan Boyle, and Alan Lynch. The workshop, held at Park Central Presbyterian Church, was followed by a luncheon.

• June 10, the chapter held its annual meeting and banquet at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. The banquet was followed by a member’s recital, and included the following performers: Deborah Cunningham, Armand DiScenna, Vincent Guarnieri, Chang Lee, Alan Lynch, Joel Morehouse, and Julia Tucker. Music included works by Bach, Fitzsimons, Franck, Hailstork, Harris, Messiaen, and Vierne.

—Deborah Cunningham

Mid-Atlantic Region

Northern New Jersey, The chapter recently traveled to Ocean Grove to learn and hear about the amazing 10,800-pipe Hope-Jones organ in the Great Auditorium. We sat spellbound as resident organist Gordon Turk talked about the history of the organ and then improvised, brilliantly demonstrating the wonderful colors of the expansive specification. The open air, wooden auditorium seats over 6,000 people and has amazing acoustics. The remainder of the crystal clear “Maine-like” day was spent sitting on the beach, walking the boardwalk, viewing Ocean Grove’s famous tent city, and enjoying dinner at Stella Marina Restaurant overlooking the Atlantic. The trip, arranged by chapter member Stewart Holmes, included members from the Metro and Central New Jersey chapters as well. It was a memorable day for members from different chapters to come together.

—Stewart Holmes

Ocean County, NJ, Keith Reilly of Point Pleasant, NJ, has received the first Elsie Madsen Fischer Organ Education Grant. Keith, 13 years old, has been studying the organ on an informal basis for the past year with Sara Hoey, the organist at Pt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church and dean of the chapter. He will use the award to fund formal lessons with Josh Mellon of Toms River. Keith will enter eighth grade at Memorial Middle School in September, where he participates in the school’s band, jazz band, and chorus, in addition to playing both the piano and the organ during church services. A gifted musician, he has also composed an anthem for the children’s choir at the church and an orchestral symphony. The grant is named for the founding dean of the chapter, the late Elsie Madsen Fischer of Toms River. She was dedicated to church music, supported a number of community music organizations, and nurtured the talents of many students. The grant program, established in 2015, honors her memory by providing funds for organ studies that build the skills of church organists.

—Peggy Bendel

Erie, PA April 16, chapter members traveled to Cleveland, Ohio, to view the pipe organ at the home of Eugene Blackstone, noted thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic. Todd Wilson demonstrated the instrument and Dr. Blackstone discussed the architectural design of the house and the evolution of this remarkable organ. Finished in late 2014, the organ now comprises 137 ranks and over 7,000 pipes, and is inspired by the Aeolian-Skinner tradition. The tonal design, voicing, and finishing were by John Hendriksen, with much of the pipework made by Tom Anderson, both of whom worked for Aeolian-Skinner and represent some of the last living links with that tradition. After the demonstration and discussion, members had time to play the instrument.

—Kathrine Swanson

York, PA May 24, the chapter held its annual student/member recital at Union Lutheran Church. Members Rodney Barnett, Carol Downs Brady, Scott Crowell, Victor Fields (dean), Christine Kates, Jennifer Noel, Cameron Wentz, and student Joseph Patterson performed. The recital featured selections by Buxtehude, Guilmant, and Mendelssohn. A reception followed the program.

—Carolyn L. Smith

Southeast Region

Columbus, GA August 14, the chapter began its new season with an exciting program titled “Dueling Organs.” A capacity audience of 450 enjoyed the 3 pm program presented in Legacy Hall at the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, and another 275 people attended the 5 p.m. performance. Guest artist James Cochran was featured at the Jordan Concert Organ (Létourneau Opus 60, 57 stops), and chapter members joined him at a large Allen digital organ, installed just for this event. The two organs “dueled” it out with pieces by Gounod, Boëllmann, Wagner, John Williams, Walton, and Schumann. The second half of the program featured Joseph Golden, professor and university organist at Columbus State’s Schwob School of Music. The Allen was transformed into a theater organ as Golden played arrangements of songs such as “Cabaret” and “Over the Rainbow,” and a medley featuring music of Gershwin. The program ended with Golden accompanying Charlie Chaplin’s silent film The Rink with music he developed specifically for this program. The chapter was very honored to have Dr. Cochran as a guest artist. A resident of Naples, FL, he holds degrees from the Eastman School of Music and is an active recitalist. He is also the founder and director of the Naples Philharmonic Chorus, director of the Naples Philharmonic Youth Chorus, and resident organist of the Naples Philharmonic, as well as director of music at Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church. We often hear about dwindling audiences at organ recitals, but the Columbus area has outstanding attendance at many of its events.

