Save the Dates. SATURDAY, JUNE 7 Fred J. Cooper Memorial Organ Day in Verizon Hall 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

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1 Newsletter of the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Guild of Organists In This Issue... CHAPTER NEWS 1 DEAN S LETTER 2 CRESCENDO STAFF INFORMATION 2 REGISTRAR S CORNER 3 PHILADELPHIA CHAPTER AGO: 3 Offices and Committees Directory CHAPTER EVENTS 2013/ CHAPTER PATRONS 4 CALENDAR OF EVENTS 5 NEWS FROM NATIONAL 6 TUESDAY NOON RECITALS 6 CANDIDATES BIOGRAPHIES 7 POSITIONS AVAILABLE 10 JOY OF MUSIC 11 SUBSTITUTE ORGANIST LIST 13 CHAPLAIN S CORNER 14 WHERE AM I? 15 TALE PIPES 15 Save the Dates TUESDAY, JUNE 3, 5:30-9:30 PM Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square Annual Chapter Dinner with Dr. Marva Dawn, teacher, theologian, author and founder of Christians Equipped for Ministry Installation of Officers Concert by Peter Richard Conte, Principal Organist for the Longwood Organ, and Wanamaker Grand Court Organist Your ticket gains you entrance into beautiful Longwood Gardens at 5:30 pm, followed by cocktails (cash bar) and dinner in the exquisite Ballroom in the Longwood Conservatory, with a special message by Dr. Marva Dawn, and the annual installation of the Executive Team and Program Committee. The evening will be capped by Mr. Conte's program. More information to follow through agophila.org, Crescendo, and mailed invitations. Dr. Dawn will also be hosting a free Pastor/Musician conversation on Monday, June 2, 8:30 AM-11:00 AM, First Presbyterian Church in West Chester. SATURDAY, JUNE 7 Fred J. Cooper Memorial Organ Day in Verizon Hall 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM Celebrate the Fred J. Cooper Memorial Organ in concert with members of Opera Philadelphia, in concert with strings and brass, and as a solo instrument. Bring a friend, and help us share the excitement of the organ with the greater Philadelphia community! Admission is free throughout the day IMPORTANT: Did your address or other personal information change in the last year? Please be sure to Erik Meyer, registrar, so that you can continue to receive TAO and news from national headquarters. emeyer@stmartinec.org or We will soon have the latest chapter directory available, but due to the high cost of printing and mailing will only be making it available to those of you who specifically request a hard copy. Please contact the registrar if you would like one, and please remember that you can find contact information for your AGO colleagues by logging on to in the members only section. The deadline for the next issue is April 1, 2014

2 CRESCENDO, the official bulletin of the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, is published monthly, September through June. All material for publication must reach the Editor by the 1st day of the month preceding the date of issue,.eg. November 1 for the December issue. This must be type written and ed (text supplied in an attachment), or mailed. A hard copy should be included for display ads. Submissions become the property of the Philadelphia Chapter of the AGO and will not be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed and stamped envelope. Crescendo reserves the right to make editorial changes and to shorten articles to fit space limitations. Articles in Crescendo reflect the views of the writers and not necessarily those of the Guild. All advertising must be arranged through the Advertising Manager. As noted in 2008, Crescendo season and professional card advertising automatically renew for each successive volume, unless we receive notification of cancellation of the advertising. Advertising Rates Camera-ready: One-Time Season 1/8 page: $40 $285 1/4 page: $70 $530 1/2 page: $85 $630 full page: $140 Professional card: N/A $60 (members only; no phone numbers) Camera-ready art only accepted according to stated deadlines. Editorial Board CRESCENDO Mary Elizabeth Campbell, Editor Crescendo@agophila.org Karen Fallows & Tom Lever, Publishers Crescendo@agophila.org Katherine Reier, Circulation Coordinator Katherine.Reier@agophila.org Calendar of Events Kathleen Scheide, Coordinator Calendar@agophila.org Positions Available Robert Carson, Coordinator Placement@agophila.org Advertising Mary Elizabeth Campbell, Coordinator Advertise@agophila.org Visit our website at 2 Beam me up, OnCard I grew up watching Star Trek: The Next Generation but developed an appreciation for the original thanks to my older brother. So when the Star Trek franchise rebooted in 2009 s edition featuring young Kirk and Spock, I was excited to see what J. J. Abrams created. In one enthralling scene, Kirk and Sulu perform a space jump onto a drilling platform to disable a drill burrowing its way into Planet Vulcan. Sulu is blown off without a parachute and Kirk jumps off to rescue him only to end up in freefall together. The amazing part of the scene is that back on the Enterprise, Chekov is able to lock onto them and beam them safely back onboard. OnCard. What is it? Why is it happening? Maybe you read James Thomashower s letter about it in a past TAO or it came up randomly (quite random!) in conversation. Succinctly, the National Office is bringing Guild membership registration in house. Frankly, this is something they should have done years ago. Current members of the Guild will be invoiced by either e- mail or mail (you will only receive a mailed invoice if they do not have an e- mail address on file). You can renew your membership via using a credit card or by mailing your invoice and check to the National Office. How does this affect the Philadelphia Chapter? Our expectation is that it should not affect us outwardly beyond directing you to National s website instead of our own for Membership Renewals. The major benefit that we see is it should tremendously reduce the paperwork required by National from the Chapter Registrar. A rough estimate is that under their old model, it takes 15 minutes to renew a single member to our Chapter and report them to National. Multiply that time estimate by 400 (!) and you get the gist of the volunteer labor involved. Just ask Joe Lewis, Phil Shade or Erik Meyer! Many of you are extremely generous beyond your dues - contributing to the costs of printing and mailing Crescendo, becoming at a Patron at a range of levels - each of which enable the Chapter to pursue bolder programming (i.e. January Jumpstart, Fred J. Cooper Memorial Organ Day, Marva Dawn at Longwood Gardens). Through OnCard you will still be able to designate these gifts to the Chapter and its operation is the first season we are able to accept online event registrations, and communicate consistently via . This capability will continue to be available to us as we maintain our database of members and Chapter Friends. Similar to the Star Trek scene above (BTW, become an E-Crescendo subscriber to enjoy the links), with any organizational change involving two forward moving groups there are bound to be some bumps along the way. We ask for your patience and support as we (and National) continue to evolve our processes to better serve you and help save the precious hours of all of our volunteers. Contact our Registrar Erik Meyer at cantormeyer@gmail.com or me at tevers@waynepres.org if you need assistance in the upcoming renewal period. Pax, Tim

