Ago Conventions, 1914-1939

AMERICAN GUILD OF ORGANISTS CENTENNIAL AGO CONVENTIONS, 1914-1939

Arthur Lawrence, AAGO, ChM

For most AGO members in the latter part round-table session dealt with "Choir Work: of the 20th century, active membership in Second Convention Its Difficulties and Inspirations" and infor the organization is based on participation at mal receptions took the place of a closing the chapter level, receiving both national American Guild of Organists banquet. Five organbuilders-Skinner, and chapter publications, and attendance at of the Steere, Austin, Odell, and Moiler-partic national conventions. Members today are United States and Canada ipated in a display of organ consoles. used to the concept of having a national con vention every other year, but it was not al The 1920s: Locations Away from New York ways that way. The first conventions (1914- As early as 1915, the AGO Registrar's 25) seem to have been scheduled on an ad Record notes that there was interest in hold hoc basis, after which they occurred every ing a convention somewhere other than New year for a period. The schedule of biennial York: San Diego, San Francisco, and Oberlin conventions was not established until 1939, were all mentioned. The nod eventually then interrupted by World War II, and re went to the Ohio conservatory town, pre sumed in 1948. sumably because of its organs and ability to When the AGO was founded in 1896, it house a fair number of people at one institu was chartered by the Board of Regents of the tion. Not only was the location new but the University of the State of New York as an ed timing was different: the third national con ucational organization. Education was in vention took place June 22-24, 1920, in deed the chief concern of the New York Oberlin, Ohio. based founders, although there was an early The four-manual Skinner organ in Finney push to establish chapters in various parts of Chapel was the location for recitals by The College of the City of New York the country. There also was interest in pre Charles Courboin, Eric DeLamarter, Lynn St. Nicholas Terrace at One Hundred and Thirty·Ninth Street senting organ recitals in each area, but the wood Farnam, Edwin Arthur Kraft, Rollo � idea of a convention did not surface until Maitland, and William E. Zeuch, and Fred 1914, when, at the Guild's annual meeting, December 26-27-28, 1917 erick W. Schleider gave an improvisation held May 7 at the Hotel Gerard in New York demonstration. The unsigned review in The City, "Mr. Hatfield, of California, made re Diapason of July 1920 (probably by editor marks concerning a possible Convention or S.E. Gruenstein) hailed the events as "three Congress of Organists in San Francisco next the second day ended with a banquet at the days filled to overflowing with the best work year. Others spoke on the same subject. .. " Hotel McAlpin, attended by approximately of some of the greatest recitalists of the Unit (AGO Registrar's Record 1910-1915). A mo one hundred. ed States," going on to note that the "rich diet tion was made and carried, showing it to be Only a few months after this initial con would better have been spread over 30 days the sense of this meeting that a convention be vention, discussions began about the next than over three." This review praised all the held at some time in the near future, and 18 convention. On August 14, 1916, an official performers but noted particularly the ele members went on record as favoring a time national Convention Committee was ap gance of Farnam's playing and the vitality of between December 1914 and January 1915. pointed, with S. Lewis Elmer as its chairman. Courboin's Franck (Grande Piece sym Subsequent discussions considered other The next convention was then scheduled for phonique and Piece heroi"que). Charles Hein times, including the summer, but December December 26-28, 1917, again in New York roth canceled his recital on two days' notice 29-30, 1914, was the time eventually cho City, at the College of the City of New York, because of an attack of neuritis, this despite sen, with New York City as the natural site. St. Nicholas Terrace at 139th Street. Six or the fact that he had already made a special ganists gave recitals, two of them-Charles trip from Pittsburgh to practice at Oberlin. The Earliest Conventions Heinroth and Samuel A. Baldwin-having The organ builder Ernest M. Skinner was a According to a report in The New Music appeared at the first convention. They were featured speaker and his presentation on re Review of February 1915, "The first National joined by Charles M. Courboin, organist of cent American organbuilding was well re Convention of the American Guild of Organ the First Baptist Church in Syracuse, N.Y., ceived. In spite of early publicity that sug ists has become a memory of the past. What but later to be at St. Patrick's Cathedral in gested that Midwesterners could easily reach it has accomplished remains to be seen. The New York City; Richard Tattersall, organist Oberlin by train, the total number registering good comradeship throughout was in evi of Old St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, for the convention was just 130. The Diapa dence on all sides and all those present Toronto; W. Lynnwood Farnam, organist of son commented on the pleasant weather, seemed to appreciate the opportunity of Emmanuel Church, Boston, also later to be in which, in addition to pleasing the visitors, meeting together." Compared to later con New York City at the Church of the Holy brought a circus parade to town. Serendipi ventions, this one was fairly limited, but it Communion; and Gaston M. Dethier, profes tous timing caused the calliope, which was a beginning. Events took