Saturday, September 17, 2011
Pedal to the Mental
Leslie Smith is writing a blog about her preparations for taking the Colleague Exam in November. Check her out at colleagueago.blogspot.com.
Friday, September 16, 2011
WSJ - John Bishop - Trafficking in Organs
Check Out this Terrific Article from Today's Wall Street Journal on
John Bishop and Organ Clearing House!
Trafficking in Organs, Mr. Bishop Pipes Up to Preserve a Bit of History
His Business Is Matching Instruments With Buyers; Electronic Music Moves In
By JENNIFER LEVITZ
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.—John Bishop leaves the soul-saving to the clergy. He's content to save the pipe organs—and even that isn't easy.
Almost every church once had a pipe organ. But as mainstream churches merge, close, struggle to raise money, and use guitars, drums and "praise bands" to draw younger worshipers, the pipe organ is waning as a fixture in many parishes. Some are showing up in landfills.
Jennifer Levitz/The Wall Street Journal
Organ-rescue expert John Bishop found a new home for this organ owned by Lesley University.
Aficionados like Mr. Bishop are out to locate imperiled organs and match them with buyers. When they can't do that, they personally fetch the organs with tractor-trailers and store them in old mills.
"We think of ourselves, like the curator of a historical site or the park ranger at Paul Revere's house, as being stewards," says Mr. Bishop, the white-bearded, 56-year-old executive director of the Organ Clearing House, a Charlestown, Mass., company and part of a growing community of "organ rescue" operations.
Mr. Bishop gets a finder's fee from the buyer when he makes a match, though he often tries to talk parishes out of getting rid of their organs, churches say. He tells them the organs are worthwhile "because they are real, because they use God's air to make their sound."
And Mr. Bishop, who has a degree in organ performance and was music director of his parish for 30 years, doesn't mince words with churches that want to replace big space-consuming pipe organs with smaller and less costly electronic organs. "The electronic version is a cop out," he says. "It's like putting plastic flowers on the altar."
He was summoned on a recent afternoon by Lesley University, a private institution that bought a now-defunct white clapboard Congregational church in Cambridge to turn it into a library. Lesley would keep the stained-glass windows, but one thing needed to go before construction began this month—the 25-foot-tall, 18-foot-wide pipe organ, built in 1947.
"It doesn't have a place in the building's new use, but that doesn't mean it can't be of value to someone," says university spokesman Bill Doncaster.
Mr. Bishop, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, eased into the mahogany console and tapped the dusty ivory keys, launching into "My Country, 'Tis of Thee."
"Ahhh! This is a fabulous organ," he said.
The pipe organ, sometimes called "the king of instruments," dates back to ancient Greece. It generates sound by pushing wind through wood and metal pipes through knobs called stops—hence the phrase "pulling out all the stops." Despite its rich history, U.S. pipe organ makers reported building only 91 instruments in 2010, down 14% from 2009 and 40% from 2008, according to the Organ Historical Society in Richmond, Va.
While high-end organs are still being crafted for concert halls and larger churches, "a small church in a suburb of Madison that might have bought a small pipe organ now maybe buys an electric organ or a guitar or a base drum,'' says Scot Huntington, president of the historical society. A small pipe organ can cost $200,000 new, though it may last several generations before renovations are needed.
"We've all noticed over the last several years a decline. The economy has affected everyone," says Richard Parsons, president of the Associated Pipe Organ Builders of America, a trade group.
For churches hoping to draw more young people to worship services, the pipe organ sounds out-of-date, says Josh Hunt, a Baptist pastor and national consultant to churches trying to increase membership.
"Young people today don't listen to pipe organ music on their iPods," he says.
That kind of talk makes organ lovers cringe.
"I call it the happy-clappy syndrome," says F. Anthony Thurman, director of development for the American Guild of Organists. "A lot of denominations want to appeal to people on a popular-music level as opposed to a traditional-music level. Does that eliminate jobs for our members? Sure it does."
Last year, three graduates of Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn., started a campaign they call Old Worship New. "Liturgical worship has been blasted as being old, out of touch and too 'traditional,'" they wrote on their Facebook page, vowing to try to revive it.
"A whole lot of contemporary music being written right now is just awful, because we don't have the benefit of years of vetting this stuff. It's just bad," says Sean Johnson, 32, part of the trio and music director at North Como Presbyterian in Roseville, Minn., where he "doesn't do a lot" with guitars and drums.