3 3 REGISTRAR S CORNER E R I K M E Y E R, R E G I S T R A R A ll members who use should have received a message from AGO National Headquarters about ONCARD, a new system which will streamline the way the AGO collects dues and manages its members. If you haven t done so, please log on to ONCARD from the website, and update your personal information there. Your login should have been sent to you from national headquarters, and your password is your five-digit member code found on the back of your American Organist magazine. Next year s dues will be collected via this nationalized ONCARD system, rather than through our own chapter. If you don t use a computer, don t worry! You can still register by mail your paperwork and check will go to national headquarters instead of our chapter, and you will still be a full member of the Philly AGO. IMPORTANT: When you review and update your information PLEASE CHECK THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE for some chapter-specific questions, including receiving the newsletter via and inclusion on our substitute list. Please note one important change when you update your ONCARD information you will need to check a box on the membership form if you wish to receive a paper copy of the Crescendo. All members with will automatically receive the newsletter via ; to receive the paper version as well, the box must be checked. And as always, if you need assistance, please don t hesitate to call me. MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION E r i k M e y e r, R e g i s t r a r Want to join the Philadelphia chapter of the American Guild of Organists? Need to report AGO Directory changes on your current membership? Need to purchase a set of chapter mailing labels for your next music event? Contact Erik Meyer at: 1418 Fitzwatertown Rd., Willow Grove, PA registrar@agophila.org x104 Ron Coles, MM, M.Ed.Admin. Roxborough Sr High School, Arts Department Chair Saint Ignatius of Antioch Roman Catholic Church Cabrini College Erik Meyer PHILADELPHIA CHAPTER AMERICAN GUILD OF ORGANISTS ELECTED OFFICES Dean Tim Evers Dean@agophila.org Sub-Dean John Romeri SubDean@agophila.org Treasurer Bruce Marshall Treasurer@agophila.org Secretary Maria dej. Ellis Maria.Ellis@agophila.org Registrar Erik Meyer x104 registrar@agophila.org Communications Coordinator Marcia Sommers Communications@agophila.org Executive Committee TERM ENDING 2014 Andrew Heller Judith A. Lang Paul Marchesano Kathleen Scheide TERM ENDING 2015 Mary Elizabeth Campbell Theodore Didden Zach Hemenway x35 Judith Fichthorn Bell Stebner TERM ENDING 2016 Grete Ingalls Erik Meyer Elaine Sonnenberg Gordon Turk APPOINTED LEADERSHIP Registrar Erik Meyer x104 EMeyer@stmartinec.org Chapter Chaplain Rev. Bruce Thorsen Chaplain@agophila.org Competition Committee Chair Alan Morrison Alan.Morrison@agophila.org Endowment Committee Chair Ethel Geist Ethel.Geist@agophila.org Examinations Coordinator Lee de Mets Lee.DeMets@agophila.org Historian / Archivist To be appointed Nomination Committee Chair Ralph Purri Ralph.Purri@agophila.org Placement Coordinator Robert Carson Placement@agophila.org Professional Concerns Chair Judy Lang Judy.Lang@agophila.org Tuesday Noon Recitals Coordinator Marcia Sommers TuesdayNoon@agophila.org Volunteer Coordinator Loretta Hartnett Loretta.Hartnett@agophila.org AGO Region III Education Chair Ethel Geist Ethel.Geist@agophila.org Webmaster Tom Lever webmaster@agophila.org

4 4 Philadelphia Chapter of the AGO Chapter Events 2013/2014 Saturday, August 24, 2013, 9:00am A Day at Ocean Grove Ocean Grove Auditorium and Donald & Phyllis Sutherland s cottage Saturday, September 14, 2013, 10:30am Chapter Kick-Off Event St. Paul s Lutheran Church, Ardmore Friday and Saturday, October 18 & 19, 2013 Presbyterian Hymnal Celebration Event Wayne Presbyterian Church Monday, November 18, 2013, 6:30pm Philip Stopford, Choral Techniques Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul Sunday, December 29, 2013, 4:00 8:00pm Chapter Christmas Party Michael Stairs Home Saturday, January 18, 2014, 8:00am 4:00pm January Jumpstart Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church We thank our Patrons (list updated monthly) Benefactors Jeffrey B. Fowler Norman J. Geist and Ethel Geist, CAGO Rudolph A. Lucente Alan Morrison Harry Wilkinson, FAGO Sponsors Jeffrey L. Brillhart Peter Richard Conte, AAGO Theodore W. Didden, CAGO Joseph J. Lewis Michael Stairs David W. Stettler Donors Robert H. Erb Jane Errera, ChM Jeremy J. Flood, CAGO Martha N. Johnson Conrad M. Olie Alan R. Popjoy John A. Romeri, AAGO, ChM, and Karen A. Romeri Stephen F. Schreiber Judith Fichthorn Bell Stebner Gordon H. Turk Monday, February 10, 2014, 7:30 pm Tom Sterner, author of The Practicing Mind St. Paul s Lutheran Church, Glenside Wednesday, March 19, 2014, 7:00 pm Bach Cantata 150 and the Schübler Chorales St. Mark s Church, 1625 Locust St. Sunday, May 18, 2014, 7:30pm Philadelphia Legends VIII St. Peter s Church, 3rd & Pine Sts. Tuesday, June 3, 6:00pm Closing Banquet and Officers Installation with Marva Dawn and Peter Richard Conte Ballroom at Longwood Gardens Saturday, June 7, 2014, 11:00am 5:00pm Fred J. Cooper Memorial Organ Day at the Kimmel Center Free Admission throughout the Day Contributors Carol P. Anders Rae Ann Anderson, CAGO Joanne Shovlin Annas Debra S. Bacak Robert K. Betty David Christopher Marjorie Lynch Cummings, CAGO Doris J. Dabrowski, SPC F. Mark Daugherty, CAGO Joyce Gambrell Drayton Maria de J. Ellis Paul Fejko Rembrandt Mary L Fenwick, AAGO Ruth D. Fisher, AAGO, ChM Dorothy Fulton-Stevens, AAGO Bruce W. Glenny Loretta S. Hartnett, SPC Ashley L. Horner Evan J. Jackson Nancy J Kahler-Jow Charles F. Kelemen Deborah J. Kim Paul S. Kinsey Joel E. Klingman, SPC Judith A. Lang Jeffrey P. Lees Maria Lennon Thomas S. Lever, Jr. Phyllis B. Linn Richard G. Miller Kathleen J. Moyer Leighton W. Moyer Richard J. Pilch Joyce F. Rasmussen John E. Reber, IV Katherine J. Reier, SPC Stephen W. Ross Clair Rozier Lois S. Ruth John W. Sankey, Jr. Yoshiko M. Seavey Marcia L. Sommers Edward Wilk Bradford T. Winters Kathleen E. Wirth