place at sor of organ at the Institute of Musical Art brought up the rear of the parade, to pass Columbia University, where four recitalists (later the Juilliard School of Music), New Finney Chapel short!y after the conclusion of performed in the chapel: Charles Heinroth, York, N.Y. Lynnwood Farnam's recital! Pittsburgh municipal organist; Samuel A. The program content ranged from Hein An interesting point that came up at the Baldwin, of the City College of New York; roth 's all-Bach (a lecture recital on "The Oberlin convention was a vote by those as William C. Hammond, of Mount Holyoke Emotional Element in Bach's Organ Music") sembled to join the National Association of College; and James T. Quarles, organist of to Tattersall's "Ride of the Valkyries" to Far Organists (NAO) in a cooperative convention Cornell University. Interwoven with the nam's playing of the complete Sixth Sym the following year, which would mark the recitals were a number of addresses on sub phony by Widor. Addresses throughout the 25th anniversary of the Guild, but for various jects ranging from "Music Appreciation as a three days were devoted to such subjects of reasons this idea did not come to fruition. National Asset" to "In what way can the Or interest as "The Modern Cantata," "Chil The NAO held its 1921 convention in ganists' Guild unite with the Ministry in en dren's Choirs in Non-Liturgical Churches," Philadelphia without help from the AGO, hancing the dignity and beauty of the non and "The Organist and the Church." The not followed by ones in Chicago (1922). liturgical service?" Given the interest in ed composer Horatio Parker spoke on "Mod Rochester, New York (1923), Atlantic City education, it is not surprising that there was ern Church Anthems" and was quoted in The (1924), and Cleveland (1925). Of course, a discussion session on the Guild examina Evening Post as labeling such music "weedy many organists belonged to both organiza tions. The first day closed with a service at and showing a lack of economy." He saw the tions. For its part, the AGO celebrated its St. Thomas Church, with music led by or revival of earlier music to be encouraging, quarter-century mark with a festival service ganist-choirmaster T. Tertius Noble, while noting "We may get back to Gibbons yet." A at New York City's Trinity Church on April

52 THE AMERICAN ORGANIST Charles Heinroth Lynnwood Farnam Ernest M. Skinner

13, 1921. The Northern and Southern Cali Herbert Hyde, organist-choirmaster of St. Washington, D.C., was the location of the fornia AGO chapters hosted a successful re Luke's. 1927 sixth general convention, which took gional convention in Los Angeles, June Back in Chicago proper the next day, Al place June 28-30. Although the official hotel 25-28, 1923, but another national conven bert Riemenschneider performed works of was the Hamilton, the Church of the tion did not take place until June 16-18, James H. Rogers, Bach, and Widor on the Epiphany on G Street served as headquarters 1925, in Chicago, Illinois. four-manual Austin at St. James Episcopal as well as the site of a Guild service, with The Chicago convention, attended by 200 Church, where Leo Sowerby would become music directed by organist-choirmaster registrants from 27 chapters, was headquar organist-choirmaster two years later. The Adolf Torovsky. Featured organs were the tered at the Congress Hotel, where a recep closing event of the convention was a recital large new Moller at the Washington Audito tion opened the events. Kimball Hall, with of music by Thiele, Debussy, Demercaux, rium, played by Rollo Maitland, and the its new four-manual Kimball organ, was the Ravel, Bonnet, Stoughton, Rachmaninoff, Skinner in the Coolidge Auditorium of the site of many activities: recitals by John Pachelbel, Palmgren, and Middelschulte, Library of Congress, played by Charlotte Knowles Weaver (who, as dean of the East played by Hugo Goodwin, municipal organ Klein. Charles A.H. Pearson played at All ern Oklahoma Chapter, represented the ist of St. Paul, on the four-manual Skinner at Souls' Unitarian Church, and other recital "West"), John Hermann Loud (dean of the the Fourth Presbyterian Church. ists were J. Norris Herring of Baltimore, Eda New England Chapter, representing the Bartholomew of Atlanta, and Lilian Carpen "East"), and Arthur B. Jennings (of "Springs Annual Conventions ter of New York, all playing at the Church of in the Desert" fame). as well as papers and The 1925 convention was the first in a 13- the Epiphany. The Library of Congress panel discussions. Sightseeing on the first year series that would see a national con mounted an exhibition of original organ afternoon was followed by Charlotte Klein's vention take place every year. Along with the scores, with an informal talk by Carl Engel, recital on the four-manual Casavant at Grace annual occurrence came an interest in hav chief of the Music Division. A tour, which in Episcopal Church in Oak Park; in addition to ing conventions in cities not previously vis cluded the Washington Cathedral, also took works by Rheinberger, Dethier, Bonnet, and ited by organ groups. Accordingly, the 1926 visitors to George Washington's home at Vierne, her program included the Sym location-the fifth general convention-was Mount Vernon. phonie Romane of Widor. This noted Wash announced the previous December for Buffa The next year saw the gathering site move ington, D.C., organist had the distinction of lo, New York, June 1-3. to Detroit, Michigan, where the convention being the first woman to perform at an AGO The proximity of Niagara Falls was adver took place June 12-14, 1928, and registrants national convention (so foregone was the tised as a special scenic attraction, and