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VOX ONONDAGA

Poister Competition Finals March / April 2016 Hendricks Chapel From the staff Dean’s Message 2 – Abel Searor

Sub-Dean’s Message 2 - Vincent Guarneiri

News

News From the Hill – 4 Annie Laver

Reviews Nathan Laube Recital - Chang Lee 5 Onondaga Civic Symphony 6 - Ben Merchant

Saturday, April 9th, 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M Events Calendar 7 For the first time in the history of the Arthur Poister Scholarship Competition in Organ Playing, the finals will be held at . Please join us for this momentous occasion!

Syracuse AGO Organ Scholar Program

The Syracuse Chapter of the American Guild of will be assigned a local instructor based on their Organists is offering a scholarship for Central New location, availability, skill level etc. We are pleased to York students between the ages of 14 and 20 to study announce that the Scholarship has been awarded to the pipe organ. Eligible candidates should already Tyme Baez of Syracuse University for the spring have piano skills and have a strong interest in semester of 2016. Applications for the Fall 2016 learning about the King of Instruments. Students will semester will be accepted up until August 1st. Visit be evaluated based on their current skill level, and www.syracuseago.org for more details.

Syracuse Chapter – American Guild of Organists March / April 2016

Dean’s Message – Abel Searor

Well, we did it. So what now? We all survived Easter. It's a bit of a downhill ride from here. Yes, we all have the smaller feast days and events that our specific churches celebrate (confirmation, Pentecost, Ascension Day, etc.) but the big ones are over with for another year. So what will you do now?

This is the time that we are all wrapping things up or at least planning for the end of the church year, the end of the school year, and the coming summer. I am beginning to make my plans for summer shows, wrapping up the semester and deciding how I want to use my vacation time this summer. I am also thinking about the end of my term as the Dean of this AGO chapter and what my continued role in the guild is. “… so what now?” What are you considering for the upcoming months? Any big vacation plans? Projects on the horizon? Conventions you plan on attending? Pieces “… projects on the horizon?” you plan to work on? As church musicians we spend many of the times of renewal during the church year stressing over the major celebration that “…serve on the Executive Board.” these penitential seasons often terminate in. For us renewal comes after these times are over. I encourage you during these days to do something for yourself, whatever that means, and to reach new goals that we don't have time for during the church year.

Perhaps a more active role in the SAGO might be a part of that summer goal. We are reaching the point of nominating members to serve on the Executive Board and would always like to expand the number of voices that are heard. Are you willing to make this rather small time commitment? Could this be something that you Sub dean’s Message – Vince Guarneiri Greetings Friends and Colleagues,

Now that we’ve all made it through Lent and Easter for another year, we can again focus on some exciting happenings with the Syracuse AGO!

On February 17th, Annie Laver and students from the Setnor School of Music, along with the SAGO presented another Pedals, Pipes, and Pizza Event. This year, we planned the event during February break, during the day. This allowed children who normally would have been in school to attend. And attend they did! We had over SEVENTY, that’s seven-zero, kids and parents come to see the organs at SU and have a pizza lunch after.

Annie’s students, Julia Tucker, Chang Lee, and Alan Lynch demonstrated the Crouse organ with works of Louis Vierne, J.S. Bach, and John Williams. The kids were very excited to hear Alan’s rendition of “The Throne Room” from Star Wars played on the organ! After the kids got a chance to play and tour the organ, Annie took the group over to Hendricks Chapel where she demonstrated the chapel organ. We had such a tremendous response to this event, and parents were so genuinely thankful we would host this experience. One father remarked, “It’s on days like these where lives are changed” This, for sure, is our true mission in bringing the organ to the community!

Finally, just a quick note about an upcoming event. Please mark your calendars- because of some local events, our annual meeting and banquet will be one week later this year: Friday, June 10th. More details to follow via Email, but we wanted to make sure you knew about the new date.

