THE EN CHAMADE. From the Dean: Carolyn Mason. Newsletter of the American Guild of Organists, Memphis Chapter February 2017

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1 THE EN CHAMADE Newsletter of the American Guild of Organists, Memphis Chapter February 2017 From the Dean: Thank you to Barry Oliver and Idlewild Presbyterian for hosting our first meeting of What a wonderful time of learning and inspiration guild members enjoyed at the recital and master class presented by Walter Hilse. His playing was exquisite, performing the works of Couperin, Bach, Mendelssohn, Widor and his own variations on Yigdal. On Saturday eight guild members volunteered to play for Mr. Hilse who offered constructive criticism and historical background on each piece played. His helpful hints for taking certification exams were well received. Participants included John Palmer, Carolyn Mason, Barry Oliver, Kelly Kramer, Marc Ceresier, Dennis Janzer, Phil Brown and Karen Strawhecker. (See pictures in this issue). Our next program and meeting is February 10 at Calvary Episcopal Church featuring a recital by Ken Cowan. Regarded as one of North America s finest concert organists and praised for his dazzling artistry, impeccable technique, and imaginative programming by audiences and critics alike, Ken Cowan maintains a rigorous performing schedule that takes him to major concert venues in America, Canada, Europe, and Asia. A native of Thorold, Ontario, Canada, Mr. Cowan received the Master s degree and Artist Diploma from the Yale Institute of Sacred Music, studying organ with Thomas Murray. Prior to attending Yale, he graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree from the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia where he studied with John Weaver. In 2012, Mr. Cowan joined the keyboard faculty of the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University as Associate Professor and head of the organ program. He is additionally Organist and Artist-in- Resident at Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church in Houston, TX. Our chapter is underwriting part of this concert in conjunction with Calvary s Steuterman Hardison Organ Recital Series. Our meal will be at St. Peter s Catholic Church which is across from the parking lot from Calvary. Social gathering is at 6:00, meal at 6:30 meal and business meeting followed by the recital at 7:30 at Calvary. Hope to see you there. Our meal and business meeting will be held at St. Peter s Catholic Church, across the street from Calvary. 6:00pm Social hour; 6:30 meal and meeting. The recital begins at 7:30pm. Hope to see you there. Carolyn Mason 1

2 2017 C HAPTER MEETINGS 6pm -Social, 6:30-Dinner, 7:00-Meeting for AGO members, 7:30-Program Friday, February 10, 2017 Ken Cowan, Recitalist 6:00 Social Gathering and 6:30pm Dinner Meeting: St. Peter Catholic Church, 190 Adams Avenue, :30pm Program: Calvary Episcopal Church,102 N. Second St., *Note: The dinner and program are at different locations (across the street). Monday, March 6, 2017 Organ Plus One The Sequel 6:00 Social Gathering; 6:30pm Dinner Meeting; 7:30pm Program Collierville United Methodist Church, 454 W. Poplar Ave., Monday, April 3, 2017 Collegium Musicum with Dr. Ken Kreitner 6:00 Social Gathering; 6:30pm Dinner Meeting; 7:30pm Program Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 1695 Central Ave., Monday, May 8, 2017 Progressive Dinner and Office Installation 6:30pm 9:00pm Three-course meal: each course at a different location! St. George s Episcopal Church, 2425 S. Germantown Rd., Germantown Presbyterian Church, 2363 S. Germantown Rd., Germantown United Methodist Church, 2331 S. Germantown Rd., Dear Colleagues, Please consider performing a piece with a friend on our Monday March 6 "Organ Plus One" AGO program, at 7:30 PM at Collierville United Methodist Church. This concert features music for organ and one other instrument/voice, and is an excellent opportunity to share some of the great wealth we have in local musicians, both within our chapter and in the greater Memphis musical community. The concert will be preceded by our usual social, dinner and meeting at 6:00 PM. We held an enjoyable "Organ Plus One" event in our season, which included organ collaboration with trumpet, voice, harp, cello, and handbells. Among our AGO events that feature local musicians, it was one of our more heavily-attended programs. If you are interested in performing a selection, please me at Clavier385@sbcglobal.net with your ideas. We welcome music suitable for church services as well as concert repertoire. If you would like to play, please let me know by Monday, February 6 (the repertoire doesn't have to be confirmed by then, only that you are participating). I hope you will consider performing on this program! Sincerely, André Duvall 2