a vis from27 states numbered 200. The first recital conclusion that organists were male that it to the large factory of Rudolph Wurlitzer in of the convention was played by William H. most journal and newspaper accounts re nearby North Tonawanda was promised. Barnes of Chicago at the Consistory Cathe ferred to them as "the men" of the profes Recitalists were Warren D. Allen of Stanford dral of the Masonic Temple, on its large four sion). The second day took place in University and Harold Gleason of the East manual Skinner. At the new Detroit Institute Evanston, where William C. Carl of New man School of Music, playing a new Moller of Arts, Clyde Burroughs spoke on "Music in York's Guilmant Organ School spoke on organ at the Larkin plant (advertised as the Art Museums," and the large four-manual recital programming, John Cushing played "Mammoth Larkin Organ-the largest in the four-manual Skinner at St. Luke's Epis strument in Western New York"); Harold Fix Casavant in the auditorium was played by copal Church (an instrument then rated as of Buffalo and Lester Groom of Chicago, Marian Van Liew of Detroit and Sheldon the largest in the area and now being playing a new four-manual Skinner at Cen Foote of Milwaukee, both performing mem painstakingly restored some 70 years later), tral Park Methodist Church; and Lynnwood orized recitals. Francis A. Mackay directed and William H. Barnes opened his home Farnam playing the large new Estey at the the music for a festival service at St. Paul's with its three-manual instrument to visitors. Buffalo Consistory, one of the city's show Cathedral, and Robert Cato played its large Dinner at the North Shore Hotel was fol places. Noteworthy is the inclusion of two four-manual Austin organ in a pre-service lowed by a service at St. Luke's that attract women organists, following in the precedent recital. Arthur Gutow, of Detroit movie-play ed more than a thousand people. It featured set in Chicago by Charlotte Klein: Kate ing fame, began the next day's events, the singing of the Guild prizewinning an Elizabeth Fox (Watertown, New York) and demonstrating the large Wurlitzer in the them, "In Him We Live," by Yale University Virginia Carrington-Thomas (Florida State Michigan Theater, described as "one of the composer Hope Leroy Baumgartner, as well College for Women), also playing at the palatial picture-houses of the United States." as the playing of Eric DeLamarter and Stan Consistory. Howard Hanson, director of the An excursion to Belle Isle, the park in the St. ley Martin; Clarence Eddy, probably the Eastman School, was the featured speaker Clair River, was followed by Alle D. Zuide most famous organist of the day, was sched for the closing banquet. Services included ma's recital on the chimes of Jefferson Av uled to play but was in fact confined to bed ones at St. Paul's Cathedral and at Temple enue Presbyterian Church, where he was or by a foot injury, so his place was taken by Beth-Zion. ganist of the new four-manual Skinner. This

APRIL 1996 53 68-rank instrument, restored by Kenneth and Dorothy Holden in 1976, remains one of the important surviving examples of its type; it was played for the 1928 occasion by Edwin Arthur Kraft of Cleveland, whose rendition of music by Neuhoff, C.P.E. Bach, Bonnet, Bach, Sealy, Bingham, Tchaikovsky, Rogers, Hollins, Dethier, Johnson, and Matthews was highly praised by critics. Other recitals were played by Charles M. Courboin of New York on the Institute of Art's Casavant and by Palmer Christian of Ann Arbor on the large new Skinner in Hill Auditorium of the University of Michigan, which instrument had been opened the previous month by Mr. Christian, whose playing attracted 5,000 people. A closing banquet at the Hotel Statler in Detroit concluded this successful convention. Memphis was the location of the 1929 con vention, held in the Tennessee city, June 3-6. Special note was made of the fact that this was the firstnational AGO convention in a Southern city, where its fabled hospitality would be paramount-this included a recep tion at the Memphis Country Club graced by the singing of Jean Johnson, whose creden Edwin Arthur Kraft Finnin Swinnen tials listed study with Marcella Sembrich, the famous Polish-American soprano. As organist-choirmaster Adolph Steuterman, Jennings performed on the Austin of over The Diapason remarked, "Dixieland con Tennessee Chapter dean and convention 200 ranks at Irvine Auditorium, built for the ducted its first convention of organists .... chairman, assisted by his brother, Harry J. Sesquicentennial Exposition of 1926 and lat The city situated on 'Old Man River' not only Steuterman, who also played a pre-service er given to the University of Pennsylvania by exhibited the best brand of Southern hospi recital. Chicago theater organist Ambrose Cyrus H. K. Curtis. M.P. Moller hosted a din tality, but emphasized this with the help of Larson shared a demonstration of the three ner and demonstration of its reproducing or the weather man." Senator Emerson L. manual Wurlitzer at the Orpheum Theater gans; then a program at the Second Presbyte Richards, architect of the huge Atlantic City with resident organist Arthur Hays. The final rian Church by the Musical Art Society of Convention Hall organ, led the way among convention event was a banquet at the Hotel Camden and organist Alexander McCurdy speakers, dealing with "The Tonal Design of Peabody, attended by 146. closed the day. Two- and Three-Manual Organs," and Char The final convention day was held at the lotte Klein, making her third national con The 1930s Convention Hall in Atlantic City. Upon ar vention appearance, was the leading recital The 1930 convention was set for Philadel