September, 2013 Chiff Chat September, 2013 Dean’s Message Greetings,

Welcome back to another wonderful Guest presenter – Martin Jean, and full year of musical events. I hope Director of the Yale Institute of you were able to get away for some fun Sacred Music and relaxation during the summer season and were also able to attend January 12, 2014 - 3:00pm some concerts. It has been a pleasure DVD Presentation – “Pulling Out working with Alan Dickinson and All the Stops; Roger LaCross and I thank them for the United Congregational Church, Holyoke, MA; help they have given our Chapter while ! serving on the board. I want to Host: Donald Hooton Chapter Officers welcome our two new board members, March 1, 2014 – 10am - 12pm John Karalekas and Mary Jeanne Tash Pedals, Pipes, and Pizza: Chapter Officers and look forward to working with them Dean – Donald Hooton Introducing young students again. Sub-dean – Quentin Faulkner to the organ; Treasurer – Jim Barnes South Congregational Church, The planning committee has been busy Secretary – Charles Marshall this summer planning a variety of Amherst, MA programs for our chapter members and March 30, 2014 Board of Directors friends. The 2013/2014 year will start Scott Bailey nd Organ Recital, TBA on September 22 with a “Welcome Lori Bourret Reception and Members’ Recital” at St. May 11, 2014 – 7:00pm Elizabeth Dawson John’s Episcopal Church, Northampton, United Congregational Church, Joe Geehern MA, at 3:00pm. The host is Grant Moss. Holyoke, MA; John Karalekas I would like you to mark this opening Host: Donald Hooton; Mary Jeanne Tash event and the following dates on your Silent Movie – “It”; calendar now so you won’t miss any of Guest - Peter Krasinski; them. Co-Sponsored with Experience In This Issue:

Music at United Year-End-Review: October 5th, 2013 - 9am-12pm 2012-2013; Members’ Recital Choral Reading Session, June 2014 – Closing Event, TBA Info Page 2 First Congregational Church, The board members and I look West Springfield, MA; Featured Organ: forward to meeting you at our Host: James R. Maes; Johnson Op. 16, Heath, MA opening event on September 22nd, Presenter: Quentin Faulkner Page 3 and hope that you will join us for all November 5, 2013 - 6:00pm of our programs. Events Calendar Page 4 Pastor/Organist Dinner Grace Lutheran Church, - Donald Hooton, dean Pioneer Valley Substitutes West Springfield, MA; Website and Choral Host: Martha Sienkiewicz; Auditions Page 6 1

Chapter Event: Opening Year-End Review: Reception and Members’ Recital 2012-2013

The Springfield Chapter AGO will host an The 2012-2013 year for the AGO in Springfield, opening reception and members’ recital on MA has been a banner year under the leadership September 22nd at 3:00pm. This event will be held of Dean Donald Hooton. The various events and at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Northampton, activities were quite well attended by members MA, located at 48 Elm St. and the general public throughout the year.

