CHELSEA CHEN sforzando MASTER CLASS V O L U M E UPCOMING EVENTS MARCH 18 6 I S S U E 7 M A R C H 2 0 1 7 Southwest Jersey Chapter American Guild of Organists RECITAL MARCH 19 Dean s Message -- by Rob Hobgood INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Sub-Dean s Report 2 Matters of Note 2 Chelsea Chen Recital and Master Class information 3 From the Treasurer 5 Hello all, Please make note of our events scheduled for March 18th and 19th. Glenn Rodgers will be hosting Chelsea Chen in recital at Moorestown United Methodist Church. Chelsea Chen is an internationally renowned young organist and composer. She will be giving a master class on Saturday, March 18th at 10am, followed by the recital on Sunday March 19th at 7pm. Our Members recital will be held on April 30th at 4pm at Grace Episcopal Church in Haddonfield hosted by Max Esmus. In May, on Wednesday the 10th, we have plans for a trip to Atlantic City to tour the Boardwalk Hall organs. All of these events are great ways for you to enjoy some wonderful music as well as supporting your fellow chapter members whether they are hosting the events or performing in the Members recital. We hope that you The Visser-Rowland 114-rank pipe organ in the Wooddale Church in will take every advantage of these and Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Here s a link to information about the organ: remember to invite a friend to come http://wooddale.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/visser-rowland-pipe- with you! organ.pdf. Photo by Joe Routon, taken at AGO National 2008. 2017 by SW Jersey AGO
P A G E 2 Sub-Dean s Report -- by David Rhody The next two months will bring us major recitals and educational opportunities hope you will take advantage of all The next two months will bring us major recitals and educational opportunities hope you will take advantage of all three! On Sunday, March 19 at 7 pm, Glenn Rodgers will host our major recital of the year, internationally acclaimed young organist Chelsea Chen appearing at First United Methodist Church of Moorestown. (See program, next page.) Ms Chen is a native of San Diego CA and holds Bachelors and Masters degrees from Juilliard, plus an Artist Diploma from Yale; her teachers have included Thomas Murray, John Weaver and Paul Jacobs. She has appeared with virtually every major orchestra and has played frequently at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia. She is winner of the 2009 Lili Boulanger Memorial Award and the 2005 Augustana/Reuter National Organ Competition, and has appeared at numerous AGO conventions. She is currently Organist and Artist in Residence at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Ft. Lauderdale as well as Artist in Residence at Emmanuel Presbyterian Church in Manhattan. The recital is free and a reception will follow. Her program appears on another page in this issue. The day before the recital, on Saturday March 18, Ms. Chen will conduct our annual Master Class at the same church, from 10 am until noon. The performers scheduled are Chris Daly, Joanne Owen, Marilyn Rabbai and host Glenn Rodgers, and their selected repertoire appears on page 5. Please come to enjoy and profit from the insights of a major talent in our field. Next month Max Esmus will host our Annual Members Recital at Grace Episcopal Church in Haddonfield on Sunday, April 30 at 4 pm. Members Ruthann Arndt, Carol Louise Knisell, Vernon Williams, Max Esmus, Karl Tricomi, Ethel Geist and Vicki Nichols will perform be sure this date is on your calendar! three! Matters of Note Cares and Concerns: I attended the funeral service for Helen Taylor as did a few other members. Marilyn Rabbai and Larry DePasquale shared the organist responsibilities for the service. A get well card was sent to Gail Gassaway after her elective foot surgery. It was a same day procedure and she is home recovering. Rev. J. Bert Carlson, former chaplain of our chapter and an AAGO, was diagnosed with advanced pancreas cancer and is on hospice at his son s. He is a member of St. Matthew s parish in Moorestown. Pastor Carlson served for years as pastor of St. Luke s in West Collingswood, then later served as music director at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Tom s River. Thank you to Larry DePasquale for sharing this information with us. From the Hospitality Committee: Thanks to everyone who brought a tasty dessert to movie night. We will be having breakfast at 9:30 before the masterclass at First United Methodist Church in Moorestown. I will get the donuts and coffee so come and enjoy. There will be a reception on Sunday after the concert that the church will be hosting. I thank them for doing that. - Cathy O Neill Publication News: Evelyn Larter has received confirmation that the anthem the chapter commissioned for the Annual Guild Service last October will be published in the near future by St James Music Press. Titled Love Divine, it is scored for SATB, solo violin and organ. In addition to creating a Facebook page for Evelyn Larter Music, Evelyn is also working at uploading her unpublished music to Sheet Music Press, the digital publishing arm of SheetMusicPlus.com. Several new titles are available there, including her violin and organ fantasia like setting of O Sacred Head, Sore Wounded, which was previously only available at St James Music Press. Sunday, March 5 at 3PM: Piano & Organ Concert - Gae Finch & Kyle Sheppard, Country Road Bible Church, 188 Husted Station Road, Pittsgrove NJ 08318 S F O R Z A N D O.continued on page 10