rival, the convention book invited registrants ist, performing works of Franck, Bach, phia, June 23-27, and seems to have attract to "inspect the Convention Hall, promenade Jongen, Maleingreau, Karg-Elert, Sealy, and ed the largest attendance to date, with about on the Boardwalk, or engage in ocean Barnes on the three-manual-and-echo Casa 400 registrants. The opening recital by bathing," the latter as guests of Richards's vant of St. Peter's Catholic Church. Other Charles Courboin at the Wanamaker store Baths, before being luncheon guests of Sena performers were Franklin Glynn playing a (cited as the world's largest organ) featured tor Richards. In mid-afternoon Frank Stewart three-manual Moller in the Norfleet resi his playing of the Prelude and Liebestod Adams performed a pops program cin the dence, a suburban estate; James Phillip John from Wagner's Tristan und Isolde, said to be new 57-rank Kimball in the ballroom of the son playing the three-manual-and-echo particularly moving. Edwin Arthur Kraft fol auditorium. After a banquet, Rollo Maitland Austin at St. John's Methodist Church; lowed with a program at the First (Calvary) played the incomplete Midmer-Losh organ Arnold Dann playing the four-manual and Presbyterian Church that included the of over 300 stops in the main auditorium it echo Skinner at Idlewild Presbyterian Reubke Sonata; then Catharine Morgan self, playing a temporary console supplied Church; Parvin Titus playing the three-man played the 124-stop Austin at the First Pres by Seibert Lash especially for the occasion ual and echo Pilcher at Bellevue Baptist byterian Church of Germantown. The day and concluding with an improvisation on Church in a program that included the concluded with a Guild service at St. Luke's tunes chosen by audience vote: "Swing Low, Arabesque and Fughetta by Van Denman Church, Germantown, with organist George Sweet Chariot" and "Deep River." Thompson, which had won first prize in the Alexander West and his choir of men and Indianapolis was selected as the location 1919 competition of the National Federation boys, preceded by Bernard R. Mausert's car for the next convention, held June 8-12, of Music Clubs; and David McK. Williams, illon recital at the Methodist Church. The 1931, and attended by 275 registrants. An also at Idlewild Presbyterian Church, where following day the Aeolian Company bused evening reception at the Lincoln Hotel greet his playing of Bach chorale preludes, along everyone to the Stotesbury home in Chestnut ed visitors, with entertainment by the Indi with works of Dupre, McKinley, Bingham, anapolis Matinee Musicale.Opening speech McAmis, Vierne, and Mulet, was described Hill, where Mrs. Edward P. Linch played the as "ideal organ playing." firm's three-manual residence instrument. es were given the following morning at Charles Courboin was featured at the Then it was on to Longwood Gardens for Broadway Methodist Church, followed by Memphis Auditorium, seating a total of Firmin Swinnen's recital on the 10,010-pipe Harold Heeremans's recital on the four-man 12,500 and housing a new five-manual dual Aeolian organ at the Pierre S.du Pont estate; ual Estey of 1927. Arthur Dunham demon installation Kimball organ, where he played his transcription of Tchaikovsky's Capriccio strated a two-manual, seven-stop Skinner at a program of Bach, Gigout, and Franck, and !talien was praised for its display of the reeds the Goodman residence; his own Quiet of the transcriptions of works by Bach (C-sharp Ma on the new installation. The du Pants were Forest showed the colors of this small organ. jor Prelude and Fugue from the WTC, played hosts for dinner, and the day closed with a A Guild service at Christ Episcopal Church, on the grand piano activated as an organ water and light display of the fountains in under the direction of Cheston L. Heath at "stop"), Debussy, Nardini, and Wagner. This the gardens. the large Casavant, concluded the day. Of was also the site of recitals by Charles Gal A session on Guild exams, and papers by special note were three new anthems by Van loway of St. Louis, Arthur Dunham of Chica William H. Barnes ("Modern Organ Ac Denman Thompson, Frank L. Sealy, and go, Frank Asper of the Salt Lake City Taber tions") and Harold Vincent Milligan ("Our Alexander Gretchaninoff. Recitals were giv nacle, and Edward Eigenschenk of Chicago. Musical American Background") occupied en the next day by Julian R. Williams at A Guild service, which included a perfor the next morning, after which Carl Weinrich Tabernacle Presbyterian Church (four-manu mance of the Brahms Requiem with orches played the new four-manual Welte organ of al Casavant), Edwin Arthur Kraft at the Scot tra, was led at Calvary Episcopal Church by St. Paul's Presbyterian Church and Arthur B. tish Rite Cathedral (four-manual Skinner,

54 THE AMERICAN ORGANIST Second Church in Newton (four-manual Casavant). where recent American choral music was sung under the direction of William Lester Bates. Among several papers delivered, Archibald T. Davison of Harvard University spoke on service music and William H. Barnes dealt with "Console Stan dardization." The Women Organists' Club of Boston issued a special invitation to "ladies attending the Convention from outside Boston" to attend a recital by the Misses Al ice Shepard, Myrtle Richardson, and Daisy A. Swadkins at Bethany Congregational Church, Quincy (the home of the President Adams). Charles Courboin played an extra recital on a new three-manual Kilgen at Tem ple Ohabei Shalom, and Edith Lang per formed a lighter program at the City Club (four-manual Skinner). The concluding ban quet at the Statler featured T. Tertius Noble as speaker on examinations. A post-convention