Press Notice for Immediate Release

A Before Bach’s Birthday Bash March 16, 2013

In Celebration of the Incomparable Johann Sebastian Bach, born March 21, 1685

presented in cooperation with Twin Cities Chapter of the American Guild of Organists Minnesota Public Radio American Public Media’s Pipedreams

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Program One – 9:00 a.m. (LIVE MPR Broadcast) Chapel of the Incarnation, Luther Seminary (1490 Fulham Street, Saint Paul) (A) 1985 Holtkamp (3 manuals, 46 ranks, 35 stops, mechanical action)

BACH: Prelude in C, BWV 547 –Henry Lebedinsky, organ BACH: Orgelbüchlein Chorale-preludes (Herr Christ, der ein’ge Gottes Sohn, BWV 601; In dulci jubilo, BWV 608; Das alte Jahr vergangen ist, BWV 614; Herr Gott, nun schleuss den Himmel auf, BWV 617; Christ ist erstanden, BWV 627) –Catherine Rodland, organ BACH: Overture, fr Keyboard Partita No. 4 in D, BWV 828 –Bethel Balge, piano (student of Lydia Artymiw at the University of MN) BACH: Mass in B-minor, BWV 232, selections (Kyrie II – Credo in unum Deum – Dona nobis pacem) –National Lutheran Choir and Ensemble/David Cherwien, conductor BACH: Orgelbüchlein Chorale-preludes (Ach wie nichtig, ach wie flüchtig, BWV 644; Vom Himmel kam der Engel Schar, BWV 607; Hilf Gott, dass mir’s gelinge, BWV 624; Wenn wir in höchesten Nöten sein, BWV 641; Wir danken dir, Herr Jesu Christ, BWV 623) –John Stender, organ BACH: Fugue in C, BWV 547 –Henry Lebedinsky, organ

Program Two – 10:30 a.m. Chapel of the Cross, Luther Seminary (Northwestern Building, 1501 Fulham Street, Saint Paul) (A) 1966 Casavant (2 manuals, 22 ranks, 16 stops, electro-pneumatic action)

BACH: Prelude & Fugue in f, BWV 534 –Phillip Radtke, organ (student of Dean Billmeyer at the University of MN) BACH: Chorale-prelude, Wir glauben all an einen Gott, Vater, BWV 740 –Eric Bigalke, organist (student of Dean Billmeyer) BACH: Fantasy in c, BWV 562 –Donald Livingston, organ BACH: Partita No. 4 in D, BWV 838 (Allemande – Courante – Aria – Sarabande – Menuet – Gigue) –Bethel Balge, piano (student of Lydia Artymiw) BACH: 2 Preludes from the Leipzig Chorales (Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele, BWV 654; Fantasia super ‘Komm, heiliger Geist, Herre Gott’, BWV 651) –Joseph Henry, organ

11:30AM-to-1PM - LUNCH BREAK (lunch and transport between venues is your individual responsibility)

Program Three – 1:00 p.m. Como Park Lutheran Church (1376 Hoyt Avenue West, Saint Paul) (B) 1989 Casavant (2 manuals, 21 ranks, 17 stops, mechanical action)

BACH: Fantasy in c, BWV 537 –Michael Barone, organ BACH: Toccata, Adagio and Fugue in C, BWV 564 –Aaron Hirsch, organist (student of Dean Billmeyer at the University of MN) BACH: Chorale-prelude, Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 659 –Michael Barone, organ BACH: Chorale-prelude, Ein feste Burg, BWV 720 –Andrew Birling, organ BACH: Canzona in d, BWV 588 –Sharon Kleckner, organ BACH: Cantata, Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen, BWV 51 (Aria – Recitative – Alleluia) –Natasha Cramer, soprano; Benjamin Alle, trumpet; Kevin Kuryluk Pisel, organ

BACH: Prelude & Fugue in G, BWV 550 –Julie Kim, organist (student of Dean Billmeyer) BACH: Solo Cello Suite No. 6 in D, BWV 1012 (Prelude – Allemande - Gigue) –Nathaniel Yaffe, cello (student of Tanya Remenikova) BACH: Fugue in g, BWV 578 –Tony Ouradnik, organ (student of Chad Winterfeldt) BACH: Orgelbüchlein Chorale-prelude, O Mensch, bewein’ dein’ Sünde gross, BWV 622 –Michael Asmus, organ (student of Chad Winterfeldt) BACH: Trio, Allein Gott in der Höh, BWV 664 –Chad Winterfeldt, organ BACH: Prelude & Fugue in G, BWV 541 –David Lim, organ (student of Chad Winterfeldt)

Program Five – 4 p.m. Saint Michael Lutheran Church, Roseville (1660 County Highway 46, Roseville) (D) 1987 Van Daalen (2 manuals, 38 ranks, 25 stops, mechanical action)

