sforzando Dean s Message -- by Vernon Williams Southwest Jersey Chapter American Guild of Organists

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1 UPCOMING EVENTS HOLIDAY GATHERING FRIDAY DECEMBER 29 6PM HOMON ARMS sforzando V O L U M E 7, I S S U E 4 D E C E M B E R Southwest Jersey Chapter American Guild of Organists Dean s Message -- by Vernon Williams Here we are once again in the holiday season, ready or not! My wish for all of us is that we will be able to maintain some semblance of balance this month, and enjoy the essence of the Advent and Christmas seasons amidst all the unavoidable busyness and rushing around. We are very fortunate to offer the gift of music to our congregations and listeners, especially at this time of year. May our music be an inspiration to all who hear it! And speaking of the Christmas season, I hope to see you on Friday, December 29, at 6:00 p.m., at our Holiday Party hosted by Peter Homon. See inside for details. In case you missed them, our November programs, featuring the inimitable Paul Jacobs leading a masterclass and in recital, were superb. Five organists, Dan Nelson, Irina Nenartovich, Marilyn Rabbai, Carol Louise Knisell, and Matt Smith, played for Saturday morning s INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Sub-Dean s Report 2 Matters of Note 2 Gallery: Paul Jacobs Recital and Masterclass 3 Programs At a Glance 4 Convention Corner 5 Share Your Gifts! 5.Continued on page 13 Organ pipes in La Sagrada Familia, Cathedral of the Holy Family, Barcelona, Spain. The Basilica, designed by Antoni Gaudi, houses a twomanual Blancafort organ in the Presbytery, with several additional organs planned for this immense and beautiful space. Photo by Gary Langel by SW Jersey AGO

2 P A G E 2 Our December meeting...is always memorable for good food and catching up with old friends please plan to attend! Sub-Dean s Report -- by David Rhody December is the time of gathering and celebrating, so our Chapter is planning to do plenty of both. Our December meeting is on Friday the 29 th at the home of the Homons, 6 pm (40 East Walnut Avenue, Merchantville 08109). Peter and Jane are providing the main courses, and we are asked to bring appetizer, salad or side dishes please sign up with Hospitality Chair Cathy O Neill (cmo125@aol.com or ). This feast is always memorable for good food and catching up with old friends please plan to attend! Our January meeting comes early in the month, on Saturday the 6 th, when Bob Parkhurst has arranged a special visit for us to hear and tour the Wanamaker organ at Macy s Philadelphia. Our visit will be hosted by Wanamaker assistant organist Matters of Note Rudy Lucente who will play the noon recital and invite us to the console area if conditions permit. We will meet at 10 am at the Grand Court Eagle to tour the chambers and see what the latest restoration involves. We can decide other details later, but please put this event on your calendar now. May the blessings of this season be with you and your loved ones always. Soli Deo Gloria. Hospitality: We are looking forward to the post holiday celebration at Peter Homan's. Please let me know in advance what you will be bringing. We are asking folks to bring side dishes and desserts. - Cathy cmo125@aol.com Address correction: Wayne Richmond s address should be: jfrancaix@aol.com. Please update your directory. Sunday, December 3 at 4:00 pm: Advent Lessons and Carols at Trinity Church, Moorestown featuring the Trinity and Canterbury Choirs; Vernon Williams, Director of Music; Andrew Senn, guest organist. Music of Palestrina, Green, McRae, Archer, Bedford, Dyson, Ellis. The service of Advent Lessons and Carols is a beautiful way to enter into the spirit of the Advent and Christmas seasons. Anthems, hymns, and organ music are interwoven with scripture readings and prayers to express the joyful anticipation of Christmas. Please join us for this special afternoon of music and worship. Reception follows ~ food & fellowship. 207 West Main Street, Moorestown, New Jersey 08057; Sunday, December 3 at 7:00 pm: Christmas Recital at Deerfield Presbyterian Church Recitalists Deidra Palmour, mezzo soprano, and William Gorton, tenor, who recently relocated to South Jersey, have enjoyed distinguished careers on the opera and concert stage. They will be accompanied by pianist Evelyn R. Larter, the church s Director of Music, in a varied program of favorite Christmas arias, songs and carols. Free-will offering. 530 Old Deerfield Pike, Deerfield NJ. For information or directions, call (856) (see page 6 for more information ) Monday, December 4 at 11:00 am: Advent Lessons and Carols at the Evergreens Chapel 309 Bridgeboro Road, Moorestown, NJ with The Rev. Martin Lavengood, Chaplain, Mr. Lee F. Milhous, Organist and Choirmaster. Sung by the choirs of Saint Mary s Parish (Burlington) and Grace Church (Pemberton) Sunday, December 10 at 4:00 pm: Sundays at Four, St. Mary s Haddon Heights presents a seasonal concert by the Moorestown Madrigals. Free-will offering. (See poster, page 8) Sunday, December 10 at 5:00 pm: 36th Annual Messiah Sing-in at First United Methodist Church of Moorestown. Donna Banes, Director/Glenn Rodgers, Organist Come and experience this beloved Oratorio by the singing the choruses and solos with hundreds of others who have come to cherish this yearly, unique, audience participation event, held every December since Bring you own score of music, or you may purchase one when you arrive. 446 Camden Ave., Moorestown, NJ continued on page 6 S F O R Z A N D O

