DOCSLIB.ORG

Chiff Chat — Monthly Newsletter S P R I N G F I E L D M a S S a C H U S E T T S C H a P T E R American Guild of Organists APRIL 2003

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Chiff Chat — Monthly Newsletter S P R I N G F I E L D M a S S a C H U S E T T S C H a P T E R American Guild of Organists APRIL 2003 Chiff Chat — Monthly Newsletter S p r i n g f i e l d M a s s a c h u s e t t s C h a p t e r American Guild of Organists APRIL 2003 ✿✿✿ Page 1 ABOUT CHIFF CHAT REMAINING CHAPTER EVENTS Chiff Chat is the Newsletter of 2002- 2003 Season the Springfield, Massachusetts, Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and is APRIL 6th – Sunday at 4:00 PM published September through June. Closing “Felix Hell in Recital” st th dates are the 1 and 5 of the preceding A joint presentation with “Music at First” month for Articles and Calendar/News Old First Church, Springfield Items, respectively. Please send material electronically (much preferred) or by US MAY 4 th – Sunday at 2:00 PM mail. See Yearbook for Editor s address or “Members Recital” call him (# is below). Our website is St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Cathedral www.springfieldago.org. Springfield * * * * JUNE 9th – Monday at 6:00 PM EXECUTIVE BOARD “Annual Banquet” Delaney House, Holyoke DEAN Larry Schipull * * * * 413-534-7730 IN THIS ISSUE SUB-DEAN Bill Czelusniak 413-586-7600 “Cover” SECRETARY Chancel of Christ Church Episcopal Martha Sienkiewicz Cathedral as viewed from the nave. 413-568-8033 Originally a divided chancel, choir seating TREASURER now is semi-circular around the organ Arlene Howes console, which faces the choir directly. 413-567-8730 The console is in a pit behind the altar. DIRECTORS — Class of 2003 Michael Dulac “Articles” 413-788-9451 th Donald Hooton 50 Anniversary of Austin Organ 413-533-8412 Christ Church Cathedral 3 Introduction DIRECTORS — Class of 2004 Peter Beardsley Karen Lampiasi 413-562-0646 Tonal Changes to Original Organ Current Specifications of Organ Karen McCarthy 413-782-7785 Next Chapter Event 7 Chapter Member Recitalists DIRECTORS — Class of 2005 St. Michael s RC Cathedral Organ Lary Grossman 413-247-9426 Major Recital Reviews 8 Barbara Huber David Briggs, Organist 413-525-6142 Clive Driskill-Smith, Organist Felix Hell, Organist MEMBERSHIP Charles Page 860-749-7829 “Departments” NEWSLETTER EDITOR From the Editor 3 Allen Langord 413-585-1014 Positions Available 11 Calendar of Events 11 PUBLICITY Jacqueline Johnson 413-596-8006 Page 2 FROM THE EDITOR gamut of history on this organ after its installation. Additionally, a profile on Pete developed quite naturally as we talked. In this Newsletter, we visit Christ Church Episcopal Cathedral, Springfield, Originally, this organ, was a 3- which notes the 50th Anniversary of the manual instrument of 53 ranks controlled by Austin Organ installation. Your editor met a standard Austin stopkey console, and with Peter Beardsley, Canon Precentor, on disposed over 5 Divisions including a March 7th to develop material for this article. floating Positiv Division (original). The tonal work under Pete s guidance, which has been done since 1985, is remarkable. In Pete s letter to me he said: Your Editor urges you to call him to arrange While it is not the largest organ in a visit to the Cathedral. Bring your music Springfield, it is arguably the most intensely and organ shoes, and, as our UK friends say, colorful, and in a fine acoustic (matched have a play . You ll be thrilled! only, arguably, by St. Joseph s RC which is tragically being downgraded from full parish It is quite unique for this Chapter status). It is a much different animal than (perhaps any Chapter) to hear, locally, three what Austin installed in 1953, thanks mostly major international organists within a span of to Ted Gilbert and more recently to David just two weeks. See the March Chiff Chat Johnston (formerly of Austin, now with which provided information on organists Czelusniak et Dugal, and a member of the David Briggs, Clive Driskill-Smith, and Cathedral Choir). He concluded by noting Felix Hell. David is a mature, seasoned that And I suppose [to be complete] I have musician with a strong concert career. Clive done much of the grunt work to support is a young Cathedral organist on a fast track Ted s tonal genius. career path. Felix is a teenage virtuoso. Your Editor secured very discerning Chapter (EDITOR: In perusing Orpha Ochse s magnum members who reviewed