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Syracuse Chapter – American Guild of Organists March / April 2016

News from the Hill Annie Laver Syracuse University student organists were given a performance of these figures. He likened Franck’s wonderful opportunity to work with guest organist Fantasie to a French opera overture, and therefore Nathan Laube in a masterclass in Crouse one could thing of the entire piece as setting the Auditorium on Saturday, February 20. Masterclasses stage for drama. He compared the pedal scalar are invaluable experiences for students, not only passages in the middle of the Bach C Minor Prelude because they gain new insights on their repertoire, to the striking pedal scale in Bach’s famous Fantasie but because the prospect of performing for a in G Minor, showing how Bach jumped the octave distinguished teacher pushes them to prepare their when he needed to but kept the sense of a multi- piece to the best of their ability. All of our student octave descent. performers took the opportunity to perform their pieces in studio class and all-school convocation Mr. Laube also had many wonderful insights on leading up to the masterclass, and as a result, they technique and how specific movements can support were able to get the most out of the experience. the expressive qualities of the music. The students were inspired after watching him demonstrate these We were treated to three very fine performances in techniques in front of them, and then they got to see the masterclass itself: Julia Tucker played Peter him use them in his own performance the following Eben’s Biblical Dance no. 1: David Dances before the day. It was a great weekend for us all. Ark of the Covenant; Alan Lynch played Bach’s Prelude in C Minor, BWV546/I; and Joel Morehouse Our next guest masterclass is scheduled for Friday, played Frank’s Fantasie in C Major. Everyone April 15 from 9-11am in Hendricks Chapel. This will present received excellent ideas about interpretation be an improvisation workshop/masterclass with from Professor Laube. In each case, Mr. Laube gave Tom Trenney, a virtuoso improviser who will us examples of other repertoire that can help inform present live organ accompaniment to the silent film, an approach to the character of the piece. For “The Mark of Zorro,” at 8pm that night. As always, instance, he likened the repeated driving eighth these classes are open to SAGO members and the notes in the Eben to the piano music of Bartok, and general public. I hope you can join us! encouraged an impassioned, almost brutal 4 12

March / April 2015 Syracuse Chapter – American Guild of Organists

Event Reviews

Nathan Laube Recital Sunday, February 21st, Hendricks Chapel, Syracuse University. Review by Chang Jong Lee

On Sunday, 21st of February 2016, Nathan Laube, a young star concert organist and Assistant Professor of Organ at The Eastman School of Music in Rochester, , gave an excellent organ recital at Hendricks Chapel as a part of Malmgren Concert Series in Syracuse University. His repertoire included a variety of repertoire by composers with dates ranging from as early as 1637 to as late as 1983. He gave a successful organ recital, which many people from both inside and outside of school attended, and gave an amazing masterclass to organ students at Syracuse University on Saturday morning.

His way of playing organ, expressing the sound and incredibly well-focused because he performed most harmonies, and displaying the rhythms were beyond of the recital completely from memory. I wished I compare to any. In the midst of his recital I took could have heard this concert on an instrument and many notes due to the fact that immense inspiration acoustic that would maximize the expression Nathan I gained from him. His performance was Laube displayed, although I felt he did an amazing inspirational to me because of his expression of job getting all he could out of the Holtkamp organ. sound and his technical skill. The first thing I noticed, as he played his opening piece Allegro One rarely hears the tremolo used on this organ, but Vivace from Symphonie pour Grand Orgue, Op. 42, Laube brought it on for special effect in the No. 5 by Charles-Marie Widor (1844-1937), he transcription of Rachmaninoff’s Prelude in G-minor, expressed every beat with his body. He displayed Op. 23, No. 5, and also in transcription of pulses on each beat in his wrist and in fingers even Mendelssohn-Bartholdy’s Variations Serieuses, Op. though he was holding those long notes down. This 54. His selection of registration was very profound appeared to be very expressive and rhythmic to me, I and meticulous. His last programed piece, Fantasie could easily feel the beats and was able to dance und Fuge über den Namen BACH, Op. 46 by Max with the tune. Reger (1873-1916), his registration selection for each voices in fugue in different manuals, different The clarity on the music was also incredible. I dynamics, and different characteristics were well- noticed that his way of playing on the organ played. manuals more resembles to that of playing on the Nathan Laube’s performance was filled with piano. He kept his fingers straight and relaxed and buoyancy and vibrancy. It was a great pleasure and approached the almost-weightless Hendricks joy to listen to such a great organ virtuoso Holtkamp keyboard with clear technique. I also Chang Jong Lee, is a music major and student found his performance was very mature, calm, and organist at the Setnor School of Music, Syracuse incredibly well-focused. It is very obvious he was University.