V O L U M E 6 I S S U E 7 P A G E 3 Chelsea Chen Recital Program First United Methodist Church Moorestown, NJ March 19, 2017 7 PM Chelsea Chen, organist Ola Gjeilo Sinfonietta (2002) (b. 1978) Edvard Grieg First Peer Gynt Suite, Op. 46 (1843-1907) Morning Mood arr. Harvey Gaul The Death of Åse Anitra s Dance In the Hall of the Mountain King Chelsea Chen Chorale-Prelude on Bethold (2016) (b. 1983) Taiwanese Suite (2003) Hills in the Springtime Moonlight Blue Mountain of Youth INTERMISSION J.S. Bach Prelude and Fugue in D Major, BWV 532 (1685-1750) Ad Wammes Miroir (b. 1953) Camille Saint-Saëns Finale from Organ Symphony No. 3 (1835-1921) trans. David Briggs EXCLUSIVE MANAGEMENT: Karen McFarlane Artists, Inc. www.concertorganists.com
P A G E 4 Chelsea Chen: Program Notes Ola Gjeilo (b. 1978): Sinfonietta (2002) Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo moved to New York City in 2001 to enter the Master s program in composition at The Juilliard School where he and Ms. Chen were classmates. Gjeilo has become one of the most frequently performed composers in the choral world with pieces such as his popular Sunrise Mass. His organ piece Sinfonietta is a little symphony of seven minutes full of lively passagework for the hands and spirited lines for the feet. It features a prominent pedal cadenza inspired by J.S. Bach s Toccata in C Major, BWV 564 and a modal (mixolydian) chorale. Ms. Chen gave the U.S. premiere of Sinfonietta in 2004 at a Juilliard Composers Concert. Edvard Grieg (1843-1907): First Peer Gynt Suite, Op. 46 In 1875 Grieg composed incidental music for the play Peer Gynt by Henrik Ibsen. He later extracted eight movements and formed two suites, of which the First Peer Gynt Suite remains immensely popular. The dark and sometimes surreal tale by Ibsen is one of a Faustian Peer Gynt an anti-hero who bumbles through life s adventures, taking advantage of everyone and everything. Originally for full orchestra, the First Peer Gynt Suite was adapted for organ by Harvey Gaul. Chelsea Chen (b. 1983): Chorale-Prelude on Bethold and Taiwanese Suite (2003) The chorale tune Bethold by Mark Sedio is associated with Brian Wren's text on the Transfiguration ("Jesus on the Mountain Peak"). In the initial bars I imagined Jesus and his three disciples climbing a mountain to the sound of birds. A murmuring accompaniment then introduces the chorale over a dance-like pedal line. My harmonization throughout emphasizes the pentatonicism found in the original melody and mixes in the Dorian mode. I was inspired to write Taiwanese Suite after hearing a beautiful orchestral arrangement of several popular Taiwanese folk songs. When I later studied in Taiwan on a Fulbright scholarship, I discovered that these songs are a source of national pride to the Taiwanese people, who endured many years of Japanese occupation during and before World War II. In my piece, each movement features a song about Taiwan s picturesque countryside or its colorful locals. Taiwanese Suite was written in honor of my paternal Chinese/Taiwanese ancestry. J.S. Bach (1685-1750): Prelude and Fugue in D Major, BWV 532 Bach biographer Philipp Spitta (1841-1894) considered the Prelude and Fugue in D Major, BWV 532 to be one of the most dazzlingly beautiful of all the master's organ works. Generally dated to the early Weimar period, the work is notable for its charm, drama, and the unprecedented virtuosity of the pedal line. Opening with triumphant, ascending pedal scales, the prelude s second section is of a more delicate texture. An unexpected fully diminished chord sets off the third section of a series of unstable harmonies that eventually make their way back to D major. The idiosyncratic fugue subject is divided in half by a long rest and almost childlike in the obstinate insistence of the opening figure. The fugue is consistently lighthearted and playful up until its flourishing final pedal lines. Ad Wammes (b. 1953): Miroir (1992) Ad Wammes is a contemporary Dutch composer rapidly gaining notoriety in the classical music world, having begun his musical career in a rock band. He is also well-known for writing the music for the Dutch version of Sesame Street. Miroir blends minimalist influences with samba rhythms, gradually building from two flutes to full organ, as the music grows more intense. Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921): Finale from Symphony No. 3 Organ Saint-Saëns conducted the premiere of his famous Organ Symphony in 1886 at the Royal Philharmonic Society of London with the Prince and Princess of Wales in attendance. Written at the peak of his career, he wrote that "I gave everything to [the symphony] I was able to give. What I have here accomplished, I will never achieve again." A virtuoso pianist and organist, Saint-Saëns was able to pour his knowledge of these instruments into this symphony of two movements. The finale transcription by David Briggs begins at the point when the organ crashes in with a C Major chord. What follows is eight minutes of soaring melodies and fugal counterpoint, developing themes from earlier portions of the symphony and ending in a blaze of C Major. S F O R Z A N D O
