PIPELINESPIPELINES Nashville Chapter American Guild of Organists April, 2007 http://www.nashvilleago.org
FROM THE DEAN Dear Friends and Colleagues: We had a wonderful treat to an outstanding recital for those who attended the last meeting at Belmont United Methodist Church. Seventeen year old Malcolm Matthews of Knoxville, Tennessee, played a superb program – poised, accurate, good style, and interesting. Malcolm won the 2005 Quimby Competition and went on to play at the 2006 Chicago National AGO Convention as a “Rising Star”. He is a student of John Brock at the University of Tennessee. His extensive piano study has contributed to his development of a natural technique and interpretive style. He will be beginning his college study next fall at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, studying with David Higgs. Thank you, Malcolm, for sharing your musical talents with the Nashville AGO Chapter. As part of the East Carolina University Competition weekend in Greenville, NC, I played a recital on Friday evening, March 16, on one of the most beautiful organs I have ever heard. It is a new, large three-manual Fisk in a room with seven seconds reverberation when empty — what a joy to practice there at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. I stayed at the large house, across the street from the church, called The Old Rectory, where Janette Fishell Andrews and Colin Andrews live. They provided a lovely reception for me following the concert. Friday afternoon, the day of the concert, I conducted a two hour master class with four students.It was great to have Steve Dieck, president of C. B. Fisk Organ Company, there all weekend. On Saturday I judged a competition of three high school semifinalists and each was given cash prizes. Sunday morning I attended St Paul’s where Janette plays the Fisk and conducts the choir. The choral sound in the room is so beautiful. Sunday afternoon I taught two students, and then Janette, Colin, and I went to dinner with Gillian Weir. East Carolina University received a grant to have two guest Professors play two recitals each and teach for two separate three-week periods. Ludger Lohmann, from Germany, came for the fall semester, and Gillian Weir, from England, this semester. What a treat to visit with her. Then on Monday, I taught three more students just before leaving for the airport to return to Nashville. I so enjoyed teaching all of the students. Next on our AGO agenda is an organ recital by English concert organist, John Scott, at Christ Church Cathedral on Friday, April 20. He is recognized not only as one of the country’s finest organists and musi- cal leaders, but as one of the most gifted concert organists in the performance world today. This highly visible musician has been heard by countless visitors year-round at St. Paul’s in London and in perfor- mances on every continent. He is now the Choirmaster/ Organist at St. Thomas Church in New York City. Our dinner this month begins at 6:30 PM and the concert at 8:00 PM. AGO members attending the dinner will receive free tickets to the concert. Make your reservations early! Immediately following the dinner, we will hold the Election of Officers. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to hear John Scott. Sincerely Wilma Jensen, Dean - 1 - 2007-2008 Nashville AGO Programs (All dinners are 6:30 PM at the program location, unless otherwise noted.)
Organ Tour with Jack Bethards Monday, September 10 7:00 PM Schermerhorn Symphony Center Dinner 5:30 pm, First Baptist Church, Nashville
Choir of Winchester Cathedral Friday, October 19 7:30 PM St. George’s Episcopal Church
Balint Karosi, Organ Recitalist Monday, November 5 7:30 PM First Presbyterian Church, Nashville
Nashville AGO Christmas Program with Nashville Children’s Choir and Andrew Risinger, Organ Recitalist Monday, December 3 7:30 PM Belmont Heights Baptist Church No dinner before concert; reception will follow the program
Organ Music of African-American Composers Presented by Anthony Williams Monday, January 7 7:30 PM Brentwood United Methodist Church
Celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the Nashville AGO With Carol Bucy, story teller, and Andrew Peters, organist Monday, February 4 7:30 PM Historic Franklin Presbyterian Church
The Organ in the United States from Colonial Times to the Present A Slide Lecture by Barbara Owen Monday, March 3 7:30 PM Vine Street Christian Church
Douglas Cleveland, Organ Recitalist Monday, April 7 7:30 PM St. Henry’s Catholic Church
Evening Service and Installation of Nashville AGO Officers Monday, May 5 7:30 PM Belmont United Methodist Church
Interest from the Nashville AGO endowment account is used, in part, to help support these programs.