—Barbara Acker-Mills

Northeast Georgia April 16, a roundtable discussion of selected articles and columns from recent issues of TAO was held at the Athens Georgia Stake Center, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A brief business session and breakfast-like refreshments occurred before the discussion. Presenters included Letitia Colglazier (dean), Carol Corina (past dean), Ivan Frazier, and Lalla Tanner.

—Ivan Frazier

Northeast Tennessee/Southwest Virginia May 17, chapter members met at First Presbyterian Church, Bristol, Tenn., for a potluck and concert of pieces presented by the Bristol High School Vikings’ saxophone quartet and clarinet quartet, led by Jennifer Allison.

—Joan Keith

Great Lakes Region

Holland, MI, The chapter’s May meeting was held at Hope College’s Jack H. Miller Center for Musical Arts to hear Huw Lewis, organ professor and head of the keyboard area, demonstrate the new Casavant organ (III/54). This program, to which other local AGO chapters were invited, drew a large crowd eager to see and hear the new instrument up close. Dr. Lewis gave a thorough demonstration of the individual stops and divisions, and explained and answered questions about the tonal design and layout. Members were invited to try out the instrument after the presentation, enjoying this rare chance to see and play West Michigan’s newest organ. In June, members met at the home of David Moore, a friend of the chapter. In addition to a potluck, members had the opportunity to play David’s rare seven-foot Fazioli grand piano, as well as his four-manual Hauptwerk installation.

—Rhonda Edgington

North Central Region

Central Iowa August 21, members gathered for an end-of-summer garden party at the Urbandale home of Mark Shultz. In addition to enjoying the food and conversation, members were able to see, hear, and play the organ that Mark has built in his home.

—Bev Duffy

Southwest Region

Central Arkansas April 15, a monthly dinner meeting was held at First United Methodist Church in Conway. Betty Cohen, host organist, welcomed members and guests to the church and the dinner. Before and immediately following the dinner, members and guests were invited to view and play the newly installed Nichols & Simpson console in the sanctuary. A brief business session followed dinner. Following the meeting, the group traveled to Greene Chapel at Hendrix College for a performance by Olivier Latry, titular organist of the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris. His recital was part of the college’s Harold Thompson Memorial Concert series. To close the evening, a post-recital reception was held at the home of Betty Cohen.

—Betty Cohen

Denver Rocky Mountain, CO August 27, a workshop was held for western Colorado organists entitled “Swell to Great.” Meeting at First Presbyterian Church in Grand Junction and featuring the church’s 20-rank Reuter organ (1928), 25 organists of nine different denominations enjoyed three sessions: “Why Organ?” by John Howard, “Overcoming Performance Anxiety,” by Ellen Bradley, and “Creative Hymn Playing” by Martha Sandford-Heyns. Other events of the day included brief performances by local organists, hymn singing, a luncheon featuring five round-table lunch discussion groups on various issues, a video from APOBA, a “Drop and Swap” music exchange, and an organ crawl and demonstration. All were received enthusiastically. Several guests showed strong interest in joining the Guild, and evaluations indicated that there is great desire for more chapter events in this region.

—John Howard

New Orleans, LA April 11, the annual members’ and students’ recital was held at the historic Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church. Members participating were Susan Welsh (joined by C. Errol Barron, flute), Tommy Zanca, William R. Memmott, Robert Zanca, Anthony Centanni, and B. Andrew Mills. The two student performers were Charlotte Kimble and David Doyle.

—Tommy Zanca

West Region

Orange County, CA May 14, a members’ recital was held at Laguna Presbyterian Church, Laguna Beach. The performers were Frances Johnston, Henry Doktorski, Charles Raasch, David Lines, and Lois Holdridge. Their playing demonstrated technical prowess, lyrical sensitivity, and rigorous virtuosity on the 24-rank, three-manual Möller. Works of Alain, J.S. Bach, Buxtehude, Duruflé, Litaize, Mouret, Schumann, and George Shearing were played.

—Jennifer Puhl

San Diego, CA June 5, the installation of officers for the upcoming year was held at the Prado Restaurant in Balboa Park. Framed certificates of appreciation and gifts were presented to Jack Lasher in appreciation for his dedicated service as dean (2012–14) as well as his outstanding leadership as 2015 convention coordinator, and to Malou Rogers in appreciation for her dedicated service as dean from 2014 to 2016.

—Leslie Wolf Robb

Southern Nevada July 17, installation of officers for 2016–17 was held at All Saints Episcopal Church, Las Vegas. The Rev. Michael Link led the solemn service that was followed by a convivial reception.

—Dorothy Riess

Seattle, WA August 3, featured a “Dueling Organists” recital by Ruth Draper and Michelle Horsley presented by Seattle First Baptist Church. The former and present organist of the church played diverse repertoire on both piano and organ in various combinations. Featured on the program were world premieres of the first- and second-place winners of the chapter’s “Bach to the Future” 2015 composition contest. Michelle Horsley played “Mostly Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D Minor” by J.S. Bach/Paul Ayres, and Ruth Draper performed her own first-place composition entitled “A Lover’s Farewell: Dido’s Lament Revisited” by Henry Purcell/Draper. Among the 100 attendees was Christopher Glenn (former dean), who conceived and implemented the biennial composition contest.