3 V O L U M E 7, I S S U E 4 PAGE Gallery: Paul Jacobs Recital and Masterclass Above, Paul Jacobs with masterclass performers Dan Nelson, Matt Smith, Carol Louise Knisell, Irina Nenartovich, Marilyn Rabbai, chapter dean Vernon Williams and sub-dean David Rhody. Left, Paul works with Matt Smith as he plays Fugue in F major, BWV 540. Photos by Joe Routon. Additional photos by Marilyn Rabbai. 3

4 P A G E 4 Organ Recital by Dean Vernon Williams -- by Ruth Fink, CAGO, ChM Programs at a Glance (See Sub-Dean s Report on page 2 for details) Friday, December 29 at 7PM: Potluck Supper and Holiday Party at the home of Peter Homon, 40 East Walnut Ave., Merchantville Saturday, January 6, 2018 at 10AM: Wanamaker Organ field trip at Macy s, Philadelphia Saturday, February 24 at 10AM: Organ building and maintenance workshop at First Presbyterian Church in Pitman, with lunch to follow. Chuck Gibson, presenter Sunday, March 4 at 3PM: Memorial Concert at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Moorestown, honoring Helen K. Taylor and J. Bert Carlson Dean Vernon Williams performed a very fine, enjoyable organ recital at Trinity Episcopal Church in Moorestown, on Sunday, October 29 th. An outstanding feature was the understanding of the organ by the organist. The music that was chosen featured the best sounds the organ has to offer. Another important aspect was the choice and sequence of the repertoire, which challenged the ear, then gave it rest alternatively. The recital began with the Sonata No. 2 in C Minor by Mendelsohn. This is one of the pillars of organ repertoire, and it was given a performance which emphasized its dignity and steadfastness. Chant de Mai by Jongen was a perfect choice to follow the Mendelssohn, because of its soft, wispy textures. Johann Sebastian Bach s Prelude and Fugue in E Minor BWV 548, called the Wedge, was performed as the central part of the recital. Spitta commented on the life energy and extreme daring of the fugue subject. Peter Williams wrote about the riveting power and balance, tension and climax of this work. The organ at Trinity was able to promote these qualities. The remainder of the recital, Prelude and Trumpetings by Myron Roberts, Psalm-Prelude, Set 2 No. 2 by Howells, and Carillon- Sortie by Mulet gave an fitting ending to this well played recital. Vernon Williams, shown here playing a noontime recital on Nov 21 at St. Paul's Cathedral in San Diego. The organ is 85 ranks, rebuilt by Quimby in Sunday, April 15 at 3PM: Annual Members Recital at Deerfield Presbyterian Church. Evelyn Larter, host Annual Meeting and Picnic: 2018 (date time and place TBA) S F O R Z A N D O

