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The Organizer — — February — 2008 A G O Monthly Newsletter The Atlanta Chapter L O G O AMERICAN GUILD of ORGANISTS The Organizer FEBRUARY 2008 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Dr. Ann Labounsky has earned TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12 an enviable international reputation as Ann Labounsky, organist Atlanta a virtuoso performer and improvisor at the organ, and particularly, as a leading “Life and Music of Jean Langlais” Chapter Officers American disciple of Jean Langlais. Dean From 1962 to 1964 Ann Labounsky PEACHTREE CHRISTIAN CHURCH Michael Morgan lived and studied in Paris as a recipient 150 Peachtree Street NE at Spring of a Fulbright Grant. As an organ Atlanta, Georgia Sub-Dean 404.876.5535 James Mellichamp student of André Marchal and Jean Langlais, she immersed herself in the Host: Herb Buffington Secretary French organ tradition; she studied Betty Williford 6:00 pm Punch Bowl most of Langlais’s compositions with Treasurer the composer, and played them for him 6:30 pm Dinner & Meeting Charlene Ponder on the organ at Sainte-Clotilde. In 1964, 8:00 pm Recital while she was Langlais’s student at the Registrar Schola Cantorum, she earned the Dinner Reservations ($12) Michael Morris due by 2/7/08 Diplôme de Virtuosité with mention Newsletter Editor maximum in both performance and improvisation. Additional study was Charles Redmon Ann Labounsky’s early training was under the with Suzanne Chaisemartin and Marcel direction of Paul J. Sifler and John LaMontaine Chaplain Dupré. She was awarded the diploma in New York City. She was awarded a Bachelor Rev. Dr. John Beyers with the highest honors at the organ of Music degree from the Eastman School of Auditor competition at the Soissons Cathedral. Music where she was a student of David David Ritter Dr. Labounsky has performed world Craighead, a Master of Music degree from the Executive premieres of many of Langlais’s University of Michigan where her teacher was Committee compositions and works by American Marilyn Mason, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Sue Goddard ‘08 composers. In addition to extensive Musicology from the University of Pittsburgh. Tommy McCook ‘08 performances in the United States, she Miss Labounsky is the author of a biography of Karen Bunn ‘09 has made concert tours of Europe, Langlais, Jean Langlais: The Man and His Music, Keith Nash ‘09 performing at Sainte-Clotilde in Paris published in 2000 by Amadeus Press. In 2001 on each tour, as well as in Brittany, the she developed a multi-media presentation of the Joyce Johnson ‘10 Netherlands, Germany, the Ukraine, Tim Young ‘10 life of Jean Langlais based on this biography. and Scotland. Her performances have Mist Media, Inc. has further developed this been broadcast over the French multi-media presentation in the form of a DVD National Radio as well as public radio Mission Statement sponsored by the Los Angeles AGO chapter. stations in the United States. Her recital “The purpose of the credits include performances at the - continued on page 4 - American Guild of Cathedral of Notre Dame and the Organists is to promote the Basilica of Ste. Clotilde in Paris; the organ in its historical and In This Issue Basilica of the National Shrine of the evolving roles, to encourage Immaculate Conception in Washington, AGO Chapter at a Glance . 2/7 excellence in the performance DC; the Cathedral of St. John the Dean’s Message . 3 of organ and choral music, Divine in New York; Grace Cathedral and to provide forum for Dinner Reservations Info . 7 in San Francisco; the Cathedral of St. mutual support, inspiration, Dinner Menu . 2 education, and certification Paul in Pittsburgh; and the Cathedral of St. Paul in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Employment/Positions . 5 of Guild members.” Events Calendar . 6 Mixtures . 2/4 The Organizer — 2 — February — 2008 Come, join us at THE CATHEDRAL OF ST. PHILIP 2744 Peachtree Rd. NW Atlanta, GA 30305-2920 Call 404.365.1050 for more information. Sunday, 3 February 3:15 PM / RECITAL Christopher Harrel, organ (St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, Coral Gables, FL) music by Wyton, Duruflé, Messianen and Michel A Note on April’s Student Recital 4 PM / EVENSONG The chapter program at St. Mark’s United Methodist Cathedral Schola Church, Atlanta, on the morning of Saturday, April 12, music by Darke, Dyson and Mendelssohn 2008 will feature student recitalists. Please pass the word along. We welcome students of all levels but they Wednesday, 6 February must be currently studying with a member of the 7 PM - Ash Wednesday Holy Eucharist Atlanta chapter in order to perform. Also, Cathedral Schola compositions may not exceed ten minutes in total length so that more students may be included. Sunday, 10 February 3:15 PM / RECITAL I look forward to hearing from you with your Dr. Leon