5 5 CALENDAR OF EVENTS K a t h l e e n S c h e i d e, C o o r d i n a t o r Calendar@ agophila. org Thursday, April 3, 12:30 PM David Chalmers, organist. Free. Princeton University- Chapel, Nassau and Washington Rds., Princeton NJ (609) eplutz@princeton.edu Sunday, April 6, 4:00 PM Music at Abington presents Harmonia V Woodwind Quintet. Freewill offering. Abington Presbyterian Church, 1082 Old York Rd, Abington PA Sunday, April 6, 4:00 PM The Choir and Chamber Orchestra of Saint Mary s church in Rutter Requiem, Lee Milhous, conductor. Saint Mary s peal of English Whitechapel bells will be rung beginning at 3:45 pm. Reception follows in the Guild House. Freewill offering. St. Mary's Parish, 145 W. Broad St., Burlington, NJ Sunday, April 6, 5:00 PM Choral Evensong featuring the music of David Hogan, Robert Lehman, and Nicholas White. Freewill offering. St. Martin-In-The-Fields, St.Martin's Lane and Willow Grove Ave., Chestnut Hill, PA Thursday, April 10, 12:30 PM Catherine Rodland, organist. Free. Princeton University- Chapel, Nassau and Washington Rds., Princeton NJ (609) eplutz@princeton.edu Friday, April 18, 12:00 PM Good Friday Liturgy from Noon - 3pm featuring Bach's St. John Passion. The Choir and Orchestra of First Church. First Presbyterian Church, 21st and Walnut Sts, (Center City) Philadelphia PA All Upcoming Events for Crescendo publication should be sent to Kathleen Schiede in advance of our publication submission deadline, which is the 1st of the month preceding publication. Friday, April 18, 2:00 PM Ruth Ideen-Sall leads the APC children s choirs in a special Good Friday offering of The Tale of Three Trees by Allen Pote and Tom S. Long. Freewill offering. Abington Presbyterian Church, 1082 Old York Rd, Abington PA Friday, April 18, 8:00 PM Purcell Funeral Sentences: a Choral Good Friday Service with Richard Stone, lutenist and Zoe Weiss, gambist. Graham Bier, Director of Music. Terry Schnarr, organist. Freewill Offering. Bryn Athyn Cathedral, Bryn Athyn PA Thursday, April 24, 12:30 PM The Winner of the Joan Lippincott Competition for Excellence in Organ Performance. Free. Princeton University-Chapel, Nassau and Washington Rds., Princeton NJ (609) eplutz@princeton.edu Sunday, April 27, 3:00 PM Organ Lecture & Demo with Peter Richard Conte. Free with Gardens admission. Longwood Gardens Ballroom, US Rte 1, Kennett Square PA Sunday, April 27, 4:00 PM Southeastern PA AGO Chapter presents "The Instruments Your Organ Stops are Named For" with Ruth van Baak Griffioen and Tom Marshall. Swarthmore United Methodist Church, 129 Park Ave, Swarthmore, PA Roy Harker Church of Saint Asaph Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania Rudolph A. Lucente Asst. Wanamaker Grand Court Organ Carolyn Boxmeyer Flutist H a r r y W i l k i n s o n Ph.D., F.A.G.O.

6 6 NATIONAL BENEFIT AND RECITAL See the March TAO for more detailed information T he American Guild of Organists (AGO) will sponsor a Recital and Gala Benefit Reception honoring award-winning organist and composer Charles Callahan on Friday, April 25, 2014, at 7:00 p.m., at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis in St. Louis, Mo. Mr. Callahan will perform a solo recital featuring works by American composers. The gala benefit reception will follow at the Chase Park Plaza Hotel. The Recital is free and open to the public. Gala Benefit Reception Tickets are $125 ($100 tax deductible) and can be purchased online at or by calling , ext Gala ticket holders will be offered preferred seating and will have their names printed in the commemorative program book. The deadline to be included is April 1. Display advertising is offered in the commemorative program book. Ad sizes include an inside cover ($1,500, includes four gala tickets), full page ($1,000, includes two gala tickets) and half page ($500, includes one gala ticket) insertions. Advertising orders can be placed online at gala@agohq.org for further information. The advertising deadline is April 1. The publication will become a part of the American Organ Archives. Those unable to attend the Recital and Gala Benefit Reception are invited to participate from a distance by making a contribution to the AGO Endowment Fund in honor of Charles Callahan. Contribute online at or by sending a check to the AGO Endowment Fund, 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 1260, New York, NY Contributions received by April 1 will be included in the commemorative program book. All proceeds from the Gala will honor Charles Callahan in perpetuity through the AGO Endowment Fund. TUESDAY NOON RECITALS Marcia Sommers, Coordinator TuesdayNoon@agophila.org St. Luke s Evangelical Lutheran Church 203 N. Valley Forge Road Devon, PA Host Musician: John Charles T he organ at St. Luke s started life as a Steere in 1924; it was purchased from Zion Lutheran Church when it closed in the late 1980 s. Originally 48 ranks over three keyboards, it is now 85 ranks, thirty of which are Walker technical. The organ is very versatile, with beautiful solo stops and 12 ranks of strings (4 of which are electronic). It will play Buxtehude, Franck or organ jazz. It is set up in French style with the great as the bottom keyboard. Come and enjoy during April. April 1 - Anthony Ciucci April 8 - John Charles April 15 - Holy Week no recital April 22 - Joe Perry April 29 - Rodney Long May Recitals: Church of the Loving Shepherd S. New Street in West Chester Host Musician: Kathleen Scheide More about the interesting organ at CLS in May s Crescendo D e n n i s E l w e l l Overbrook Presbyterian Church - Philadelphia

