The Opus - April 2012 - PDF file

Belleville Organ Crawl, Saturday, April 21st

I hope you will be able to join us for our April event on Saturday, April 21, 2012. We are planning an organ crawl to visit several instruments in Belleville, IL. The organs and organists will be available at each location to tell a little about the instrument’s history and demonstrate some of its features. Specification lists will be available on the morning of the crawl.

Transportation was originally planned to be provided. The expense of that endeavor proved to be more expensive than practical. Therefore, you should contact your friends and plan to carpool to the locations on the itinerary. Please plan to be there a few minutes before the scheduled time. Wear comfortable shoes (bring your organ shoes if you want to play), come prepared to have an enjoyable morning and enjoy some informal time with your AGO colleagues and these interesting instruments!

The current itinerary is:

Travel Time to next venue: 10 min.

Travel Time to next venue: 5 min.

11:45-1:00 PM Lunch in downtown Belleville. Location to be determined that day. (Plan to pay for your own meal.)

— Dr. Bill Wade, Sub-Dean

From the St. Louis Chapter Dean...

Celebrate March Madness

Celebrate our chapter by casting your ballots for new officers. AGO chapter elections are run much in the same way as our state and national elections, and they offer the opportunity and the right to vote. In this election year I have been watching the caucuses and primaries with intense interest, taking note of what this candidate stands for and what that candidate has promised. I take an intense interest because the naming of a candidate, and ultimately the presidential election, will shape the future of our country. Because we live in a democracy, all of us play big roles in the election.

The future of our AGO chapter will be determined by the outcome of YOUR votes in our election. Your ballot, along with summaries of candidates’ qualifications, is enclosed in this edition of the Opus. Please take time to read the biographies and exercise your right to vote by filling out the ballot and returning it as instructed.

Celebrate!
— Henry Evans, Dean

RAINY SUMMER DAYS AND THE CHOIR IS NOT IN SESSION—WHAT TO DO?!

Henry Evans, while surfing YouTube, discovered historical film footage of famous organists per-forming on renowned instruments. You can imagine his excitement at finding a film short of Louis Vierne playing Bach on the organ at Notre Dame Cathedral. On further exploration, he found recordings by British organists: Herbert Sumsion, Harold Darke, and Alec Wyton. The dean of Canadian organists, Healey Willan is featured performing in at least four short clips.

On the lighter side, there are theatre organists: Jesse Crawford, Lew White, Ann Leaf and many others. Most exciting was St. Louis’ very own Stan Kann had a number of clips.

Another treasure was a video tribute to Alexander McCurdy by his grandson Eric Shultz who interview many of his former students from the Curtis Institute of Music and the Westminster Choir College, including Joan Lippincott, John Weaver, James Litton, John Binsfeld and Michael Stairs.

Use your imagination! Who is your favorite twentieth century organist or composer? Everyone can learn something about interpreting a composer’s works by hearing the composer performing that work.

YouTube is not just for kids! Happy YouTubing!

- Nancy and Henry

Southern Illinois Chapter presents David Enlow

On Friday, April 20, 2012, 7:30 p.m. in Shryock Auditorium, SIUC, the Southern Illinois Chapter of the American Guild of Organists is presenting David Enlow in concert in the chapter’s annual subscription series.

Mr. Enlow is organist and choirmaster of Church of the Resurrection, New York City and a member of the organ faculty at The Juilliard School. Mr. serves as Sub-Dean of the New York City Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.

He holds degrees from The Julliard School where he studied with John Weaver and Paul Jacobs. He also studied at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia and with John Tuttle in Toronto.

He is a Fellow of the American Guild of Organists, where he won the S. Lewis Elmer prize. He is also an Associate of the Royal Canadian College of Organists, where he won the Barker Prize. He has won first prize in several competitions including the Arthur Poister Compettion and the Albert Schweizer Organ Festival USA.

November 20, 2011 marked the release of Mr. Enlow’s debut recording, Pater Seraphicus, a three-disc set of the major organ works of Cesar Frank at the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Times Square, on the Pro-Organo label.