these recitals for this opus on The Austin Company, opus 2195 is issue. If you did not attend, these reviews mentioned several times. Richard Piper had been will make you want to hear these artists. hired a few years earlier, and he was starting to introduce new ideas, carefully and slowly, into In February, The Executive Board these instruments. For example, the unenclosed decided to have March-June Chiff Chat Positive was one of the first three ever done by Newsletters mailed late each month, rather Austin, and the Krummhorn stop was one of the than mailed for arrival before the beginning first three introduced.) of each new month. As the discussion between Pete and your Editor progressed on how this organ has * * * * been changed tonally over time, it became very clear that these tonal efforts represented CHRIST CHURCH a sterling example of achieving desired goals EPISCOPAL CATHEDRAL on a shoestring budget. Springfield - Massachusetts It absolutely required a musician who knew the organ and its literature, and INTRODUCTION who full well understood the tonal requirements for the artistically valid interpretation of the instrument s vast In January, Peter Beardsley, Canon Precentor at Christ Church Episcopal literature. It also required a musician Cathedral, wrote to me saying that the sensitive to the musical requirements of the liturgy and complex service playing. The original installation of the Cathedral s Austin ability to think outside the box, the impetus, organ, opus 2195, occurred 50 years ago in 1953, and suggesting that an article about and the stewardship of Peter Beardsley this organ might be of interest to readers. I working in artistic lockstep with gifted organ responded enthusiastically. We met in the craftspeople, produced results that could afternoon of March 7th and covered the never have been otherwise accomplished with such minimum funding. Page 3 time he was organist in the First Methodist PETER BEARSDLEY Church in Pittsfield. Pete first became acquainted with Pete grew up in Dalton, MA, very the Austin organ at Christ Church Cathedral, near Pittsfield. His interest in the organ Springfield with recitals in 1974 and 1975 dates from his youth. His dad was organist and I got to be not overly fond of it. at Zion Lutheran Church in Pittsfield for 46 However, I learned through the grapevine years. An MIT engineer who worked for that the Cathedral job was open. I applied, General Electric in Pittsfield, he was, in and, lo and behold, I was hired in September Pete s words, a decent organist who never 1976! I have now been there almost 27 considered himself a professional, and who years . Regarding the choir, I inherited a had a real knack for contemporary music good SATB choir with the soprano section also. Pete s mom also was an organist. He mostly children. The choir today is basically studied privately in the area, and his first as I found it. The beginner kids are paid 70- instruction was on a Hammond Organ. He cents per time they show up. The highest played his first service at age 11 in Grace pay is $2.10. There are 52 members in the Episcopal Church, Dalton. He remarked that choir. In 1999 they went on tour in England. at age 11 he was up to the hymns but not This year they will sing in Lichfield yet Anglican Chant . Pete substituted all Cathedral. The choir is marvelous and we over the central Berkshires area covering have only the usual problems of balance that churches of all denominations. all people have to work on. After graduation from High School His immediate predecessor at the it was off to Middlebury College to study for Cathedral was Robert Knox Chapman (the the seminary. While at Middlebury he also same name as his organ teacher at studied organ with James Chapman, college Middlebury, but not the same person). The organist, who was a Marilyn Mason student. authorities of the Cathedral decided to carpet the church completely in 1970, but the job Within two years he said, I came was done when Chapman was on vacation, to my senses and transferred to Indiana because it was known that he was University as an organ major. Oswald vehemently against carpeting and the ( Ozzie ) Ragatz was his organ teacher. dreadful impact it had on good acoustics. Pete remarks humorously, Ozzie played Chapmen had thought that the only work to here in 1978 in the proud tradition of organ be done was a reconfiguring of the chancel students bringing their teachers to play from a traditional