—David Stinson

Salt Lake City, UT August 27, members and friends of the Salt Lake City and Utah Valley chapters met for an AGO certification workshop in Assembly Hall on Temple Square. Don Cook (AAGO), national councillor for education, planned and presented this workshop with the help of Bonnie Goodliffe (CAGO, AAGO, FAGO), Ryan North (SPC, CAGO, ChM), and Teresa Clawson (CAGO, AAGO). Workshop participants received wonderful instruction in what they need to do and know to pass the AGO exams. Many people came just to improve their sight-reading, transposition, hymn playing, and improvisation skills. Attendees were encouraged to work hard on one of the exams and set a goal to pass it in the future, even if it takes them several attempts. The rewards of exam preparation can only result in overall improvement in musical and technical skills.

—Becky Azera

Northeast Region

Springfield, MA, The chapter’s POE was held at Smith College, Northampton, MA, July 10–15. Twenty-six middle and high school musicians participated.

—Mary Jeanne Tash

Binghamton, NY July 14, six chapter members joined members of the Syracuse chapter and the newly established Ithaca chapter to play and hear the recently installed two-manual, 21-stop Juget-Sinclair (Opus 45) at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Ithaca, in response to an open console invitation by Erik Kibelsbeck (director of music). The organ is built in the French Romantic style of Cavaillé-Coll, and is specifically based on the 1890 Cavaillé-Coll organ at Saint-Pierre de Charenton, France. The organ, tuned in equal temperament at A440, employs mechanical key and stop action, with ten combination pedals to control registration changes and activate the Récit tremolo. Dedication of the organ took place in mid-September, featuring Michel Bouvard as guest soloist.  —John Holt

Vermont May 15, the Doris Hughes Memorial Recital was held at First Congregational Church, St. Albans. Chapter members Jennifer Bower and Vaughn Watson (sub-dean) performed works by Bach, Herbert Brewer, Nadia Boulanger, Buxtehude, Roger Hannahs, Jehan Alain, Messiaen, and Dubois on the church’s historic 1893 II/26 Hook and Hastings. The First Congregational Church Choir and the Community Singers, directed by Linda Smith, and pianist Diane Gates, also participated in the event.

—Esther Nui

Europe, The annual spring meeting took place April 6–10. Member Chris Bragg organized an itinerary in Scotland centered in Dundee, St. Andrews, Edinburgh, and Glasgow. The 35 participants came from Germany (11), USA (7), England (6), France (3), Holland (4), Belgium (2), Scotland (1), and Austria (1). Everyone boarded the bus Tuesday morning for an excursion to Caird Hall in nearby Dundee where the marvelous Harrison & Harrison (III/50/1923) awaited us. A presentation by Jim McKellican from the “Friends of the Caird Hall Organ” provided information about the city architect James Thomson, who turned Dundee into the “Venice of the North” with his monumental Victorian-style buildings, and interesting aspects concerning the organbuilding project and the consultant, the blind organist Alfred Hollins, whose specification was considered by some to be somewhat old-fashioned. The organ is atypical for its time in that there are multiple enclosures (Swell and Orchestral divisions and Great reeds). A fine demonstration by Andrew Macintosh included a powerful rendition of Herbert Howells’s Third Rhapsody. After lunch, two somewhat older organs were on the itinerary. En route to the 1890 Hill organ (III/25) in Lochee Parish Church, Chris Bragg gave an informal but very informative narrative about town history and the development of the organ in the 19th century. Dundee was the city of “Jam, Jute, and Journalism.” Arguably jam (marmalade) was invented here. Due to several advantageous circumstances, Dundee was internationally the largest producer of jute and their newspaper industry was widely known and respected. Felix Mendelssohn’s recital of Bach works at the Birmingham Bach Festival prompted organbuilders, most notably William Hill, to start building full pedalboards. From the 1850s, the period in which William takes his son Thomas into partnership, Hill’s principal choruses got markedly louder, here with a tierce in the bass. Thus Chris Bragg’s demonstration of the vintage instrument with three pieces by Niels Gade showcased these choruses on the one hand and the traditional Romantic color stops, such as the Clarinet, Oboe, and Hohlflute (not the traditional Stopped Diapason), on the other. To demonstrate that this was an opulent installation, Chris Bragg removed the music rack to display the Barker machine for the Great manual—carried out in mahogany! The final destination of the day was St. Salvador’s Episcopal Church in Dundee. This being Chris Bragg’s own church it was not surprising that once again much valuable information was forthcoming. The architect was George Bodley, the leading Victorian church architect who also was responsible for designing Washington National Cathedral. It would seem that Bodley often cooperated with a Rev. Frederick H. Sutton, who was somewhat of an organ historian with a collection of drawings of (mostly medieval) organ cases published in a book Church Organs, Their Position and Construction. These cases were traditionally quite shallow and mounted on the sides of the nave without hindering the view toward the altar and beyond. It would further seem that Bodley and Sutton most frequently ordered their organs from Joshua Wordsworth and Samuel Maskell, as is exactly the case here. As inconspicuous as the placement may be, the installation is lavishly decorated to match the interior of the church and the sanctuary. This organ (II/23) also boasts a principal chorus on both manuals and a variety of color stops such as Cremona 8′ (Gt.), Keraulophon, Cornopean, Hautboy, and Clarion 4′ (Sw.). For the demonstration Chris Bragg chose two compositions of Lemmens, who had himself thrice visited Dundee. Among the participants that followed, Katelyn Emerson, who most recently won the NYACOP, performed one of the B-A-C-H fugues by Schumann.