trip to Hartford, Con necticut, provided by the Austin Organ Com pany of Hartford and the Aeolian-Skinner Organ Company of Boston, afforded 100 con ventiongoers visits to the four-manual Ernest White Albert Riemenschneider Austin in Bushnell Hall and the four-manu al Skinner at Trinity College, as well as the the city's largest), and Louise Carol Titcomb tra took place at the New England Conserva opportunity to tour the Austin factory. There at Broadway Methodist Church. The latter tory of Music's Jordan Hall, with Wallace were also visits to the celebrated rose gar recital occurred in conjunction with a pro Goodrich conducting Hope Leroy Baumgart dens and other objects of interest in Hartford. gram by the Mendelssohn Choir of Indi ner's Concert Piece (H. Frank Bozyan, organ Cleveland became the site of the 1933 con anapolis under the direction of Elmer A. ist). the Franck Choral in B Minor (arranged vention, held June 26-29 in the Ohio city. Steffen. for organ and orchestra by Dr. Goodrich, Al Following registration by 325 attendees at The next day's events began as Father bert Snow, organist). and Eric DeLamarter's the Wade Park Manor, William H. Barnes William J. Finn, director of the New York Concerto in E Major (Palmer Christian, or presented the report of the Committee on Paulist Choristers, spoke on "The Essential ganist); Carl McKinley conducted his own Standardization of Consoles, which led to and Differentiating Characteristics of Boy Masquerade for orchestra, and George W. the specifications generally called the Choirs," followed by Charlotte Klein's recital Chadwick's Sinfonietta in D Major was also "A.G.O. Standards." This was followed by on the new four-manual Kimball at North on the program. In conjunction with this pro Hugh McAmis's recital on the Skinner at Ep Methodist Church. A bus trip provided by gram, the convention book mentioned an ex worth-Euclid Church, a program that includ the Aeolian Company took conventiongoers hibit mounted by the Boston Public Library ed the Satie Messe des Pauvres with voices. to visit the estate of Josiah K. Lilly, where the of treasures from the music collection, on At the Museum of Art the next day, Arthur two-manual Aeolian residence organ was view throughout the convention. The two Jennings played the Skinner, and Edward demonstrated in a short recital by Frank trips for "browsing" among Boston organs Eigenschenk performed on the four-manual Sealy, Harold Heeremans, and Van Denman were forebearers of today's organ "crawls," Kimball at The Temple. The annual Guild Thompson. A piano-vocal program ensued and included visits to the First Church of service took place at Trinity Cathedral, with at the Woodstock Country Club before the Christ, Scientist (four-manual Hook & Hast a festival choir of 250 voices fromsix church evening recital by Arthur R. Croley of Tole ings), Temple Mishkan Tefila (four-manual es under the direction of Edwin Arthur Kraft, do at the Scottish Rite Cathedral, where he Frazee). and Holy Cross Cathedral (four organist-choirmaster of the cathedral. "Bach took the place of the scheduled performer, manual Hook & Hastings, the firm'smagnum the Organist" was the title of a paper by Sen Palmer Christian, who was unable to attend. opus which would later become unplayable ator Emerson Richards, which was comple "Problems of the Guild" was the subject of a and is today gradually being restored). A sec mented by Arthur Poister's all-Bach program discussion the final morning, followed by ond trip to the suburbs took in the Melrose at Epworth-Euclid Church. Additional the recitals of Marshall Bidwell at the Taber Municipal Auditorium (four-manual Austin) recitals were played by William E. Zeuch on nacle Presbyterian Church and Arthur Pois and Phillips Academy (four-manual Casa the four-manual Skinner at the Church of the ter at North Methodist Church. The closing vant later removed and stored, which today Covenant, by Laurel Everette Anderson on banquet featured Indiana author Meredith is slated for reinstallation in Florida). The the 150-rank Skinner at the Public Auditori Nicholson as speaker. The Indianapolis con now-traditional Guild service was held in um, by Mrs. Doyne Christine Neal on the 68- vention book was the first to bear the subti the Church of the Advent, with Frederick stop Moller at Euclid Avenue Baptist tle "United States and Canada" after the AGO Johnson directing Solemn Evensong, assist Church, by Herman F. Siewert on the Hook name. ed by organists Albert Snow (Emmanuel and Hastings at the First Church of Christ, Boston's first national convention, the Church) and Francis Snow (Trinity Church). Scientist, and by Parvin Titus on the Austin eleventh for the AGO, took place June 20-25, Recitals were played by Marion Janet Clay at the Church of Our Saviour. 1932, and was attended by more than 225 ton at the Church of the Covenant (four-man Worthy of special mention was the pro people from 20 states. It was housed at the ual Welte). memorized; Alexander McCurdy gram played by Ernest White on the new 24- Hotel Statler, where the rates for a room for at Methuen (four-manual Walcker-Skinner); rank Votteler-Holtkamp-Sparlingat St. Vitus one ranged from $4 to $10 per night (rooms Carl Weinrich at the First Church in Boston Catholic Church, since it was comprised ex for four were $12.50-$16, shower and tub (large four-manual Skinner). where his pro clusively of music composed before 1800 included). Events somewhat out of the gram included the "new" Sixth Symphony of and grouped by national schools-Teutonic ordinary included a visit to the famous Vierne, dedicated to Weinrich's late teacher (Buxtehude, Kellner, Walter, Scheidt). En Boston Music Hall organ, saved