The gala reception will offer members an The year began with the Annual Installation of opportunity to catch up with old friends or meet Officers on September 30th. It was held at the new ones. It is also an opportunity to present the beautiful South Congregational Church in chapter events for the year to our members. We Springfield. Featured were the Choir of Boys and are looking for volunteers to serve as the hosting Adults from St. Michael the Archangel Cathedral crew to set up the reception hall, serve as ushers, singing the Mass in D by Dvorak. The Cathedral’s and to prepare the food and beverages. organist, Ladislav Pfeifer, was at the organ and Klaus Becker was the guest conductor. It was a After the reception, we will host a members’ glorious service with a grand procession, recital. We are looking for members who would congregational singing, beautiful organ music and like to play something…anything. It could be a a superb performance of the Dvorak Mass. Larry major organ work or it could be something from Picard was the host. The installation of the new your Sunday morning repertoire. It could be a officers was conducted by Larry Schipull, a past piece you fell in love with years ago or it could be dean, with Rev. Wallis, Chaplain, giving the something brand new that you want to share with Blessing. A reception, put on by the church, was people. It can be six or seven minutes long or it held at the conclusion of the service. can be one or two minutes long. The next event was quite “eventful” with extra If you are interested in playing for the members’ “bells and whistles and loud alarms” that were recital or if you are interested in volunteering for not part of the schedule. Quentin Faulkner was the hosting crew, please contact Scott Bailey at leading a small group of AGO members in a [email protected] or (413) 522-4745. workshop entitled “Introduction to the Service Playing Exam.” It was held at St. Andrew’s Deadline for signing up to play is September 15th. (Continued on page 7) Memorial Concert for Arlene Howes Calvary Presbyterian Church in Enfield, CT is The church would like you to be a part of this hosting a concert in memory of Arlene Howes on celebration. Springfield Sunday, November 3, 2013 at 4:00pm. Arlene served Chapter members are as the organist and choir director for Calvary invited to perform a short Presbyterian Church for 38 years and also directed piece of music that would the Second Baptist Church Handbell Choir in Suffield, best suit this special event. CT. Arlene performed with the Springfield If you are interested in Symphony Chorus for over 40 years and with the St. performing, please contact Michael's Players of East Longmeadow, MA. She was Lori Bourret at a longtime member and former treasurer of the [email protected] and let her Springfield Chapter of the American Guild of know what you intend to . play. Arlene Howes: 1935 - 2013

2 September, 2013

Featured Organ Heath Union Evangelical Church Heath, MA Wm. A. Johnson, Westfield, Massachusetts, Opus 16, 1850 14 stops, 12 ranks

demonstrate the colorful combinations available on this Stoplist

uniquely American instrument. I. Great – 54 notes This was an historically rare (unenclosed) event in western Massachusetts. Open Diapson 8’ Dulciana 8’ By now, the name Nathan Laube Heath is the third home of this Stopped Diapason 8’ should be familiar to all members landmark , the oldest Stopped Diapason Bass 8’ Principal 4’ of the AGO and OHS, since this surviving instrument built by one of New England’s foremost organ Flute 4’ peerless young star has played Twelfth 2-2/3’ for numerous conventions of each builders, William A. Johnson of Westfield, Massachusetts. Only Fifteenth 2’ organization, always with the second two-manual profound insight to the II. Swell – 37 notes repertoire, compelling rhythms, instrument attempted by the (expressive) and scrupulous preparation of then-fledgling builder, Opus 16 Open Diapason 8’ registrations – usually all from was begun on speculation in Stopped Diapason 8’ memory. This autumn, he will 1849, to a G-compass design, and Principal 4’ begin his appointment as purchased unfinished by Joel Hautboy 8’ Stopped Diapason Bass 8’ Assistant Professor of Organ at Hayden, Sr. for the Haydenville Congregational Church, then also the prestigious Eastman School of III. Pedal – 17 notes Music. under construction. Hayden was founder of the village bearing his (unenclosed) Double Open Diapason 16’ name, owner of the large brass On Sunday, July 21st, residents of western New England had an works established there, and later IV. Couplers and Accessories unusually rare and unique Lieutenant Governor of Swell to Great Manual opportunity to experience Massachusetts. Great to Pedal Nathan Laube in the intimate setting of the Union Evangelical The organ was modified Swell Expression Hitch-down Church in Heath, MA, where he considerably prior to its late-1850 Toe Lever for horizontal installation in the unfinished shades (by gravity) inaugurated the restored 1850 Wm. A. Johnson organ. Mr. church, including conversion to C-compass. It was pumped from Hand-pumping bellows and Laube’s superlative talents were mechanisms restored to use 1850-1854 by a youth named not lost on this simple early under the double-rise wind American organ, but exemplified Cyrus Burnett Smith, whose reservoir New Laukhuff the style, music, and sweetness of numerous signatures were blower applied to the wind tone that were typical of the pivotal in the process of dating system, 2013 period – both in musical and solving puzzling questions composition and organ building associated with the organ’s early style. His intuitive approach to history. His later life as a noted memorialize the recently the instrument defined the surgeon in the Civil War is a deceased Hayden; and, the program, drawing upon story unto itself. Opus 16 was church narrowly escaped appropriate repertoire, including replaced in 1874 by a larger Johnson instrument purchased to English and American, to (Continued on page 5) 3