divided form to one recitals. He received both his BM and MM wherein the choir was seated centrally in a degrees from Indiana, and joined the Peace semi-circular arrangement, and that carpeting Corps in 1970. Assigned to El Salvador was NOT part of the project. When he where he taught music in the public schools returned and saw the carpeting, he marched as part of a program supporting the Ministry into the Dean s office and immediately of Education, he recalls seven people were resigned. He was talked out of that, and recruited: one each in woodwinds, brass, stayed for six more years. Austin brightened choral, voice, and theory & keyboard (which all the upperwork of the organ in an attempt he taught), and two for strings. to deal with the carpeting. Returning in 1973 he worked first in TONAL CHANGES the organ maintenance business of Rock Spencer in Albany.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Lutheran Summer Music 2000
    Lutheran Summer Music 2000 Faculty Artist Recital Karen Becker cello Seth Beckman piano Joseph Bognar harpsichord James Hogg viola Timothy Schorr piano Kerry Walters soprano University Theater Valparaiso University Center for the Arts Valparaiso, Indiana Monday, July 3, 8:00 p.m. Program Sonata in A Major Luigi Boccherini I. Adagio (1743-1805) II. Allegro Karen Becker, cello Timothy Schorr, piano La convalescente Frangois Couperin (1668-1733) Sonata (1991) Edwin McLean Brisé Joseph Bognar, harpsichord Ellen Taaffe Zwilich (b. 1939) Seth Beckman, piano He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands Margaret Bonds (1913-1972) Steal Away to Heaven traditional arr. Mark Hayes (b. 1953) Ride On, King Jesus _ traditional arr. Hall Johnson (1888-1970) Kerry Walters, soprano Timothy Schorr, piano The Stars and Stripes Forever! John Philip Sousa (1854-1932) James Hogg, viola Seth Beckman, piano * eK KK KOK *K Karen Becker is an active soloist and chamber musician, having performed throughout the United States as well as in Europe and Puerto Rico. In September she will tour Mexico performing works of American composers. She received her Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Texas at Austin and is currently Assistant Professor of Cello at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Seth Beckman has received numerous honors and awards, both as a soloist and chamber musician, and has appeared in recital throughout the United States and Europe. He-is Associate Professor of Piano and Chair of the Music Department at Bemidji State University. Joseph Bognar received his Bachelor of Music degree from Valparaiso University. He was awarded the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in piano accompanying and vocal coaching fromthe University of Illinois.
    [Show full text]
  • May-June 2014
    SOUTHERN NEVADA CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN GUILD OF ORGANISTS THE DESERT WIND Editor: Bruce Behnke © 2014 Issue: May/June 2014 Southern Nevada Chapter Dean’s Notes American Guild of Organists Dear Organ Friends, In one of my pleas for material for We will have a “swearing in” after this edition, it was suggested that I Here it is the end of April already the elections, even if there are no mention the familiar program, “Mu- and we’re quickly sliding into May changes made. In the past we have sic and the Spoken Word.” There are and some relaxing summer months. had a catered dinner for this event several ways of viewing this program. All we have to do now is prepare so watch for future information. Set your internet browser to for the blistering heat! Thanks to all of you for your con- http://musicandthespokenword.com/ Our chapter is up for elections tributions to the Guild. I can’t name broadcast/ again this year. Anyone who would everyone here because there are so like to serve on the board or would many who have helped us have a and you can watch it online . Cox Ca- like to be released from the board, great AGO Chapter with great pro- ble runs the program Sunday morn- please call or email me. 274-9495 grams. or [email protected]. We will ing at 8:30 A. M. on channel 352 BYUTV. have an election committee to cre- Have a good summer, but we’ll see ate and send out ballots. I have en- you at least once more before we This being the final issue of this year, joyed being the dean and will hap- all scatter all over the world! pily continue unless someone else your editor would like to thank the is just dying to have the position.