and owned Lynnwood Farnam; Robert Cato at Em glish (Greene, Arne, Roseingrave, Byrd, Han at that time by Ernest M. Skinner, and manuel Church (large four-manual divided del), French (Clerambault's Suite on the First housed in Serlo Hall, Methuen (rebuilt in Casavant designed by Farnam); Hugh Porter Tone), and Italian (Vivaldi-Bach)-an early 1947 as Opus 1103 of Aeolian-Skinner, in at Trinity Church (four-manual divided example of a historical organ recital. Also of the Methuen Memorial Music Hall); and a Skinner); Marion Hutchinson at King's note was the organ, since its regional builder post-convention trip to Austin and Aeolian Chapel (four-manual Skinner), where choral would become a national organbuilding in Skinner installations in Hartford. works were sung under the direction of Ray fluence in the years to come. Members of the The opening concert for organ and arches- mond Robinson; and Ralph Kinder at the Cleveland Orchestra played a program of

APRIL 1996 55 contemporary American music: Pioneer examinations, Harold Heeremans and Alfred A delegation from Pittsburgh was success Overture, Rossetter G. Cole; Memories of Wilson shared a recital at the Church of St. ful in New York at winning the bid for the France, Seth Bingham; Station W.G.Z.B.X. Mary the Virgin (four-manual Aeolian-Skin following year, and the 1936 convention (NBC prize work), Philip James; Symphonic ner), as did Carl Wiesemann and Alexander took place in the Pennsylvania city, June Poem "Prairie," Leo Sowerby; Masquerade, McCurdy at the ballroom of the Waldorf 22-26, with something over 500 attending. Carl McKinley; and Pageant of P. T. Barnum, Astoria Hotel (four-manual Moller). After The opening string ensemble concert at Douglas Moore. In several instances, com group photographs at Grant's Tomb, the Carnegie Music Hall featured works of posers conducted their own compositions. Riverside Church was the site for "Pageant: Mozart, Roussel, Chavarri, and Bach, con The 1934 convention took place June A Series of Interpretations," with the Ruth ducted by Oscar Del Blanco. Organ recitalists 25-29 in Rochester, New York, where the St. Denis Rhythmic Choir, the Choir of St. were Marshall Bidwell, Francis W. Snow, Eastman School of Music served as the focal Luke's Chapel, and William Pollock at the and Winslow Cheney at Carnegie Music point of activities. Director Howard Hanson Hook and Hastings organ, followed by Hall; Greenhouse Alit at the Third Presbyte welcomed registrants and Robert Hufstader Kamiel Lefevers's carillon recital. An rian Church; Dora Poteet and E. Carroll Mc played the opening recital on the four-man evening service for boy choirs at the Cathe Kinstry at East Liberty Presbyterian Church; ual Skinner in Kilbourn Hall. Barbara Dun dral of St. John the Divine was under the di Ethel Sleeper Brett at the Church of the As can, librarian of the Sibley Library, spoke on rection of organist-choirmaster Norman cension; Parvin Titus, also at Carnegie Music rare books and manuscripts in her care of in Coke-Jephcott, with T. Tertius Noble, Hall, playing the Reubke Sonata in conjunc terest to organists; a tour of the school's William E. Zeuch, Channing Lefebvre, and tion with Caspar Koch's lecture on it; and physical facilities (including the many prac Thomas Matthews at the Skinner organ. The Claude L. Murphree at Calvary Church. Ex tice organs) was given; Arthur S. Thompson next morning's offerings included N. Lind cept for the Moller at Calvary, all these loca say Norden speaking on just intonation in a addressed the subject of "Modern Acoustical tions housed Aeolian-Skinner organs. As in cappella music, and a choral demonstration Problems"; and Benjamin F. Miessner New York, there was considerable emphasis by Hugh Ross and Thompson Stone. Char demonstrated his new electronic piano, on on choral music. In addition to a symposium lotte Klein and Paul Callaway shared a which Anton Rovinsky played a recital. Oth on choir training, choral presentations in recital on the Skinner organ of St. Thomas er organ recitals were given by Leon Verrees cluded Bloch's Sacred Service at Rodef Church before a symposium on Hebrew, on the large Austin in the Eastman Theatre, Shalom Temple, sung by the Y.M. & W.H.A. Byzantine, Gregorian, and Russian music by Grace Leeds Darnell on the Skinner at St. Choral Society; Bach's Mass in B Minor took place in the auditorium of the Juilliard Paul's Episcopal Church, by Edwin Stanley at Carnegie Music Hall, sung by the School; a postlude was played on the Casa Seder at St. Paul's, by Francis W. Snow at Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh; a public vant organ by a young Englishman, E. Power Kilbourn Hall, by Nita Akin on the Moller of school address and concert at Carnegie Mu Biggs. A junior choir festival involving 900 Cathedral Hall of the Masonic Temple, by sic Hall; a madrigal program and Reger's 0 children followed at the Riverside Church, Melville Smith on the Skinner in the Mason Haupt vall Blut und Wunder by the Madrigal with conductors Walter Henry Hall, Ralph A. ic Auditorium, by Margaret Whitney Dow at Choir of Carnegie Institute of Technology; Harris, and Herbert Stavely Sammond, and Kilbourn Hall (from memory). and by and a program by the A Cappella Choir of Al accompanists Harold Vincent Milligan and Catharine Morgan at St. Paul's Episcopal legheny College. In addition to the annual James Philip Johnston. A national radio Church. Howard Hanson conducted mem Guild service at East Liberty Presbyterian broadcast fromRadio City featured the NBC bers of the Rochester Philharmonic in works Church, Sacred Heart Church was the loca Symphony Orchestra in works by T. Tertius for organ and orchestra by Baumgartner, tion