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A Word from the Dean
Dear Friends, It was good to see you at Mountain Brook Baptist Church for the Birmingham “Big Sing” Monday, September 14
th. We missed those of you who could
not make it. We have had numerous positive remarks regarding the evening of congregational singing and choral anthems led by Nicholas Bowden and accompanied by brass and organ. A solo setting of “Softly and Tenderly” was sung beautifully by soprano Sherrie Lawhon accompanied by Scott Atchison, organ, Daniel Solberg, piano, and Cain-Oscar Bergeron, flute. Mr. Bergeson played the “Prelude” from John Rutter’s Suite Antique, displaying great artistry with a beautiful clear tone. Our own Jim Cook did a wonderful job with J. S. Bach’s ”Valet will ich dir geben,” BWV 736. Dr. Cook was cited by Mr. Bowden as a person who had much influence on him as a young organist when Dr. Cook served as an adjudicator for the first competition in which Mr. Bowden was a candidate. We want to thank Dr. Cook for the many areas in which he continues to influence and support the AGO and organists of all ages. A special thank you is in order to the many chapter members who helped make this night a success. Faythe Freese, Bruce Ludwick, Jeff McLelland, Leslie Teardo and Fred Teardo all did a great job of leading us either by playing or conducting. Jeff McLelland also led much of the choral rehearsal on Saturday, for which we are grateful. Nathan Smock put together a lovely reception following the event. Sherelyn Breland, Mike Burt, Karen Krekelberg, and Leslie Teardo helped “behind the scenes” as did
Christopher Henley and Josh Coble who helped make sure Mr. Bowden had what he needed and kept him on schedule. Last, but not least, we want to thank Dr. Kely Hatley, Minister of Music and Senior Adults at MBBC, who was a most gracious host. He went the second mile when he visited our dear friend Pat Fitzsimmons in UAB hospital after she took a fall in the parking lot of MBBC following the concert. Having said that, Pat is recovering well and sent a sweet note thanking the many people who took care of her, watched after and followed her to the hospital, and for those who visited or called to check on her. Thank you for being a caring group. We want to express our deepest sorrow for the loss of Brenda Jones Burt, our treasurer Mike Burt’s mother, after a battle with cancer. Mike and his father have been the principal care givers for her for the past several months. She passed away September 15
th. Mike’s family will be in our
thoughts and prayers as they cope with their loss. We also express our condolences to John and Natalie Tally on the passing of his mother September 24
th in
Scottsboro. Mrs. Tally was 97 years young and had resided in a health care facility for some time. In closing, I hope to see everyone at the Thomas Murray masterclass on Saturday, October 10
th. We
have a great roster of players and will gain much insight from this master teacher/performer. Sincerely, Dan
TTHHEE BBIIRRMMIINNGGHHAAMM CCHHIIFFFF ……ooffff tthhee oolldd bblloocckkfflluuttee
The Birmingham Chapter of
the American Guild of Organists
October 2015
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Scenes from September Hymn Festival: the Birmingham “Big Sing”
Bruce Ludwick conducts the choir and brass on “Rejoice the Lord is King” with Scott Atchison on organ.
As always, Nathan puts on a fabulous reception for a group that loves to eat!
Photos by Greg Roberson
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Thomas Murray in Birmingham Masterclass at Reid Chapel Saturday,
October 10th
On Saturday, October 10th
, from 10:00 AM – noon, Thomas Murray, Professor of Organ and University Organist of Yale University, will be holding a masterclass at Reid Chapel, Samford University. These student members will be playing for the class: Tyler Canonico – Fugue sur le nom d’Alain (Duruflé); Matthew Edwards – Toccata and Fugue in D, Op. 59, Nos. 5-6 (Reger); Christopher Henley – Sonata No. 3, Mvt. 1 (Mendelssohn); and Katie Loudermilk - Canonic Variations on “Vom Himmel Hoch” (Bach). It promises to be a fun and interesting morning!