Calendar of Events September Events October Events College. Also music by Bach, Vivaldi, and more. 15 Sun. at 3:00pm 4 Sat. at 9:00am Larry Schipull will present a Chapter Event November Events recital at South Congregational Anthem Reading Session at the Church, 1066 S. East St., Amherst, First Congregational Church of 3 Sun. at 10:00am MA on the recently installed West Springfield, MA. St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Casavant Op. 76 (1896). Music of Presented by Quentin Faulkner. Hanover, NH presents Duruflé’s Bach, Bonnet, Pierné and Alain. Requiem with Dr. Gerald Weale, Diana Chou will play the 13 Sun. at 3:00pm conducting and Peter Beardsley, Bach/Vivaldi D minor concerto The First Church of Deerfield's Accompanist. and Linda Laderach will join "The Brick Church" Music Series Larry for selections from will feature ENSEMBLE 3 Sun. at 2:00pm Rheinberger's Suite, op. 166 for SCHUMANN, with Sally Pinkas, Children's Chorus of Springfield violin and organ. Admission is Steve Larson, viola, and Tom performance at Springfield City free. Gallant, oboe. Music by Kahn, Library. Admission is free. Saint-Saens, Bruch, Reutter, and 21 Sat. at 4:00pm Mozart. There is a suggested 3 Sun. at 4:00pm Peter Beardsley will present an donation of $10 at the door with Calvary Presbyterian Church in Organ Recital at St. Thomas a reception following at Deerfield Enfield, CT is hosting a concert Episcopal Church in Hanover, Academy. in memory of Arlene Howes. NH. The recital will feature Springfield AGO members are Saint-Saens’ Carnival of the 19 Sat. at 7:30pm invited to play. (see page 2 for Animals with narration by The Cathedral of St. Michael the more information. Dartmouth Professor Peter Saccio. Archangel presents Viva Italia! a festival of Italian choral and 4 Mon. at 6:00pm 22 Sun. at 3:00pm instrumental music with the Chapter Event Chapter Event Cathedral Choir of Boys & Pastor/Organist Dinner with The Springfield AGO will host an Adults, strings, trumpet, and guest speaker Martin Jean from Opening Reception and oboe. Music includes Vivaldi’s the Yale Institute of Sacred Members’ Recital at St. John’s Concerto for four violins, Music. Grace Lutheran Church, Episcopal Church, 48 Elm St., Concerto for oboe and strings, & West Springfield, MA. Northampton, MA. Springfield the Gloria in D, Pergolesi's AGO members are invited to Magnificat, and trumpet sonatas 9 Sat. at 7:30pm play. (More information can be of Gabrielli. Donations accepted. Sixth Annual Show Your Heart found on page 2 of this issue.) Concert at the Cathedral of St. 20 Sun. at 4:00pm Michael the Archangel. Benefit 29 Sun. at 3:00pm Grant Moss will present an concert on behalf of the Open All Saints Episcopal Church, 7 organ concert at Christ Church Pantry. Music is being provided Woodbridge St., South Hadley, Cathedral in Springfield to honor by the Pioneer Valley School for MA, presents organist John the career of Peter Beardsley, the Performing Arts, Bath Path Anderson in concert, joined by organist and choirmaster of the College, Greater Westfield Choral members of the Mount Holyoke Cathedral for 36 years. Music Association, and the Cathedral Symphony Orchestra. Admission includes the premiere of a work Choir of Boys & Adults. Suggested is free. commissioned by the Cathedral donations: $10 General Public: $5 (James Monroe, Dean) called Students and Seniors. Hymnos by Ronald Perera, Professor Emeritus at Smith 4 September, 2013 Heath (Continued from page 3) Job Postings the infamous April 1874 flooding including the reinstatement of the of the Mill River which brought 1850 gilded façade pipes (found First Congregational Church of unprecedented devastation along still in use but well hidden inside Dalton, MA, UCC its path from Williamsburg to the 1874 case), and replication of The first Congregational Church Florence. a missing rank of Stopped of Dalton, UCC seeks a candidate Diapason pipes. for the position of Music The organ was moved in March Director. 10 hrs/week. of that year to the nearby The painstaking, even Adult choir. Congregational Church of microscopic efforts of Scot 1-2 rehearsals/week. Whately, and fitted with a new Huntington and his collaborators Two Sunday services. case to the taste of the day. In (including Marylou Davis of Salary: $10,000-$12,000, 1914, the Whately Church Woodstock, Conn., the country’s negotiable. replaced the Johnson with a leading expert on antique pipe smaller but more modern Estey organ decoration) to understand Contact: organ, provided with grant the mechanical design and John Kittredge (413) 684-0271 assistance from the Andrew construction, the history, and the ([email protected]) Carnegie Foundation. The musical sounds before them, has OR Johnson organ was relocated to led to an exemplary restoration Carlton Dodge (413) 684-3117 Heath, where it was installed project of worthy acclaim. ([email protected]) without further alteration, nor even much maintenance, save for -Special thanks to Scot the later addition of an electric Huntington and Bill Czelusniak blower. for contributing to this article. For Sale