JOHANN LUDWIG KREBS: Prelude and Fugue in C –David Fienen, organ BACH (trans. Busoni): Chaconne in d, BWV 1004 –Pei Lei Lin, piano (student of Lydia Artymiw) BACH (trans. Allan Mahnke): Keyboard Concerto in A, BWV 1055 (Allegro – Larghetto – Allegro ma non tanto) –Mary Newton and Laura Edman, organists BACH: 3 Schübler Chorales (Wer nur den lieben Gott, BWV 647; Meine Seele erhebt den Herrn, BWV 648; Kommst du nun, Jesu, BWV 650) –Nils Halker, organ BACH: Piece d’orgue (Fantasy in G), BWV 572 –John Stender, organ

PERFORMER BIOGRAPHIES:

Benjamin Alle studies with David Baldwin at the University Presbyterian Church in Belleville, Illinois. He has appeared as of Minnesota, pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts in Trumpet pianist, organist, baritone, and conductor throughout the Performance degree as a Berneking Fellow. He is an active United States, China, Korea, and Japan, and is currently member of the Symphony Orchestra and Wind Ensemble at studying toward the DMA degree in organ at the University of the University, as well as the Compass Rose Brass Ensemble, Minnesota. and has performed with the Edina Chorale, and the Kenwood and Mankato Symphony Orchestras. Andrew Birling is Director of Music Ministries at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Minneapolis. He is currently pursuing a Michael Asmus is a senior Organ Performance major at Master's Degree in Sacred Music from Luther Seminary and Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter, a member of the studies with James Bobb of St. Olaf College. Sioux Trails AGO chapter, and currently serving as the chapter’s sub-dean and program chair. David Cherwien is Cantor of Mount Olive Lutheran Church and Artistic Director of the National Lutheran Choir and is in Bethel Balge is a doctoral student at the University of demand as guest organist/conductor nationally, particularly Minnesota, studying piano with Lydia Artymiw. Balge holds planning and leading hymn festivals in the fashion of his degrees from Michigan State University, the University of predecessor at Mount Olive, Paul Manz. He is a published Wisconsin, and the Musikhochschule of the University of composer of church music, and has had training at Augsburg Frankfurt, Germany. She teaches as an adjunct instructor at College, the University of Minnesota, Aix en Provence, Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato and at Martin Luther France, and the Berlin Church Music School. College in New Ulm, and performs regularly in Bethany's Chamber Music Series. A North Dakota native, Natasha Cramer studied voice at the University of Minnesota Duluth for 2 years and German at the Michael Barone has been a presence on the local public radio Universität Lueneburg in Germany for a semester before scene since 1968 and producer/host of MPR/American Public moving to the Twin Cities to marry and obtain an AS degree Media's PIPEDREAMS program for more than 30 years. at Dunwoody and employment in auto mechanics. She regularly cantors for the Basilica of St. Mary, St. Bridget Eric Bigalke, who studied music since childhood, majored in Community and St. Raphael Parish for weekend, holiday and Languages and Cultures of Asia at the University of funeral Masses, performs with Opera On Tap at the Honey Bar Wisconsin-Madison, and in Varanasi, India, though and studies with Jim Buxton. subsequently earned degrees in piano. He worked professionally in Seoul (Korea), Colorado Springs, and most Laura Edman is the organist at First Presbyterian Church in recently as Director of Music-Organist at First United Stillwater, MN and instructor of organ at the University of Wisconsin - River Falls. She recently received a DMA in David Lim is a sophomore Chemistry and Music Performance organ performance at the University of Minnesota where she double major at Gustavus Adolphus College. He is a member studied with Dean Billmeyer. Laura currently serves as Dean of the Twin Cities and Sioux Trails AGO chapters, and of the Twin Cities Chapter of the American Guild of currently serves as organ scholar at First Lutheran Church in Organists. Saint Peter, where he assists Dr. Chad Winterfeldt.

