upcoming events sforzandorev. charles w. messer at [email protected] . st. john’s...
TRANSCRIPT
I N S I D E T H I S
I S S U E :
Sub-Dean’s
Report
2
Matters of
Note
2
Gallery:
Hello Fall!
3
Programs
At a Glance
4
Positions
Available
16
Substitute List 16
U P C O M I N G E V E N T S
Sforzando F R I D A Y ,
O C T O B E R 1 8
H O L Y C R O S S
W E S T P O I N T
R O A D T R I P
Southwest Jersey Chapter American Guild of Organists
© 2019 by SW Jersey AGO
V O L U M E 9 , I S S U E 2 O C T O B E R 2 0 1 9
….continued on page 16
Dean’s Message -- by Vernon Williams One of the more interesting resources
we modern organists have at our disposal
is the Internet and specifically, YouTube.
Looking up performances of particular
works can be enjoyable and educational.
We get to hear different interpretations,
organs, and registrations. Even better, in
many cases we get to see the performer
close up. Sometimes I’m able to learn
about fingering or pedaling technique by
watching fine performances. I’ve even
been known to change my fingering or
pedaling based on what I’ve observed
online! And then there is the endless list
of related videos that YouTube presents.
The other day, while looking up a toccata
by Buxtehude, there was a link to a won-
derful performance of a similar Buxte-
hude work which I had never heard. I got
to sit next to the console during a mar-
velous organ recital in the Netherlands,
without leaving the house! Wow.
If time permits, one can start surfing the
links as a way of exploring the wide world
of organs and organ literature. It’s fasci-
nating, and fun!
The West Point Cadet Chapel organ console. Photo by Joe Routon.
P A G E 2
Sub-Dean’s Report -- by Vicki Nichols
Holy Cross Monastery is part of the Order of the
Holy Cross (OHC), founded by the Rev. James
Otis Sargent Huntington in 1884….Their primary
ministry is welcoming guests on individual and
group retreats. They also operate a book and gift
shop that features calligraphy, icons, incense, and
photography created by the monks.” For more
information visit their website: https://
holycrossmonastery.com/ At the monastery,
they’ll have the opportunity to spend time with
Max, attend Vespers, and have dinner with the
monks before returning home that evening. It
should be a wonderful time!
Save the dates! Saturday, November 9th at 10
AM is Alan Morrison’s master class and Sunday,
November 10th at 7 PM Alan Morrison will give a
recital. Both events take place at Haddonfield
Methodist Church.
S F O R Z A N D O
Hi Everyone! We have a very exciting event for
October. On Friday, October 18th, nine of our
chapter members will be taking a road trip to New
York. The day will start off with a visit to the
Möller organ at West Point. The current organ’s
stop list has a total of 874 speaking stops control-
ling 23,236 pipes. After visiting the organ our
group will have lunch at a nearby restaurant. The
next stop will be to visit our friend Max Esmus
who is in formation to become a monk at Holy
Cross Monastery. On the way, everyone will have
the opportunity to view the lovely fall foliage, or as
some say they will be able go “leaf peeping.”
Here is some interesting information about the
monastery from their website: “Holy Cross Mon-
astery is a Benedictine community in the Anglican
Communion which includes the Episcopal Church.
“Save the dates!
Saturday, November
9th at 10am is Alan
Morrisons’s master
class and Sunday,
November 10th at
7pm Alan Morrison
will a recital….
at Haddonfield
Methodist….”
….continued on page 5
Matters of Note Cares and Concerns: Thoughts and prayers for member Kyle Shepherd whose grandfather recently passed
away.
Sunday, October 6 at 4:00pm: at Deerfield Presbyterian Church, 530 Old Deerfield Pike, Deerfield Street,
NJ: Young musicians from The Curtis Institute - Avery Gagliano, solo piano, and Sydney Lee, cello, ac-
companied by Evelyn R. Larter, piano. Music by Mendelssohn, Chopin, Stravinsky and more; free admission,
freewill offering, meet-the artists reception follows.
Friday, October 25 at 6:00pm: “Tunes From the Crypt,” a recital of spooky organ music for Hallow-
een. Joanne K. Owen, Organist, plays works by Bach, Williams, Mulet and Böellmann at St. John’s Episcopal
Church, 76 Market Street, Salem NJ 08079. Admission is Free. Ample parking available. Salem City’s annual
“Ghost Walk” follows the recital. For further information, call Joanne Owen at 856-769-3212. Sponsored by
“Music Around the County/Salem County Arts Alliance” and The Salem County Historical Society.
