March 2014 - San Joaquin Valley Chapter AGO

1
Stop & Reed
March 2014
San Joaquin Valley Chapter American Guild of Organists
From the Dean
Executive Board 2013-2014
Dean
Colleagues and Friends,
Laurell Huber AAGO
559.222.8114
As Lent and Easter approach, once again we look forward to this season of rich,
reflective organ and choral repertoire and the many beautiful hymns included.
Speaking of hymns, our chapter Hymn Festival "Hymns Through the Centuries" is now
a lovely memory thanks to the hard work and dedication of the Planning Committee of
chapter members Susan Berg, Faye DeLong, and Michal Hemd. They did a marvelous
job behind the scenes, gathering the variety of excellent musicians, coordinating all the
ensembles, selecting the hymns to match the theme, creating the written program, and
spreading the word-- all so we could sing our hearts out together! Thank you, ladies
and participating chapter organists -- Faye DeLong, Richard Cencibaugh, Joy Gaje,
Cactus Harris, Scott Horton.
We welcome distinguished organist James Walker, who will present our final Organ
Artist Series Concert of the season on March 23. Special thanks to Catherine Walker,
Sub-Dean, for all her preparations to make this event possible. Please take advantage of
this opportunity to hear some gorgeous music. Invite your friends to attend also (that
is why you received the poster!).
Looking forward to next year, we have a new slate of extremely capable officers with
great visions and plans. Our chapter's strength is its individuals of diverse backgrounds
who unite and continue to "Grow the Guild." Thank you Andrea Belau and her
committee for their role in choosing the new slate.
I hope you have read in the February TAO journal from our Executive Director about
the new, very modern ONCARD method of membership procedures that will now be
handled at AGO National Headquarters. Be ready!
If you can, attend the June 2014 AGO National Convention in Boston, it will be a
memorable event (it sure was in 1976!).
Happy Spring..............
Dean Laurell
Sub-Dean
Catherine Walker CAGO
559.658.7376
Recording Secretary
Andrea Belau SPC
559.897.7076
Newsletter Editor
Michael Varlas
559.661.1343
Treasurer
Lee Todd
559.683.0867
Education Coordinator
Richard Cencibaugh
559.349.5162
Membership Coordinator
Sharon Massingill
559.924.4741
Board Member
Faye DeLong CAGO
Jo Dull
Helga Medd
Lynda Roberts
Michael Varlas
Publicity Coordinator
Cactus Harris
805.591.9680
Webmaster
Scott Davis
559.392.1365
[email protected]
sjvago.org
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News & Articles
Editor’s Comments
Favorite composer’s corner...
“Allegretto ma non troppo”
“Taking The Challenge”
Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all! I’m hoping that
Dennis Flynn (Organist/Director, Episcopal Church of the
Saviour in Hanford) will bestow the gi of being Irish on all
of us for that day. en of course we have Mardi Gras coming
up next week followed by Ash Wednesday and of course my
favorite season...Lent. OK, not really my favorite (I ‘m more
of an Advent/Christmas kind of guy). Which particular
season or time of the year we like is really not that important.
Each of them has its own particular challenges and rewards.
While I am not completely enamored with the season, I do
appreciate the contemplation and personal reflection that the
music of Lent engenders in me. And, it gives me six weeks to
get ready to “romp and stomp” on Easter Sunday!
One thing that I have noticed among organists is that
by and large, we are a hard working lot. Regardless of our
personal tastes in music, we strive to “get it right.” Ours is an
instrument that not only demands precision in playing the
notes, it also calls us to give heed to phrasing and articulation
through oen subtle breaks between notes. en there is this
whole thing of registration! I can’t even count the times I
have worked out that “perfect” choice in stops on the organ
at home (which is remarkably similar to the instrument at
church), and then gone to the church to practice and within a
few notes of starting, said to myself...”wow, that sounds
terrible.” So, over I start with finding the right registration for
that organ and room. I don’t think that those musicians who
exclusively play instruments other than the organ understand
this at all. I know that non-musicians don’t have the slightest
clue. I know that I am not alone in this quest for perfection.