David Fienen, Emeritus Professor, recently retired from Pei-Lei Lin, born in Taipei, Taiwan, began piano studies at Gustavus Adolphus College after serving as Cantor at Christ five, won first prize in the 1999, 2003, and 2005 Taipei City Chapel, Chair of the Music Department, and for two years, Competitions, and earned her BM degree at National Taiwan Provost and Dean of the College. He has performed Normal University in 2010. As recipient of a George Lucas internationally with the Gustavus Wind Orchestra, edited and Fellowship, in 2012 she completed her MM in Piano at the published five volumes of organ works of Jan Bender, and University of Texas-Austin, studying with Nancy Garrett. In remains active as an organist, pianist, harpsichordist, and 2012, Ms. Lin won a Ude Piano Fellowship at the University handbell musician. He also serves as Volunteer Archivist for of Minnesota and began Doctoral studies with Lydia Artymiw. First Lutheran Church in St. Peter. She received the Suji Lee Scholarship Award from the Taiwanese Association of America, Minnesota Chapter. Nils Halker is organist at Saint Clement's Episcopal Church in Saint Paul. He studied with Howard Don Small at Saint Donald Livingston studied organ with Larry Smith at the Mark's Cathedral, Minneapolis; William Kuhlman at Luther Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music. He has served as College; Dean Billmeyer at the University of Minnesota; and organist at Hennepin Methodist Church and Lutheran Church Mark Venning at the University of Durham, England. Nils is of the Good Shepherd of Minneapolis, and is currently also a Professional Development Specialist at the Science organist at Immanuel Lutheran in St. Paul. Museum of Minnesota. Mary Newton is organist at St. Barnabas Lutheran Church in Joseph Henry is director of liturgy and music for St. Joseph Plymouth. She serves on the Executive Board of the Twin Church in Waconia. He has a DMA in vocal accompanying Cities AGO Chapter and as Coordinator for the annual from The Manhattan School of Music, and a DMA in organ TCAGO Student Scholarship Competition. She earned a from the University of Minnesota. He is a chaplain’s assistant DMA from the University of Minnesota. for the U. S. Army Reserve and is a returned Peace Corps Volunteer (Romania 1998-2000). Anthony Ouradnik is a sophomore music major at Gustavus Adolphus College. He has played the piano since the age of Aaron Hirsch will graduate from the University of Minnesota three, and taught himself to play the organ. this May with a Bachelors in Organ. Teachers include Dean Billmeyer at the University and Jürgen Essl at the Musik Kevin Pisel is the Director of Music and Organist for the Hochschule in Stuttgart, Germany. Mr. Hirsch hopes to pursue Delano Catholic Community, the churches of St. Peter and St. a Masters in orchestral conducting. Joseph. He is responsible for six choirs, four of which he conducts. He holds degrees in Organ Performance and Sacred Julie Kim from Seoul, Korea, studied church music and organ Music form Westminster Choir College, and also is a master at the Seoul Theological University. Upon graduation knitter, gourmet cook and avid physical fitness enthusiast. she was chosen to perform at the 2006 Kyungdong Organist Recital as a school representative. Julie earned her MM degree Phillip Radtke is a junior studying organ at the University of in piano at the University of North Dakota, and she is Minnesota with Dean Billmeyer. He has studied organ for currently studying for a DMA degree in organ at the eight years, is choir director and associate organist at St. University of Minnesota. Stephanus Lutheran Church in St. Paul and enjoys substituting as organist at various other churches in the metro area. Sharon Kleckner studied organ with Garth Peacock at the Oberlin Conservatory and Arthur Poister at Syracuse John Stender is a first year graduate student from Davenport, University. She holds a DVM degree from the University of IA, pursuing a MM in organ and sacred music with Bruce Minnesota, practiced veterinary medicine, and owned and Neswick at Indian University. He graduated from Luther operated a cat clinic in St. Paul. Her recent work is as a College in Decorah, IA with a BA in organ and church music certified hospice and palliative nurse. She is Sub-dean of the (studying with Dr. Gregory Peterson), and religion. He Twin Cities AGO chapter and chair of its Program Committee. participated in the Yale Organ Week 2010, attended conferences of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians, Henry Lebedinsky has performed on harpsichord, clavichord, and has traveled to South Africa, Namibia, and France to and organ across the United States and the United Kingdom, study music. He is currently serving as Minister of Music at and also maintains an active career as a Celtic traditional Servants of Christ Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Indianapolis. guitarist and bouzouki player. He currently serves as Music Minister at St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church in Dr. Chad Winterfeldt is Director of Music at First Lutheran White Bear Lake, where he also directs the Water Music Church in Saint Peter and on the faculty at Gustavus Adolphus Concert Series. College as instructor of organ, handbells, and music history. He has earned degrees in organ performance from the University of Nebraska, Yale University and Concordia Minnesota Orchestra, the New World Symphony, the Aspen College in Moorhead. Chamber Symphony, and as guest principal cellist with the Quad City Symphony Orchestra. Cellist Nathaniel Yaffe, a student of Tanya Remenikova, is a Doctor of Musical Arts candidate and Teaching Assistant at the University of Minnesota. He has performed with the

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The first hour’s program is being broadcast live statewide by the network stations of Classical Minnesota Public Radio (classicalMPR.org).

We appreciate the participation of The National Lutheran Choir and Orchestra, students from the University of Minnesota School of Music, and members and friends of the Twin Cities Chapter of the American Guild of Organists (tcago.org).

NOTE: for the most direct transit from Luther Seminary to Como Park Lutheran, continue EAST on Hendon then NORTH on Cleveland to Larpenteur, and continue EAST according to the map above. Lunch is on your own initiative 

Enjoy organ music in its infinite variety with PIPEDREAMS, now in its 30th season, a weekly broadcast on Classical Minnesota Public Radio (Sundays 6-8AM; 99.5FM in the Twin Cities). Each week a new two-hour program also appears on the website at pipedreams.org, where hundreds of past broadcasts are accessible in the PIPEDREAMS program archive. And you can stay aware of the many upcoming organ performance events throughout the region as listed at pipedreams.org/calendar