V O L U M E 6 I S S U E 7 P A G E 5 Chelsea Chen Master Class First United Methodist Church Moorestown, NJ March 18, 2017 10AM Prelude and Fugue in C minor, Op. 37 no. 1 Mendelssohn Joanne Owen Fantasia for Double Organ Orlando Gibbons Christopher Daly Choral varié sur le theme du Veni Creator Spiritus Op. 4 Duruflé Marilyn Rabbai, CAGO Le Mystere de la Sainte Trinité Messiaen Glenn Rodgers, AAGO From the Treasurer -- by Gail Gassaway So many friends, relatives and colleagues of Helen Taylor have blessed our chapter with donations in her honor. We are indeed honored to have received over $1500 in gifts. This is truly a reflection of the great esteem in which Helen was held. Her passing is a great loss to us and the many lives she touched. I have received so many wonderful notes from the donors. Here are some of the many remembrances that were shared: ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ This donation is in honor of the memory of Helen Taylor. Mrs. Taylor was my church organist growing up, and she took me under her wing at a very young age. She taught me how to play with an accompanist and how to accompany a choir. She was always kind and patient. I hope this donation can be used to foster other young musicians in churches across the Southwest Jersey Chapter. Sincerely, Amanda Lawless To the AGO members, friends and family of Helen Taylor, My name is Kathleen Gillet, and Mrs. Taylor was one of the most influential teachers in my life. In autumn of 1989, as a 7 year old second grader, I eagerly joined the Junior Choir at Memorial Presbyterian Church. That first year was the first of ten years singing as a choir member, and it set the tone for many years. Mrs. Tylor taught us Hymns of the month - among them The God of Abraham Praise, Once in Royal David s City and others. Only a few weeks into the Autumn, Mrs. Taylor took us to the attic to see the pipes of the organ. One look made up my mind that someday I d learn to play the organ. When I found out that the opportunity was available at tiny Cottey College in Missouri, I took it and learned as much as possible both there and at the University of Delaware. Music has been neither my academic major nor my vocation, but it has remained a constant in my life and of my family s favorite forms of worship to God. Mrs. Taylor did a lot to make it so. Respectfully, Kathleen Gillet +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Dear Mrs. Gassaway, I am enclosing a check, given in fond memory and love for Helen Taylor. Helen, and her late husband Bob, played for our wedding on August 22, 1959. As I am sure you know, Bob was an excellent French Horn player. The organ in our church jn Auburn, NY was an excellent Aeolian Skinner and Helen made the most of it. The music was lovely. Bob Taylor was my late wife s uncle, being a.continued on page 16
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P A G E 10 Matters of Note, continued from page 2 Sunday, March 5 at 7:30 PM: Josh Melson - Organ Recital at the First Presbyterian Church of Moorestown, NJ on their wonderful Marcussen organ. Featuring works by Bach, Drischner, Mendelssohn, & Vierne. The address is 101 Bridgeboro Road, Moorestown, NJ 08057 Sunday, April 9 at 7PM: The New Jersey MasterChorale, along with the Philadelphia Boys Choir and Members of the Philadelphia Orchestra and Friends, presents Maurice Duruflé's Requiem, W. A. Mozart's Regina Coeli (K. 276), and William P. Gorton's Te Deum in the sanctuary of Haddonfield United Methodist Church, 29 Warwick Rd., Haddonfield. Free tickets may be obtained by calling the church office at 856-429-0403 one month before the concert. Wednesday, April 19 at 7 PM: Christopher Daly will present an organ recital of German, French, and English music from the Renaissance, Baroque, Romantic, and Modern eras. Compositions of Gibbons, Bach, Tunder, Walther, Froberger, Vierne, Cocker, Rowley, and Dupre will be featured. This program will take place in the Church of St. Thomas of Villanova, located on the campus of Villanova University, 800 Lancaster Avenue, Villanova, PA. The event is free, and is open to the public. Sunday June 25 - Wednesday June 28 2017: Mid-Atlantic Regional Convention. If you register before April 1st, there will be discounted rates for two of the categories. The transportation package is a separate fee item and includes all