It’s what we do, we are organists.
As I look at all of our chapter events, I see this same
zeal in planning and presenting them. It is truly great to be a
part of an organization in which excellence is the mark we
strive for and attain. e last two events (eatre Organ and
More at the Warnors and the Hymn Festival) were both
exemplary. e committees spent many hours in the planning
of these events, and the quality of the final product was
superb. Was I surprised at the excellent results? Not at all...it
was planned and executed by organist...it’s what we do! I
guess this was a lot of words to say, THANK YOU to the
eatre Organ and More and the Hymn Festival committees.
anks for getting them right...you really are ORGANISTS!
As a young piano student I might have said Beethoven was my
favorite composer. I was amazed at his powerful music and
that his hearing loss would prevent his ever hearing his
compositions played by appreciative pianists and orchestras. I
remember a visit to Bonn, Germany, as a young adult, feeling
as though I was standing on hallowed ground as I toured his
birthplace there
Later, however, as an adult piano student, a gied teacher led
me in the study of J.S. Bach. His music was regularly part of
each week’s lesson as I attempted to master the Baroque style
and the graceful ornamentation that Bach incorporated in his
compositions.
Still later, in an effort to lend continuity to the music
ministry at Clovis Memorial United Methodist Church, I
sought guidance to understand the old Hammond in the
sanctuary. Two names were recommended to me for
beginning organ lessons: Laurell Huber and Aran Vartanian.
Laurell was first to respond to my call. She encouraged my
return to the Bach compositions to continue my quest.
He was like a loyal friend, never abandoning me when I
became discouraged and banished his music to the bottom of
the stack of organ music on the bench. He’d be waiting
patiently when I had the courage to take up the challenge
again. However, like any true friend, he never let me take the
easy way out.
Aer the old Hammond was replaced by a two-manual Allen,
Laurell guided me in understanding the digitally reproduced
voices of the new instrument. Significantly, she also assisted
me toward the joy of hearing Bach’s complex passages begin to
come to life. As my confidence increased, Bach became not
only a welcome presence in our home but an inspiring
messenger during Sunday morning services.
Kathryn A. Cannon
Kathryn Cannon is the organist at Memorial United Methodist
Church in Clois. She has studied piano over the years. Her organ
studies began in 2000 with Laurell Huber.
Michael Varlas
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Proposed Officer Slate
Proposed Officer Slate
for San Joaquin Valley AGO Chapter
2014-2016
First Posting of the Nominating Committee’s Proposed Slate of Officers:
Dean
Michael Varlas
Sub-Dean
Cactus S. Harris
Recording Secretary
Catherine Walker
Treasurer
Lee Todd
Education Coordinator Richard Cencibaugh
Member-At-Large
Term expiring 2015
Helga Medd
Term expiring 2016
Faye DeLong
Term expiring 2017
Lynda Roberts
Jo Dull
Andrea Belau
Dennis Flynn
A second posting of this slate will be published in the April 2014 edition of the Stop & Reed. If there are
no additional nominations the slate as it stands will be elected. Procedures for making additional
nominations are:
1.
The nominee must agree in advance of the nomination
2.
The nomination must be signed by five (5) chapter voting members in good standing
3.
The nomination must be submitted in writing to Andrea Belau, 1673 Union Street, Kingsburg, CA
93631 no later than April 1, 2014
If there are additional nominations a ballot will be prepared and voting members will vote for their choice.
Honorary AGO Membership Nomination
In recognition of her distinguished contributions to the furtherance of the purposes of the Guild and
the San Joaquin Valley Chapter of the American Guild of Organists
Kaye Bonner-Cummings
has been nominated for Honorary Chapter Membership.