Nearly one hundred years later, Rodgers electronic instrument

age and fatigue had taken their Organ Academy for sale:

toll on this venerable instrument; This month’s issue of Chiff Late 1980's York model, with two and for more than a decade, the Chat will feature our chapter’s speaker towers and two sub- Heath congregation worked to guidelines regarding the Organ woofers. raise the funds, with strong Academy. This year, we are AGO standard, two manuals support from surrounding encouraging chapter members and pedal. communities, for a full and to inform prospective students Oak console in great condition. proper restoration of this organ about the academy and the $2,000. now recognized as a pivotal scholarship possibility for all For more information, contact milestone in American organ students at any stage of their Grant at: [email protected]

building. training. Chapter members

looking to improve their skills In March 2013, the Stonington, through lessons are also Connecticut firm of S. L. encouraged to apply. Each Huntington & Co. completed a application will be decided on a thorough renovation of this person-by-person basis. notable instrument. The restoration has followed strictly We are also featuring our most the newly revised OHS recent student, Mateus Guidelines for Conservation, Marcinowski who took lessons carefully analyzing details of the through the academy during organ’s history and construction, the last chapter year. All of this recreating the original casework can be found on pages 8-9. and faux-grain decoration,

5 September, 2013

Pioneer Valley Substitute Organists Website www.pioneervalleyorganists.com Terms of Use for the website

This is a privately developed and availability information is in the deactivated, and you will run site, neither sponsored nor public calendar, the less useful this appear in neither the calendar supported by the AGO. It exists to site will be perceived to be and the availability listing nor the list of serve the needs of local substitute less traffic it will get. organists. You will have to organists and to be a valuable contact the webmaster to have resource for area churches in need Therefore, the system will apply your account reactivated. of substitutes. the following actions to any user Failure to log in for one year will account which has not logged in result in your account and all To be listed on the website as a for a period of time: your information being deleted substitute organist, send an e-mail If your availability is visible in the from the system. stating your interest in being listed public calendar, failure to log in for to John Anderson at three months will result in your - Thank you to John Anderson [email protected]. name being removed from the for providing this information. calendar listing ("Show in In order to provide maximum Calendar" will be unchecked). value for churches, contact Your contact information will still information must be current. If be available in the list of organists, your availability is shown in the and you can still log in to update public calendar ("Show in your schedule and put yourself Calendar" is checked on your back into the calendar.

profile), you are expected to keep Visit our website!!! your own calendar reasonably up Failure to log in for six months will www.springfieldago.org to date. The less accurate the result in your account being

Choral Auditions

Da Camera Singers, Illuminati Ensemble, illuminatiensemble.org http://www.facebook.com/DaCameraSingers The Illuminati Vocal Arts Ensemble is auditioning. Da Camera Singers auditioning for tenors and Visit illuminatiensemble.org. basses. Please contact Sheila Heffernon by email ([email protected]) or by phone (413-768-8390). The Hampshire Choral Society seeking tenors and basses. Auditions on September 10, 2013 Pioneer Valley Cappella, [email protected] or 413-626-5270. www.pioneervalleycappella.org Pioneer Valley Cappella seeks experienced singers Early Music Auditions, on all parts. For details, email http://www.fivecolleges.edu/earlymusic [email protected]. The Five College Early Music Program invites community members to audition for one or more The South Hadley Chorale, ensembles, or to consider learning a historical http://www.southhadleychorale.org instrument. For more information, contact Robert SHC welcomes new singers of all voice parts and Eisenstein, Director of Early Music - 413-538-2079, levels of experience. No audition required. [email protected] [email protected] for information.