Wednesday was listed as “free time in St. Andrews,” however there were ample suggestions to fill it in: opportunities to visit the Cathedral and Castle ruins, a harpsichord performance of Bach’s Clavierübung II by Sean Heath, a “Music Talk” by Raymond Calcraft on Shakespeare and Cervantes and settings of their texts by Vaughan Williams and Rodrigo, and a rehearsal of Bach’s B-minor Mass with Tom Wilkinson (university organist) and St. Salvator’s Chapel Choir. After dinner we attended a recital by Canadian pedagogue John Grew on the Hradetzky organ (III/40/1973) at St. Salvator’s Chapel of the University of St. Andrews before returning by coach to the hotel.

Thursday began in Edinburgh where we met our host/guide for the day John Kitchen, Edinburgh city organist, university organist, and retired senior lecturer in music (U. of Edinburgh). The first organ was in Usher Hall built in 1912 by Norman & Beard and completely restored in 2003 by Harrison & Harrison (IV/63). To quote our guide: “The pipework remains entirely unaltered, and now sounds much as it must have in 1914. It is characterized by a predictably Edwardian opulence, fullness, and richness of sound, as well as offering a huge variety of exotic colors. Both the Swell and Great are bold, yet with plenty of fire and pungency. The two mixtures contain not only tierce ranks, but the flat 21st harmonic; such mixtures were generally intended to be used with the reeds, not as chorus mixtures in the way we now expect. The Pedal complements this well, and contains a full-length metal 32′ Contra Violone, some of which comprises the display pipes. The Choir offers some beautiful delicate sounds, including a seductive Unda Maris, and the solo and orchestral departments tempt with all sorts of exotic delights, including a Kinura-like Orchestral Oboe, a small-scale Orchestral Trumpet (not the big solo reed that one might expect from such a name), a noble and not devastating Tuba, and—most extraordinary of all—a family of strings from 16′ up to a Cornet des Violes mixture. There is also a two-octave Carillon, made of steel bars.” The contrast to the next organ could hardly have been greater. In 1978, Jürgen Ahrend built a new organ (II/21) for the Reid Concert Hall at the University of Edinburgh. “Inspiration for the [specification] drawn up by the late Peter Williams and Gustav Leonhardt came from early 18th-century German instruments. The main case houses the pipes for the Hauptwerk and Pedal. The pipes and stopknobs for the Rückpositiv are behind the player. There are no registration aids and inter-manual coupling is by manual shove-coupler. Tuned to unequal temperament (Werck-meister III), the organ has lucid, clear voicing, played via an unbushed mechanical action of exceptional refinement. . . . [It] remains the only organ by this firm in the UK (and) requires very little maintenance; it was cleaned a few years ago by Hendrik Ahrend, Jürgen’s son, [at which time] very slight adjustments were also made to the key action.”