As required by the National By-laws, two (2) Voting Members in good standing of the San Joaquin Valley chapter have made the
above nomination. e chapter membership will be asked to vote on this nomination in April. e Bonner family has been
ardent supporters of the cultural arts in the San Joaquin Valley for many years. Kaye has been supportive of the SJV/AGO
chapter through contributions and grants from the Bonner Family foundation. She has offered advice to the board in methods of
promoting our chapter to the public and in securing the financial resources needed to accomplish the task.
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Upcoming Events
Organ Artist Series Concert
Pacific Artist Series
Fresno Pacific University
James Walker
Sunday, March 23, 2014
3:00 PM
First Congregational Church
2131 N. Van Ness Blvd., Fresno
Julie Carter, soprano/Rudell Joy Gaje, piano.
ursday, March 20, 2014 at 7:30 PM
Fresno Pacific University McDonald Hall
Atrium. Tickets $12 general/$8 seniors/$5
students and FPU community. Call
559.453.2267 for tickets.
MIDI Workshop/Concert
Saturday, April 5, 2014
10:00 AM- 12:00 noon (Instruction)
1:00-2:30 PM (Practice)
Hope Lutheran Church
364 E. Barstow Ave., Fresno
Additional Info
RETURN OF SILENT MOVIES TO THE WARNORS THEATER:
2013-2014 SCHEDULE
Note-new location
Dick Cencibaugh, presenter
ursday, March 6, 2014
e Lost World (1925)
A trip to the Moon (1902)
e Impossible Voyage (1904)
Guild Sunday
Sunday, June 1, 2014
3:00 PM
University Presbyterian Church
1771 E. Roberts Ave., Fresno
NEXT SJVAGO BOARD MEETING:
Tuesday, March 25, 2014 at 10:00 AM
Robert’s home 6032 N. 6th Fresno Ph 559.439.2950
All screenings from 7:00-9:00 PM
For further information: Box Office @
559.264.2848 or www.warnors.org
Wayne Huber’s Final Concert “Mass Brass”
Fresno Pacific University presents Wayne Huber in his final concert as director of the Pacific Brass.
Also performing will be the brass section of the Wind Ensemble. Wayne will be putting down his
baton aer 43 years in the Fresno Pacific University Music Department. Admission is free. Reception
following.
Where:
Butler Church
4884 East Butler Avenue
Fresno, California
(corner of Butler and Winery)
When:
ursday, March 7, 2014 at 7:30 PM
Wayne would love to see his AGO friends for this celebration.
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Upcoming Events
San Joaquin Valley Chapter
American Guild of Organists
Organ Artist Series
Presents
James Walker, Concert Organist
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Sunday March 23, 2014 – 3:00 p.m.
First Congregational Church, Fresno
2131 N. Van Ness Blvd.
Works by Bach, Mendelssohn, Franck, Dupré, and more!
-FREE----DONATIONS WELCOME!sjvago.org
sjvago.org
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Organs and Organists
Easton Presbyterian Church
Wicks Organ Company
Opus 3317
Juanita Owens, Organist
Most churches would consider themselves fortunate to have one pipe
organ. Having two of them places Easton Presbyterian Church in a league of its
own within the San Joaquin Valley. e organ consists of 24 ranks of pipes in the
Chancel organ and 5 pipe ranks in the Antiphonal organ. e antiphonal organ
can be played from the main console or from an independent console located in
the rear balcony.
e present church building was completed in 1952 and the
Hammond organ from the old building was installed. In 1958, “a young man
barely out of high school took on the monumental task of installing a theater
organ in a Presbyterian Church.” at Wurlitzer organ was from the Fox eater
in Hanford, and the “young man” was Richard Cencibaugh. e Antiphonal
organ, installed several years later, consists of parts from the 1906 Fresno Civic
organ. In the
early 1990‘s
with the need
of extensive and costly repairs to the Wurlitzer organ
facing the congregation, they decided to purchase the
Wicks Organ from St. Bridgid’s Catholic Church
located in the Pacific Beach community of San Diego.
e organ was built in 1951 by the Wicks Organ
Company of Highland, Illinois. e console was
rebuilt and upgraded to include solid state electronic
controls and was refinished to match the sanctuary
decor. Selected pipes from the old organ were also
utilized in the organ. Restoration and installation of the Wicks organ was completed in 1995 by Richard Stenger of
Palo Alto, California. On October 22, 1995 Ron McKean, Director of Music and Organist at First Presbyterian
Church in Oakland, California played the dedicatory recital.