His program at Shryock includes the works of Bach, Franck, Mozart, Schumann, and Vierne

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION

Is this the year when you are ready to test for certification with the American Guild of Organists? Perhaps you would like to take the examination for the Service Playing Certificate. That test may be taken any time before April 29. Maybe the Colleague exam is the right level for you: CAGO tests are May 11 and November 16, 2012. The Choir Mas-ter Examination is set for June 6, and those testing for Associateship andFellowship will test on June 7 and 8.

There is at least one member of the AGO taking an exam this coming year—why not join in? Examinations are open to members and non-members. Contact Dawn Riske with any questions, driskehoy@juno.com, (314)397-2651. For more details and a complete listing of requirements, see the July issue of The American Organist or look online at agohq.org.

Upcoming Concerts

March

March 25 - 10:15 am
Chanson du Soir – Chelsea Camille, soprano and David Isaacs, guitar Traditional Worship Services. Webster Groves Presbyter-ian Church, 45 West Lockwood Ave., Webster Groves, MO 63119. Contact: Shawn Portell, Director of Music Minis-tries/Sr. Organist.

Sunday, March 25 – 3:00 p.m.
Saint Clare Catholic Church, O’Fallon, Illinois “A Russian Spring” featuring Rachmaninov’s Vespers The Masterworks Chorale, Dr. Stephen Mager, conductor Ticket and venue information at www.singmasterworks.org

Sunday March 25 — 4:00 p.m.
Chanson du Soir, a California-based duo with soprano Chelsea Camille and guitarist David Isaacs, will present a concert on at Second Presbyterian Church, 4501 Westminster Place, St. Louis, MO 63108. For further information, call 314-367-0366. The concert is free and open to the public.

April

Maundy Thursday, April 5 — 7:00 p.m.
Taize Service (Communion and Tenebrae) Webster Groves Presbyterian Church, 45 West Lockwood Ave., Webster Groves, MO 63119. Contact: Shawn Portell, Director of Music Ministries/Sr. Organist.

Easter Sunday, April 8 — 10:15 a.m.
Lockwood Brass – Traditional Worship Services Webster Groves Presbyterian Church, 45 West Lockwood Ave., Webster Groves, MO 63119. Contact: Shawn Portell, Director of Music Ministries/Sr. Organist.

Friday, April 13 — 8:00 p.m.
Stile Antico—Cathedral Concerts presents another first to St. Louis audiences—Stile Antico in their St. Louis debut perfor-mance. STILE ANTICO is an ensemble of young British singers, now established as one of the most original and exciting new voices of early music. Prizewinners at the 2005 Early Music Network International Young Artists’ Competition, the group is much in demand in concert, performing regularly throughout Europe and North America. Call 314-533-7662 for more information or visit www.CathedralConcerts.org.

Sunday, April 15 — 4:00 p.m.
Andrew Peters will play an organ recital at Second Presbyterian Church, 4501 Westminster Place, St. Louis, MO 63108. A screen will enable the audience to view the performer's hands and feet. For further information, call 314-367-0366. The concert is free and open to the public.

Sunday, April 15 — 3:00 p.m.
“April in Paris” - A springtime afternoon of French music and desserts. Saint Paul United Church of Christ, Belleville, Illinois. The Masterworks Children’s Choruses, Dr. Stephen Mager, conductor. Ticket and venue information at www.singmasterworks.org.

Sunday, April 15 – 4:00 p.m.
Chamber Music concert by Configurations featuring the Tchaikovsky String Quartet No. 1 and the Shostakovich Piano Quintet. Members of Configurations are Alison Rolf, violin; Christine Banda, viola; and James Nacy, cello. Guest performers for this concert will be Manuela Kaymakanova, violin; and Diana Umali, piano. Freewill offering. Ladue Chapel Presbyterian Church, 9450 Clayton Road, Ladue, Missouri 63124. 314-993-4771.