5 V O L U M E 7, I S S U E 4 P A G E 5 Convention Corner -- by Evelyn Larter, CAGO The Steering Committee for the 2019 Mid-Atlantic Regional Convention met recently to hear updates on different aspects of the planning process. By mid-december we hope to resubmit our proposed schedule and budget to the National Committee on Conventions, having taken steps to address the concerns they raised. One date to note is July 7th, 2018, the day after the end of next year's National Convention in Kansas City: that is the day our website can go live for the first time! We are very grateful to Max Esmus for offering to build the website. Share Your Gifts! -- by Marilyn Rabbai, CAGO As organists, we share our gifts of time and talents all the time. Now, we are on the threshold of a breathtaking, ground-breaking opportunity for our members, our chapters and our region. You can see from Evelyn s columns how plans for the 2019 Mid- Atlantic Regional AGO Convention in South Jersey are moving forward. At this point we already know that South Jersey will become a center for incredible inspiration and education, offered by some of the very finest clinicians and performers in our region, nation and world. By hosting this convention, we share the instruments we know and love; the neighborhoods and facilities of which we are justly proud! The programs we present will have a lasting impact on our lives, the communities we serve and many beyond our local borders. They are certainly worth our financial support in terms of both concrete and intangible returns; from the boost to local businesses to the enduring cultural reverberations we can't even measure. Will you help lead the way with your financial support? All gifts to the AGO are 100% tax deductible to the fullest extent provided by law. Your gift, in whatever amount is appropriate for your budget, will be appreciated and will be put to work immediately, propelling us forward at the crucial planning stage. What are some of the benefits of doing this now? Your gift encourages other guild members to make a donation. The power of our combined financial support makes us more attractive to foundations and major donors. You get a tax write-off for the year Most importantly, your contribution brings us closer to the exciting programs and experiences we are planning for There will be future opportunities for sponsorships and advertising. Several members are planning to make gift installments for 2017, 2018 and Whatever you can offer in an initial gift will create the momentum we need to meet our fundraising goals in the months ahead. Please send your check today, made payable to AGO 2019 Mid-Atlantic Regional, to: Gail Gassaway 241 Night Hawk Circle West Deptford, NJ Many thanks and many blessings! Marilyn Rabbai, Gift and Grants Chair S F O R Z A N D O