bus transportation between the various Convention venues. Several meals are fully included in the registration fee - three daily lunches (Monday through Wednesday), one breakfast (the Regional meeting on Tuesday), and one dinner (Wednesday). Here are the rates you will see on the registration page of the website: Base attendee rates: $315 before April 1st and $370 after March 31st Spouse / partner rates: $265 before April 1st and $320 after March 31st Student rate: $125 Daily rate: $125 per day Transportation package: $60 for travel The registration process is also the place to make your choices about which workshops to attend for each block of classes. There are 18 workshops being planned for 9 blocks of time you will need to choose one in each block Photos by Bachrach Photography Sunday, March 5 at 4PM: SAINT MARY'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN BURLINGTON PRESENTS PHILADELPHIA YOUTH ORCHESTRA S BRAVO BRASS ENSEMBLE IN YE OLDE BRASS The talented members of the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra s Bravo Bass ensemble will present a concert titled Ye Olde Brass on 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 music of English Elizabethan composers William Byrd, John Bull, Giles Farnaby, Orlando Gibbons, and others performed in the historic beauty Saint Mary's. The Parish, with its Anglican roots and traditions, is a perfect location for this concert. 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. Mayor Conaway of Burlington City, and Mary Anne Bell, Superintendent of Burlington Township Board of Education will be honored guests in the audience. 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 is remarkable, and Paul Bryan's leadership and musicianship are inspirational to performers and audience alike. Early arrival is recommended because the program last year attracted beyond seating capacity. 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 www.pyos.org and (215) 545-0502, or Saint Mary's Parish Office at (609) 386-0902. http://2017.richmondago.org S F O R Z A N D O.continued on page 12
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PAGE 12 Matters of Note, continued from page 10 AGO Gala Book available from our own Joe Routon JOAN LIPPINCOTT TO BE HONORED AT AGO ENDOWMENT FUND DISTINGUISHED ARTIST AWARD RECITAL AND GALA BENEFIT RECEPTION IN PRINCETON Colleagues, Students, Loved Ones, and Friends from Across the Country Will Gather to Celebrate Her Lifetime Achievements at AGO Endowment Fund Benefit See poster, next page NEW YORK CITY The American Guild of Organists (AGO) has selected internationally acclaimed organist and teacher JOAN LIPPINCOTT as the honoree for the 2017 AGO Endowment Fund Distinguished Artist Award Recital and Gala Benefit Reception on Friday, April 21, 2017, in Princeton, N.J. Complete information can be found online at Agohq.org/2017-gala. Agohq.org/2017-gala or by calling 212-870-2311, ext. 4308. Gala Benefit Reception ticket sponsors will have their names printed in the commemorative program book. The deadline to be included is March 31. Participate from a Distance by making a contribution to the AGO Endowment Fund in honor of Joan Lippincott. Contribute online at Agohq.org/2017-gala or by sending a check to: AGO Endowment Fund, 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 1260, New York, NY 10115. Contributions received by March 31 will be reported in the commemorative program book. All proceeds from the Gala will honor Joan Lippincott in perpetuity through the AGO Endowment Fund. For further information, please call 212-870-2311, ext. 4308, or e-mail gala@agohq.org. The celebration will begin at 7:00 p.m. at Princeton University Chapel, where the honoree, joined by organists Scott Dettra and Eric Plutz, will play a recital that is free and open to the public. A Gala Benefit Reception (advance tickets required) will follow at Prospect House, the private dining club of Princeton University. Joan Lippincott has been acclaimed as one of America s outstanding organ virtuosos. She is professor emerita of organ at Westminster Choir College of Rider University and was principal university organist at Princeton University from 1993 to 2000. Her many recordings on the Gothic label include music of Bach, Duruflé, Mozart, Mendelssohn, Widor, Alain, and Pinkham. Lippincott s most recent CD is J.S. Bach: Orgelbüchlein, recorded on the Fritts organ at Princeton Theological Seminary. Gala sponsorship opportunities are available at the $10,000, $5,000, $2,500, and $1,000 levels. Full descriptions of sponsorship and benefits are available online at Agohq.org/2017-gala. Gala Benefit Reception Tickets are $150 (75% tax deductible, includes preferred seating at the recital) and can be purchased online at SFORZANDO A post-concert photo by Joe Routon taken on Sunday, February 5, at Curtis Institute of Music. Alan Morrison gave a fascinating talk about Curtis and its organ department. His four Curtis students then performed on the large 5-manual Aeolian-Skinner.