The Organ Clearing House was founded in 1959 amid urban renewal and construction of interstate highways that claimed numerous churches, leaving pipe organs homeless. The company, which also provides relocation of organs, has a listing of more than 300 pipe organs for sale. Mr. Bishop says he might make a $1,500 finder's fee on a $20,000 used organ.
An hour northwest of Boston, the thriving Clinton Spanish Seventh-Day Adventist Church holds services with guitars, an electronic organ, a cappella singers, skits and even a Bible-based quiz modeled on the TV game show "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire."
But the oldest instrument in the sanctuary stays silent. That is the 19-foot tall and 12-foot-wide pipe organ, built in 1868. It was here 10 years ago when the Adventists bought the then-vacant church.
"Granted it's a pretty thing to look at, but that's it; it's a pretty thing," says Nelson Guaman, head of the church's building committee. Only a few parishioners know how to play it, and it sits where the church wants to put a new office for its pastor, he says.
Mr. Bishop at first tried to encourage the parish to keep the organ, but has since agreed to try to find it a new home, Mr. Guaman says.
It can take years to place an organ, but sometimes there are matches made in music heaven. Within weeks of visiting Lesley University, Mr. Bishop found a home for its organ in a church in Texas. It was loaded onto a tractor-trailer, and off it went, the victory recorded by Mr. Bishop on Facebook.
"Another one leaves town ahead of the wrecking ball," he wrote.
Write to Jennifer Levitz at jennifer.levitz@wsj.com
John Bishop and Organ Clearing House!
Trafficking in Organs, Mr. Bishop Pipes Up to Preserve a Bit of History
His Business Is Matching Instruments With Buyers; Electronic Music Moves In
By JENNIFER LEVITZ
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.—John Bishop leaves the soul-saving to the clergy. He's content to save the pipe organs—and even that isn't easy.
Almost every church once had a pipe organ. But as mainstream churches merge, close, struggle to raise money, and use guitars, drums and "praise bands" to draw younger worshipers, the pipe organ is waning as a fixture in many parishes. Some are showing up in landfills.
Jennifer Levitz/The Wall Street Journal
Organ-rescue expert John Bishop found a new home for this organ owned by Lesley University.
Aficionados like Mr. Bishop are out to locate imperiled organs and match them with buyers. When they can't do that, they personally fetch the organs with tractor-trailers and store them in old mills.
"We think of ourselves, like the curator of a historical site or the park ranger at Paul Revere's house, as being stewards," says Mr. Bishop, the white-bearded, 56-year-old executive director of the Organ Clearing House, a Charlestown, Mass., company and part of a growing community of "organ rescue" operations.
Mr. Bishop gets a finder's fee from the buyer when he makes a match, though he often tries to talk parishes out of getting rid of their organs, churches say. He tells them the organs are worthwhile "because they are real, because they use God's air to make their sound."
And Mr. Bishop, who has a degree in organ performance and was music director of his parish for 30 years, doesn't mince words with churches that want to replace big space-consuming pipe organs with smaller and less costly electronic organs. "The electronic version is a cop out," he says. "It's like putting plastic flowers on the altar."
He was summoned on a recent afternoon by Lesley University, a private institution that bought a now-defunct white clapboard Congregational church in Cambridge to turn it into a library. Lesley would keep the stained-glass windows, but one thing needed to go before construction began this month—the 25-foot-tall, 18-foot-wide pipe organ, built in 1947.
"It doesn't have a place in the building's new use, but that doesn't mean it can't be of value to someone," says university spokesman Bill Doncaster.
Mr. Bishop, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, eased into the mahogany console and tapped the dusty ivory keys, launching into "My Country, 'Tis of Thee."
"Ahhh! This is a fabulous organ," he said.
The pipe organ, sometimes called "the king of instruments," dates back to ancient Greece. It generates sound by pushing wind through wood and metal pipes through knobs called stops—hence the phrase "pulling out all the stops." Despite its rich history, U.S. pipe organ makers reported building only 91 instruments in 2010, down 14% from 2009 and 40% from 2008, according to the Organ Historical Society in Richmond, Va.
While high-end organs are still being crafted for concert halls and larger churches, "a small church in a suburb of Madison that might have bought a small pipe organ now maybe buys an electric organ or a guitar or a base drum,'' says Scot Huntington, president of the historical society. A small pipe organ can cost $200,000 new, though it may last several generations before renovations are needed.