Recital at Advent Sunday, October 11th
Thomas Murray, concert organist and recording artist, will perform at the Cathedral Church of the Advent on Sunday, October 11
th, at 3:00 PM. Murray
is University Organist and Professor of Organ at Yale University, where he has served on the faculty for 32 years and has taught many of the leading performers of a younger generation. Widely known for his interpretations of Romantic repertoire and orchestral transcriptions, his recordings are highly acclaimed. Come hear one of the country’s finest organists perform on the 100-rank Grieb-Williams Organ. Admission is free. In addition to street parking, parking will be available in the Financial Center Garage on Fifth Avenue North.
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Welcome to Our New Members Dr. Laurie Middaugh is staff accompanist and an instructor at the University of Montevallo, Director of Music and Organist at Montevallo’s Anglican Church of the Holy Comforter, and also maintains a private piano studio. Butch Pair is another new member. A resident of Vestavia Hills, Butch earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in nursing. Kenneth Watson, Minister of Music and Pastoral Care at Mountain Chapel UMC on Rocky Ridge Road, has also joined us. He’s available for substitute work and keyboard instruction.
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Dr. Wilma Jensen Comes to UA
On Saturday, October 17th
, from 9:00 AM - noon in the Recital Hall (Room 140) at the University of Alabama School of Music, Dr. Wilma Jensen will present a workshop on “Developing a Natural Keyboard Technique and Maintaining It for Life.” Dr. Jensen has long been a teacher, international recitalist (including several regional and national AGO conventions), and church musician (with 19 years as Organist/Choirmaster of Nashville’s St. George’s Episcopal Church). She earned her music degrees from Eastman School of Music, where she studied with Catherine Crozier and Harold Gleason. Contact Faythe Freese at [email protected] for info. This event is free and open to the public.
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OCTOBER 10TH CHAPTER MEETING
The Executive Committee announces a fall chapter meeting and brunch at 9:00 AM, Saturday, October 10
th, to discuss several items before the chapter.
This precedes the Thomas Murray masterclass which begins at 10:00 AM in Reid Chapel. The meeting and brunch will be held in Reid Commons (the reception room off the hall behind Reid Chapel) on Samford University’s campus. You may remember we were unable to hold a September business meeting due to the number of members participating in the Hymn Festival. Please mark your calendar and come for brunch (no charge!) and the meeting, then stay to enjoy the masterclass. Make your online brunch reservation at http://www.birminghamago.org. Just click on the link to fill out the reservation form.
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Out and About
Dr. Stephen Schaeffer was appointed Interim Organist and Choirmaster at the Episcopal Church of the Nativity in Huntsville in late summer with a tenure through Christmas Day. Dr. Schaeffer is in Huntsville on a full-time basis filling this position, vacated in mid-July with the resignation of Suzanne Purtee, former Organist and Choirmaster, who will pursue a new career path. He will miss activities of the Guild and seeing colleagues on a monthly basis in the fall, but will certainly be attending Huntsville Chapter meetings. We look forward to Stephen’s return to Birmingham. Members Supporting Each Others’ Activities With so many cultural events in the Birmingham area, many of them led by members of our chapter, it’s not unusual to see other members scrambling from one program or church service to another to enjoy the efforts of our colleagues. Sunday, September 27th, was no exception as a number of us attended IPC’s Fourth Sunday Evensong service.
Pictured are Sam Burke, guest recitalist Bruce Ludwick, Erin Ludwick, Lorna Lee Curtis, Bill Richardson, and Jeff McLelland.
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NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER The next issue of The Birmingham Chiff… will be published November 1st. If you have something to be included, please send it by October 20
th to
[email protected]. Many thanks!
************************************ THIS AND THAT
Online Registration Opens October 17th for National Convention in Houston You may have noticed the announcements in recent TAO issues about the 2016 National Convention. The dates are June 19 – 23, 2016. Check out the convention website http://agohouston2016.com/ to find out who’s performing and where, the tentative schedule, hotel and transportation information, and to sign up for the convention newsletter and facebook page. Still to Be Done, Please: Your Database Updates Please take a few minutes to check that your information on the chapter directory is accurate and complete. Several of you have new phone numbers, email addresses, moved and/or changed jobs, and we need that information to keep you posted on chapter events. We also need to know if you’re available or no longer available to substitute, so please also check that page on the website to be sure it’s correct and complete. Once this is current, we will compile a new yearbook which you may print from the Members’ Corner page of the website if you wish. For password assistance to log in to the Members’ Corner page, please email Mark Hayes at [email protected] or the webmaster at [email protected]. Thanks! Organ Teachers and Students – Take Note!!! This year's Minnie McNeil Carr (high school) and Myrtle Jones Steele (college students) Scholarship Competitions will be held on Saturday, April 2nd, 2016, at The Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Vestavia. The deadline to apply for either competition is Tuesday, March 15th, 2016. See http://www.birminghamago.org/Scholarships.html for guidelines and application forms. You may also contact Ms. Natalie Tally, chair of the Competition and Scholarship Awards Committee, at [email protected]. Mark your calendars!