    [Show full text]
  • And One in Three!
    1 organ news OrganNews No. 22 The official publication of Makin Organs, Johannus and Copeman Hart IN THIS ISSUE Page 2 Three in New Makin Thirlmere organ Page 3 one – and Johannus launch the Ecclesia organs one in three! Page 4 Posture whilst playing Page 5 Hybrid organs Page 6 New Copeman Hart demo organ Page 8 The fourth line of the Trinity hymn “I bind unto myself Organ voicing today”, often sung to the tune St Patrick’s Breastplate, is “Three in one and one in three”. Page 10 This is so appropriate for Testimonials ChurchOrganWorld as we have three distinct brands of Page 14 instrument, each of which has Meet the Staff its own range of benefits, styles and groups of customers, all now Page 16 available under one roof from a of organists from this sceptred isle, Cathedral, included in the price. single company. Customers are which is why other brands simply There is no other company who Some recent well aware of our capabilities don’t ‘cut the mustard’. This great offers the skills of such a world installations from the simplest home practice tradition continues today with renowned organist and musician instrument right through to an beautiful hand crafted consoles. to its customers; in essence it was instrument suitable for the largest Copeman Hart are simply the best concluded that there was little of cathedrals. No other company digital organs available, being built point in following the well trodden offers such a range of quality to the same exacting standards path of the competition by having options, all of which come with the of the best pipe organ consoles a well meaning, but none the less best in service and at a price that available.
    [Show full text]
  • History of the Cathedral Organ
    History of the Cathedral Organ The first worship service was held at the Cathedral of the Incarnation on Trinity Sunday, 1911. At this time, only the undercroft was completed, and the building was designated the “pro-cathedral”, meaning the building was designated to someday be the Cathedral. No records can be found of what instrument was used between 1911 and 1931, when the upper church was finally completed. Neither can any record be found of the instrument used in our sanctuary between 1931 and 1941. In 1941, the original Cathedral organ was purchased from the Möller Organ Company of Hagerstown. The instrument at the time had a total of fourteen ranks of pipes and chimes. The purchase price was $5,825, for Möller Opus 7042 (about $91,000 in 2014 dollars). Completion of the organ, envisioned to be 43 ranks, was planned as soon as funds were available. In 1960, the Cathedral received a bequest by Ella Jarrett and Mary Helen Ziegler for additions to the organ. A contract was given to the Aeolian-Skinner Organ Company of Boston for the additions (Opus 1386). Six additional ranks were added to the swell organ and seven ranks were added to the choir organ. The cost of this work was $15,200 (about $119,000 in 2014 dollars). A proposal to add an additional 11 ranks to the great organ and five ranks to the pedal organ was rejected by the Chapter as too costly. The cost of these additions at the time was $17,550. By 1971, the organ was in need of an overhaul.