"We've all noticed over the last several years a decline. The economy has affected everyone," says Richard Parsons, president of the Associated Pipe Organ Builders of America, a trade group.
For churches hoping to draw more young people to worship services, the pipe organ sounds out-of-date, says Josh Hunt, a Baptist pastor and national consultant to churches trying to increase membership.
"Young people today don't listen to pipe organ music on their iPods," he says.
That kind of talk makes organ lovers cringe.
"I call it the happy-clappy syndrome," says F. Anthony Thurman, director of development for the American Guild of Organists. "A lot of denominations want to appeal to people on a popular-music level as opposed to a traditional-music level. Does that eliminate jobs for our members? Sure it does."
Last year, three graduates of Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn., started a campaign they call Old Worship New. "Liturgical worship has been blasted as being old, out of touch and too 'traditional,'" they wrote on their Facebook page, vowing to try to revive it.
"A whole lot of contemporary music being written right now is just awful, because we don't have the benefit of years of vetting this stuff. It's just bad," says Sean Johnson, 32, part of the trio and music director at North Como Presbyterian in Roseville, Minn., where he "doesn't do a lot" with guitars and drums.
The Organ Clearing House was founded in 1959 amid urban renewal and construction of interstate highways that claimed numerous churches, leaving pipe organs homeless. The company, which also provides relocation of organs, has a listing of more than 300 pipe organs for sale. Mr. Bishop says he might make a $1,500 finder's fee on a $20,000 used organ.
An hour northwest of Boston, the thriving Clinton Spanish Seventh-Day Adventist Church holds services with guitars, an electronic organ, a cappella singers, skits and even a Bible-based quiz modeled on the TV game show "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire."
But the oldest instrument in the sanctuary stays silent. That is the 19-foot tall and 12-foot-wide pipe organ, built in 1868. It was here 10 years ago when the Adventists bought the then-vacant church.
"Granted it's a pretty thing to look at, but that's it; it's a pretty thing," says Nelson Guaman, head of the church's building committee. Only a few parishioners know how to play it, and it sits where the church wants to put a new office for its pastor, he says.
Mr. Bishop at first tried to encourage the parish to keep the organ, but has since agreed to try to find it a new home, Mr. Guaman says.
It can take years to place an organ, but sometimes there are matches made in music heaven. Within weeks of visiting Lesley University, Mr. Bishop found a home for its organ in a church in Texas. It was loaded onto a tractor-trailer, and off it went, the victory recorded by Mr. Bishop on Facebook.
"Another one leaves town ahead of the wrecking ball," he wrote.
Write to Jennifer Levitz at jennifer.levitz@wsj.com
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Programming Ideas from Leslie Wolf Robb
Program Ideas Gleaned from Issues of
The American Organist
August 2010 through July 2011
I suspect that the “Chapter News” sections of TAO may be among the most “under-read” parts of the magazine. There are many creative ideas contained in these reports of chapter activities. In compiling this list of program ideas, the more “usual” events such as member recitals, student recitals, Halloween Spooktaculars, organ crawls, and other events often part of regular chapter programming were not included. In order to qualify for the list, the program reported had to have a unique or creative quality. The programs are referenced by issue, page numbers and chapter report so you can go back to the original description for the details.
August 2010—pp.18-30
A presentation (DVD) of early American organs and organ music. (Monmouth, N.J. Chapter)
A workshop on “registration.” (Binghamton, N.Y. Chapter)
A “Members’ Choice Recital” (Westchester County, N. Y. Chapter)
“The Music of Canadian Composer, Denis Bédard” (District of Columbia Chapter)
“Chant Based Works for Organ” (Pittsburgh, Pa Chapter)
A program of organ music for four hands and four feet. (Northern Virginia Chapter) (See also January, 2011, Savannah, Ga. Chapter.)