Lunch was taken at various locations before we visited the final organ of the day, the Henry “Father” Willis organ (III/32) in St. Stephen’s Church Centre, Edinburgh. The space is no longer used for services but rather as a community center for much less pious events. “Initially the organ, installed in 1888, was to be used only to accompany the praise; voluntaries were not permitted. (Even after this restriction was lifted, one elderly lady remained outside the church in all weathers each Sunday until ‘that sinful sound’ ceased at 11 a.m.!) There are three manuals and 31 stops; there is only one (tierce) mixture and there are only three Pedal stops, yet the organ lacks nothing in musicality or versatility.” Kitchen opened his demonstration with four chorales from Bach’s Orgelbüchlein. The Corno di Bassetto 8′ on the Choir was especially poignant—even though not in the least Baroque! These were followed by a spirited, one might even say flamboyant, rendition of the first movement of Guilmant’s Fifth Sonata. The Barker machine on the Great was certainly important for this work, and it was equally evident why this organ “has been widely praised nationally and internationally as a world-class musical instrument.” After several selections played by participants, Kitchen bade his farewell and sent us off with a vibrant Handelian march albeit in Romantic guise. The evening closed with a piano recital by the renowned Dutch concert and recording artist Ronald Brautigam in the Byre Theatre in St. Andrews. The final day was spent for the most part in Glasgow. Here we met Matthew Hynes, organbuilder and historian, our guide for the day. He first introduced us to the magnificent instrument in the Glasgow Evangelical Church on Cathedral Square. This was a landmark organ (III/28) built by Forster & Andrews as Opus 1000 in 1887. Several particular aspects of this instrument testify to the opulence of this installation: the Dulciana stop in the Choir is built completely down to low C instead of sharing the bass pipes of the Gedackt, which was much more common, and the 16′ Open Diapason in the Pedal consists of open metal pipes all the way down to bottom CC, instead of going over to stopped pipes at some point. Two other conspicuous details are the astonishingly low wind pressure of 3” for the entire organ and a radiating concave pedalboard (not original). The company continued producing fine organs until it amalgamated with Norman & Beard by 1924.

At the next venue, the organ committee of St. Bride’s Episcopal Church outdid itself to make us feel at home, hot tea and coffee, homemade cookies, and no less than five committee members turned out to greet us. The William Hill (II/19) organ from 1865 was originally built for Anderston Parish Church, Glasgow, where it was the first organ to be used legally in a Presbyterian Church in Scotland. It was partially altered by Harrison & Harrison, 1881, and finally moved to St. Bride’s and restored by James MacKenzie in 1972. Unfortunately it has not fared well since then and the above-mentioned committee is very active with the next restoration by Harrison & Harrison, pending in 2018. The demonstration was given by Stuart Campbell, retired university organist (University of Glasgow) and incumbent assistant director of music at St. Bride’s.

The next and final venue of the spring meeting had some things in common with the previous station. The Henry “Father” Willis organ in St. Margaret’s Parish Church, Knightswood, was also originally built for a different church, the Townhead Parish Church in Glasgow. It was moved to Knightswood and also restored by James MacKenzie and Matthew Hynes, but more recently in 2002. Another similarity was the overwhelming welcome by the pastor, the organist Christine Furnish, and other women of the parish. Coming back to the organ, it is remarkable that the first electric blower was installed in 1960! Also, the Wesley-Willis radiating-concave pedalboard is original from 1866 and one of the earliest examples in the UK. Once again Matthew demonstrated stops and combinations with hymn playing, garnering a spontaneously sung Halleluja at the end of an Easter hymn.

The closing dinner is always a special moment. The cuisine was fabulous French (Café Montmartre in Cupar) and was crowned with a round of well-deserved thankyous. Naturally, Chris Bragg was the main recipient, not only as a demonstrator for many of the instruments and for sharing his profound knowledge of the English/Scottish organ, but mainly for meticulous preparation. Dean Judy Riefel-Lindel presented Chris with a group gift of an etching of a canal scene in Amsterdam, where Chris and his wife had done graduate studies and worked for a few years in early 2002. The fabulous spring meeting booklet with daily itinerary, list of participants, stoplists, and detailed information about all of the organs was prepared by Chris.

—Bernard Sanders

Mid-Atlantic Region

Annapolis, MD April 18, twenty students took part in a Pedals, Pipes & Pizza event sponsored by the chapter. The event was held in the chapel of the U.S. Naval Academy. Director of Chapel Music and Chapel Organist Monte Maxwell began the session with some informative remarks concerning the history and nature of the pipe organ. At this point students were allowed to “try out” the organ playing prepared pieces that were, for the most part, written for the piano, with Monte supplying the registrations. The result was a mixture of fun and delight as the young people experienced the sensation of playing the magnificent instrument in a glorious acoustic environment. Among those who participated, most were from a local homeschool group. The leaders who accompanied that group were quite pleased with the experience, and have already requested a repeat of this event during this coming year. AGO members who were present included Monte Maxwell; Scott Romanoski, dean; Michael Menne, sub-dean; Ralph Manuel, secretary; Susan Petty, at-large board member; and Diane Kinsley.

—G. Scott Romanoski

Metropolitan New Jersey June 6, the chapter held its annual year-end soiree at the home of Joel and Julie Ramseyer in Randolph. After a delicious potluck dinner, members were treated to the sounds of the 42-rank Casavant in the Ramseyer’s home. Brian Fowler, the builder of the instrument, was there and available to answer questions. Metro members Joel Ramseyer, Matt Webb, and Kevin Graf played this wonderful instrument. Marian Collins played a piece on the grand piano. It was an enjoyable evening for all who attended.