- 2 - BALLOT — 2007-2008 Slate of Officers — Nashville Chapter, AGO
The election of new officers will take place just after the 6:30 PM AGO dinner on Friday, April 20, at Christ Church Cathedral. The ballots will be given to members as each one registers for dinner. Please remember that only Full Regular Members, Senior Members, and Student Members may vote. Chapter Friends may not vote. Members who will be absent for the April meeting may vote by ballot, in writing, which must be requested from and returned to the secretary prior to the meeting on April 20. Send to: AGO Secretary, Dawn Seidenschwarz, 1913 Dunedin Drive, Old Hickory, TN 37138.
Dean-Elect William Taylor Secretary Dawn Seidenschwarz Treasurer Joyce Byrd Executive Board (vote for four) Shannon Arnett Michael Belote Cynthia Lucianno Marsha Scheusner
Gary Scott Gerry Senechal Hank Woerner
Submitted by the Nominating Committee Thomas Moody, Chair; Julia Callaway; James Jordan; Wilma Jensen, Dean
Slate approved by the Board, January 29, 2007
- 3 - MEET THE CANDIDATES
DEAN-ELECT received the B.A. degree from Northeast Louisi- WILLIAM R. TAYLOR ana State (University of Louisiana at Monroe). AGO member for 25 years, often on our Executive She earned the M.Ed. degree from Middle Ten- Committee, as well as other leadership capaci- nessee State University. Three organist posts are ties. He is director of choristers at St. Ann’s in Shannon’s background: St. Paul’s United Episcopal Church and is a member of the Asso- Methodist Church, Monroe, Louisiana; First ciation of Anglican Musicians. William is em- United Methodist Church, Pineville, Louisiana; ployed by Ingram Book Group, where he man- First United Methodist Church, Columbia, Ten- ages the standing-order program for serials and nessee (from 1977). series. William holds a Master of Library Science MICHAEL BELOTE degree from The University of Alabama, and he A church musician for 33 years, in VA, FL, NC, TN, began his career at that institution as a research he currently substitutes for organists in Nashville librarian. He completed his Doctorate in Educa- and in Kentucky. His longest service was at St. tional Administration in 1993 at the Peabody Rose of Lima, Murfreesboro. At the present, he College, Vanderbilt University. In spare time, he sings in the choir at St. Henry’s. His studies were serves on United Way’s Volunteer Review Team. with Dr. Richard McPherson and Dr. David Lowry, SECRETARY James Madison University (Harrisonburg, WV), and Winthrop University (Rock Hill, SC), respec- DAWN SEIDENSCHWARZ tively. At home, he boasts a 6-rank Delaware Nashville Chapter’s Secretary for the past two organ, which he rescued from Sweet Briar Col- years, Dawn is organist of Blakemore United lege, Amherst, VA. Michael can often be found in Methodist Church, and she holds a Service a customer service role at Fyfe Music. In spare Playing Certificate from the AGO. She earned a time, he raises Cavalier King Charles spaniels. Bachelor’s degree in organ performance from Middle Tennessee State University, where she CYNTHIA LUCIANNO studied with Dr. Polly Brecht. An active member of Nashville Chapter, she has been, for sixteen years, organist of Our Savior TREASURER Lutheran Church, Nashville. She earned a JOYCE BYRD bachelor’s degree from Southeastern Louisiana Organist of Crievewood Baptist Church for 34 College; her graduate degree is from Boston years, her degree from Murray State University Conservatory of Music. Currently, she teaches allowed her to teach English, public school music at Fairview Middle School. music, and piano. In music, Joyce has been very much involved in Baptist circles. She is currently MARSHA SCHEUSNER Associate Director of Moench Center for Church Ten-year organist of First Presbyterian Church, Leadership, Belmont University; Treasurer and Columbia, TN, she has studied at Scarritt Gradu- Webmaster for National Bivocational Ministers ate School; and also with Phillip Brunelle and Association; and formerly served as Executive with Dale Warland. Marsha earned degrees from Assistant to the President, Baptist Sunday School Northern State University, South Dakota, and Board (now Lifeway). In Nashville AGO, Joyce has University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Leadership served as Treasurer, served on Program and positions include past President of Nashville Endowment Committees and is Treasurer for Choristers Guild, past Dean of the AGO Black Hill 2012 National Convention. Chapter, and Past Chairman of South Dakota ACDA Music and Worship Area. EXECUTIVE BOARD (VOTE FOR FOUR) GARY SCOTT SHANNON ARNETT is one of the chapter’s A member of the Nashville Chapter for six years, faithful members who travels some distance to he was a previous member of the Baton Rouge attend meetings, for she lives in Columbia. She Meet the candidates continued on page 4