Wednesday, April 18 – 7:30 p.m.
Lecture by Dr. Joseph Beck on “John Finley Williamson’s Impact on Choral Music in America, 1922 to the Present.” John Finley Williamson was founder of Westminster Choir College. Dr. Beck’s lecture will be enhanced by rare photos and vintage re-cordings of the Westminster Choir. Free admission. Ladue Chapel Presbyterian Church, 9450 Clayton Road, Ladue, Missouri 63124. 314-993-4771.

Sunday, April 22 – 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
René Clausen’s cantata “a new Creation” will be presented by the Ladue Chapel Chancel Choir and chamber orchestra at both morning services. Ladue Chapel Presbyterian Church, 9450 Clayton Road, Ladue, Missouri 63124. 314-993-4771.

MAY

Friday and Sunday, May 18-20, 2012 — 7:30 p.m.
Hettenhausen Center, Lebanon, Illinois. “Give My Regards to Broadway” Broadway favorites and hits from yesteryear. The Masterworks Chorale and Children’s Choruses, Dr. Stephen Mager, conductor. Ticket and venue information at www.singmasterworks.org

May 20, 2012 – 10:15 a.m. Worship Service.
Pentecost Celebration “The Kite Story.” Webster Groves Presbyterian Church, 45 West Lockwood Ave., Webster Groves, MO 63119 Contact: Shawn Portell, Director of Music Ministries/Sr. Organist

Saturday, May 12, 2012 — 8:00 p.m.
Mozart Coronation Mass. St. Louis Archdiocesan Choirs & Orchestra, Dr. Horst Buchholz, Conductor. One of the most popular of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's 17 settings of the Ordinary of the Mass, the Krönungsmesse (German for Coronation Mass), Mass No. 15 in C major, KV 317; was composed in 1779 and is a timeless masterpiece. Call 314-533-7662 for more information or visit www.CathedralConcerts.org

Positions Available

Music Director
Peace United Church of Christ, 204 E. Lockwood Ave., Webster Groves, MO 63119 is seeking a Music Director. Duties include leadership of church music program and staff, organist/pianist for Sunday services, director of the adult chancel choir, folk choir and instrumental ensemble. Submit cover letter, resume, and (optional) CD/MP3 by April 9, 2012. Mail to Peace United Church of Christ 204 E. Lockwood Ave., Webster Groves, MO 63119 or email to dcormac@gmail.com Interviews and auditions will be conducted in late April. For more information about the position see http://www.evangelicalucc.org/MusicDirectorSearch.

ORGANIST
Faith Lutheran Church, 520 E US Highway 50 O'Fallon, IL is seeking an organist to serve as a partner in ministry. This person will play for all liturgical services and accompany the 50-member Senior Choir. This includes two services per Sunday, Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday at a minimum salary of $75 per service; Wednesday evening services during Advent and Lent at a minimum salary of $50 per service; and choir accompaniment at a minimum salary of $50 per rehearsal. Final salary would be determined by experience and qualifications. Additional non-liturgical piano accompaniment for such events as Jazzfest, Polkafest, and Mardi Gras would be available but not required. The organist would work with the Music Director to maintain and enhance the music ministry at Faith Lutheran Church. All interested and qualified musicians may submit a letter of application that includes a resume and salary history to dlklages@att.net by March 30, 2012.

Home and/or Pipe Organ for Sale

6948 Delmar Boulevard, University City. 2-manual, 5-rank Kilgen, approx. 1925.
Contact: Sandy Jacobson, Realtor
314-647-0001 (Main); 314-336-1967 (Direct); 314-580-148(Cell)

2012 Candidates for the offices of Dean and Sub-Dean

For Dean:

Dr. Bill Wade, CAGO is organist at Trinity Presbyterian Church, St. Louis, Missouri. He has served the AGO in the capacity of Sub-Dean and as a member of the Executive Committee. He is a retired family physician. He is presently studying with William “Pat” Partridge at Webster University.