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P A G E 14 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 lapajar@yahoo.com or call 856-665-0149. These musicians are available on Sundays and also for weddings and funerals other days: Patricia Brady-Danzig 973-761-0041 (South Orange) pbradydan@erols.com - organ/piano, cantor, choir director John Dow 856-327-1739 (Millville) jedowfam@aol.com Mary Johnson 856-332-8869 (Pine Hill) mebayj47@yahoo.com Nancy McLoud 856-667-6127 (Maple Shade) nairmc@verizon.net George Mitchell 856-795-0970 (Cherry Hill) babayaga430@verizon.com Irina Nenartovich, CAGO, SPC 856-321-3465 (Cherry Hill) knenartovich@hotmail.com Joanne Owen 856-769-3212 (Woodstown) lbjkowen1982@comcast.net These substitutes are available for weddings and funerals or Saturday work only: Patricia M. Fronczek, 856-397-2773 (Blackwood) theloveofsong@comcast.net Evelyn Larter, CAGO 856-358-1112 (Elmer) ERLarter@juno.com Lee F. Milhous, 215-348-8872 (Doylestown PA) leefmilhous@verizon.net Cathy O Neill, 856-0192 (Sewell, NJ) cmo125@aol.com Marilyn Rabbai, CAGO 856-589-3901 (Pitman) mwrabbai@verizon.net F. Anthony Thurman 856-616-2480 (Cherry Hill) fathurman@aol.com S F O R Z A N D O
V O L U M E 6 I S S U E 7 P A G E 15 AGO CERTIFIED MEMBERS 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, procedures, materials and deadlines, visit the website of AGO National Headquarters: www.agohq.org Thank you, Patrons, Contributors and Advertisers Our next issue will be April, 2017. Contributors 2016-2017 Mark Dishong Guy Kirk Jan Staub Nancy Stokking-Perry Patrons Rae Ann Anderson John Breslin Helen Carrell Charlene Cranmer 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 Deadline for articles, announcements, pictures and reports will be Saturday, March 25.
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, mwrabbai@verizon.net OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHER: Joe Routon REFERRAL & POSITIONS AVAILABLE COORDINATOR: Peter Homon, lapajar@yahoo.com, 856-665-0149 PROFESSIONAL CONCERNS COORDINATOR: David Rhody, drhody1@comcast.net; (856)795-6735 CHAPTER OFFICERS DEAN: Rob Hobgood, rbhobgood@gmail.com SUB-DEAN: David Rhody, drhody1@comcast.net; (856)795-6735 TREASURER/REGISTRAR: Gail Gassaway, cloaked17@verizon.net SECRETARY: Cathy O Neill, cmo125@aol.com WEBSITE: www.agohq.org/chapters/southwestjersey From the Treasurer -- continued from page 5 brother of her father. Aunt Helen, as she was forever known, was a very loving person and maintained a very close relationship with my Esther. I am sure the Helen and Bob are now forever joined with Esther and other family members who have passed previously. It must be a joyous reunion. I am very pleased that the family designated Ago as the recipient of memorial donations. Helen would be pleased. Sincerely, Robert L. Barber Soli Deo Gloria