- 4 - Chapter. He is the organist of First Presbyterian Church, Lebanon, and he has previously served at churches in Mt. Juliet, Chattanooga, and Baton www.nashvilleago.org Rouge. Gary holds the degrees of Bachelor and Master of Music from Louisiana State University, QUIMBY COMPETITION Baton Rouge, where he studied with Richard Heschke. He is on the Finance Committee for the In an event sponsored by the Nashville Chapter Nashville 2012 AGO Convention. Currently, he is of the American Guild of Organists, Parker Information Systems Manager for the State of Ramsay, of Burns, Tennessee, has won the first Tennessee. round (at the chapter level) of the Regional Competition for Young Organists, also known as GERRY SENECHAL the Quimby Competition. Church organist since age 8, he currently serves The competition was held on March 2, 2007, as Organist of St. George’s Episcopal Church in at the First Baptist Church of Nashville. The Nashville, where he also directs the Youth Choir. judges were He received his undergraduate degree in Music Dr. Robbert Delcamp from the University of the South and is currently (University of the South, Sewanee), pursuing his Masters in Church Music at Belmont Dr. James Dorroh University. In addition to teaching several private (St. Luke’s Episcopal, Birmingham), students, Gerry also enjoys composition. St. Dr. Anthony Williams James Music Press has recently published several (Fisk University, Nashville). of his free hymn accompaniments and descants. Parker played the Prelude and Fugue in G HANK WOERNER (BWV 541), the Franck Choral in a minor, and the A member of the AGO Nashville Chapter since Duruflé “Toccata” from the Suite, op. 5, and the January of 2006, Hank is a member of the Pro- hymn “Nun Danket Alle Gott.” Parker is currently gram Committee for the 2012 AGO Convention, a student of Dr. Wilma Jensen, who is also Dean Nashville. During 2006, he attended the AGO of the Nashville Chapter of the A.G.O. He is the Convention, Chicago. Currently, Hank is General recipient of the ABRSM (Associated Board of Manager of the Green Hills Mall. He is a choir the Royal School of Music) diploma in organ member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, and performance. he is an organ enthusiast, a fact which encour- Next fall, Parker will be a student at the King’s ages him to attend many organ concerts. School, Ely, England, where he will be the 6th- form organ scholar at Ely Cathedral. The next The purpose level of competition for Parker will take place June 16 at the A.G.O. Regional Convention in Atlanta, of the American Guild of Organists Georgia. Parker’s address is : is to promote the organ Post Office Box 486 in its historic and evolving roles, Burns, TN 37029 to encourage excellence in the performance of organ and choral music, and to provide a forum for mutual support, inspiration, education, and certification of Guild members.
- 5 - MEMBER NEWS Dean Wilma Jensen is featured on page 37 of the March issue of TAO in a photo and article about her master classes and recitals. You can read about her most recent events in Greenville, SC, in her Dean’s letter in this issue of Pipelines. An announcement was made in the March 21 edition of The Tennessean that Dr. Steve Hyman is medical director of Medical Center East ORs at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and also Associate Professor of clinical anesthesiology at the VU School of Medicine. Congratulations, Dr. Hyman. Congratulations to our members who played recitals during Lent: at Marsha Scheusner’s Andrew Risinger, Wilma Jensen and Gerry Senechal church in Columbia—Steve Clark and Julia recently presented a short concert on the new Schantz Callaway, and at West End UMC—Dr. Steve pipe organ at St. Henry’s Catholic Church. Jeff Dexter, Hyman, Dr. Wilma Jensen, and Rev. Carol Tate. Tonal Director, gave a brief “tour of the organ” and Victor Schantz, President of the Company, gave a greeting. New member, Juliane Sager, broke her ankle Nashville Chapter member and Schantz representative, recently in a car accident. We wish her a speedy Dwayne Short, was the host for this event. recovery. We express our deepest sympathy to Jennie Lou Smith in the death of her mother, Pauline Pruner, in Lebanon, VA, on March 2, and to family and friends of our former member, Sarah Baker, who died on March 3.