Workshop on “What to Do with a New Piece.” (Oklahoma City, Okla. Chapter)
“Organ Music 2010: What’s New for Sunday Morning? And Some forget-Me- Nots” (Austin, Tex. Chapter)
September 2010 – pp. 18-32
Dessert buffet and viewing of AGO video Pulling Out All the Stops. (Lancaster, Pa. Chapter)
October 2010 – pp. 20-29
Not necessarily a “program idea” but perhaps useful: “Getting to Know You.” Members are encouraged to submit brief bios and each newsletter will feature a number of them. (Greater Hartford, Conn. Chapter)
“Nordic Delights” – a program of Scandinavian organ music (Central New Jersey Chapter)
“Taize: How to Make it Work for Your Congregation” (Southern Indiana Chapter)
November 2010 – pp. 22-26
“Bach’s Schübler Chorales.” Program included singing of each of the chorales, a performance of the cantata movement, and playing of the organ setting. (Louisville, Ky. Chapter)
December 2010 – pp. 26-36
An anthem reading session of works representing American folk, spiritual and gospel styles. (Miami, Fla. Chapter)
A panel of clergy and musicians discussing trends in liturgy and church music. (St. Petersburg, Fla. Chapter)
Workshop on “Music for Solo Voice and Organ.” (East Central Illinois Chapter)
January 2011 – pp. 22-39
“Improvisation workshop” based on Robert Lau’s new book, A Practical Approach to Improvisation for the Church Organist. (Suffolk, N.Y Chapter) (See also June 2011 issue, York, Pa. Chapter)
“Improve Your Skills Workshop” covering subjects “Reducing Orchestral Scores for Organ,” “Choral Repertoire,” “Organ Repertoire,” and “Music Technology for the Uninitiated.” (Southwest Jersey Chapter)
“A hymn and service-playing workshop.” (Cumberland Valley, Md. Chapter)
“Workshop/master class on Couperin’s Messe pour les Couvents. (Pittsburgh, PA Chapter)
Hymn festival based on Hal Hopson’s The Writers Tell Their Stories (Monongahela, W. Va. Chapter)
Hymn festival “”We Believe in One God—Hymns of the Church Year Through the Nicene Creed.” (Columbus, Ga. Chapter)
“How the Pipe Organ Works” for non-organists (but it could be helpful to organists as well). (Greater Greensboro, N.C. Chapter)
A Program of Music by Benjamin Britten (Knoxville, Tenn. Chapter)
Daniel Gawthrop’s tongue-in-cheek Pie Carols, sung to well-known tunes. (Northeast Tennessee-Southwest Virginia Chapter)
“Practice Techniques That Pay Off” (Chicago Il. Chapter)
“Organ Music by Women Composers” (Chicago, Il. Chapter)
Master class on the Organ Works of Paul Hindemith (Lexington, Ky. Chapter)
Master class on the Organ Works of César Franck (South Dakota Chapter)(See also May 2011 listing for South Dakota Chapter where it is stated that the organ works of Franck was the study focus for the chapter during the year)
February 2011 – pp.18-32
Video night—numerous videos on the pipe organ, its history, construction, etc. available. The video on the Life and Music of Jean Langlais, produced by the Mistrettas of the LA Chapter as an outgrowth of the Region IX Conclave in Las Vegas in 2006 (Ann Labounsky) would also be an excellent choice. (Westchester County, N.Y. Chapter) See also: documentary video about J.S. Bach and The Art of Fugue (Knoxville, Tenn. Chapter)
Workshop with Susan and David Cherwien on “How they write words and music for their hymns.” [Ed. Another possibility might be Susan Bentall Boersma, anthem lyricist-in-residence for Beckenhorst Press.] (Lehigh Valley, Pa. Chapter)
Presentation “The Organist as Pastor—Creative Hymn and Service-Playing.”
(Pittsburgh, Pa. Chapter)
The Music of Craig Phillips, including newly commissioned work Scenes from a Gallery for organ, violin and flute. (Nashville, Tenn. Chapter)
Dramatic enactment of Mark Schweitzer’s The Organist Wore Pumps, a liturgical mystery (Louisville, Ky. Chapter) (See also June 2011 issue, Northeast Tennessee-Southwest Virginia Chapter for additional possibilities).
A Service of Psalms and Songs (Saginaw Valley, Mich. Chapter)
Open console session, perhaps on the newest organ in town or one that usually isn’t very accessible. Important is that the individual organists be scheduled for a certain amount of time and that they have the time alone with the organ without listeners…for those who might be more timid! (We have done this at UNLV in Las Vegas and should probably do it again now at Christ Church Episcopal on the new 54-rank, four manual Schantz.) (Sioux Trails, Minn. Chapter)
Organ Music 2010 – What’s New for Sunday Morning? a survey of newly- published organ literature. (Oklahoma City, Okla. Chapter)
March 2011 – pp. 14-26
The Care and Feeding of Small---and Even Smaller--- Choirs. (Portland, Maine Chapter)
Teaching New Music to Congregations (Harrisburg, Pa. Chapter)
Celebrating a Chapter Anniversary (Richmond, Va. Chapter)
Exploring: Organs and Organists—Where we have been—Where we are now--- Where are we going? (St. Petersburg, Fla. Chapter)
Ways in which organists can avoid physical stress and injury at the keyboard. (Taubman technique) (Spartenburg, S.C. Chapter)
Cookies and Carols an informal meeting in a member home featuring seasonal organ and piano music, carols old and new.