6 September, 2013

Episcopal Church in church and the Springfield th Longmeadow. A group from the Chapter of the AGO. On May 11 in conjunction with church had a special harvest-type Approximately 15 AGO members United Congregational Church fair going on at the same time, attended for the splendid concert. in Holyoke, we witnessed the which involved using the ovens in Peter Beardsley was the page- classic silent film, Steamboat Bill, the church kitchen. Thus, the fire turner and registrant Jr., starring Buster Keaton. Peter alarm went off several times extraordinaire. All were pleased Krasinski, organist, did a superb during the workshop! (No real with the concert! job interpreting the movie’s plot fire, thank goodness.) Each time and action on the organ.

we had to vacate the building! A highlight of the AGO Today, June 23rd, our concluding Despite all the interruptions, Springfield Chapter year was the event, we are going to enjoy an Quentin, with great skill and Choral and Hymn Festival held organ concert by Justin Murphy- expertise, was able to complete on Sunday, April 14 at 4:00 PM in Mancini (winner of the Hartford the workshop by noon! a wonderful acoustical and awe- Quimby competition this year) inspiring space: Trinity United On November 12, the church of Methodist Church in Springfield. being held at a beautiful, sacred the Atonement put on a Becky Rosendahl Isaacson, the space: All Saints Episcopal wonderful chicken dinner for the church’s organist, choir director, Church in South Hadley. We twenty-seven Pastors and carillonneur and coordinator of will be enjoying refreshments, as Organists. Janet Duffé and Jim the Festival, planned and well, at the conclusion of the Barnes were our most gracious executed a fantastic service of program.

hosts. Rev. Matthew music and the Word based on the We wish to thank Klaus Becker Alcombright, priest and church Apostle’s Creed. About 60 choir our editor of the Chiff Chat for organist, was the guest speaker. members from nine churches sang the great work that he has done He spoke on the change in his under the outstanding and precise on the newsletter this year. Due calling from church musician to direction of David Pulliam, the to schedule restraints, he will not priest. It was a very inspiring new organist and choirmaster of be able to continue in this talk. There were no AGO events Christ Church Cathedral, position. Scott Bailey, a director scheduled for December and Springfield. From the first notes on the Springfield AGO board January. of the prelude, the resplendent (and dual member of the processional, the uplifting words th Berkshire Chapter) will take On February 9 we were of the Apostle’s Creed and the scheduled for a Choral Reading over the reins for the 2013-2014 Scriptures, the beautiful and year. Session at First Congregational reflective hymns and choral Church in West Springfield from pieces, the magnificent organ, the On behalf of the board, we wish 9 until Noon. Quentin Faulkner brilliant brass and wind was to be the session leader. Jim to thank all of you for your instruments, to the final hymn, support and involvement in the Maes, the church organist, was to We All Believe, by Robert Weaver be the host. Unfortunately, the Springfield Chapter events this (present in the choir) and William year. We look forward to weather did not cooperate Pasch, to the Benediction by Rev. (remember the BIG February another banner year 2013-2014. Mueller, and the glorious storm!). The Session has been Postlude, In Thee Is Gladness by rescheduled for Saturday, October Respectfully submitted, Burkhardt; we were all awestruck 5, 2013. by the beauty, majesty, and -Charles W. Marshall, Secretary The organ at the Brick Church in holiness of God, the Father, Son, of the AGO, Springfield Chapter Deerfield resounded with and Holy Spirit. It was an Board beautiful music performed by afternoon of tremendous Christopher Houlihan to a full inspiration and encouragement; house on Sunday, March 10th. we all hope there will be other The event was co-hosted by the Festivals in the near future!