3 Positions Available FOR UP-TO-DATE POSITION INFORMATION OR DETAILED INFORMATION CHECK THE LISTINGS ON OUR WEBSITE: BASS SECTION LEADER Calvary Episcopal Church 102 N. Second Street, Memphis, TN Sunday service and Wednesday PM rehearsals August May; 1 Sunday service as needed June July; Additional special services/rehearsals; Christmas Eve and Holy Week are mandatory; teaching privileges and performing space available; some solo work; sight reading skills are necessary. Contact Kristin Lensch, organist-choirmaster klensch@calvarymemphis.org Organist-Director of Music (part-time) St. Philip Episcopal Church 9380 Davies Plantation Road Bartlett, TN Sunday service (10:30 AM), Wednesday PM rehearsal. Rehearsal and special services (including Christmas and Holy Week), First right of refusal for weddings and funerals Moller pipe organ (2 manual 1981) Contact Marilyn Riehl, Search Committee Chair: mriehl@gmail.com Organist (part-time) Saint Mary s Episcopal Church 108 N. King Ave Dyersburg, TN Saint Mary s is seeking an organist to lead our worship at one service each Sunday at 10:30 am and for special services including Christmas Eve and Holy Week. Contact the Rev. Gary Meade: , gmeade@stmarysdyersburg.org To list a position in this printed newsletter and to place on the chapter website, an authorized representative of the church/institution must submit the information. Although listings are free of charge, the Executive Board of the Memphis Chapter reserves the right to review and refuse an advertisement. Listings should include a description of the position's duties and pertinent details such as: job title, number of worship services, rehearsals, choirs/ensembles, type of instrument to be played, etc. Send listings to Jane Scharding Smedley: electronically (mrsjane@bellsouth.net); by fax ( ); mail (22 South Reese Street, Memphis, TN 38111). For more information, contact Jane at: , ext. 15. No listing will be accepted over the telephone. Additional information may be found online at The Substitute List is on the website - please continue to notify Jane Scharding Smedley of any changes needed at: mrsjane@bellsouth.net. We are happy to list your events for the use of our members. Please be sure to include the day, date, time, venue/church name and address. If you send an attachment, please be sure that it is in text or document form. No PDFs, please! Graphics and text in the body of an are fine. All events are free admission unless otherwise noted 3

4 2017 CALENDAR OF EVENTS Sunday, January 29, 4:00 p.m. St. Mary s Wednesday Morning Musicians With John Burruss, John Gaskill, Ephie Johnson, Sean Murphy, Jeremy Shrader, Jim Spake, Nora Tucker, Claire Valine. These musicians provide outstanding music for the Wednesday 8AM Eucharist in Sisters' Chapel which is followed by a community breakfast. The program features a wide variety of musical styles with instruments and vocals. Freewill offering to support the breakfast ministry. St. Mary s Episcopal Cathedral, 700 Poplar Av, Memphis, TN Sunday, January 29, 3:00 p.m. St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church Choral Music, Organ Music and Hymns, Co-Sponsored by Midsouth Chpater of National Association of Pastoral Musicians Highway 64, Somerville, TN Sunday, Feb. 12, 5:30 p.m. Epiphany Evensong, sung by the choirs of the Church of the Holy Communion and St. George's Episcopal, 2425 So. Germantown Road, Germantown. Music of Howells, Ayleward, and Eccard. Reception to follow. Ph: (901) Friday, Feb. 19, 8:05 p.m. Compline (Sarum Service) by the Men of the St. George's Choir, St. George's Episcopal, 2425 So. Germantown Road, Germantown. Ph: (901) Friday, Feb. 24, 7 p.m. Patrick Parker, Organist, music of the German Romantic Period, played on the 54-rank Goulding and Wood organ at St. George's Episcopal, 2425 So. Germantown Road, Germantown. Reception to follow. Ph: (901) Sunday, February 29, 4:00 p.m. Spirituality Amidst Upheaval - Organ and Trumpet In Collaboration with Opera Memphis, Rhodes College, Luna Nova Music as part of: Fractured: Music and Spirituality in a Time of Upheaval Dennis Janzer Organ, David Spencer Trumpet, Beverly Vance Native American Flute, Howard Vance Guitar The twentieth century was a time of earth-shattering change. It saw the devastation of two horrific wars, the total breakdown of centuries-old governments, and people turning against their neighbors in a desperate effort to find stability in the chaos. New works were created for a new time. Explore this music. A faculty member from Memphis Theological Seminary will moderate. Featuring Janzer s Psalm 92: Flourish Like the Palm Tree; Psalm Meditations; his award winning Duologue for Trumpet and Organ; and Messiaen s masterpiece Dieu parmi nous. The Vances play original music. St. Mary s Episcopal Cathedral, 700 Poplar Av, Memphis, TN Additional information on the Fractured series at memphisseminary.edu/theology-arts/fractured/ Sunday, March 5, 4:00 p.m. "Dancing in the Dark with Chris and Friends" - featuring the Lindenwood Chancel Choir, Orchestra, Soloists and singer-pianist Chris Nemec in a benefit pops concert for Church Health. Tickets are $20 general admission, and $50 Golden Circle (catered reception, reserved seating, larger donation to Church Health.) Tickets available on itickets.com (search Lindenwood) or at or cnemec@lindenwoodcc.org Wednesday, March 8, 6:30 p.m. Philharmonia Quartett Berlin: Family Concert, St. George's Episcopal, 2425 So. Germantown Road, Germantown. Ph: (901)