April 2011 – pp. 20-32
Elements of the Service Playing and Colleague Exams (Suffolk, N. Y. Chapter)
“AGO Gives Back,” an evening of caroling at a retirement home (Spartanburg, S.C. Chapter)
Used organ music sale before and after a session/meeting. Perhaps proceeds could be used to support a scholarship fund. (Ann Arbor, Mich. Chapter)
“A Digital Saturday,” an opportunity to hear three electronic organ installations. (Los Angeles, Calif. Chapter)
May 2011 –pp. 16-28
Creative Use of Handbells in Worship (Miami, Fla. Chapter)
Jehan Alain Centennial Celebration (Charlotte, N.C. Chapter)
A Trip Down Memory Lane—Reminiscences by AGO Members and Friends (Knoxville, Tenn. Chapter)
Program of Organ Music and Vocal Selections Suitable for Weddings. Wedding “horror” stories were shared over dinner. (Northeast Tennessee-Southwest Virginia Chapter)
June 2011—pp. 16—29
J. S. Bach Birthday Marathon (Richmond, Va. Chapter)
“How to Learn Vierne” (Wilmington, N.C. Chapter)
“Gregory’s Music: Magnificent Monody (A Whistle-Stop Tour of Western Plainsong).” (Charleston, S. C. Chapter)
The Music of Calvin Hampton (1938-1984) (Knoxville, Tenn. Chapter)
A Festival Service Featuring the Music of Healey Willan (1880-1968) Saginaw Valley, Mich. Chapter)
July 2011—pp 20-27
“Bach Birthday Bash” – A performance of Orgelbüchlein by seven members of the chapter. (New Hampshire Chapter)
“Organ Expo 2011” An event for the public, parents and children, organ demonstration, with hands-on time after the presentation. (Suffolk, N. Y. Chapter)
“This Works for Me,” a workshop by members sharing favorite anthems and organ selections (Harrisburg, Pa Chapter)
“A Virtual Tour of the North German Baroque Organ.” “An interactive journey of some of the most beautiful organs in the world.” (Charlottesville- Albermarle, Va. Chapter)
“Bach Birthday Bash,” a progressive concert featuring local organists, instrumentalists and choral groups in three churches. (Tampa, Fla. Chapter)
“Great Hymns of the Faith: A Festival of Hymns.” Singing of nine hymns and playing of compositions based on the hymn tunes. (Wilmington, N.C. Chapter)
“Voluntaries Old and New” designed around the liturgical year featuring both well-known and contemporary composers. Followed by a “garage sale” of music donated by chapter members, proceeds to benefit the AGO Annual Fund. (Columbia, S.C. Chapter)
Workshop on “Effective Accompanying” (Grand Rapids, Mich. Chapter)
“A ‘POP’ Concert” (preludes, offertories and postludes) (Fort Worth, Tex. Chapter)
* * * * *
I may have “missed” some ideas for programming which could be perfect for your chapter. Some of the program ideas above will depend on what sort of local talent you have in the chapter, what your chapter’s budget may allow for the importing of a specialist, etc. I hope, however, that you may find some ideas useful for your chapter.
The American Organist
August 2010 through July 2011
I suspect that the “Chapter News” sections of TAO may be among the most “under-read” parts of the magazine. There are many creative ideas contained in these reports of chapter activities. In compiling this list of program ideas, the more “usual” events such as member recitals, student recitals, Halloween Spooktaculars, organ crawls, and other events often part of regular chapter programming were not included. In order to qualify for the list, the program reported had to have a unique or creative quality. The programs are referenced by issue, page numbers and chapter report so you can go back to the original description for the details.
August 2010—pp.18-30
A presentation (DVD) of early American organs and organ music. (Monmouth, N.J. Chapter)
A workshop on “registration.” (Binghamton, N.Y. Chapter)
A “Members’ Choice Recital” (Westchester County, N. Y. Chapter)
“The Music of Canadian Composer, Denis Bédard” (District of Columbia Chapter)
“Chant Based Works for Organ” (Pittsburgh, Pa Chapter)
A program of organ music for four hands and four feet. (Northern Virginia Chapter) (See also January, 2011, Savannah, Ga. Chapter.)