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Springfield AGO Organ Academy Mateus Marcinowski is seated at the organ with his teacher, Janet Duffé, who is giving him some last minute help before his recital for family and friends. This recital was held at Grace Lutheran Church in West Springfield on Saturday August 24 at 4:00 pm. Eighteen people attended. This recital was to fulfill the Organ Academy regulation that students perform for an audience at least once during the lesson year.

Mat produced a bulletin which included music for hymns. His format was the format of the Catholic Mass. His goal is to be able to play for his church. He began with a prelude, included four three years ago and his recital was an exciting hymns, an offertory, and chanting from the organ moment for all. He plans to continue taking a portion of the liturgy, self-accompanied. He lessons from Jan this coming year, subsidized by finished with a postlude. The audience was the AGO organ academy. encouraged to sing because he explained that he

needed the practice to lead a congregation. -Thanks to Martha Sienkiewicz for this article. Mat never touched a keyboard in his life until Springfield AGO Organ Academy Guidelines 1. The Purpose of the Organ Academy scholarship academy year which runs from September 1 to the is to encourage the development and proficiency of following August 31. The scholarship is intended the individual organist and/or choir master. All for organ or choir master study only. applicants, regardless of age or economic status, who demonstrate a genuine interest in the field of 5. The per lesson subsidy is paid directly to the church music are welcome to apply. teacher upon receipt by the Chapter Treasurer of a properly completed and signed Reimbursement 2. The Education and Outreach Committee will Request Form. Both the student and the teacher administer the scholarships. must sign each request form. The student is responsible for the remainder of the cost of each 3. All students who receive the Organ Academy lesson which is to be paid directly to the teacher. subsidy are required to be regular, special or student members of the chapter and are strongly 6. All teachers must be members in good standing encouraged to attend and participate in various of the American Guild of Organists and accepted chapter events. Applications of the Organ by the Education and Outreach Committee and the Academy Scholarship must be submitted to the Executive Board. Education and Outreach Committee annually. This committee will notify the Chapter Treasurer 7. All Organ Academy participants will be of all necessary information on each student expected to perform once annually in some form of following his/her acceptance into the Organ a program as determined by the Executive Board Academy and the Chapter Treasurer will get all the and the Education and Outreach Committee.

appropriate form to the teacher. 8. Re-Application for an Organ Academy 4. The total Organ Academy allocation and the Scholarship is required on an annual basis; scholarship per student are subject to annual acceptance will be determined by the Education Executive Board review. Currently, the subsidy is and Outreach Committee along with the Executive set at $25 per lesson and $250 per student for the Board.

8 September, 2013

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FOR ORGAN ACADEMY Springfield (MA) Chapter, American Guild of Organists

Name______Phone______Age____

Address______

How much do you pay for each organ lesson?______Length of lesson______

Amount received from other organizations for organ scholarships?______

Have you studied organ previously?______If so, for how long?______

Names of teachers______

Your most representative repertoire:______

Have you studied piano?______If so, for how long?______

Names of teachers______

Your most representative repertoire______

Other instruments that you play______

Do you have singing experience? ______Explain______

Comment on why the award is desired and how it will be used and add your signature.

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Chiff Chat Newsletter Springfield, Massachusetts Chapter of the American Guild of Organists Celebrating 64 years as a chapter. To submit information regarding positions, upcoming concerts, recitals, or area events, please email Scott Bailey at [email protected]. Submissions are due by the 20th of each month. Also, visit our website at www.springfieldago.org

Next chapter event: Opening Reception and Members’ Recital Sunday, Sept. 22nd – 3:00pm St. John’s Episcopal Church, 48 Elm St. Northampton, MA

The mission of the American Guild of Organists is to enrich lives through organ and choral music. To achieve this we: Encourage excellence in the performance of organ and choral music; Inspire, educate, and offer certification for organists and choral conductors; Provide networking, fellowship, and mutual support; Nurture future generations of organists; Promote the organ in its historic and evolving roles; and Engage wider audiences with organ and choral music.

Chiff Chat American Guild of Organists Springfield, MA Chapter Scott Bailey, newsletter editor 50 Woodbridge Ln. Westfield, MA 01085

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