6 P A G E 6 Advent Organ Recitals at The Evergreens Chapel Tuesdays from 1:30 pm till 2:00 pm: 12/5 - Kevin O Malia Organist and Director of Music, First United Methodist Church of Germantown Philadelphia, PA, Temple B nai Shalom East Brunswick, NJ 12/12 - Timothy Harrell Organist and Choirmaster, Trinity Episcopal Church Solebury, PA 12/19 - Lee F. Milhous Organist and Choirmaster, Saint Mary s Parish Burlington NJ, Director of Music, Saint Ignatius RC Church Yardley, PA, Organist, The Evergreens Chapel Moorestown, NJ, Choir Director and Accompanist, Temple Beth Hillel/Beth El Wynnewood, PA,Associate Organist, Saint Martin of Tours RC Church New Hope, PA Sunday, December 17 3:00 pm: Twas the Brass Before Christmas - The Bravo Brass Ensemble The 25 talented members of the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra s Bravo Bass ensemble will present a concert titled Twas the Brass Before Christmas on Sunday, December 17 at 3:00 pm. Back by popular demand, they will perform once again at Saint Mary s Episcopal Church, located at 145 West Broad Street in the center of historic Burlington, NJ. The concert features the Suite of Carols by Leroy Anderson, JS Bach s Contrapunctus I, O Magnum Mysterium by Morten Lauridsen, Suite from Judas Maccabeus by George Frederic Handel, Fanfare from La Peri by Paul Dukas, Anthony DiLorenzo s Twas the Night Before Christmas with The Rev. J. Connor Haynes as narrator, Ceremonial for Christmas Brass by Bill Holcombe, Ave Maria by Franz Biebl, and For Unto Us a Child is Born by George Frederic Handel. The Parish is comprised of the oldest church building in New Jersey the 17th oldest in the nation Old Saint Mary's (1702), and the first cruciform church built in the United States New Saint Mary's (1854), the first Episcopal Cathedral in NJ. Saint Mary's 150 year-old peal of Whitechapel tower bells will be rung prior to the concert. Paul Bryan, Curtis Institute Dean of Faculty and Students, is the Director and Conductor of Bravo Brass and he is pleased to return to St. Mary s. He said, The concert last year at Saint Mary s was a highlight for the musicians. We greatly appreciate the invitation from the Parish to return, and we look forward to the performance. Organist and Choirmaster Lee Millhous enthusiastically anticipates Bravo Brass s return visit to the church. He said, "Saint Mary's is thrilled to host the Bravo Brass ensemble again this year as the major event of our Music Series. The talent and commitment of this fine group of young musicians are remarkable, and Paul Bryan's leadership and musicianship are inspirational to performers and audience alike. Early arrival is recommended because the concert attracts near capacity seating. The Parish parking lot is located off Talbot Street, and there is ample on-street parking surrounding the Parish grounds. A free will offering will be received, and a festive reception will follow in Saint Mary's Guild House. For more information about the concert contact either Bravo Brass and the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra, at and (215) , or Saint Mary's Parish Office at (609) Matters of Note, continued from page 2 December 3 Christmas Recital Artist Bios: Two new artists will perform in the popular Annual Christmas Recital at Deerfield Presbyterian Church will be held on Sunday, December3rd at 7:00PM. Deidra Palmour, mezzo soprano, and William Gorton, tenor, who recently relocated to South Jersey, have enjoyed distinguished careers on the opera and concert stage. They will be accompanied by pianist Evelyn R. Larter, the church s Director of Music, in a varied program of favorite Christmas arias, songs and carols Deidra Palmour, American opera singer, pedagogue, and director, is currently President and Artistic Director of Three Oaks Opera Inc. Palmour got her start when in the span of three years, she won the Metropolitan Opera National, Baltimore Opera, Eleanor Steber, Loren Zachary Society, and NATS National Artists Awards competitions, launching her career as an opera singer and recitalist. She went on to sing major roles in 36 American companies, in Hong Kong, France, the Netherlands, and Canada, including the Metropolitan Opera and five seasons with Washington National Opera. As a concert soloist, Palmour has appeared with the National Symphony, KRO National Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, Naval Academy Chorus and Orchestra, Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher and Alice Tully Halls, and the Academy of Music in Philadelphia with Robert Page conducting. Upcoming, she will be directing "Amahl and the Night Visitors", produced by Three Oaks Opera Inc. on January 19, 2018 at Haddonfield United Methodist Church. William Gorton, tenor, serves as the Director of Sacred Music at Haddonfield United Methodist Church and Conductor of the New Jersey MasterChorale. Dr. Gorton has a diverse musical background as an operatic and oratorio tenor, voice and piano instructor, church music director for various denominations, and composer. He has performed much of the mainstream lyric tenor repertoire with numerous opera companies. He was the Founding Artistic Director of the Central Virginia Masterworks Chorale, which he created while serving as Minister of Music at Duncan Memorial UMC in Ashland, Virginia. He received his DMA in Conducting from Arizona State University, William is also a published composer. His compositions include the hymn, O God in Whom We Live, published in Worship and Song: for United Methodists, The Lord is My Shepherd, published by World Library Publications, and Jesus, Jesus, Rest Your Head, published with Hope Publishing. There is no admission charge for the recital; a freewill offering will be gratefully received. The recital will be followed by a Meet the Artists reception. For more information and directions, call (856) , or visit AGO National Convention Registration for the 2018 AGO National Convention in Kansas City has begun! Today s Super Saver rates are your lowest rates and are in effect through the end of December. Convention plans for the AGO's Young Organists include visits to the University of Kansas Bales Recital Hall and the St. Lawrence Center in addition to specialized events. Come hear the Rising Stars and Michael Barone in the Community of Christ Auditorium followed by Todd Wilson and the St. Cecilia Recital in the Temple across the street. We hope to see you there. Register by Dec. 31 to enjoy super-saver rates. S F O R Z A N D O