7 7 CANDIDATE BIOGRAPHIES for Election to Executive Committee You will be asked to vote for Four Fran Treisbach has been a member of the Philadelphia AGO for the past seven years. Prior to that time, she was active in the Lancaster and Harrisburg AGO chapters. Her past chapter experience includes serving on the Executive Committee of the Harrisburg AGO and serving as Editor of The Bombarde, Harrisburg AGO s newsletter. Fran has been an active church musician for her entire musical career as a singer, choir director and organist. While in Harrisburg, Fran served as Director of Music for several churches over the course of 25 years and operated an active music studio teaching voice and piano in addition to her full-time employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. A native of Montgomery County, Fran returned in 2007 to take a position as Music Director at Grace Lutheran Church, Drexel Hill. She retired from that position in 2012 and now actively substitutes throughout the Philadelphia AGO area. Fran holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Westminster College, New Wilmington, PA, and an M.B.A. from LaSalle University, Philadelphia. Andrew Senn is a native of Chicago, and began his music studies on the piano at the age of six. At thirteen he focused his studies on the organ, primarily with William Aylesworth, and also serving as Organ Scholar at The Parish Church of St Luke in Evanston, Illinois. During this time he also undertook coachings with Paul Manz, David Schrader and Martin Jean. At eighteen Andrew was accepted at The Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. While at Curtis, he held posts at historic St Peter s Church and Washington Memorial Chapel, the National Shrine in Valley Forge National Park. He also began a ten-year post as an Assistant Organist at the worldfamous Wanamaker Organ, where he performed over 2,000 daily recitals. Upon graduating from Curtis, Andrew was appointed Organ and Choral Scholar at Truro Cathedral in Cornwall, England, where he studied the English choral tradition under the cathedral organist, Andrew Nethsingha. In August of 2006, Andrew was appointed Director of Music and Organist at The First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia where he continues the rigorous music program set forth by Alexander McCurdy and continued by such Keith Chapman and John Tuttle. In addition to the all-professional Chancel Choir, he has formed a volunteer Parish Choir as well as a successful concert series. Since June of 2011, he has also served as Organist/Pianist for Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel in Elkins Park, PA. Prior to First Church, Andrew served as Director of Music at St. Luke s Episcopal Church in the Germantown section of Philadelphia, and as Assistant Organist at St Peter s Episcopal Church in Morristown, NJ. He has performed with The Philadelphia Singers (the resident chorus for the Philadelphia Orchestra) and The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, and has also made several appearances on the acclaimed Dobson organ in Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center. He has performed engagements at The Cathedral of St John the Divine New York, St Thomas Church New York, St Philip s Cathedral Atlanta, Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts Philadelphia, and Westminster Abbey, St George s Chapel Windsor Castle, and the Cathedrals in London, Truro, Rochester and Chichester in England. He has given recital tours in Germany every year since 2001, and was a finalist in improvisation at the 2013 Luxembourg International Organ Competition. Wesley Parrott, organist, is a native of Easton, Maryland. He holds degrees from The Curtis Institute of Music, The University of the South and Eastman School of Music and has served as organist for churches in Philadelphia, PA, Alexandria, VA, Washington, D.C., and Rochester, NY. Winner of three US national organ playing competitions in 1979, he was also a finalist in the International Organ Playing Competition, Grand Prix de Chartres in Wesley has performed in such places as The Kennedy Center, Washington National Cathedral, The Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (Washington, D.C.), The Kimmel Center s Verizon Hall, The Academy of Music, Princeton U. Chapel, St. Thomas Church, NYC, Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Assoc., NJ, Macy s Grand Court Wanamaker Organ, Memorial Chapel at Culver Academy, Chartres Cathedral, and major churches and Cathedrals in England during choir tours given by The University Choir (The University of the South) and The Princeton Singers. In addition to serving as Organist/Director of Music at St. Mary s Church, Cathedral Road, and Liturgical Musician at St. Francis De Sales Church in Philadelphia, Wesley regularly accompanies church and community choirs in the Philadelphia area. He is an active board member in two organizations: West Washington Square Historic District and The Friends of Louis I. Kahn Park, and also a member of the Philadelphia Chapter of the AGO. Wesley is a past president of The Franklin Inn Club, Philadelphia. A native Philadelphian, Rosemary Hood is a longtime member of the A.G.O. and has previously served on the Executive Board and as Chair of the Nominations Committee. A lifelong musician, she has spent her entire career ( excepting 1983 at St. Charles Borromeo R.C. church) at St. Monica s R.C. church in South Philadelphia where she is also a 5th. generation parishioner. Beginning a full mass schedule at the age of 12 she served as an Assistant Organist from 1974 to marks her 30th. year as the sole Organist and Music Director at St. Monica s where she plays and cantors for the weekend masses and school liturgies. She has studied organ with Robert Carwithen, Earl Ness and Stefan Engels, and church music at Westminster Choir College with Erik Routley, John Kemp and Robin Leaver. As a member of The Hymn Society and N.P.M., I believe the A.G.O. is critical to the continual development of organists not only as solo performers, but as leaders of congregational song, which is the foundation of the organ s role in worship. Interests include organ building and maintenance, weird science, and McLaren and Lotus Formula 1 racing. Conductor, composer, keyboardist, iconoclast Paul Fejko started out as (and continues to be) a pianist, later becoming an organ student of Alexander McCurdy at the Curtis Institute in After graduating from Curtis in 1975, Fej went on to work primarily with dance and theatre as a composer/conductor both in Europe and the US. Presently, he is the musician for historic Gloria Dei (Old Swedes') Church in Philadelphia. Along with this, Fej also works with the Muhlenberg College Dance Department, is Music Director of the Southern NJ Academy of the Performing Arts Dance Department and lately has been a pianist with Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra. He is the founder of the Chester Performing Arts Project and owns/runs a performance space in Chester known as The André Café Acoustique where he also lives. In his spare time, he offers occasional organ concerts - one coming up in Allentown March 25 and in San Fransisco at both St. Mary's and Grace Cathedrals this Continued on p. 8