Stephen Eros is organist at St. Teresa of the Child Jesus Catholic Church in Belleville, Illinois. He is studying for the Bachelor of Music degree at Webster University where he is the student of William “Pat” Partridge.

2012 Candidates for The Executive Committee—Term July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2015

Kathleen Bolduan is in her fourteenth year of service as Organist and Choir Director at Grace United Methodist Church in St. Louis, Missouri. Both of her graduate degrees are from Washington University, where she taught for 36 years in the Department of Music. Over the course of a 58-year career, she has served churches of various denominations as organist and choir director. She served as Dean of the St. Louis Chapter of the AGO from 2000-2002, as Registrar from 2002 to 2010 and on various committees.

Dr. Horst Buchholz is Artistic and Executive Director of St. Louis Cathedral Concerts and serves as Director of Sacred Music for the Cathedral Basilica and Archdiocese of St. Louis. He received his first musical training in a boys choir in his native Germany and graduated with degrees and diplomas in organ and church music from the University of Arts in Berlin. After studies in conducting in Bloomington, Indiana, he was awarded the Doctor of Music degree from Indiana University. Buchholz has been active as conductor, organist, and educator in the USA, Mexico, Canada, Korea, Japan, and throughout Europe. Prior to his appoint-ment in St. Louis, he was Director of Music and Cathedral Organist in Denver. He was also conducting professor at the University of Denver and Music Director of the Denver Philharmonic Orchestra, which named him Conductor Laureate. Most recently he served as organist & choirmaster at Cleveland’s Trinity Cathedral, where he was also Artistic Director of the Trinity Chamber Orchestra and Music & Art @ Trinity with its weekly concert series. He is Vice-President for the Church Music Assn. of America.

Bob Chamberlin is Professor of Music and Director of Music Theory and Musicianship at Webster University. He serves as organist at Webster Groves Christian Church. Prior to his appointment at Webster Groves Christian Church, Bob was organist at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in St. Louis. As a composer, Bob’s works have been performed throughout the United States, Cana-da, The Netherlands, and Poland. Bob spent the summer of 1977 learning how to perform on the 31-tone-per-octave pipe organ in Harlem, The Netherlands. Bob is an active member of the St. Louis Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. He is com-pleting his third year on the Executive Board.

Andrew Peters is Pastoral Musician (Organist-Director of Music) at Second Presbyterian Church in the Central West End of St. Louis. He holds degrees from St. Olaf College and the Cleveland Institute of Music and has studied with Doug Cleveland, Carla Edwards, John Ferguson, and Todd Wilson. He has placed in multiple organ competitions including the John Rodland Competition, Ottumwa National Undergraduate Competition, the National Young Artists Competition in Organ Performance, and most recently the Rodgers North American Organ Competition. He served as Executive Committee member and later Dean of the Nashville AGO Chapter. He directed the 2010 St. Louis Pipe Organ Encounter and is currently a member of the national AGO’s Committee for the New Organist.

Welcome to the American Guild of Organists St. Louis Chapter

The American Guild of Organists is the national professional association serving the organ and choral music fields. The Guild serves approximately 20,000 members in 348 chapters throughout the United States, and in Europe, Korea and Argentina.

At the national level the AGO offers a monthly periodical, The American Organist. It also offers educational materials, group insurance, certification tests, and more.

At the chapter level, we offer newsletters, concerts, recitals, workshops, social events, educational forums, as well as placement and substitute assistance.

All individuals interested in the organ and choral music fields are invited to join the American Guild of Organists. Membership is open to everyone, regardless of denominational affiliation or musical ability.

Come Celebrate Our Centennial Year

The 2011-2012 season is full of a variety of programs. Recitals by internationally known organists, workshops by area specialists and opportunities for fellowship have been scheduled. Our committee, comprised of David Erwin, Cathy Bolduan, Henry Evans, Pat Partridge, Chuck Peery, Suzanne Manelli, Bruce Ludwick, Bill Stein and Bill Wade, has been hard at work.