5 CONGRATULATIONS TO NANCY GRAHAM ON HER NEWLY RELEASED BOOK! They Bear Acquaintance African American Spirituals and the Camp Meetings Series: Music and Spirituality Nancy L. Graham Identifying the roots of African American spirituals and other religious folk music has intrigued academics, hymnologists and song leaders since this genre came to the public eye in The conversation on origins has waned and waxed for over eighty years, sometimes polemical, sometimes compromising. They Bear Acquaintance looks at this discussion through the output of various well-regarded researchers from the twentieth century. The effects of cultural distinctions, immigration patterns and class structure have all left their imprint on the anatomy of the music. No one living has ever heard a spiritual performed in an authentic setting, so misconceptions abound. Pre-dating the American Civil War and achieving global attention in the Civil Rights movement, the spirituals soften the edges of difficult situations, and speak gently, yet poignantly, to human struggles. The book also pinpoints new material from a wide range of sources in the twenty-first century that will preserve and affirm this music for many years to come. Concert and Workshop Dr. Walter Hilse at Idlewild Presbyterian Church, January 13 th and 14 th. 5

6 Steuterman Hardison Organ Recital featuring Ken Cowan In all corners of the world, Ken Cowan, associate professor at the Shepherd School of Music, Rice University, is praised for his dazzling artistry, impeccable technique, and imaginative programming by audiences and critics alike. Established as an annual concert event, this recital is sponsored by Laurie & Brooks Monypeny and Josh Hardison, with underwriting assistance from the Memphis Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. Friday, February 10 7:30 p.m. a gala reception will follow CALVARY EPISCOPAL CHURCH 102 N. 2nd Street Memphis, TN calvarymemphis.org calvaryfriendsofmusic EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Elected Officers Dean Carolyn Mason Sub-Dean André Duvall, Recording Secretary Ty Legge Registrar Samson C. Toe Treasurer Joe Holloway Members-at-Large Walton Griffin (2019) Jane Scharding Smedley (2018) and Aaron Foster (2017) Appointed Officers (From ) Phil Brown, Professional Concerns and Development Marc Cerisier, Librarian Martha Israel, Scholarship Kelly Kramer, Education and Summer Recitals Wesley McPeters, Webmaster Barry Oliver, Examinations Jean Jones, Publicity The Rev. Nancy O Shea, Chaplain André Duvall, Membership Jane Scharding Smedley, Placement Coordinator Jane Scharding Smedley, Historian/Archivist Dennis Janzer, Newsletter Editor American Guild of Organists, Memphis Chapter P.O. Box , Memphis, TN