    [Show full text]
  • June 2007 Newsletter Revised.Pmd
    Hilbus Chapter The Organ Historical Society, Inc. Where the Tracker Action Is! www.hilbus.org Volume 36 Number 10 June 2007 Whole No. 332 Saturday, June 23, 2007 Three Unique Pipe Organs of the Bel Air, Maryland area [THANKS TO KEVIN CLEMENS FOR ARRANGING THIS DAY!] 10:00 AM Christ the King Presbyterian Church 10 Lexington Road Bel Air, MD 21014 Reuter Pipe Organ, Opus 2203 (installed 2000) This is one of the very few Reuter Pipe Organs found in the Baltimore area. A small organ of 11 ranks, it is very versatile and fills the small sanctuary. Larry Mentzer is the organist and host. Church members have requested to attend to hear us play the organ. Bring your organ music and organ shoes. Directions: Interstate 95 - North toward New York. Exit at 77B toward Bel Air on to MD 24 North. Stay in far right lane and merge on to MD 924 which is Emmorton Road; turn on to Lexington Road. Christ the King Presbyterian Church is on right hand side of Emmorton Road and parking is in the back on Lexington Road. 11:15 AM First Presbyterian Church 224 North Main Street Bel air, MD 21014 Austin Pipe Organ, Opus 2339 [crawl information continued next page] CHAIRMAN: Carl Schwartz, 12802 Ruxton Road, Silver Spring, MD 20904 (301) 236-0315 VICE CHAIRMAN: Kevin Clemens, 711 Court Square Way, Edgewood, MD 21040 (410) 679-2271 SECRETARY-TREASURER: Barbara Birckner, 6606 Farmer Drive, Fort Washington, MD 20744 (301) 449-4399 EDITOR: Thom Robertson, 7511 Ashby Lane, Unit A, Alexandria, VA 22315 (703) 922-0719 EDITORIAL A DVISOR: Carolyn Fix, 116 Battle Street, SW, Vienna, VA 22180 (703) 281-5046 Articles and news may be submitted to the Editor electronically: [email protected] Dues due in October: $14, mailed to Secretary-Treasurer (Checks payable to Hilbus Chapter, OHS) Page 1 This is a large 2-manual pipe organ of 26 ranks in a medium size sanctuary.
    [Show full text]
  • February 2012 a Publication of the Greater Columbia Chapter of the American Guild of Organists
    The Greater Columbia Organist February 2012 A Publication of the Greater Columbia Chapter of the American Guild of Organists Our February Meeting Young Organist Competition 2012 Saturday, February 11, 2012 10:00 a.m. Lunch immediately following--available for $8 by reservation. (See below.*) Shandon United Methodist Church. 3407 Devine Street Columbia SC 29205 The final round of the Young Organist Competition will take place on Saturday, February 11 beginning at 10:00 a.m. Judges for the event will be Dr. William Bates, Dr. David Lowry, and Mr. Louis Shirer. Three contestants were screened from the applicants in the semi-final round and their playing is of an extremely high level. You will want to hear these exceptional performances by these young organists. Winners will be announced immediately following the competition. Prizes First Place $1000 Second Place $500 Third Place $300 Hymn Playing Award $250 (*)Please join us for lunch following the Young Organist Competition on Saturday, February 11 in Player Hall at Shandon United Methodist Church. The competition begins at 10:00 a.m. and will conclude just before noon with the awards. Students and their families, teachers, and judges will be treated to lunch by the Columbia AGO. AGO members are invited to join the celebration. Cost of lunch is $8 payable at the door. Please make a reservation with Frances Webb [email protected] by Wednesday, February 8 to ensure that we have enough food prepared. Come and meet and congratulate these young artists and enjoy visiting with AGO members! Grilled Chicken Breast Salad Seasoned New Potatoes Squash Casserole Dessert Christian Lane Master class and Organ Recital March 11, 2012 5:00 p.m.
    [Show full text]
  • Dean's Message Michael Cala, Dean