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************************************ Scheduled Chapter Events 2015-2016 October Chapter Meeting and Brunch Saturday, October 10, 2015 9:00 AM Reid Commons, Samford University Masterclass with Thomas Murray of Yale University Saturday, October 10, 2015 10 AM - noon Reid Chapel, Samford University
November Dinner with Scott Dettra Saturday, November 21, 2015 Home of Fred and Leslie Teardo Dinner 6:00 PM
January Epiphany Party Friday, January 8, 2016 6:00 – 8:00 PM Home of Sherrie and Dan Lawhon
February Choral Accompanying in the Anglican Tradition Monday, February 8, 2016 Cathedral Church of the Advent Dinner 6:00 PM; Business meeting 6:30 PM; Program 7:00 PM
March Workshop with Huntsville Trinity Handbell Quartet Monday, March 14, 2016 Trinity United Methodist Church, Homewood Dinner 6:00 PM; Business meeting 6:30 PM; Program 7:00 PM
April Student Recital Monday, April 11, 2016 Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church Dinner 6:00 PM; Business meeting 6:30 PM; Program 7:00 PM Pedals, Pipes & Pizza Saturday, April 16, 2016 Anniston First United Methodist Church Time to be announced Lunch will be provided
May Literature Sharing Monday, May 9, 2016 The Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Vestavia Dinner at 6:00 PM at area restaurant; Business meeting and program following dinner
************************************ October Opportunities
See Online Calendar of Events for Complete Listing October 4, 2015: 3:00 PM Lester Seigel, Organ Recital – Canterbury UMC The program includes Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in F, BWV 540; Sowerby’s Fast and Sinister; Vierne’s Finale from Symphony I, and more. There will also be a seasonal improvisation on a theme of the audience. Info: [email protected] October 4, 2015: 6:00 PM Tom Alderman, Inaugural Organ Recital – Messiah Lutheran Church, Madison, AL Sponsored by Miller Pipe Organ Services October 11, 2015: 3:00 PM Thomas Murray, Organ Recital – Cathedral Church of the Advent Info:http://www.adventbirmingham.org/ [email protected] October 18, 2015: 3:00 PM Choral Evensong - Cathedral Church of the Advent The Cathedral Choir; Frederick Teardo, Director of Music and Organist Info: http://www.adventbirmingham.org/ [email protected] October 23, 2015: 12:30 PM Mid-Day Music: Michael Patilla, guitar – Cathedral Church of the Advent Info:http://www.adventbirmingham.org/ [email protected] Continued on next page…
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October Opportunities – Continued October 25, 2015: 3:00 PM Choral Evensong for the IPC Centennial and Recital – Independent Presbyterian Church IPC Camerata and organist Leon Couch Premiere of commissioned works for Evensong by Howard Keever Info: http://www.ipc-usa.org [email protected]
October 31, 2015: 9:00 PM Annual PUMPKIN CAROLS sing-a-long - Birmingham-Southern College Leon Couch III, Lester Seigel and a host of other strange organists... Hill Recital Hall,, 900 Arkadelphia Rd., Birmingham November 1, 2015: 2:30 PM All Saints Concert – First UMC, Birmingham Morten Lauridsen’s Lux Aeterna Jim Cook, Mark Hayes, Orchestra and Choir Info: [email protected] November 1, 2015: 4:00 PM Eric Plutz, Organ Recital – Independent Presbyterian Church November Organ Recital Series Organist from Princeton University Chapel Info: http://www.ipc-usa.org [email protected] November 3, 2015: 7:30 PM Highland Consort - Cathedral Church of the Advent Cathedral Concert Series Frederick Teardo, conductor Info:http://www.adventbirmingham.org/ [email protected]