Workshop on “What to Do with a New Piece.” (Oklahoma City, Okla. Chapter)
“Organ Music 2010: What’s New for Sunday Morning? And Some forget-Me- Nots” (Austin, Tex. Chapter)
September 2010 – pp. 18-32
Dessert buffet and viewing of AGO video Pulling Out All the Stops. (Lancaster, Pa. Chapter)
October 2010 – pp. 20-29
Not necessarily a “program idea” but perhaps useful: “Getting to Know You.” Members are encouraged to submit brief bios and each newsletter will feature a number of them. (Greater Hartford, Conn. Chapter)
“Nordic Delights” – a program of Scandinavian organ music (Central New Jersey Chapter)
“Taize: How to Make it Work for Your Congregation” (Southern Indiana Chapter)
November 2010 – pp. 22-26
“Bach’s Schübler Chorales.” Program included singing of each of the chorales, a performance of the cantata movement, and playing of the organ setting. (Louisville, Ky. Chapter)
December 2010 – pp. 26-36
An anthem reading session of works representing American folk, spiritual and gospel styles. (Miami, Fla. Chapter)
A panel of clergy and musicians discussing trends in liturgy and church music. (St. Petersburg, Fla. Chapter)
Workshop on “Music for Solo Voice and Organ.” (East Central Illinois Chapter)
January 2011 – pp. 22-39
“Improvisation workshop” based on Robert Lau’s new book, A Practical Approach to Improvisation for the Church Organist. (Suffolk, N.Y Chapter) (See also June 2011 issue, York, Pa. Chapter)
“Improve Your Skills Workshop” covering subjects “Reducing Orchestral Scores for Organ,” “Choral Repertoire,” “Organ Repertoire,” and “Music Technology for the Uninitiated.” (Southwest Jersey Chapter)
“A hymn and service-playing workshop.” (Cumberland Valley, Md. Chapter)
“Workshop/master class on Couperin’s Messe pour les Couvents. (Pittsburgh, PA Chapter)
Hymn festival based on Hal Hopson’s The Writers Tell Their Stories (Monongahela, W. Va. Chapter)
Hymn festival “”We Believe in One God—Hymns of the Church Year Through the Nicene Creed.” (Columbus, Ga. Chapter)
“How the Pipe Organ Works” for non-organists (but it could be helpful to organists as well). (Greater Greensboro, N.C. Chapter)
A Program of Music by Benjamin Britten (Knoxville, Tenn. Chapter)
Daniel Gawthrop’s tongue-in-cheek Pie Carols, sung to well-known tunes. (Northeast Tennessee-Southwest Virginia Chapter)
“Practice Techniques That Pay Off” (Chicago Il. Chapter)
“Organ Music by Women Composers” (Chicago, Il. Chapter)
Master class on the Organ Works of Paul Hindemith (Lexington, Ky. Chapter)
Master class on the Organ Works of César Franck (South Dakota Chapter)(See also May 2011 listing for South Dakota Chapter where it is stated that the organ works of Franck was the study focus for the chapter during the year)
February 2011 – pp.18-32
Video night—numerous videos on the pipe organ, its history, construction, etc. available. The video on the Life and Music of Jean Langlais, produced by the Mistrettas of the LA Chapter as an outgrowth of the Region IX Conclave in Las Vegas in 2006 (Ann Labounsky) would also be an excellent choice. (Westchester County, N.Y. Chapter) See also: documentary video about J.S. Bach and The Art of Fugue (Knoxville, Tenn. Chapter)
Workshop with Susan and David Cherwien on “How they write words and music for their hymns.” [Ed. Another possibility might be Susan Bentall Boersma, anthem lyricist-in-residence for Beckenhorst Press.] (Lehigh Valley, Pa. Chapter)
Presentation “The Organist as Pastor—Creative Hymn and Service-Playing.”
(Pittsburgh, Pa. Chapter)
The Music of Craig Phillips, including newly commissioned work Scenes from a Gallery for organ, violin and flute. (Nashville, Tenn. Chapter)
Dramatic enactment of Mark Schweitzer’s The Organist Wore Pumps, a liturgical mystery (Louisville, Ky. Chapter) (See also June 2011 issue, Northeast Tennessee-Southwest Virginia Chapter for additional possibilities).