—Bev McGregor

Southwest Jersey The chapter held its annual meeting and picnic at the home of member Marilyn Rabbai. New executive committee members installed were Robert Meade, Daniel Nelson, Robert Parkhurst, and Joyce Ann Routon.

—Joyce Ann Routon

 

 

Chambersburg, PA July 16, the chapter sponsored an organ recital at Central Presbyterian Church in Chambersburg, in conjunction with Old Market Day, an annual Chambersburg event during which streets in front of the church are closed to vehicle traffic so that vendors can set up booths for pedestrians to visit and patronize. The recital gives the general public a chance to hear the pipe organ in a more relaxed setting while also taking a break from walking outside in the heat and humidity. Three members of our chapter each played about 20 minutes of organ music for an appreciative audience. Those playing were Carol Ann Day, organist at Trinity UCC in Waynesboro, Linda Peppernick, organist and choir director at First United Methodist in Chambersburg, and Helen Wingert, organist at Central Presbyterian in Chambersburg.

—Helen Wingert

Erie, PA March 12, the chapter hosted a program titled “Church Musicians in the Digital Age” at Smith Chapel of Penn State Erie, the Behrend College (host Karen Keene, lecturer in organ music/chapel organist). A workshop and recital were presented by Erik Meyer, director of music at the Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Philadelphia. Meyer is also an award-winning composer; his compositions have been published by Augsburg Fortress, St. James Press, and MusicSpoke. He mentioned several online sites available for church musicians—including church-related resources, music resources, communication resources, and administrative resources. He then gave a recital that included works by local composers Karen Keene and William Witherup, as well as a selection of his own. Smith Chapel’s organ was constructed by the Martin Ott Pipe Organ Company of St. Louis, Mo. Completed in 2003, it comprises 21 stops and 1,208 pipes.

—Kathrine Swanson

Harrisburg, PA, The only POE+ offered in the United States this past summer was sponsored by the chapter from July 10 to 14, based at Messiah College in Grantham. Adults, age 19 and older, eager to learn more about organ playing, were eligible to enroll. Twenty-two adults from Pennsylvania and ten other states studied for the week with eleven professional organists, some from our chapter and others with ties of previous employment, residence, or education in the Harrisburg area. Ellen Hunt chaired the POE+ Committee, assisted by Shelly Moorman-Stahlman, faculty procurement and programming; Shawn Gingrich,
accommodations and venues; Carol Hunter, registration; Rick Zentmeyer, finances; Phyllis Conrad, hospitality; Ray Edmison and Judy Schrack, transportation; and Kathy Gates and Mary Jane Nelson, publicity. A recital on opening day at Parmer Hall, Messiah College, was played by faculty and staff members, and on three succeeding evenings, other faculty members were heard at Pine Street Presbyterian Church and Market Square Presbyterian Church, both in Harrisburg, and at Camp Hill Presbyterian Church, those being venues where organ lessons were scheduled daily. Faculty members were Chelsea Barton, Tyler Canonico, Rhonda Edgington, Charles Grove, Brenda Leach, Keith Reas, Clair Rozier, David Schelat, Victoria Shields, Aaron Sunstein, and Brett Terry. Committee chairs also heard in recital were Shelly Moorman-Stallman and Shawn Gingrich.

Workshops offered during the week included: “Easy Repertoire for Church: Recent Publications,” “Repertoire through the Centuries,” “Organ Registration,” “Anglican Chant,” “Practice Techniques,” and “Hymn Playing and Introductions.” Other churches sharing their facilities for organ lessons were Grantham Brethren in Christ; Derry Presbyterian; First United Methodist, Hershey; First Lutheran and First UCC, both in Carlisle; Trinity Lutheran and United Methodist, both in Camp Hill. Our chapter thanks AGO National and six other AGO chapters who assisted in funding this endeavor. Freewill offerings were received at each of the week’s recitals to help defray expenses.

—Mary Jane Nelson

Southeast Region

Central Florida, In April, the chapter presented recitalist Nathan Laube at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke in Orlando, hosted by parish musician Canon Ben Lane. Mr. Laube played a varied program featuring music from 15th-century organist Thomas Preston to Maurice Duruflé. Laube’s transcription of Mendelssohn’s Variations Serieuses was also a highlight of the program.