8 8 Candidate Biographies Continued from page 7 coming August. He is a co-producer of the touring Argentinian dance group "Che Malambo". CDs, video clips and other information can be found at both and Suzanne Erb, gifted soprano and organist, has been music director at St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church in Essington since 1993, and Saturday night Cantor/Organist at Our Lady of Hope, Philadelphia, since She sang with the Choral Arts Society of Philadelphia from , and currently sings with the Eastern European Women s Vocal Ensemble, Philadelphia. After graduation from Bryn Mawr College with a B.A. in Musicology, Ms.Erb earned an M.S. in Psychological Services from the University of Pennsylvania. She founded several community based outreach organizations, worked for Philadelphia s School District, the city s Department of Human Services, and the University of Pennsylvania¹s Office of Affirmative Action and Abilitech, a local training and job placement organization for those with physical, sensory or learning disabilities. She is also an expert in computer technology for the disabled. Most recently, Ms. Erb worked for the Jewish Employment and Vocational Services (JEVS), supervising case managers, performing job counseling and publicly representing the agency on various disability related issues. She serves (or has served) on many boards or committees including, but not limited to: the Mayor s Commission on People with Disabilities, Pennsylvania s Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, the Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services, the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania, the Associated Services for the Blind, and the Tenants Action Group of Philadelphia. She also testified for Congress in Washington, D.C., for a House Ways and Means Committee hearing on Social Security reform, and has authored several influential publications including A Job Hunter's Guide for Students with Disabilities for Career Planning and Placement of the University of Pennsylvania. In 1987 she was elected to the Legion of Honor through the Chapel of Four Chaplains. John Andrew Bailey, AAGO, is Organist at the Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral. He performs regularly as an accompanist and continuo player in the Philadelphia area, including several recent appearances with soprano Julianne Baird. He has also appeared as a concerto soloist with baroque orchestra Tempesta di Mare and on the Philadelphia Bach Festival series. He holds degrees in organ and harpsichord from the Eastman School of Music, where his principal teachers were David Craighead and Arthur Haas. He also trained as a musicologist at the University of Pennsylvania, and teaches in the Intellectual Heritage department at Temple University, having also taught music, humanities, and writing at the University of Pennsylvania, Swarthmore College, Bryn Mawr College, and Montclair State University. He is also a long-time staff member and teacher for Amherst Early Music festivals and workshops. He has presented his research on the music of Guillaume de Machaut at international conferences, and his co-authored essay on the performance practice of fifteenth-century chansons appears in Binchois Studies from Oxford University Press. is 58-stop Rudy Lucente Design is the culmination of his many years of experience in the Catholic music tradition. Employing TM Allen s advanced Quantum technology,, the organ is designed with the versatility for both worship and concert use. The stoplist includes principal choruses on all divisions and pendent Festival Trumpet. Stoplist Library TM offers s the flexib seven specifications to complement any style of music. The process of creating this organ was an exciting and a rewa experience. The combination of Allen s s superior technologyy and their flexibilityy has resulted in a trulyy comprehensive instrument. Rudy Lucente Contact us for more information on this unique instrument, as well as organs starting at $16k! GRAFTON ( )

9 9 The Southeastern PA Chapter of the American Guild of Organists presents: The Instruments Your Stop Knobs Are Named For with Tom Marshall and Ruth van Baak Griffioen, The College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia A demonstration of the renaissance instruments after which organ stops are still named to this day, including blockflute (recorder), cornamuse, cornetto, cromorne, dulcian, gemshorn, krummhorn, rauschpfeife, serpent, shawm, and viola da gamba. Sunday 27 April 2014 at 4:00pm Swarthmore United Methodist Church