SJVAGO member Juanita Owens is the organist at Easton Presbyterian
Church. She has been the keyboard player for the praise band since 1996. In
2000 she became the organist/choir accompanist. Juanita started playing the
piano while in the 2nd grade. As a teenager she played for services and sang
in the choir. She studied piano and organ while attending Wheaton College.
Juanita has a passion for church music, having been involved with it since she
started playing the piano. Music is a way in which she worships God. Juanita
and her husband Ron, who is the pastor of the church, have a grand-daughter
and grand-son with another on the way.
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Concert Review
Galloway Memorial Evensong
On Sunday, February 9th, the First Congregational
Church of Fresno presented the Galloway Memorial Organ
Evensong featuring Scott Horton, Organist/Music Director
and SJVAGO chapter member. The Evensong is a memorial
to Richard Dee Galloway who was Organist-Choirmaster of
the First Congregational Church from 1961 until his untimely
death in 2001. Evensong is a service of prayer and singing at
the close of the day. Included was a time for personal
reflection and remembrance of those who have passed since
the last evensong. The service included organ works,
congregational hymns and scripture readings. Mr. Horton used
the term Organ Voluntary” which is defined as a piece of
music, usually for organ, that is played as part of a church
service in the program/order of service.
The concert opened with an organ voluntary, Fanfare,
by English composer John Cook. He served as organist in
churches in England, Canada and the United States. The piece
started with a strong trumpet fanfare calling the congregation
to worship and continued with an exploration of the tonal
resources of the organ, to its conclusion with full organ
including the 32’ pedal.
The hymn “God of Our Fathers” was sung by the
congregation after a rousing introduction. Both hymns on the
program showed the organ and organist in their highest calling,
that of leading the worshipers in praise to God.
Two organ voluntaries from entirely different genres
followed. The first by Nicholas Bruhns, Grand Praeludium in
E-Minor, is considered to be one of the finest examples of the
North German school. The piece is one in which the organist
can utilize contrasts in tone color and sound levels between
manuals to create different moods within one work. The
second of the voluntaries was by French organist and
composer Louis Vierne. The work is of a somber,
contemplative yet not depressing tone. The works of the
French organists are particularly suited to the Casavant Organ
at First Congregational Church. The organ’s voicing clearly
shows a “French connection” from its builders, Casavant
Freres of Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec.
The next set of voluntaries included a beautiful Psalm,
Gammal Fabodpsalm Fran Dalarna, by Oskar Lindberg.
Written in chorale form, each verse was played with a solo
voice of a distinctly different flavor and supported by an
accompaniment rich in harmonic texture. The second piece
was Chaconne for Violin and Organ by Tomaso Vitali, with
John Morrice, Violinist. How nice to hear the solo violin being
supported by the organ. Both musicians worked together to
bring this Romantic adaptation of a Baroque piece to a rich
sjvago.org
and full life. Following the moment of silence, Morrice
and Horton presented a Meditation by Cecile
Chaminade. This calm and meditative work was a nice
conclusion to the time of personal reflection. Watching
the audience completely engrossed in this work would
lead one to conclude that the performers had indeed
touched the souls of the listeners.
The Postlude was a Vierne Toccata. Although a
toccata is a fast moving work with virtuosic passages, the
mystery of Vierne was very much present.
Attending Evensong presented a bit of a
conflict within me. Having been raised to believe that
going to church was not supposed to be enjoyed, I found
that the Evensong (which was somewhat church) was
quite enjoyable. Scott Horton played a program that
spanned the centuries of organ literature. The
performance was from his heart, and felt as if it was his
gift to the congregation and to the memory of a
departed colleague. The program was well chosen and
suited the capabilities of the organ, which were brought
out by the performer. If you have never attended an
organ concert given by Scott Horton at the First
Congregational Church, you should consider doing so.