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8 PAGE 8 Sundays at Four St. Mary s Episcopal Church Concert Series William P. Fenimore, III Artistic Director Moorestown Madrigals Join us for a seasonal concert by the celebrated Moorestown High School Madrigals. Enjoy choral music of varied styles and periods, under the direction of Sergey Tkachenko. December 10, 2017 at 4:00pm Free Will Offering St. Mary s Episcopal Church White Horse Pike and Green Street, Haddon Heights, NJ (856) officestmhh@gmail.com SFORZANDO

9 V O L U M E 7, I S S U E 4 PAGE Holiday Gallery: St. Chapelle and Sagrada Familia St. Chapelle, Paris and Sagrada Familia, Barcelona. Photos by Joe Routon and Gary Langel 9

10 P A G E 10 Another Way to Give: The Leupold Archives Editor s Note: I recently assisted Helen Taylor s family in donating some of her carefully-preserved organ music and periodicals to the Leupold Archives in Colfax, North Carolina. Just days later, I received a thank-you phone call from Wayne Leupold, and an invitation to send more! Please keep them in mind if you have organ music, books, periodicals, recordings you d like to see appreciated, professionally curated, and shared with others. A sampling of information to be found on their website: T H E L E U P O L D A R C H I V E S A Division of The Leupold Foundation (A Repository of the Past and Present, for Use in the Future) The preservation of the culture of the pipe organ is accomplished by the foundation's Archival Division, which conducts its activities under the name of The Leupold Archives. This division is a music archive and research library, a repository of organ music and other related materials, open to the public and to private researchers by appointment, as well as to the editors of Wayne Leupold Editions. The Leupold Archives' official inception was January Its current holdings were derived from a variety of sources: among them are the complete personal libraries of Wayne Leupold and many professional organists, e.g., Arthur Poister of Syracuse University; Mary Ann Dodd of Colgate University; George Opplinger of First Baptist Church in Syracuse, New York; and Robert Shamleffer. At one point, all the organ music from the library of the Guilmant Organ School was acquired. This school was housed for the first-half of the twentieth century at the First Presbyterian Church in New York City. The Leupold Archives is housed in two rooms totaling 1,000 square feet in a building of 5,500 square feet owned by Wayne Leupold that also houses Wayne Leupold Editions at 8510 Triad Drive, Colfax, North Carolina The floor, walls, ceilings, and heating and air conditioning of these two individual rooms have been carefully remodeled to control moisture and temperature in order to best preserve the materials. The entire collection of music has been placed into horizontal acid-free boxes on three hundred linear feet of multi-tiered, metal library shelving units. Mission: The Leupold Archives follows the philosophy of The Leupold Foundation to focus on "all things organ." First. it welcomes donations of organ music and books on all aspects of the organ: its literature and the performance practices of organ music. Second, it welcomes contributions of organ recordings and organ memorabilia of any and all types. Third, it welcomes financial contributions. All such gifts are tax deductible and used to fulfill the long-term mission to the world of the organ; thus making more of the organs' vast and rich heritage of music accessible to the public. We encourage and appreciate everyone's assistance. If you find the mission worthwile, please help support The Leupold Foundation and The Leupold Archives. The permanent collection includes over 26,000 pieces of printed music (original works, transcriptions, anthologies, facsimiles, and music for organ and other instruments), covering all historical periods to the present; many first-edition works by lesser-known composers of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries; over 3,000 books related to the organ and music in general; over 500 hymnals from the last four centuries; the largest collection of organ methods in the United States (more than 350); over 500 microfilms; organ and church music periodicals; numerous organ recordings (78s, 45s, LPs, and CDs); and the Archives of Wayne Leupold Editions and the Leupold Foundation. Will you please assist us? As a charitable foundation, The Leupold Foundation respectfully requests your assistance in fulfilling its mission. Contributions may be given in many forms: Donating a financial gift Organizing a fund-raiser concert/recital dinner social event auction Contributing to the archives organ music books and/or other types of historical documents that relate to the organ or organ music S F O R Z A N D O