A Service of Psalms and Songs (Saginaw Valley, Mich. Chapter)
Open console session, perhaps on the newest organ in town or one that usually isn’t very accessible. Important is that the individual organists be scheduled for a certain amount of time and that they have the time alone with the organ without listeners…for those who might be more timid! (We have done this at UNLV in Las Vegas and should probably do it again now at Christ Church Episcopal on the new 54-rank, four manual Schantz.) (Sioux Trails, Minn. Chapter)
Organ Music 2010 – What’s New for Sunday Morning? a survey of newly- published organ literature. (Oklahoma City, Okla. Chapter)
March 2011 – pp. 14-26
The Care and Feeding of Small---and Even Smaller--- Choirs. (Portland, Maine Chapter)
Teaching New Music to Congregations (Harrisburg, Pa. Chapter)
Celebrating a Chapter Anniversary (Richmond, Va. Chapter)
Exploring: Organs and Organists—Where we have been—Where we are now--- Where are we going? (St. Petersburg, Fla. Chapter)
Ways in which organists can avoid physical stress and injury at the keyboard. (Taubman technique) (Spartenburg, S.C. Chapter)
Cookies and Carols an informal meeting in a member home featuring seasonal organ and piano music, carols old and new.
April 2011 – pp. 20-32
Elements of the Service Playing and Colleague Exams (Suffolk, N. Y. Chapter)
“AGO Gives Back,” an evening of caroling at a retirement home (Spartanburg, S.C. Chapter)
Used organ music sale before and after a session/meeting. Perhaps proceeds could be used to support a scholarship fund. (Ann Arbor, Mich. Chapter)
“A Digital Saturday,” an opportunity to hear three electronic organ installations. (Los Angeles, Calif. Chapter)
May 2011 –pp. 16-28
Creative Use of Handbells in Worship (Miami, Fla. Chapter)
Jehan Alain Centennial Celebration (Charlotte, N.C. Chapter)
A Trip Down Memory Lane—Reminiscences by AGO Members and Friends (Knoxville, Tenn. Chapter)
Program of Organ Music and Vocal Selections Suitable for Weddings. Wedding “horror” stories were shared over dinner. (Northeast Tennessee-Southwest Virginia Chapter)
June 2011—pp. 16—29
J. S. Bach Birthday Marathon (Richmond, Va. Chapter)
“How to Learn Vierne” (Wilmington, N.C. Chapter)
“Gregory’s Music: Magnificent Monody (A Whistle-Stop Tour of Western Plainsong).” (Charleston, S. C. Chapter)
The Music of Calvin Hampton (1938-1984) (Knoxville, Tenn. Chapter)
A Festival Service Featuring the Music of Healey Willan (1880-1968) Saginaw Valley, Mich. Chapter)
July 2011—pp 20-27
“Bach Birthday Bash” – A performance of Orgelbüchlein by seven members of the chapter. (New Hampshire Chapter)
“Organ Expo 2011” An event for the public, parents and children, organ demonstration, with hands-on time after the presentation. (Suffolk, N. Y. Chapter)
“This Works for Me,” a workshop by members sharing favorite anthems and organ selections (Harrisburg, Pa Chapter)
“A Virtual Tour of the North German Baroque Organ.” “An interactive journey of some of the most beautiful organs in the world.” (Charlottesville- Albermarle, Va. Chapter)
“Bach Birthday Bash,” a progressive concert featuring local organists, instrumentalists and choral groups in three churches. (Tampa, Fla. Chapter)
“Great Hymns of the Faith: A Festival of Hymns.” Singing of nine hymns and playing of compositions based on the hymn tunes. (Wilmington, N.C. Chapter)
“Voluntaries Old and New” designed around the liturgical year featuring both well-known and contemporary composers. Followed by a “garage sale” of music donated by chapter members, proceeds to benefit the AGO Annual Fund. (Columbia, S.C. Chapter)
Workshop on “Effective Accompanying” (Grand Rapids, Mich. Chapter)
“A ‘POP’ Concert” (preludes, offertories and postludes) (Fort Worth, Tex. Chapter)
* * * * *
I may have “missed” some ideas for programming which could be perfect for your chapter. Some of the program ideas above will depend on what sort of local talent you have in the chapter, what your chapter’s budget may allow for the importing of a specialist, etc. I hope, however, that you may find some ideas useful for your chapter.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)