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Syracuse Chapter – American Guild of Organists March / April 2016

Event Reviews Onondaga Civic Symphony Concert with Organist Will Headlee Sunday, February 7st, Park Central Presbyterian Church. Review by Ben Merchant

On Feb. 7 the Onondaga Civic Symphony, directed The work is a blockbuster piece, about 7 minutes by Syracuse AGO member Erik Kibelsbeck, long, and finishes with full organ and orchestra. It performed 3 major works at Park Central starts out with the short Cortege section, the theme Presbyterian Church, to a packed, standing room solemnly introduced by orchestra strings, and only house. The program was dedicated to long repeated by organ. A little later, the Litanie theme is time OCS director and educator Robert Connell, who introduced by flutes, and then tossed back and forth died suddenly in August 2015. between the organ and orchestra. The Cortege theme is re-introduced and the two themes are mixed Fittingly, the program was led off with the Syracuse together, as the work culminates in a blazing joyful premiere of “Cortege and Litanie” by Marcel Dupre, toccata-like passage, reminiscent of pealing church in a rarely performed arrangement for organ and full bells. orchestra, featuring soloist Will Headlee at the organ console. The piece is most often heard as a solo The first half of the program concluded with the organ piece, and indeed has become a signature “Symphony in C” by the young George Bizet, and piece for Prof. Emeritus Headlee. It was originally the second half of the program concluded with written in 1922 as the second of 5 incidental pieces Beethoven’s “Emperor Concerto” featuring Professor for a Paris play, and scored for a small 11-piece Kevin Moore. Conductor Erik Kibelsbeck did an orchestra. Later Dupré performed it as a piano work, excellent job with the entire program, getting his and was encouraged by his manager, Alexander group of talented amateur musicians to bring out the Russell to arrange it for organ, “Don’t be surprised sweetness and enthusiasm of the Bizet, the triumph when you find that “Cortege and Litanie” has and power of the Beethoven. Prof. Moore, former appeared on the program. You must make an organ chairman of the Onondaga Community College transcription of it. You will have plenty of time Music Department, is an outstanding pianist, he while you are travelling on the train! It will be literally makes it look easy. His technique is superb!” Later on Dupré was encouraged by Russell effortless, and belied the power he produced on the to arrange it for full orchestra and organ; it was church’s Yamaha C7 piano. He, along with the premiered in 1925 at the New York Wanamaker orchestra, have played this work before, and their Auditorium by Henry Hadley and 70 players from grasp and confidence with the music was apparent. the New York Philharmonic. The organ part, and full orchestra scores, were given to Prof. Headlee by It is a rare pleasure to hear a major work for organ his teacher at Syracuse University, Arthur Poister. and orchestra (incidentally the third one to be played Prof. Poister had in turn, been given the parts and in Syracuse over the last three years: the other two scores in 1928, while studying in Paris with Dupré. being Calvin Hampton’s Organ Concerto in 2014; Poister had crossed out his own name and written, and Poulenc’s Organ Concerto last year.) “For Will Headlee, given to me by Marcel Dupré Conductors take note, these concerts in Syracuse with the hope the work would be done with have all been sold out! There is a significant body of orchestra. I pass it on to my friend and Colleague literature for organ and orchestra, and aside from a knowing this will be done. Arthur Poister.” “This few warhorses, this literature is rarely heard. One concert,” says Headlee, “is a fulfillment of that hopes these pieces will continue to be played. charge.”

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Calendar of Events K&M Corner

March brings the Easter tuning Annie Laver – Solo Organ Recital season. Yet again, Easter is early this year, causing many Tuesday, April 5th – 8:00 P.M. instruments to be tuned in frigid Crouse Auditorium – Syracuse University conditions. Déjà vu! A program entitled “The King of Instruments”, Dr. Laver demonstrates Once the Easter Tuning season how the Organ takes on the role of a large ensemble. The program will has passed and we’ve had our include a sinfonia, concerto, ballet, and symphony! chance to recover, we’re excited to start our spring projects! Holy Trinity RC Parish in Fulton