Student Organist needed: to play for 11 am Sunday mass at St. Paul’s Episcopal church, Camden NJ. This
person would not have to be Episcopalian; since the entire mass is sung (they are currently without a choir), it
would involve congregational singing and playing the mass settings for the season. It would be a wonderful
opportunity to learn something about church music and working within a small but supportive worship envi-
ronment. There will be a stipend. If you are aware of someone who might be a good candidate, please con-
tact Father Mark Smith (856) 365-5880, [email protected] --thank you!
On Friday, November 22nd at 7PM St. Theresa’s Catholic Church will have an “Organ Blessing and Dedica-
tion Concert.” The evening will start off with a blessing and miniature service given by the church’s administra-
tor, Fr. John Large. Immediately following, organist Vicki Nichols will play the church’s new Rodgers organ
featuring works by: Decker, J.S. Bach, Vierne, Balbstre, Lefebure-Wely, Widor, Liszt, and Tournemire. St.
Theresa’s Church is located on 450 Radio Road, Little Egg Harbor, NJ. Free will offering. For more informa-
tion email: [email protected]
P A G E 3
Gallery: Hello Fall!
V O L U M E 9 , I S S U E 2
Installation of Chapter Officers and Executive Committee members,
Sanctuary Choir under the direction of Tyler Cesario, and handbell
soloist Linda Richardson at the Annual Guild Service held at Pitman
Presbyterian. Photos by Joe Routon, Vicki Nichols and Marilyn Rabbai.
West Point Cadet Chapel. Photo by Gail Gassaway.
Programs at a Glance (See Sub-Dean’s Report on page 2 for details )
Friday, October 18, 2019 : Road Trip to Holy
Cross Monastery and West Point
Saturday, November 9, 2019 at 10AM:
Masterclass with Alan Morrison
Haddonfield Methodist Church
Sunday, November 10, 2019 at 7PM:
Alan Morrison in recital at Haddonfield
Methodist Church
January 2020: Potluck Supper and Holiday
Party - date TBA at the home of Bill Mitchell
Sunday, January 19, 2020:
A musical memorial to Martha Bradley -
St. Maria Goretti Church, Runnemede
Saturday, February 16, 2020:
Seipp and Sheets Trumpet and Organ Duo -
Moorestown United Methodist Church
Saturday, March 21, 2020 at 10AM:
Workshop with David Schelat -
Music of Wilbur Held
Haddonfield Presbyterian Church
Sunday, April 26, 2020:
Annual Members Recital at
St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, Woodbury
May (date TBA) 2020:
Organ Crawl: Girard College , Philadelphia
July 2020:
Picnic and Annual Meeting,
date and location TBA
CHAPTER EMERGENCY FUND Our Chapter has begun the
sponsorship of a fund to provide short-term emergency aid to
Chapter members who find themselves temporarily in need of
assistance. No dues money will be used for this aid, but tax-
deductible contributions will be welcome at any time. A commit-
tee of three, consisting of the Dean, the Chair of Professional Con-
cerns, and another member of that committee, will award aid as
the need arises. Any Chapter member may recommend a member
in good standing who, for reasons such as illness or unemploy-
ment, deserves our help, by contacting the Dean or the Chair of
Professional Concerns. All cases of course will be confidential. If
you would like to contribute to this cause, please send your tax-
deductible donation (made out to SWJersey Chapter AGO) to our
Treasurer Gail Gassaway, marked for “Musicians’ Emergency
Fund.” Mail to: 241 Night Hawk Circle, West Deptford NJ
08086.
P A G E 4
S F O R Z A N D O
….continued on page 6
Matters of Note -- continued from page 2
Position Available: Organist/Choir Director to serve as Minister of Music at St John’s Episcopal Church, Salem, NJ. This historic church,
founded in 1722 and housed in a beautiful 1838 sanctuary, has a long tradition of excellence in a music program that is an integral part of the lit-
urgy. The church’s well-maintained 1937 27-rank, three-manual Kimball/Jacob Gerger & Son organ was enlarged in 1967 and the console was
rebuilt in 1999. There is a 12-member chancel choir that includes four paid section leaders. We seek a well-trained, experienced musician to
lead the music program, including evensong celebrations, in a collegial and collaborative relationship with the Rector. Familiarity with the Episco-
pal liturgy will be helpful. The 3/8-time position includes four weeks’ paid vacation. Ability to direct a handbell choir will be a plus. A job de-
scription will be provided on request. Salary is commensurate with training and experience. Please submit a statement of interest and resumé to
Rev. Charles W. Messer at [email protected] . St. John’s Episcopal Church, 76 Market Street, Salem, NJ 08079 Telephone: 856-935-
1798.
Wednesdays at 10 am, Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, NJ: The curator’s tour of the magnificent Midmer-Losh organ will be conducted
with a recital following at noon. Check Boardwalkorgans.org for details and schedule updates. These events are free, but there is an opportunity
to support the organ restoration project. Come prepared!