    SAN JOSE PIPINGS SAN JOSE CHAPTER OF THE AGO May 20 18 www.agosanjose.org Chapter Officers Dean’s Message Dean: Michael Cala Hello Members – First let me thank all of you for your support during my Sub Dean: Diane Keller year as Dean of the Chapter and I would ask that you will support Diane Secretary: Kay Lee Keller as she steps into the position. I hope that all of you are planning to attend the June Chapter Meeting on 3 rd June at 5 PM at Los Gatos First UMC. Auditor/Budget: Christine Merjanian The program as I understand will be our own organists performing well known Darryl Parker hymns that will include improvisation and group singing. There will also be a pot luck after so please bring a dish to share with your fellow members. My Handbook: Kay Lee very best wishes to all of you and will see you at the 2018-19 chapter events. Education/Resources & Historian: Valerie Sterk Michael Cala, Dean Members at Large: David Snook-Luther - 2018 Susan Snook-Luther - 2019 DR. JOHN WALKER CONCERT & WORKSHOP Barry Ford – 2020 DIANE KELLER Dr. John Walker presented a fantastic Concert on Friday 23 March 2018, Membership: David Snook-Luther at the Campbell United Methodist Church , 1675 Winchester Blvd, Campbell and a great fantastic Workshop on Saturday 24 March 2018, at Newsletter: Kenneth Talbot (408) 732-6094 the First United Methodist Church , 625 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto. [email protected] Issue Deadline: 25 th of month In March, our chapter had the great honor of hosting Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • OCTOBER, 2006 St. Mark's Pro-Cathedral Hastings, Nebraska
    THE DIAPASON OCTOBER, 2006 St. Mark’s Pro-Cathedral Hastings, Nebraska Cover feature on pages 31–32 ica and Great Britain. The festival will Matthew Lewis; 10/22, Thomas Spacht; use two of the most significant instru- 10/29, Justin Hartz; November 5, Rut- THE DIAPASON ments in London for its Exhibition- gers Collegium Musicum; 11/12, Mark A Scranton Gillette Publication Concerts: the original 1883 “Father” Pacoe; 11/19, David Schelat; 11/26, Ninety-seventh Year: No. 10, Whole No. 1163 OCTOBER, 2006 Willis organ in St. Dominic’s Priory organ students of the Mason Gross Established in 1909 ISSN 0012-2378 (Haverstock Hill) and the newly School of the Arts, Rutgers; December restored 1963 Walker organ in St. John 10, Vox Fidelis; December 17, Advent An International Monthly Devoted to the Organ, the Evangelist (Islington). Lessons & Carols. For information: the Harpsichord, the Carillon and Church Music The first two Exhibition-Concerts in <christchurchnewbrunswick.org>. London take place on October 7 and 14, and both are preceded by pubic discus- St. James Episcopal Cathedral, sions on organ composition today. Addi- Chicago, Illinois, continues its music CONTENTS Editor & Publisher JEROME BUTERA [email protected] tionally, there are three ‘new music’ series: October 14, Mozart chamber 847/391-1045 concerts at Westminster Abbey, West- music; 10/15, The Cathedral Choir, FEATURES minster Cathedral and St. Dominic’s soloists, and chamber orchestra; Introducing Charles Quef Priory. Full details can be found on the November 5, Choral Evensong; 11/19, Forgotten master of La Trinité in Paris Associate Editor JOYCE ROBINSON festival website <www.afnom.org>.
    [Show full text]
  • JUNE, 2011 the Church of the Resurrection New York, New York Cover Feature on Pages 26–27
    THE DIAPASON JUNE, 2011 The Church of the Resurrection New York, New York Cover feature on pages 26–27 June 2011 Cover.indd 1 5/13/11 8:34:57 AM June 2011 pp. 2-18.indd 2 5/13/11 8:36:24 AM THE DIAPASON Letters to the Editor A Scranton Gillette Publication One Hundred Second Year: No. 6, Whole No. 1219 JUNE, 2011 In the wind . typical tractor tire with a pressure of Established in 1909 ISSN 0012-2378 Please accept my admiration for the 40 psi would be the equivalent of 1,080 An International Monthly Devoted to the Organ, John Bishop’s wonderful column in the inches of wind. That would indeed be the Harpsichord, Carillon, and Church Music April issue. His paean to the Cathedral the “Last Trumpet!” of St. John the Divine struck a mighty David Wigton chord of nostalgia, combined with ad- Dryden, Michigan miration of Bishop’s evocative writing, in CONTENTS Editor & Publisher JEROME BUTERA [email protected] which he expressed thoughts about the John Bishop replies 847/391-1045 building and its organ—which I have al- My thanks to my friend David Wig- FEATURES ways felt deeply. ton for his nice comments, and for Harpsichord Playing in America Associate Editor JOYCE ROBINSON Over a period of six years (four as a catching my error about wind pres- “after” Landowska [email protected] by Larry Palmer 19 choirboy and, overlapping that, four sure. He’s correct, of course, within 847/391-1044 as an organ student of Norman Coke- seven tenths of an inch.