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Performance
An Invitation to perform in a Post-Easter Recital
The Episcopal Church of the Saviour in Hanford
Sunday, May 4, 2014
3:00 PM
The Episcopal Church of the Saviour
519 N. Douty St.
Hanford, CA
Dennis Flynn, Host Organist
Church: 559.584.7706 Home 559.733.3606
RSVP intent to participate no later than
April 15, 2014
• Participate in a Post-Easter/Lent recital
• Open to SJVAGO Members and friends
• Excellent opportunity to show off those Easter pieces
that you played three weeks prior
• Enjoy hearing your colleagues perform Easter pieces
• Play the newly refurbished console of the 1911
Murray Harris pipe organ in a lively environment
• Note-French Romantic sounds great on the organ
• Reception following for performers, families and
audience.
• Fun , fun, fun
sjvago.org
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Items of Interest
Piano for Sale
Wurlitzer 6’ 1” Grand Piano
Member Contact Information Changes
Wurlitzer 6’1 Grand P
Hannah Zentner-New Email Address:
[email protected]
$8,999 $6,999
Clifford Munk-New Address:
Clifford Munk
1540 Avenida de los Padres
Morgan Hill, CA 95037
Cell phone: 408.612.1078
Ruth Dresser-New Address:
Ruth Dresser
1516 W. School Ave.
Visalia, CA 93291-4615
Jo Dull-New Phone Number:
Wurlitzer G-461 • 6’1 Grand Piano • Fresno, CA
This piano looks and sounds beautiful, with a gloss black finish
in excellent condition.
Looks new without the new price tag.
Wurlitzer is a highly recognized name in pianos that has a
long tradition of excellent instruments. This instrument is a solid
investment that will add value and beauty to your home. Come
see for yourself!
Cell 559.905.2106
Not yet a Guild Member?
Special reduced AGO dues rates are available for the
remainder of the2013-2014 membership year for NEW
members only who join before March 31, 2014.
Chapter portion of the dues-Waived by SJVAGO
Regular membership $43
Special-over 65 or disabled $30.50
Student $18.50
Partner-2nd member at same address 24.50
Contact Lee Todd, Treasurer
559.683.0867
email: [email protected]
Contact: Len Heifetz
Phone:
Email:
559.255.3210
[email protected]
Online membership Renewal information
Phone:
(559) 255-321
Please read Location:
page 7 in the February TAO
for
Fresno, California
E-mail: [email protected]
information regarding the online membership
procedures. IMPORTANT!
MIDI Workshop CHANGE OF VENUE
Moved to Hope Lutheran Church
364 E. Barstow, Fresno
sjvago.org
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Items of Interest
Fresno Central Seventh-Day Adventist Church
Dedicatory Organ Recital
Four Manual Allen Digital Organ
Dr. Kimo Smith
Associate Professor of Music, La Sierra University
Saturday, April 5, 2014 at 5:00 PM
2908 East Yale Avenue, Fresno, CA
Phone 559.233.1171
Olive Drive and Trinity Anglican Churches
present the
35th Annual
Lenten Organ Recital Series
March 13th
Eric Holderman, organ
March 20th
Sue Wagner, organ
Jean Dodson & Elizabeth Kinney, violins
Roxanne Starbuck, flute
Priscilla Beck & Suzanne Wagner, sopranos
Michael Raney & Hunter Raney, trumpets
Ron Christian & Fred Chynoweth, trombones
March 27th
Doug Heinrichs, organ
April 3rd
Dr. Phillip C. Dodson, organ
Jean Dodson & Donna Fraser, violins
April 10th
Meg Wise & Elizabeth Cervantes, organ
All recitals will be performed on
the Great Organ at Olive Drive Church
5500 Olive Drive
Performances will be from 12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m.
Admission is free - a free-will offering will be accepted.
No lunch will be served.
sjvago.org