10 10 POSITIONS AVAILABLE Robert G. Carson, Coordinator We are happy to advertise positions available for churches in the Greater Philadelphia Area as a free service. We need to request that all ads stay within a 250 word limit applicants should be directed to the church for further information. We would also be very grateful if churches encourage their organists to join our chapter and many include dues payment as a contract perk! Pianist St. Paul s Lutheran Church Lionville, PA Posted: 3/11/14 Seeking a pianist to play for their Sunday morning Contemporary Worship service and adult choir. Rehearsals are Wednesday and Thursday evenings. Applicants must have the ability to play from traditional sheet music as well as from a lead sheet and should be comfortable playing a variety of musical styles as well as vocal warm-ups and four-part choral voicing. Resumes and questions should be sent to music@stpaulslionville.org. Music Director/Organist St. Paul's Catholic Church 9th Street at Christian Philadelphia, PA Posted: 3/6/14 Newly refurbished Skinner Organ. Contact Fr. John Large for information: or JohnLarge@Comcast.net Director of Music and Organist Morrisville Presbyterian Church 771 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Morrisville, PA Posted: 3/5/14 Seek a part-time (20-25 hours per week) Director of Music and Organist. In addition to providing diverse music for a blended service, this position includes responsibility for directing vocal and handbell choirs. The sanctuary organ is a 4 Manual Allen Renaissance Quantum Digital organ with 79 stops and 316 voices. Previous experience is preferred. The salary range is $38,000 - $42,000 based on experience. For a complete job description and more information, please contact the search committee at musicdirectorsearch@mpcusa.net. Organist/Choir Director Grace Lutheran Church 600 Edmonds Ave Drexel Hill, PA Posted: 2/28/14 We are looking for someone who will conduct weekly choir rehearsals and direct the adult choir at our Sunday services at 10:30 AM, with Holy Communion once a month and on special feast days and occasions. Currently the choir meets on Thursdays at 7:30 PM for an hour rehearsal. The music director will be responsible for coordinating music for worship and will serve as the choir director and organist/pianist. This includes integrating music and liturgy, collaborating with other worship leadership to offer worship that is faithful and effective for the setting at our church. We take pride in housing a 1928 Möller organ with two manuals and a Yamaha Clavinova. As we are also seeking to expand our ministry, an ideal candidate would be able to implement a music program for children and promote intergenerational music making. The organist/ pianist/ music director will participate as a member of the Worship Committee and collaborate with the pastor. Grace is a friendly and welcoming congregation and located at the corner of Edmonds Avenue and School Lane with a trolley station next to the church. Please contact: Becky Wantman at BQWantman@gmail.com or by the church phone number, Director of Music Holy Cross Catholic Church 651 E. Springfield Road Springfield, PA Posted: 2/25/14 Seeking a committed, skilled and creative Catholic organist with interests in traditional, classical and contemporary, liturgical music. Position includes one choir rehearsal each week from September to June (7 to 8:30pm), playing three Masses (7:30am, 9:30am choir, and 11:30am) each weekend, alternating with a contemporary group every other Saturday evening at 5:15pm, Sunday Vigil Mass and being available for additional services: e.g. Forth Hours, Holy Week, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc. Weddings and funerals are included. Responsible for assigning and training cantors. Participate in bi-monthly meeting of Liturgy committee. Compensation commensurate with experience, education, and number of responsibilities assumed. To apply, please submit cover letter with your approach to Catholic Liturgical Music, a resume and two letters of recommendation to Fr. John Gabin at address listed above or fax or to: contactus@holycrosscatholics.org. Will contact you for interview after resume is received. Organist First Church of Christ, Scientist 81 Cassatt Avenue Berwyn, PA Posted: 2/19/14 Organist needed to fill a permanent position at our church. We do not have a Music Director, but rather, have musicians who are independent contractors. We require a talented organist who can play for our Sunday church services as well as for our Wednesday evening testimony meetings. We pay $130 for the Sunday service and $100 for the Wednesday meeting. The organist needs to arrive an hour early on Sunday in order to rehearse one selection with our soloist. The Sunday service (10:00 11:00 am) has a prelude of 8 or 9 minutes, three hymns, the solo, and a postlude of 6 or 7 minutes. The Wednesday evening meeting (7:30 8:30 pm) does not have a solo. Continued on p. 10

11 11 Positions Available Continued from page 10 In addition to our Sunday and Wednesday services, we have a Thanksgiving service at 10:00 am which also pays $130. Please contact our Music Committee Chair Tiffany Walker at if you are interested in auditioning for this position. Organist Doylestown Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) 127 E. Court St., Doylestown, PA Posted: 1/14/14 Part-time organist/accompanist to join large and vibrant music program. Responsibilities include playing for all services, accompanying three choirs Wednesday evening, and one choir on Thursday evening. To apply for the position Submit Resume, Cover Letter, Repertoire list, and contact information for 3-5 references. Candidates are encouraged to submit video examples or website links demonstrating their abilities on the organ. Submit materials to organistsearch@dtownpc.org or mail them to David J. Fitzpatrick at the address listed above. To view a full job description visit Director of Music/Organist (Part-time) St. Matthias Church Posted: 01/17/ family suburban parish with well-established, traditional music program seeks a Director of Music (Organist and Choir Director) who will be an active member of the parish staff. Responsibilities include overseeing and directing entire music program: playing the organ for 3 weekend Masses (1 Saturday evening, 1 Sunday morning, 1 Sunday night), holy days, weddings and funerals, other Masses/services as requested, including First Sacraments; accompanying and directing a voice choir at weekly rehearsals and bi-weekly Sunday Masses from September through May; developing a children s choir; rehearsing with cantors and occasional instrumentalists; scheduling music, choir and cantors. Qualified candidate will be a practicing Catholic well-rooted in his/her faith, having a comprehensive knowledge of Roman Catholic liturgy and music with excellent organizational, leadership and interpersonal skills. Candidate with several years experience and strong organ skills preferred. Position is available now. Please mail or (pastor@saintmatthias.org) cover letter, resume and salary range to Monsignor Michael T. McCulken. Johann Sebastian Bach St. John Passion Good Friday April 18, 2014 Noon - 3 pm The Chancel Choir of First Church with period instruments Andrew Senn, conductor 201 South Twenty-First Street Philadelphia, PA NEW YORK CITY The American Guild of Organists (AGO) has been awarded a grant by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to support the 2014 AGO National Convention in Boston, Mass., June 23 27, The $15,000 NEA Art Works grant is directed to support performances, educational workshops, publication of the Boston Organ Book, and new music premieres. The grant carries a mandate that it be matched dollar for dollar from other funding sources. The 2014 AGO National Convention is the fifth consecutive AGO National Convention that has garnered funding from the arts endowment. Please see your TAO for more information. For further information about the 2014 AGO National Convention, please visit For further information about the National Endowment for the Arts, please visit Marjorie Lynch Cummings C.A.G.O. First Presbyterian Church of Olney