2007 AGO REGION IV CONVENTION New South, New Organs, New Music is the theme of the Atlanta Chapter‘s Region IV AGO convention, June 17-20, 2007. See
- 6 - FROM THE MEMBERSHIP CHAIR MEET THE ORGAN The Nashville Chapter made history this year Saturday, September 15, 2007 by attaining our highest membership of 205 The date is confirmed for Young People’s “Meet members with 22 new members. Thanks to all of the Organ” event at the Schermerhorn Symphony you, who have been so diligent in supplying me Center! with names of prospective members — YOU On Saturday morning, September 15, young are the greatest! Nashville musicians will have the opportunity to Our membership drive for next season will experience the new Schoenstein Pipe Organ in begin this month. For the first time in several Laura Turner Hall at Schermerhorn Symphony years, National AGO headquarters have raised Center. This event is being jointly sponsored by dues only slightly. Watch your email and snail the Education Department of the Nashville mail boxes for a membership form to arrive soon; Symphony and the Nashville Chapter of the our treasurer and I will appreciate your swiftness American Guild of Organists. If any Guild member in taking care of your dues before summer arrives. wishes to assist, please contact Julia Callaway at We begin the process all over again, and with
YEARBOOK UPDATES Marjorie Proctor 2000 Otter Creek Road Nashville, TN 37215 Home Phone: 665-0942 Cell: 414-0942 Email:
Valerie Rains Email:
PIPELINES DEADLINES April 16, 2007, for the May issue. E-mail your articles to Dr. William Taylor at
- 7 - AGO ARTS CALENDAR FOR APRIL AND MAY, 2007
Friday, April 6 — 4:00 PM Sunday, May 6 — 3:30 PM Good Friday Concert with Choir and Orchestra Eastertide Evensong with Organ Recital Rocky Craft, director Kyle Ritter, All Souls Cathedral, Grace Lutheran Church, Asheville, NC Clarksville Cathedral Choir, Michael Velting, Organist and Choirmaster, Friday, April 6 — 7:00 PM Christ Church Cathedral, Choral Service of Darkness 900 Broadway, Nashville Dr. John Semingson, Director Dr. Polly Brecht, organist Sunday, May 6 — 4:00 p.m Westminster Presbyterian Church, Grace Lutheran Church Bell and 3900 West End Avenue Chime Choir Concert Grace Lutheran Church, Clarksville Friday, April 6 — 7:00 PM Rocky Craft, director Bach’s Passion of St. John Sanctuary Choir and Orchestra Sunday, May 6 — 4:00 PM First Presbyterian Church, The Westminster Singers 4815 Franklin Pike, Nashville A concert by the Westminster Choir Section Leaders and Interns. Friday, April 20 — 8:00 PM Dr. John Semingson, Director John Scott, St. Thomas, New York City, Dr. Polly Brecht, Organist Organ Concert $10 in advance, $15 at door co-sponsored by AGO and PIPE ORGAN ENCOUNTER Christ Church Cathedral, 900 Broadway, IN FLORIDA — June 24-29, 2007 Nashville The POE (Pipe Organ Encounter) opens up a Sunday, April 22 — 4:30 PM whole new world for possible church musicians Belmont United Methodist Church Sanctuary of the future. More than 1500 young people have Choir in concert been in introduced to the pipe organ through Lux Aeterna, Morten Lauridsen, and selected this program. The Central Florida Chapter of the Anthems by contemporary composers. American Guild of Organists is offering the pro- Gayle Sullivan, director. gram briefly described below: Belmont United Methodist Church, STETSON UNIVERSITY, DELAND, FLORIDA 2007 Acklen Avenue, Nashville JUNE 24-29, 2007 Sunday, April 29 — 7:00 PM FOR ASPIRING KEYBOARD PLAYERS Chancel Choir with Orchestra The age range: roughly 13-18 (though age and Don Marler, director, and experience qualifications may be altered, Andrew Risinger, organ depending on the individual case). Tuition Coronation Te Deum by William Walton, Organ includes: housing, meals, transportation for Concerto in G Minor by Josef Rheinberger, and events during the week, organ lessons and Five Mystical Songs by Ralph Vaughan Williams practice on the university organs, back-pack, polo West End UMC, shirt, “fun” activities, plus other “perks.” Also 2200 West End Avenue, Nashville included are faculty and student organ recitals, a trip to Longmore Pipe Organ Company, Lake- Tuesday, May 1 — 7:30 PM land, FL, and a visit to “the world’s most famous Nashville School of the Arts Concert beach”, Daytona Beach. Christ Church Cathedral, $ 900 Broadway, Nashville Tuition: 375.00. Scholarship assistance is available. For more information and registration Please send items for the Arts Calendar to forms:
- 9 - NASHVILLE AGO PROGRAMS — 2006-2007 (All programs are on Monday unless specified otherwise)
Friday, April 20, 2007 – Organ Concert by John Scott — Dinner 6:30 PM, Concert — 8:00 PM Co-sponsored by Christ Cathedral and Nashville AGO AGO Members free; all others $10 in advance, $15 at door Organ Recital by John Scott, Choirmaster/ Organist at St. Thomas, New York City Formerly of St. Paul’s Cathedral, London Christ Church Cathedral, 900 Broadway, Nashville May 7, 2007— Evensong and Installation of Officers Dinner 6:30 PM, Service 7:30 PM, Homily by The Reverend Carol Tate West End United Methodist Church, 2200 West End Avenue, Nashville Past Programs This Season September 11, 2006 — Service of Remembrance and Hope Program 7:30, Reception following 9/11 Memorial/Celebration. Multiple Choirs directed by Gerre Hancock First Baptist Church, 108 7th Avenue South, Nashville October 2, 2006 — Town Hall Meeting and Information Session with National AGO Officers Kick-off meeting for 2012 National Convention Location: Centennial Club, 2805 Abbott Martin Road, Nashville (Green Hills), hosted by Gray Thornburg November 6, 2006 — Choral Rehearsal with Jack Burnam Dinner 6:30 PM, Rehearsal 7:30 PM Mr. Burnam is a former AAM president and well-known conductor with both volunteers and professionals Westminster Presbyterian Church, 3900 West End Avenue, Nashville December 4, 2006 — Christmas Program Dinner 6:30 PM, Concert 7:30 PM Christmas Program with Blair Choirs under the direction of Hazel Somerville Christ the King Catholic Church, 3001 Belmont Boulevard, Nashville January 8, 2007 — An Evening of Workshops Dinner 6:30 PM, Workshops 7:30 PM Workshops — Choose 2 out of 3 Organ Repertoire — Jonathan Setzer and Wilma Jensen (easy repertoire) Choral Repertoire (for smaller churches and choirs) — Angela Tipps Vocal Health — Jennifer Muckala from Vanderbilt Voice Clinic Brentwood United Methodist Church, 309 Franklin Road, Brentwood February 5, 2007 — “Bach played the violin too!” Dinner 6:30 PM, Program 7:30 PM Lecture/Demonstration: Baroque performance practices Dr. Robert Mealy, Baroque Violinist, Dr. Murray Forbes Somerville, Harpsichord Belle Meade United Methodist Church, 101 Davidson Road, Nashville March 5, 2007 — Organ Concert by Malcolm Matthews Dinner 6:30, Program 7:30 PM Organ Recital by Malcolm Matthews, winner of Region IV Competition and “Rising Star” at ChicAGO National Convention Belmont United Methodist Church, 2007 Acklen Avenue, Nashville
- 10 - Nashville Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and Christ Church Cathedral present JohnJohnJohn ScottScottScott Organist and Director of Music of St. Thomas Church, New York City formerly of St. Paul’s Cathedral, London -IN CONCERT- “The premier English organist of his generation...in a class of his own” (Manchester Evening News, England)
“Substance, indeed imposing talent...Sobriety and good sense, followed by dashing virtuosity and playful good humor.” (The New York Times)
“Scott’s incredible sense of varying organ registrations made his perfor- mance of this (Vierne) Symphony a musical moment to be cherished for a long time. Enthusiastic applause...” (Lincoln Journal Star, Nebraska) Friday, April 20, 2007 Dinner 6:30 PM Program 8:00 PM Dinner Cost: $12 Dinner reservations required by April 15 — Phone 615–264–3430 This concert is free of admission charge for AGO Members; all others pay $10 in advance or $15 at the door. Dinner guests of AGO members will receive a concert ticket with their dinner. Christ Church Cathedral 900 Broadway Nashville, Tennessee
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