Free Demonstrations of the Fred. J. Cooper Memorial Organ at the Kimmel Center: Held on the following Saturdays at 1pm: Octo-
ber 19, November 9, December 7, January 1, February 8, March 14, April 18. For more information or group reservations, call 215-790-5886.
V O L U M E 9 , I S S U E 2 P A G E 5
P A G E 6
First United Methodist Church of Moorestown
Matters of Note -- continued from page 5 Press Release: Young Musicians from The Curtis Institute to Perform at Deerfield Presbyterian Church
The first recital in the new series at Deerfield Presbyterian will be on Sunday, October 6th at 4:00pm, and will feature two brilliant young artists
from the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music. Avery Gagliano, piano, is giving her first performance in this area. and Sydney Lee, cello, is
making a return appearance accompanied by church music director, Evelyn R. Larter.
A recent semi-finalist at the Junior Cliburn competition in Texas, Avery Gagliano cannot remember a time that music wasn’t a part of her life; it
has always been her “most natural form of expression.” At age 9, she made her Carnegie Hall debut and her orchestral debut at the Strathmore
Concert Hall. The following year she appeared on the NPR’s “From the Top” and made her solo recital debut. Currently in her third year at the
Curtis Institute of Music studying with Jonathan Biss and Gary Graffman, she has taken first prize at the Aspen Music Concerto, MostArts Festival
Piano, and Chopin International Piano (Hartford) Competitions, was young scholar of the Lang Lang International Music Foundation, and is a 2019
National YoungArts winner in music. As a soloist and an avid chamber musician, the Washington, D.C.-native has performed in major concert
venues in her hometown, as well as across the United States, and in Paris, Oxford, Munich, and Perugia in Europe.
Sydney Lee, from Oakland, N.J, studies with Carter Brey, principal cello of the New York Philharmonic, and Peter Wiley, former cellist of the
Guarneri Quartet. Ms. Lee is the Emily W. Sunstein Annual Fellow. She has appeared as a soloist with the Duquesne, Juilliard Pre-College, Mon-
mouth, and Pittsburgh symphonies; the New Jersey Philharmonic; and Ensemble 212. In 2015, Ms. Lee was a National YoungArts finalist and was
named a Presidential Scholar in the Arts by the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars. Ms. Lee was also the recipient of a Korean
Honors Scholarship in 2015. She has been featured on NPR's From the Top and Croatian TV Istra. Among her many awards are first prizes in
the Antonio Janigro International Cello Competition, Bravura Philharmonic Young Artists Concerto Competition, Duquesne Young Artist Na-
tional Competition, Juilliard Pre-College Concerto Competition, and Monmouth Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition.
The performers will play works by Chopin, Mendelssohn, Stravinsky and other composers. This is the seventeenth season of the popular recitals
at Deerfield Presbyterian Church, which draw an appreciative audience from Salem and Cumberland Counties and beyond. There is no admission
charge; a freewill offering will be received. The recital will be followed by a “Meet the Artists” reception. For more information or directions call
(856) 455 1222, or visit www.deerfieldpres.org
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Positions Available/Substitute List -- by Peter Homon
Editor’s Note: We are updating and hoping to expand our Substitute List. If you are available to substitute, please contact Peter
Homon, our Referral/Position Coordinator. Please forward or refer any items concerning positions available or substitute needs to Peter at
[email protected] or call 856-665-0149.
Positions Available:
St. John’s Episcopal Church, Salem - O/D, adult choir with paid section leaders, bell choir. 27 rank Kimball/Jacob Gerger organ. Helpful if candidate
is familiar with Episcopal liturgy. Resume to Rev. Charles W. Messer at [email protected] . (8/19) see page 5, Matters of Note
Christ Church, Episcopal, Woodbury - O/D, Moeller Double Artiste, adult and childrens choirs. Go to website for complete job description.
christchurch.woodburyNJ.org (7/19)
First Baptist Church of Haddonfield, Haddonfield – Minister of Music needed. Organist / Choir Director for two choirs: Adults and Children/
Youth. One 11:00 AM Sunday service, Thursday evening adult choir rehearsals, and Sunday children/youth choir rehearsals. For complete job
description, please contact Bob Gardner at [email protected] or (856) 354-0505.