    [Show full text]
  • Organs: Technology and Technique for LDS Organists
    Understanding and Mastering Pipe (and Electric) Organs: Technology and Technique for LDS Organists by Irvin T. Nelson Copyright 2001, 2006, 2009 by Irvin T. Nelson 225 N. 100 E., Smithfield, UT 84335 Making unaltered copies for non-commercial use is permitted. All other rights reserved. This and other materials may be downloaded free at: www.irvnelsonmusic.com Draft 2.1; January 1, 2009 Preface The pipe organ is the fundamental musical instrument of the Church. No other instrument can even begin to match its utility and power for accompanying the Hymns of the Restoration. A well-played organ enables and assists the Spirit in touching the hearts of the Saints. There is a shortage of qualified, trained organists in the Church, and this scarcity appears to be growing. Nearly all LDS chapels have organs, many of which are of reasonably good quality, and a precious few of which are real pipe organs. However, in many wards, there are few or no qualified organists who have been trained to get the most out of these marvelous instruments. It is a tragic waste when a very expensive pipe organ is underutilized simply because the organist doesn’t know what the buttons, levers, and knobs do, and how to get a good sound for a particular hymn. Similarly, the electric organ, which is a fine instrument in its own right, is often underutilized for the same reason. This manuscript is written for pianists who want to learn the organ. Without information and training, even excellent pianists are sometimes poor organists. This is not due to a lack of talent, but simply because of the following three factors: 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Guidance Notes for Visiting Organists 2018
    St. Peter’s Cathedral Organ Guidance Notes for Visiting Organists 2018 Introduction Welcome to St. Peter’s Cathedral. We hope you enjoy your visit and the opportunity to play this wonderful instrument. The 1929 Hill, Norman and Beard Organ is one of the Cathedral’s great treasures and must be respected as such. Please study these notes carefully to ensure that your playing experience at the Cathedral is a positive one, and that the instrument remains in fine condition for many years to come. Thank you for your cooperation and music ministry in this wonderful space. David Heah Cathedral Organist December 2018 Table of Contents Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 1 Practical Arrangements for Visiting Organists ........................................................................................ 2 Access to the Organ Loft ................................................................................................................... 2 Organ Practice .................................................................................................................................... 2 Switching On ....................................................................................................................................... 2 Switching Off ....................................................................................................................................... 2 Pistons and Memory Levels ...............................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Issue XXXVIII Volume 10 November 2005
    VV OX OOCEANA VNVEWSLETTER OF THE RHODE ISLANDOO CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN GUILD OF ORGANISTS VOLUME XXXVIII, NO.10 NOVEMBER, 2005 RI CHAPTER OFFICERS FROM THE DEAN AND APPOINTMENTS 2005-2006 On October 13-16, I attended a symposium at the Eastman School of Music entitled The Italian Baroque Organ: Context, Instruments, Repertory, and Performance. Eastman purchased Dean, Dr. Martha Sobaje 823-8024; 467-3300 ext. 3 a full-size antique Italian baroque organ and it arrived in Rochester this past summer. What a [email protected] wonderful experience to sit in the Fountain Court of the Memorial Art Gallery and not only Sub-Dean, Julie L. Tagen hear, but see this spectacular instrument, while surrounded by great works of Italian baroque 885-7438 art hanging on the walls. I couldn’t help but be reminded of how it restores the soul just to [email protected] take in beauty, and that we should all do more of that. So, get out there, go to museums, to Secretary, David Cranmer concerts, and above all, to as many organ recitals as possible! 447-9848 Martha Treasurer, David Clyle Morse 486-0244 FROM THE SUB-DEAN Membership, Doris Alberg Bring your aches and pains at the keyboard to physical therapist Mary Szabo. She will give 567-5781 strategies to help you to play more comfortably and prevent repetitive motion injuries. Bring Historian, Peter N. LaMoria a short piece or hymn to play so she can observe you in action. The program will begin 723-6974; 726-2600 promptly at 9:30 AM, November 19 at Beneficent Congregational Church, 300 Weybosset Placement, Howard Phelps St., Providence.
    [Show full text]