12 12 The Joy of Music in the Digital World M any of us will remember Leonard Bernstein s first book The Joy of Music, originally published in I still have the copy given to me for my birthday in 1960 (and I won t say which birthday that was!). However, I am struck by accuracy of his assessment as to how we experience that Joy in our instrument, the organ, especially in the digital world of today. Bernstein said, Any great art work revives and readapts time and space, and the measure of its success is the extent to which it makes you an inhabitant of that world - the extent to which it invites you in and lets you breathe its strange, special air. I am confident we can say that a fine organ is a great work of art and that in the hands of a sensitive musician, it can revive and readapt any music to the time and space that surrounds it. Further, the measure of the organ (and the organist s) success is the extent to which it, and they, can draw listeners into that world of sound and connects them spiritually, one to another. With the Modern Organ we have a greater ability to engage our audience at all levels, and in all stylistic methods, in the joy of music than perhaps we ve ever had before. From a practical standpoint, the Modern Organ has become an inviting instrument to play. Where once the mechanical technique of manipulating the instrument was a challenge to many, we now have, for example, a Transposer that makes key changes easily; a BASS coupler to automatically play pedal notes (like cello lines in oratorio arias or for the young pianist who wants to try the organ); Record and Playback features designed to provide a wonderful tool for practice or performance; USB storage for registration combination and recordings. All of these are part of the joy of making music with a Modern Organ, but the joy doesn t stop there. Consider the possibilities that exist in digital instruments today in terms of experiencing historical sounds that otherwise might not be heard. Manufacturers are offering digital products that faithfully replicate harpsichords, fortepianos, portative pipe organs, all with the hope that as we move further away from the time and space in which those instruments were originally created, we may yet revive and readapt the music composed for performance on them. And that opens the door to the dramatic improvement in sampling techniques and audio systems through which these modern digital instruments are created and heard. Whereas we thought one or possibly two microphones gave good results in sampling the sound of instruments (such as pipe organs) about 20 years ago, today we find that 7-9 microphones, placed strategically about a room to capture the sound from many angles yields a much great realism when converted and played back. The nuances of improved sampling abilities truly allow us to breathe the special and strange air that was noticeably lacking previously. And today s audio systems are simply incredible to the point that we can be immersed and surrounded by sound that draws us into a unique time and space. And, the quality of construction and the materials being used (for example, Kevlar for speaker cones) is not only of excellent quality, but more lightweight and compact allowing for adaptation in the most confined of spaces. Efficient, and powerful digital amplifiers are virtually heat-free today and thus have a much longer life expectation than anything we ve ever had. This Joy of Music in the Digital World was never intended to take the place of hand-crafted, beautifully designed and maintained, and warmly cherished traditional instruments. Where they exist they should be lovingly embraced and supported. Where they have been misused, neglected or abused, they should be revived and readapted so as to draw new listeners into their special time and space. With a Modern Organ, all of this is possible and the success is realizing that in 1959, we were just beginning to scratch the surface of what has become the digital world of musical instruments that we know today. Now, it is possible to imagine a future with no limitations except our own imagination. Almost any composition, be it traditional, classical, contemporary or modern in the hands of a sensitive musician without fear of embracing the possibilities offered by the digital world can indeed help our listeners feel invited in and able to experience in truth, the strange and special air of the Modern Organ. Don McFarland Don McFarland serves as Music Director/Organist for Richardson Park UMC in Wilmington, Delaware. He is also Institutional Representative for Cunningham Piano Company in Philadelphia.

13 SUBSTITUTE LIST 13 This list is published as a courtesy to the chapter membership. Although the AGO assumes no responsibility for the musicianship or reliability of substitute organists, Guild certificates and other degree programs indicate preparation beyond the minimum. The codes preceding each name have the following meanings: S = Available to play on a Sunday, O = Available to play other services such as weddings/funerals/weekdays, C = will also direct a choir Please note: This list includes only current members of the Philadelphia Chapter. To be included on this list, please be sure your membership is current and your profile indicates that you wish to be listed. For assistance contact Erik Meyer at registrar@agophila.org or Code Substitute Location Phone Number O Hannah A. Albrecht Bryn Mawr, PA SOC Fred Astmann Cherry Hill, NJ SOC Debra S. Bacak Sellersville, PA OC James Boschker Philadelphia, PA O Lucas C. Brown Philadelphia, PA D. Stephen Cable Bethlehem, PA Robert G. Carson Philadelphia, PA O Ronald Chancler Levittown, PA SC Linda J. Clark West Chester, PA O Mark A. Cole, SPC Cinnaminson, NJ Marjorie Lynch Cummings CAGO Philadelphia, PA S Doris J. Dabrowski SPC Philadelphia, PA OC Lee de Mets FAGO Chalfont, PA OC Thomas G Denny Spring City, PA SOC Theodore W. Didden CAGO Ambler, PA SOC Adam F. Dieffenbach Telford, PA OC Vincent Paul DiFrancesco Philadelphia, PA O Anthony Dratwa Essington, PA SOC Joyce Gambrell Drayton Philadelphia PA OC Sue Ellen Echard Harleysville, PA Maria de J. Ellis Ardmore, PA OC Paul Raymond Emmens AAGO, ChM West Chester, PA O Suzanne Erb Philadelphia, PA SO Gary S. Eslinger Abington, PA OC Carol Evans Glenside, PA x144 O Jonathan G. Fairchild Huntingdon Valley, PA SO Karen B. Fallows SPC Hatfield, PA SOC Susanna Faust West Chester, PA Paul Fejko Chester, PA SO Ruth D. Fisher AAGO ChM Media, PA SOC Jeremy J. Flood CAGO Philadelphia, PA Robert H. Frederick Philadelphia, PA O Patricia Gallo-Terrenzio Huntingdon Valley, PA OC William J. Gatens FAGO ChM Chester, PA SOC Louise M. Gerdelmann Souderton, PA O Eric Gombert Lansdale, PA OC Peter Gowen Philadelphia, PA O Charles M. Griffin Levittown, PA Lisa Guglielmo Glenmoore, PA SOC Cheryl Hazzard Sewell. NJ O Zachary D. Hemenway Philadelphia, PA SOC Michael Clair Huffman Allentown, PA O H. Ray Hunsicker West Chester, PA OC Grete Ingalls, CAGO Philadelphia, PA Evan J. Jackson Aston, PA SOC Tsitsi Jaji Philadelphia, PA OC Helen Jauregui Philadelphia, PA OC Beth Z. Jenkins Oreland, PA SOC Raymond Johnson Cheltenham, PA OC D. Damien Jones Wilmington, DE OC Paul S. Jones Philadelphia, PA x236 OC Sandor Kadar Lawrenceville, NJ S Deborah J. Kim Turnersville, NJ Code Substitute Location Phone Number OC Parker Kitterman Philadelphia PA SC Joel E. Klingman SPC Southampton, PA OC Maria Lennon Hatboro, PA SC Thomas S. Lever Lansdale, PA SOC David Clark Little Feasterville, PA S Chiduzie Madubata Attleboro, MA S Elizabeth A. Manus St. Davids, PA SOC Paul R. Marchesano Philadelphia, PA S Leah Martin Huntingdon Valley, PA O Glenn M. Matis Doylestown, PA SC Steven Matthews Philadelphia, PA O Steven J. McBride West Chester, PA SOC Mardia Melroy Ambler, PA SOC Constance H. Mickel Bryn Mawr, PA OC Lee F. Milhous Doylestown, PA Scott P. Myers Furlong, PA William L. Nash Pottstown, PA O David R. Nelson Aston, PA OC Michael Nelson Easton, PA SO Patricia Nyce Douglassville, PA SO Sean OConnor Philadelphia, PA SOC Kirsten K. Olson Collegeville, PA O Frank K. J. Orman Eagleville, PA SC Joanne K. Owen Pilesgrove, NJ OC Wesley D. Parrott Philadelphia, PA O Aaron C. Patterson Philadelphia, PA SOC Patricia A. Pezick Blue Bell, PA O Margaret Realley Doylestown PA SOC Katherine J. Reier SPC Abington, PA SOC Katherine Rick Wayne, PA O Ruth E. Rineer Cheltenham, PA SOC Barbara Romesburg Drexel Hill, PA O Valerie Rozek Chesterbrook, PA O John W. Sankey Deptford, NJ OC Stephen F. Schreiber Ambler, PA SOC Phillip J. Shade Souderton, PA OC Marilyn Lee Shenenberger SPC Edgewater Park, NJ OC Jeffrey J. Shuman FAGO, ChM Lightstreet, PA OC David E. Shunskis Philadelphia, PA Alexander M. Smith King of Prussia, PA O Judith F. B. Stebner Warminster, PA OC Robert J. Stoop Philadelphia, PA SO Karen L. Thomas Yeadon, PA O F. Anthony Thurman Cherry Hill, NJ OC Ryan Tibbetts Philadelphia, PA SOC Frances M. Treisbach Jeffersonville, PA SOC Virginia K. Vaalburg Glen Mills, PA SOC Matthew L. Valent Collegeville, PA SOC John W. Van Sant Trenton, NJ SO Karen Whitney Philadelphia, PA SC Robert H. Wilkinson Ridley Park, PA S John C. Williams Doylestown, PA O John M. Woznisky Paoli, PA O Jerry L. E. Wright Collingdale, PA