for Solemn Vespers and Benediction. Noble, Seth Bingham, Philip James, and Leo Baldwin, Sowerby, Hanson, Dickinson, Albert Riemenschneider gave a lecture Sowerby, with the composers conducting. Gleason, and Bach (the latter using the elec A round-table discussion of "Practical recital on Bach interpretation, and Caspar tronic piano); the organists were Thomas H. Problems of the Organist" occupied the next Koch chaired a discussion on "Present Webber Jr., Leo Sowerby, Palmer Christian, morning, prior to a recital by Clarence Mad Trends in Organ Building." Mary Louise Schroder, and Harold Gleason. er and Charles Heinroth at the College of the Cincinnati, Ohio, was the site of the 1937 Father William J. Finn lectured on choral City of New York (Skinner). Afternoon tours convention, held June 14-17. Issues of the technique, using a mixed chorus for demons of Rockefeller Center and tea on the 47th day were confronted in the first event, a trations; he later conducted a concert of floor of the RCA Building preceded a service demonstration by John Hammond of the choral music ranging fromGregorian chant for mixed choirs at St. Bartholomew's Hammond electronic instrument and by to Rachmaninoff's "Cherubic Hymn," using Church under the direction of David McK. George Y. Wilson of the Holtkamp organ at a historical approach not unlike that which Williams, with Hugh Porter playing the or St. John's Catholic Church, across the Ohio Ernest White had utilized the previous year gan (Skinner). The final day of the conven River (which had flooded a few months ear for organ music. A mock wedding was staged tion began with a business meeting, followed lier) in Covington, Kentucky. A chamber mu as entertainment at the closing banquet, with by a panel discussion of "New Features of sic concert at the headquarters Hotel Nether the NAO as bride and the AGO as groom. Organ Design," moderated by Emerson land Plaza followed, performed by the Twenty-one years after the first AGO con Richards, with J.B. Jamison and Ernest M. Cincinnati String Quartet and the Cincinnati vention, New York City was once again the Skinner as speakers (the 50th anniversary of Madrigal Singers. The same quartet joined host, and the 14th general convention took Skinner's organbuilding work was noted). A Arthur Croley playing a three-stop Holtkamp place June 24-28, 1935, with headquarters at joint recital at Temple Emanu-El (Casavant) portativ the next morning for concertos by the Hotel Astor, Times Square. Nearly 900 was played by Charles Courboin and Virgil Handel and Schiassi. Healey Willan deliv people registered, by far the largest of any Fox, a young organist then residing in ered a paper on the history and development convention to date, this in spite of the in Hanover, Pa. A concert of music for organ of the use of the organ. Clarence Watters was roads of the Great Depression. Special fea and instruments followed at St. George's the recitalist on the Casavant at Christ tures included a new emphasis on choral Church, with George W. Volkel at the large Church; his program came only two weeks music and a national radio broadcast. Aside Austin. The closing banquet at the Astor in after the death of Vierne and included ex from meeting in the city of the founders, this cluded songs by the Downtowners Quartet cerpts from that master's Second Symphony. convention was also significant for the fact and addresses by AGO Warden Charles Hen Christ Church was also the location of the that it was the first after the AGO and NAO ry Doersam and Mayor Fiorello La Guardia. evening convention service that featured the merged on January 1, 1935. A historical In addition to photographs of the main singing of Dupre's De Profundis, Op. 18, di sketch in the program book boasted of 77 venues, the program book included such un rected by Parvin Titus. AGO chapters and over 5,000 members. usual lists as "Great Events in the History of The second day saw Mark Andrews give a The opening concert was given in the Music" (starting with choral director paper on "The Why and How of Guild Ex grand ballroom of the hotel by the Roth Quar Chenaniah in 1055 B.C.), "Ages of Musicians aminations," followed by Alexander tet and organist Louis Robert playing the Living in 1935" (Charles-Marie Widor led Schreiner's recital on the four-manual large Austin, separately and together in a the way at age 90), and "Longevity of Famous Austin at Covenant-First Presbyterian new concerted Fantasia by Kalman Antos. Musicians" (Manuel Garcia the Younger Church, Helen (Mrs. Clarence) Dickinson's On the first full day, after a session on Guild headed this category at age 101). presentation on "Service Planning and Play-

56 THE AMERICAN ORGANIST AGO NATIONAL ing," and John Challis playing a harpsichord CONVENTIONS and clavichord he had built. At the Music Hall, Julian R. Williams, Robert Noehren, 1914 New York, N.Y. Catharine Crozier, and Kenneth R. Osborne 1917 New York, N.Y. played a program of music for two organs 1920 Oberlin, Ohio (Gigout, Bach, Karg-Elert, Widor), and Miss Crozier was soloist in the Hindemith Con 1925 Chicago, Ill. certo, Op. 46, No. 2, for which she was ac 1926 Buffalo, N.Y. corded much praise, despite the fact that the 1927 Washington, D.C. music was "very modern." The organs were 1928 Detroit, Mich. the hall's four-manual Hook and Hastings 1929 Memphis, Tenn. Austin and a Moller diapason chorus in stalled for the occasion under the direction 1930 Philadelphia, Pa. of Richard 0. Whitelegg. The next morning's 1931 Indianapolis, Ind. Solemn High Mass at St. Lawrence Church, 1932 Boston, Mass. with music directed by organist-choirmaster 1933 Cleveland, Ohio Alfred Schehl, was followed by a recital by 1934 Rochester, N.Y. Paul Callaway on the Hook and Hastings, where the chief work was Widor's Sym 1935 New York, N.Y. phonie Gothique. Afternoonforums were de 1936 Pittsburgh, Pa. voted to "Tone Production in Boy Choirs" 1937 Cincinnati, Ohio (Harold E. Tower), "Organ Recitals, Planned 1939 Philadelphia, Pa. and Unplanned" (Rowland W. Dunham). Virgil Fox 1941 Washington, D.C. and "Volunteer Choir Problems" (Franklin played the next radio broadcast. Round-table Glynn). Alexander McCurdy's recital at the 1948 St. Louis, Mo. discussions occupied the next morning, after Music Hall was succeeded by the closing 1950 Boston, Mass. which Ralph P. Lewars directed a demon banquet. 