11 V O L U M E 7, I S S U E 4 P A G E 11 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 lapajar@yahoo.com or call These musicians are available on Sundays and also for weddings and funerals other days: Patricia Brady-Danzig (South Orange) pbradydan@erols.com - organ/piano, cantor, choir director Carolyn Thomas Cuperwich (Tabernacle) cthomas.musician@gmail.com - piano, organ, cantor, choir director John Dow (Millville) jedowfam@aol.com Mary Johnson (Pine Hill) mebayj47@yahoo.com George Mitchell (Cherry Hill) babayaga430@verizon.com Irina Nenartovich, CAGO, SPC (Cherry Hill) knenartovich@hotmail.com Joanne Owen (Woodstown) lbjkowen1982@comcast.net These substitutes are available for weddings and funerals or Saturday work only: Patricia M. Fronczek, (Blackwood) theloveofsong@comcast.net Evelyn Larter, CAGO (Elmer) ERLarter@juno.com Lee F. Milhous, (Doylestown PA) leefmilhous@verizon.net Cathy O Neill, (Sewell, NJ) cmo125@aol.com Marilyn Rabbai, CAGO (Pitman) mwrabbai@verizon.net

12 P A G E 12 AGO CERTIFIED MEMBERS Rae Ann Anderson, CAGO Miriam Bisbing, SPC Helen C. Carrell, CAGO, SPC Mark A. Cole, 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, procedures, materials and deadlines, visit the website of AGO National Headquarters: Contributors 2017 Mark Dishong Guy Kirk Jan Staub Nancy Stokking-Perry Patrons Rae Ann Anderson John Breslin Helen Carrell John Dow Ruth Fink Robert Gardner Gail Gassaway Ethel Geist Renee Hatzold Rob Hobgood Evelyn Larter Robert Mead Stephen Obarski Marilyn Rabbai David Rhody Richard Sakowski Robert Scara Thank you, Patrons, Contributors and Advertisers Our next issue will be January, Deadline for articles, announcements, pictures and reports will be Tuesday, December 26. S F O R Z A N D O

13 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 EDITOR & PUBLISHER: Marilyn Rabbai, mwrabbai@verizon.net OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHER: Joe Routon REFERRAL & POSITIONS AVAILABLE COORDINATOR: Peter Homon, lapajar@yahoo.com, PROFESSIONAL CONCERNS COORDINATOR: David Rhody, drhody1@comcast.net; (856) CHAPTER OFFICERS DEAN: Vernon Williams, vwilliams@trinitymoorestown.org SUB-DEAN: David Rhody, drhody1@comcast.net; (856) TREASURER/REGISTRAR: Gail Gassaway, cloaked17@verizon.net SECRETARY: Cathy O Neill, cmo125@aol.com WEBSITE: Dean s Message...continued from page 1 masterclass at Haddonfield Methodist Church. As is his nature, Mr. Jacobs exuded kind and thoughtful graciousness in all his comments to the performers, often making technical suggestions as a means to achieve certain musical or expressive results. He concluded with a question and answer session which was particularly interesting. At his recital on Sunday evening, also at Haddonfield Methodist, Jacobs displayed his stunning virtuosity with effortless aplomb. His absolute mastery of both the music and the instrument, combined with vivid, well thought-out interpretations, made for a memorable evening of music making. Planning for the 2019 Regional Convention continues apace, with our next goal being to submit revised plans to the national AGO committee in accordance with their comments. Convention Coordinator Evelyn Larter has more information in her column. Wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!