W. Crouch, III, organ recommendations!! (Converse College, Spartanburg, SC) James F. Mellichamp music by Buxtehude, Eben, Linker and Ives Sub Dean 4 PM / Holy Eucharist in Honor of Absolom Jones Choir of St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church Saturday, 16 February Dr. Carol Williams 7:30 PM / CONCERT WALKIN’ and SWINGIN’: The Sacred and Secular in concert Music of Mary Lou Williams Jazz Orchestra Atlanta Atlanta First United Methodist Church Sunday, 17 February 360 Peachtree Street NE 3:15 PM / RECITAL Atlanta, Georgia Marko Petricic, organ 404.524.6614 (Indianapolis, IN) on the new 93-rank V-manual music by Messiaen and Guilmant A.E. Schlueter Pipe Organ 4 PM / EVENSONG Cathedral Schola Sunday, March 9, 2008 music by Hogan, Tavener and Schütz 3:00 pm Sunday, 24 February 3:15 PM / RECITAL Carol Williams is the first woman to David Brock, organ (St. Patrick’s/ Incline Vlg., NV) hold the famed organist's position at music by Mendelssohn and Langlais the Spreckels Organ in Balboa Park, San Diego, California, as San Diego 4 PM / EVENSONG Civic Organist and Artistic Director of Choir of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Atlanta the Spreckels Organ Society - and she is the first female civic organist Tuesday, 26 February appointed anywhere in the United 7:30 PM / CONCERT States. The Atlanta Singers tickets $15 The Organizer — 3 — February — 2008 A Message from the DEAN In Memoriam Up until this morning, I wasn’t sure what to say in my RON CARLISLE - 1942-2007 Dean’s Column. There was such a wealth of music and Long-time AGO Member, Remembered inspiration (not to mention exhaustion!) during the Advent and Christmas seasons that I had a wonderful treasury The life of Ron Carlisle, who died last month upon which to draw, but just to talk about promise and following an accident in his home, was celebrated at the Cathedral of St. Philip on December 10, 2007. fulfillment was too predictable. The joy of the season was compromised only by the disappointment I experienced in Ron had recently retired as a beloved Professor of Computer not being able to join so many of you at the once-in-a-blue Science and Mathematics at Oglethorpe University. For moon Christmas party at Callanwolde. many years, he had assisted the Chapter in maintaining the membership records on the computer, and served the Then, this morning leading worship at Columbia Chapter in providing mailing labels to announce concerts Seminary, where I serve as musician, something so simple and recitals, mail newsletters, and keep us in touch with one – yet so profound – happened to me, that as the staunch another in the years before e-mails and websites. His service Presbyterian I am, I thought must surely have been to the Chapter is greatly appreciated by all of us. predestined. Susan Carlisle, Ron’s wife, has suggested that suitable Dr. Kimberly Bracken Long, who serves as one of our memorials would be contributions to the Oglethorpe worship professors, was leading a Book of Order morning University Museum of Art to be used to purchase Japanese prayer. We had sung a hymn and the Song of Zacharias, art for the museum’s permanent collection. Ron became a and Kim had canted a stunning Psalm 51, asking God to devotee of Japanese history, art, and culture following his extensive stay in the Tofukuji Monastery in Kyoto. He was create clean hearts within each of us. also a disciple of the Monastery’s Abbot, Fukushima Keido. When she came to the prayer portion of the service, His quiet nature, his love of music and the arts, and his Kim stood at the table and, raising both of her hands to dedicated service to the American Guild of Organists will be God, asked on our behalf for forgiveness and mercy and greatly missed. grace and blessings. “Rest eternal grant him, O Lord.” As I watched her standing in that posture, three images came to mind which made me think of our ministry as church musicians. First, I thought of sacrifice, as with her arms outspread, I was reminded of the crucifixion (from my own Christian perspective), and of the symbolic giving of ourselves for those who may not share my faith – the commitment asked of us in our leadership of worship, how much is given, and how great and intangible are the fruits of our labor. Second, her arms formed for me the image of a chalice - whether bearing the Word of God in the Sacrament of Communion or signifying the abundant gifts of God’s providence. Either way, Kim seemed to embrace the congregation in the same way I like to think of our music enfolding them with the power and love of God. And last, her arms and hands seemed to form a funnel, through which the Spirit of God was captured and then focused on the congregation. That image again spoke to me of how our music, which Martin Luther defined as a “fair and glorious gift of God,” finds expression through our hands and feet and voices every holy day throughout the seasons of the year.