Poister Competition Finals has a beautiful 1904 Felgemaker Organ, which was rebuilt and Hendricks Chapel, Syracuse University enlarged in 1985 by the Syracuse, New York Delaware Organ Company. Last th Saturday, April 9 , 10:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. January, K&M rebuilt the console, and the Great Trumpet. For the first time in the history of the competition, the finals will be This year, we’re replacing the held at Syracuse University in Hendricks Chapel. We will hear four noisy pneumatic stop motors contestants in the morning, break for lunch, and reconvene at 2 P.M. for with silent electric motors, and the final two contestants, with the winners announced in the Noble rebuilding the Swell Oboe. room by 4:00 P.M Kerner & Merchant is pleased to Julia Tucker – Graduate Recital announce that we have been selected to build a new console for the historic Kimball Organ at Setnor Auditorium, Syracuse University St. Louis Church, Buffalo, NY. Sunday, April 10th – 5:00 P.M. Our very own Will Headlee played a recital on this This is the first MM organ recital for Julia and the first at SU in several instrument at the 2004 Organ years. This recital is not to be missed! Historical Society Convention, Composers featured include J.S. Bach, Sweelink, Widor, Messiaen, and all who have heard this Bingham, and Vierne. instrument marvel at its beauty. The instrument was rebuilt by Tom Treeney – Master Class & Silent Film(!?) Tellers in the 1940s, at which time they installed a stock model Master Class – Saturday, April 14th, 10 A.M. – Hendricks console. K&M is building a new custom designed console to Silent Film – Sunday, April 15th, 8 P.M – Hendricks Chapel match the architectural details Improvisation Master Class on Saturday morning followed by the and color of the organ case, Silent Film “The Mark of Zorro” Sunday evening. In yet another first, while giving the organists all of Hendricks Chapel will take on the role of a movie palace. The film will the conveniences they expect in be projected on to an on stage screen, and Tom Treeny will use the modern pipe organs. Hendricks Chapel Holtkamp to accompany the film! You won’t want to miss this! Continued on Page 8 7 Syracuse Chapter – American Guild of Organists March / April 2016

Calendar of Events K&M Corner

Isabelle Demers – Solo Organ Recital Ryan Boyle, Vice President of K&M, had the pleasure of Grace Episcopal Church, Utica attending a symposium/work Friday, April 22nd – 8:00 P.M. party at Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City. Participants had Isabelle Demers is Organ Professor and Head of the Organ Program at the opportunity to see & hear Baylor University in Texas, where she teaches organ and courses in the both the mammoth Midmer organ curriculum. A native of Québec, she is rapidly becoming Losh, as well as the Kimball recognized as one of North America’s most virtuosic organists. For theatre organ in the adjacent more information, visit www.isabelledemers.org ballroom. The purpose of the event was to familiarize more Downtown Organ Crawl organ builders with this marvel of modern engineering built Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, St Paul’s Episcopal nearly a century ago, and to Church, Park Central Presbyterian Church assist with rebuilding several of Sunday, April 24th, 1:30 P.M. – 3:30 P.M. the pedal wind chest pneumatics. A more complete The 8th Annual Downtown Organ Crawl will feature Glenn Kime, Jim summary with photos will be Potts, and Will Headlee. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased through posted on our chapter website. www.downtownsyracuse.com/cathedral-square. For more details, visit April brings another exciting www.syracuseago.org. seminar hosted by the American Institute of Organbuilders. Pipedreams Live! – In Rochester! While the facets of pipe organ With host Michael Barone building are numerous, the single most important of these is Francesco Cera voicing. The AIO will be hosting Memorial Art Gallery a String Voicing Seminar, hosted 500 University Ave, Rochester at the shop of Ed O’Dell, fifth Thursday, April 21, 7:30 P.M. generation organ builder, in Moodus, CT. Ryan will be Christ Church attending, along with over a 141 East Avenue, Rochester dozen other builders and technicians from around the Friday, April 22nd, 8:00 P.M. country. Instructors include

Manuel Rosales, Don Glover of Chant inspired music for organ Andover, and Scot Huntington. Sacred Heart Cathedral 296 Flower City Park, Rochester Saturday, April 23rd, 8:00 P.M.

The Eastman Bunch and Justin LaVoie The Auditorium Theatre 885 East Main Street, Rochester Sunday, April 24th, 2:30 P.M.

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Submissions for this newsletter are due by the following dates: August 20, October 20, December 20, February 20, and April 20. The Vox Onondaga will be published on the first of the following month.

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