• The season concluded with the chapter’s annual year-end banquet and officer installation held at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Orlando, hosted by John R. Mason III, director of traditional worship. The banquet was followed by a Rising Stars Concert by several young people who were past Central Florida AGO Scholarship recipients. Scholarships were also awarded for the 2016–17 year. A highlight of this recital was hearing a former student member, Matt Gender, who was preparing for the NCOI competition at the Houston Convention. Matt played a well-crafted improvisation based on theme submissions from the audience. At this writing Matt had won second place in the NCOI in Houston. Our chapter takes pride in the fact that Matt, a young Pedals, Pipes & Pizza participant in our chapter many years ago, moved on to be a winner in the NCOI competition. We congratulate Matt’s teachers, especially our chapter member Terry Yount, as well as Laura Ellis, organ professor at the University of Florida. Our chapter continues to provide opportunities to learn and grow in the love of the pipe organ through our annual Pedals, Pipes & Pizza event and scholarship sponsorship. For more information and pictures of these events visit our chapter page

—John F. Reilly

Miami, FL July 3, Matthew Steynor, director of music, Trinity Cathedral, played his annual recital on the church’s large Aeolian-Skinner. Entitled “Changing States,” the program featured American composers and named the states in which they lived and/or worked. Three of the pieces heard (by Sousa, Gershwin, and Copland) were transcriptions of works originally written for band or orchestra. Fanfare for the Common Man by Copland was especially effective. The complex setting of “Amazing Grace” by William Bolcom and a new work (dedicated to Steynor) by David Pegal (University of Miami) on “Wondrous Love” were emotionally rewarding. The novelty for most of the auditors was the extended Dance No. 2 by Philip Glass with its “busy, repetitive, musical framework” (to quote from the program notes). In contrast was the simple quiet of Calvin Hampton’s America the Beautiful. The program began with a brilliant reading of the well-known 1891 Variations on America by Charles Ives with the two later bi-tonal passages. The large audience rewarded this impressive recital with a standing ovation.

—Frederick Kent

Oxford-University of Mississippi June 16, the chapter hosted a members’ recital at First Presbyterian Church in Water Valley. The varied program included works by Bach, Franck, Vierne, Mouret, and Thalben-Ball. The organists were Sara Champion (organist, FPC Water Valley), Joseph Garrison (dean), and Ray Smithee. The well-attended event was followed by dinner at the home of Sara Champion.

—Joseph Garrison

Central North Carolina May 21, the chapter held its May Social and Potluck meeting at the home of Janet Cherry, membership chair. A time of sharing organist stories, food, recipes, and fellowship with other members was most enjoyable.

—Lee Harris

 

 

Great Lakes Region

Fox Valley, IL July 22, eight members and a guest oboist and soprano presented the chapter’s 17th annual Bach and Beyond at the Abbey at Marmion Abbey, Aurora. Organists offered a variety of works from Bach, Buxtehude, Rheinberger, and Vivaldi on Martin Ott’s two-manual instrument. The congregation joined in singing two hymns in the vibrant worship space. Rosalie Cassiday (a former dean) was recognized for her work in creating the original idea for Bach at the Abbey, first presented on July 28, 2000, to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the death of J.S. Bach. The program has been presented every year since, on the fourth or last Friday of July.

—Betsy Waldon

Western Illinois University The 2015–16 season opened with a September 13 gathering at St. George’s Episcopal Church, where members shared summer experiences and new music and also could try out the recently installed Wicks organ.

• October 25, Jan Lucie and Linda Andrews discussed and demonstrated features of the new Presbyterian hymnal, Glory to God, at First Presbyterian Church.
• November 1, Anita Werling played a recital titled “Variations for Organ” at First Presbyterian Church.
• January 31, Lynn Thompson demonstrated his new Fisk harpsichord at Wesley Methodist Church, and members had the opportunity to try it out.
• February 28, ten chapter members played a recital of solo organ and ensemble music (with horn, piano, and voice) on the McEvers organ at First Christian Church.
• April 9–10, guest clinician and organist Pamela Ruiter-Feenstra conducted an improvisation workshop and led a hymn festival at First Presbyterian Church.
• May 15, Myrna Andersen and Jim Musolf hosted the annual meeting and picnic at Trinity Lutheran Church in Galesburg. Officers elected were Linda Andrews, dean; Cristina Werling, sub-dean; Anita Werling, secretary; and Lynn Thompson, treasurer.

—Anita Werling

Evansville, IN Our 2015–16 season kicked off with a Summer Social Potluck at St. Margaret’s Chapel, Henderson, KY, on August 28. During this meeting, which is a chapter tradition, members shared their experiences at summer conferences and browsed the ever-popular Music Swap boxes. A brief service of Evening Prayer followed.

• September 21, Dennis Malfatti, director of choral activities at the University of Evansville, led a choral work-shop at Old North United Methodist Church. He presented basic pointers about working with small church choirs. A reading session followed, featuring anthems that are in print, attractive, and not too difficult.

• Oct. 24, the chapter’s annual Pedals, Pipes & and Pizza event took place at First Presbyterian Church, Owensboro, Ky.

• Nov. 21, a workshop on teaching the organ at Aldersgate United Methodist Church included presentations by several chapter members on aspects of teaching organ to young pianists. Highlights included a mock organ lesson, how to create simplified hymn arrangements, and a demonstration of software packages for elementary piano instruction.