14 14 CHAPLAIN S CORNER Rev. Bruce Thorsen, Chapter Chaplain Chaplain@agophila.org Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this? She said to him, Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world. John 11:25-27 NRSV I began the last Chaplain s corner, We are in the snowy and cold days. As I write this we are still in the snow and awaiting yet another snow storm. This winter seems like it will never end. There have been so many days and weeks rescheduled. Lent this year runs into April with Passover and Easter in the middle of the month. I believe all of us are looking for new life. A life with no more ice and snow. An intellectually disabled consumer that I work with, who happens to sing in a church choir, reminded me that spring was coming soon. When we have difficult or frustrating times in our life, new life is much more pronounced. This year we will welcome and celebrate the new life that spring will bring. Notice I say will, as spring is part of the seasonal cycle that God has created. In the month of April, flowers will bloom and birds will sing and the sun will warm us. Find in the music we are involved in, something fresh and new. Excite people with this freshness! We experience darkness and God brings light into that darkness and allows us to experience new life. This year everyone is seeking new life in one form or another. Through the music we share, God can bring new life in order that others may hear the message of new life. I challenge us to dig into the music and make it live. We all need a new song in this season of spring and new life. Take a chestnut and make it new again. This is what God does with our lives when we are able to God do it. The music is there waiting to dance and live, to find emotion and energy to bring out the message. Whether vocal or instrumental there is a message waiting to be shared. There is a message waiting to be heard. First God is waiting for us to be open to discovering that message in our own lives. As new life begins again in God s creation, take time to breathe it in. Unless we are relaxed and am invigorated, we will not find the new life in our music. Spring has sprung!! Inhale the new life!! God creates it again every spring. Enjoy it! Celebrate it! Take that new life and breathe it into your music that the message may be one of new life. Believe in the new life that God offers to us and share it with others! Chaplain Bruce Bruce Shultz Girard College Church of St. Francis de Sales University of Pennsylvania William J. Gatens, D. Phil., F.A.G.O., Ch.M. Blessed John Henry Newman Fellowship Congregation Adath Jeshurun, Elkins Park American Record Guide

15 15 WHERE AM I? The answer to our March puzzle was Wayne Presbyterian, church home to our Dean. Can you guess this one, a lovely church that has hosted Tuesday Noons as well as chapter events in past years? TALE PIPES Mary Elizabeth Campbell, Editor Crescendo@agophila.org I know that we vary widely in our respective technical abilities, and that some folks are distinctly uncomfortable with anything online. There have been so many changes in recent years in the name of greater convenience and accessibility - and I realize that some of you quite prefer paper versions of things, and real mail. We certainly want to respect the variety of preferences within our organization, and plan to continue to offer options and assistance as needed. In the interest of trying to let everyone be aware of current possibilities, we will soon be sending e-crescendo to all members that we have addresses on file for, so that you can see what it's like. One of the innovations just added this year is 'clickable links,' meaning that you can actually register for programs or explore more information within specific articles directly from your Crescendo! And remember - you can continue to access archived editions through our chapter website, currently in the Members Only section. The financial realities of today are that the cost of printing and mailing Crescendo continues to increase, which is why we very much appreciate contributions from members to offset this cost. Every person who opts to get e-crescendo saves the chapter a considerable amount in postage. Thank you - and please remember that YOUR input is most welcome, including articles and comments! Please feel free to send YOUR submission of an instrument in our region, and tell us where it is. Send it to Crescendo@agophila.org. Mary Elizabeth Campbell, C.A.G.O. Music Therapist MAMT BC Music Director, St. Basil the Great, Kimberton Private Music Teacher, Therapist, EDMR Practitioner

16 NEWSLETTER OF THE PHILADELPHIA CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN GUILD OF ORGANISTS Katherine Reier, Circulation Coordinator 1936 Guernsey Avenue Abington, PA