1952 San Francisco, Calif. stration recital by his students at the Penn The 18th AGO convention, which took sylvania Institute for the Instruction of the 1954 Twin Cities, Minn. place in Philadelphia, June 19-23, 1939, was Blind (Moller), and Albin McDermott played 1956 New York, N.Y. entitled the "First National Biennial Con the Moller at the Chapel of the College of vention", signaling the new schedule still 1958 Houston, Tex. Chestnut Hill, where choral works were also followed at the close of the century. More 1960 Detroit, Mich. performed under the direction of Sister Regi than 400 members attended the second con 1962 Los Angeles, Calif. na Dolores. Following dinner, Mario Sal vention in the City of Brotherly Love. vador played the new Wicks "Amplitone" of 1964 Philadelphia, Pa. E. Power Biggs, playing music of Bach, four amplified ranks, and Russell Wichmann 1966 Atlanta, Ga. Handel, Daquin, and Dupre, and Ernest played the final WFIL broadcast. White, performing works of Langlais, Alain, 1968 Denver, Colo. The concluding day was devoted to a Hindemith, and Messiaen, gave the opening 1970 Buffalo, N.Y. business meeting, a discussion of contempo recital at St. Mark's Church (Aeolian-Skin 1972 Dallas, Tex. rary organbuilding (led by William H. ner). and Lilian Carpenter played a program Barnes, with contributions by Ernest M. 1974 Cleveland, Ohio broadcast on radio station WFIL (Kilgen). Skinner, Arthur Howes, and others). and 1976 Boston, Mass. The first full day included discussions of three recitals by Charlotte Klein: on the two Guild policies, a welcome lunch (for women 1978 Seattle, Wash. manual Aeolian-Skinner at St. Mary's only!), Edwin Arthur Kraft's recital of con 1980 Twin Cities, Minn. Church (Bach, Bairstow, Whitlock, Harris), temporary organ music (Candlyn, Read, 1982 on the Estey at Cynwyd Methodist Church Washington, D.C. Whitlock, Sowerby, Bedell, Edmundson, (Franck, Bingham, Edmundson, Messiaen, 1984 San Francisco, Calif. Weitz, Commette, and Durufle) at First (Cal Karg-Elert), and on the Moller at St. John's 1986 Detroit, Mich. vary) Presbyterian Church (Casavant). a Church, Cynwyd (Gulbins, Rowley, Mulet), recital by Mary Ann Mathewson at Conven 1988 Houston, Tex. with bus transportation furnished by the tion Hall (including duets-Beethoven "Ru 1990 Boston, Mass. three builders. The closing concert on the ins of Athens" march and Wagner "Ride of 100-stop ceiling-mounted Skinner at Girard 1992 Atlanta, Ga. the Valkyries"-arranged by Clarence Dick College filled the chapel's 2,400 seats and in 1994 Dallas, Tex. inson and played with Russell Wichmann on cluded a recital by Francis W. Snow and 1996 New York, N.Y. the large four-manual Moller). and a second choral works under the direction of Harold WFIL radio broadcast by John Klein. The Wells Gilbert. The July 1996 Centennial Con next day featured Edward Twitmyer's ad When the decade of the 1930s ended, the vention inN ew York City will be dress on "Can Our Attitudes Toward the Ap American Guild of Organists had held a total the 43rd national convention of preciation of Music Be Improved?," lunch at of 17 national conventions in 14 different the American Guild of Organ the Presser Home for Retired Musicians, cities, ranging from Boston to Chicago and Claire Coci's recital on the four-manual Kim from Buffalo to Memphis. It had merged with ists. In sponsoring it, the New ball at the Second Baptist Church, and Virgil the National Association of Organists, thus York City Chapter will have Fox's program at the Wanamaker Store, in ending competition for membership and hosted the largest number of cluding Middelschulte's Perpetuum Mobile meeting times-the Rochester convention's gatherings in any city, with five (Mr. Fox was already referred to as a "youth mock wedding was a portent of the future. conventions (1914, 1917, 1935, ful wizard"). The day concluded with a pro Yet to come were any conventions west of 1956, and 1996). Other chapters gram at Irvine Auditorium presented by the the Mississippi or in the deep South, ones who have held more than one Federal Music Project of the WP A: orchestral lasting more than the inside of a week, or national convention are Atlanta music (Brahms, Wagner), a festival chorus ones attracting more than a thousand regis Boston (4), Buffalo (Nagle, Brahms, Holst, Andrews, Banks), and trants. After beginning sporadically with (2), (2), Harold Heeremans playing the large Austin midwinter dates, an annual pattern had been Cleveland (2), Dallas (2), Detroit in George Frederick McKay's Sonata for Or established for early summer times. Biennial (3), Houston (2), Philadelphia gan, which was awarded the Diapason Prize meetings began just before the outbreak of (3), San Francisco (2), Twin of $200; William S. Nagle's anthem, "Who World War II and would be re-established Cities (2), and Washington (3). Are These Like Stars Appearing," won the following the war. $100 H.W. Gray Prize. Mario Salvador (Photos courtesy of Arthur Lawrence.)

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