These musicians are available on Sundays and also for weddings and funerals other days:
Charlene Cranmer 609-458-2993 (Southampton, NJ - July and August only) [email protected]
Patricia Brady-Danzig 973-761-0041 (South Orange) [email protected] - organ/piano, cantor, choir director
John Dow 856-327-1739 (Millville) [email protected]
Mary Johnson 856-332-8869 (Pine Hill) [email protected]
George Mitchell 856-795-0970 (Cherry Hill) [email protected]
Irina Nenartovich, CAGO, SPC 856-321-3465 (Cherry Hill) [email protected]
Mary Sampson 609-220-0864 (Pennsauken) [email protected]
These substitutes are available for weddings and funerals or Saturday work only:
Evelyn Larter, CAGO 856-358-1112 (Elmer) [email protected]
Lee F. Milhous, 215-348-8872 (Doylestown PA) [email protected]
Cathy O’Neill, 856-0192 (Sewell, NJ) [email protected]
Joanne Owen 856-769-3212 (Woodstown) [email protected]
Marilyn Rabbai, CAGO 856-589-3901 (Pitman) [email protected]
P A G E 1 4
Steve Jones
President
788 Piney Hollow Road
Hammonton, NJ 08037
[email protected] (609) 970-9131
S F O R Z A N D O
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Rae Ann Anderson, CAGO
Miriam Bisbing, SPC
Helen C. Carrell, CAGO, SPC
Mark A. Cole, SPC
Charlene Cranmer, CAGO, SPC
Lawrence DePasquale, CAGO
Ruth O. Fink, AAGO, ChM
Ethel H. Geist, CAGO
Carol Louise Knisell, CAGO
Evelyn Larter, CAGO, SPC
Irina Nenartovich, CAGO, SPC
Marilyn Rabbai, CAGO, SPC
David L. Rhody, SPC
Glenn L. Rodgers, AAGO
Joyce Ann Routon, CAGO, SPC
For more information on Professional
Certification requirements, proce-
dures, materials and deadlines, visit the
website of AGO National Headquar-
ters: www.agohq.org
Our next issue will be November, 2019.
Deadline for articles, announcements, pictures and reports will be
Friday, October 25.
Patrons, Contributors and Advertisers
Contributors 2019
Nathanael Francis
Guy Kirk
Patrons Rae Ann Anderson
Helen Carrell
Charlene Cranmer
John Dow
Ruth Fink
Gail Gassaway
Ethel Geist
Reneé Hatzold
Evelyn Larter
Robert Mead
Stephen Obarski
Joanne Owen
David Rhody
Glenn Rodgers
Richard Sakowski
Robert Scara
AGO CERTIFIED MEMBERS
Thank you,
V O L U M E 9 , I S S U E 2
Sforzando is the official publication of the SouthWest Jersey Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. The AGO is a
multi-denominational, non-profit organization chartered by the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New
York in 1896.
EDITOR & PUBLISHER: Marilyn Rabbai, [email protected]
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHER: Joe Routon
REFERRAL & POSITIONS AVAILABLE COORDINATOR: Peter Homon, [email protected], 856-665-0149
PROFESSIONAL CONCERNS COORDINATOR: David Rhody, [email protected]; (856)795-6735
CHAPTER OFFICERS
DEAN: Vernon Williams, [email protected]
SUB-DEAN: Victoria Nichols, [email protected]
TREASURER/REGISTRAR: Gail Gassaway, [email protected]
SECRETARY: Cathy O’Neill, [email protected]
WEBSITE: www.agohq.org/chapters/southwestjersey
Dean’s Message -- continued from page 1
Max Esmus conducts the choir at the 2018 Guild Ser-
vice. Alan Morrison, pictured below with his Curtis
Institute organ students in 2017. Our chapter looks
forward to his November 9/10 master class & recital
at Haddonfield Methodist. Photos by Joe Routon.
Many thanks to Marilyn Rabbai and
The Rev. Drew Harrison for hosting
September’s Annual Guild Service at
First Presbyterian Church in Pitman. It
was an inspiring service based loosely
on the Lessons and Carols model.
Marilyn deftly accompanied a variety of
hymns, and the parish choir sang a
lovely anthem. Our Chaplain, The
Rev. Laurie Johnson, gave a beautiful
meditation on the power of music in
worship, drawing on the writings of
Martin Luther and her own personal
reflections. (Editor’s note: Rev. Laurie’s
meditation will be published in next
month’s SFZ.) Glenn Rodgers installed
the Guild officers and spoke elo-
quently about the mission of the Guild.
After the service we enjoyed a deli-
cious meal at the Italian Affair restau-
rant.
I look forward to reporting on our
October trip to West Point and Holy
Cross Monastery, both on the Hud-
son River north of New York. We’ll
start at West Point with a demon-
stration by organist Craig Williams,
followed by lunch, and a drive
through the fall leaves to the Monas-
tery where we plan to visit with Max
Esmus.
Anyone who heard Alan Morrison’s
fabulous recital at the Regional Con-
vention this summer will not want to
miss another opportunity to hear him
on Sunday evening, November 10 at
Haddonfield Methodist Church. The
traditional Saturday morning master
class will take place the day before,
on November 9.
A live performance is always the best
way to hear and enjoy organ music,
but in the meantime, there’s always
YouTube!