• Feb. 21, Evansville’s own Kirk M. Rich presented a recital on the Fisk organ at First Presbyterian Church. Over 150 people attended his program of music by Bach, Purcell, Mendelssohn, Lemmens, Lasceux, and Vierne. Kirk is a doctoral student at the University of Houston and a two-time NYACOP finalist.

• March 6, the chapter’s annual members’ recital took place at St. Mary Catholic Church. Instead of raising funds for the chapter’s Dufford Scholarship Fund, this year’s event collected donations for the St. Mary Food Pantry. The “Organ Plus” program included music for organ with flute, violin, recorder, saxo-phone, and piano.

• April 16, the chapter held a progressive historic organ recital in Vincennes, Ind. Instruments featured were Taylor & Boody Opus 4, at First Christian Church, and a Steere & Turner from 1887 at St. James Episcopal Church. • May 9, the chapter’s Annual General Meeting and Festival Installation Service took place at Neu Chapel on the University of Evansville campus. Participants included a combined choir from local churches, the Handbell Choir of First Presbyterian Church, and students from the Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University. The service featured several new hymns composed by IU Church Music Practicum students.

• June 11, chapter members and friends presented a program of organ and piano music at First Presbyterian Church in Mt. Vernon, as part of that community’s bicentennial celebration.

—Helen Skuggedal Reed

Cherry Capital, MI July 15, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Leland, MI hosted Martin Jean in the fourth concert of its six-concert Summer Concert Series celebrating the installation of the 22-rank Buck hybrid pipe organ of 55 stops and three manuals. Jean played works by Bach, Franck, Balbastre, Manz, Brahms, and Duruflé, as well as a hymn alteration on the hymn “Wer nur den lieben Gott” with Pachelbel variations interspersed. Martin’s performance and the concert series were sponsored by local businesses. The following morning, Jean met with three young adults from Interlochen in a masterclass. Works presented and critiqued were Bach Fantasy and Fugue in G Minor, Bach Fugue in G Minor (“Little”), and Tu es petra by Mulet.

—Mark Peters, CAGO

North Central Region

Arrowhead, MN The chapter sponsored its first Mid-Summer Workshop with morning sessions June 29 and 30. The first morning featured a panel discussion including Jesse Eschbach of the University of North Texas, Dan Jaeckel, Duluth organbuilder, David Rollin, architect and organ-builder with Jaeckel, and Carol Donahue as moderator. Topics included being called to the organ, issues of organbuilding and design, and minor maintenance and repairs. This session was held at Dan Jaeckel’s shop. The next day’s morning session was at First United Methodist Church and was devoted to a masterclass with Eschbach and three of the several organ scholarship students who performed for him. Performance practices, posture, and fingering were a focus, and Eschbach shared his experiences working with Dorothy Taubman and her thinking and keyboard practices. Two dozen people were in attendance all told, with a few from as far away as Thunder Bay, Canada.

—Carol Donahue

Greater Kansas City, MO June 6, chapter members enjoyed a social gathering for the close of the program year at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Mission, Kans. (Ken Walker, director of music and arts). Thomas Watgen (outgoing dean) expressed his gratitude for the chapter’s support throughout the season. As entertainment, members at each table were invited to share some of their most humorous experiences during wedding services.

—Norm Kinnaugh

Southwest Region

Northwest Arkansas May 12, the chapter held its annual Members’ Recital at First United Presbyterian Church in Fayetteville. Members gathered to celebrate the chapter’s 35th anniversary, complete with cake and a display of scrapbooks, programs, newsletters, and photos from events throughout the chapter’s history. Members presented works by Mendelssohn, Gawthrop, Franck, Joyce Jones, and Buxtehude. The recital concluded with a work by former chapter member Kerry Johnston for piano and organ titled “America the Beautiful.” Johnston traveled from Cary, NC, to join the chapter for its celebration. Music, memories, and friendships renewed, this was a fine way to finish our 35th year!

—Jeannie A. Lee

West Region

San Diego, CA May 14, the chapter, in partnership with the Spreckels Organ Society, held its annual scholarship auditions at First United Methodist Church of San Diego. Twenty students participated in the auditions this year; three in the advanced division, nine in the intermediate division, seven in the novice division, and one pianist auditioned for an introductory set of organ lessons.

—Leslie Wolf Robb

 

Southern Nevada May 20, the chapter concluded its 2015–16 Organ Recital Series with chapter member Dorothy Young Riess’s 85th Birthday Celebration in Doc Rando Recital Hall on the campus of the University of Nevada—Las Vegas. (Her program was published in the August 2016 issue of TAO.) Riess had presented both her 75th (April 2006) and her 80th (May 2011) birthday recitals on the series. During the ten years of the chapter’s Recital Series, 65 recitals will have been presented, all open to the community without charge and supported through patron contributions.

—Paul S. Hesselink