Central Hudson Valley Chapter of the American Guild of Organists Newsletter January 2016 Craig Williams Dean 845-355-6451 Craig.Williams @ usma.edu Celestine Campbell Secretary 845-297-6197 mickens1@aol.com Barbara Bayers Membership Chair 203-260-4295 babayers@gmail.com Glenn May Board Member 732-583-3461 no e-mail Janice Grace Board Member 917-882-9343 JAG@JaniceGrace.com Officers Wesley Joseph - Board Member 845-546-0104 - wt.joseph@gmail.com Laura Russell Sub-Dean 845-485-1648 laurarus629@gmail.com Eric Hepp Treasurer 845-790-3381 erhepp @optonline.net Charles Faverio Board Member 845-897-5844 no e-mail Susan LaGrande Board Member 845-226-6496 susanel2@optonline.net Connie Lacey - Board Member 845-897-5962 - clacey@fishkillreformed.org Letter from the Dean Dear Friends, Chapter Web Site www.chvago.org Happy New Year! I hope you had a blessed holiday season full of musical celebrations! There is so much planning that goes into Christmas for me that I come out from the season feeling a little confused. I have definite concerts and other events on my 2016 calendar and let s face it, Ash Wednesday is already on February 10 th! However, I always get these vague feelings like I need to make sure this is ready oh wait, we already had that concert or service. Sometimes the concluding thought is That was three weeks ago! These rapid-fire events all become a blur after a while. In some ways, we are in a new time of planning for the AGO as well. If you look on our Calendar, you will see two events: Our Spuds n Sundaes annual event which will take place on Sunday, January 24 at 5:00 PM in the fellowship hall of the First Reformed Church, Page 1
Fishkill. We used to have this event at this great location years ago, and it will be nice to meet there again. Connie Lacey is the Organist/Music Director there, and you may feel free to contact her (the number is on the Calendar) if you have more questions. The second event is our Annual Members Recital on Sunday, May 29 at North Congregational Church in Middletown. The church houses a lovely 20-rank E.M. Skinner organ in near-original condition which speaks into a reverberant room with marble walls in an historic stone church. Please plan ahead for this wonderful concert! Though it looks like there are only two events, there are plans for many more in the spring and the coming fall which will be listed on the Calendar shortly. Please continue to check our website or your newsletter for updates. We have an exciting year ahead. I mentioned that I already have events on my calendar. With a couple of these dates, I have decided to set challenges for myself. It is very easy to get into a rut with the church work, other performances and different kinds of jobs. After a while, one year pretty much feels like the same. I once knew a dear colleague who could always tell you what hymns he was playing the next few Sundays, because he played the same collection of hymns year after year. With the exception of some popular Christmas carols and other seasonal hymns, I could not keep such a schedule it would drive me nuts! Even if our hymn selection is more varied than that, however, it is easy to get into a rut. Therefore, I decided that I would challenge myself with some new repertoire (or old more difficult repertoire) and also working with the West Point chaplains on some new approaches to music in the service. I would like to stimulate your thought processes in a similar direction: Are there areas where your work may improve or take on a fresh direction in this new year? Perhaps learn that prelude and fugue you have been telling yourself you wanted to take on for the last few years. Or re-examine and re-set some of your piston combinations. Or work with the clergy to add some new Mass settings to your church s cycle. Or go for the next (or first) level of AGO certification. There are many ways to make the old new as they say. Whatever you do, make it the best you are able. I hope to see you soon at one of our chapter events! Craig Williams, AAGO Dean, Central Hudson Valley AGO Membership News Benjamin Vise has a new address - yes, different from the one reported here a couple of months ago. Ask Ben the story when you see him! His new contact information is: Benjamin T. Vise, MM 106 Kings Highway New City, NY 10956 (same phone number and email) Page 2
Organ in the Mall In December some of us had a chance to hear organ music at the Galleria Mall in Poughkeepsie, thanks to the New York Theatre Organ Society (NYTOS). We asked John Vanderlee, a member of both NYTOS and CHVAGO, how that came about; the following is his report. One of NYTOS s' functions is to acquaint the general public with organs. We call that our outreach. The organ we use for these things is our "traveling organ"; a late model Allen Organ donated to our chapter some years back by a generous gentleman. We use a custom trailer to move it around. We customized it for easy set up, and added a sound system that can accommodate any space. To wit: it's been used in intimate spaces, as well as to fill up the West Point Cadet Chapel. Vassar College hires us for their silent film presentation as part of their annual FilmFest program. In October many AGO members enjoyed the traveling organ at Christ Church in Poughkeepsie where Nathan Avakian played it for the Bach to Broadway program, which also featured James Fitzwilliam on the Gress-Miles. While primarily a theater style organ (highly unified), it can hold its own with much of the classical repertoire. Several years ago we had an organ in the Broadway Mall on Long island and subsequently in Terminal 4 of JFK Airport. This year we approached two different Malls on the idea of an organ for Holiday music. The first one didn t work out, but the Galleria Mall in Poughkeepsie was all excited, and most cooperative. Finding organists on short notice was a bit tough. I found that Carl Hackert from upstate New York was available for Friday, December 11 in the early afternoon, followed by Nathan Avakian in the evening. On Saturday Juan Cardona Jr. from Danbury, CT did the honors for several hours. On Sunday evening Claudia Bracaliello from the Catskill area played, followed by Sue Ward who is a regular at the LaFayette theater in Suffern. We skipped Monday but on Tuesday Nathan Avakian returned for a full day with his sister Claire who has a gorgeous voice and terrific stage presence (think Karen Carpenter). They literally stopped shoppers in their tracks. The Galleria management just loved it and they want us back next year. On Wednesday, December 16, we packed up the organ and took it to UPAC to start rehearsals for the Messiah presented by the Hudson Valley Philharmonic and Cappella Festiva. I thank my NYTOS crew for all their help with transport and set up: Robert Lumb, Paul Roughgarden, and William Hayter. BTW, the organ is available to the AGO as well. Contact me for info. Page 3
Other Organs in the News Thanks to Stu Ballinger for providing a link to the web site for the Historic Organ Restoration Committee, which is chartered by the state of New Jersey for the restoration and preservation of the two pipe organs of Historic Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ.The link is: www.boardwalkorgans.org. List of Organ Substitutes The following chapter members have indicated on their membership application that they will serve as substitute organists. Please contact them directly if you would like more information. Please note that only CHVAGO members in good standing are eligible to be included in this list. If you would like your name listed, please contact the editor using the information above. Denise Bassen 845-226-1564 Barbara Bayers 203-260-4295 Brandon Beachamp 347-556-1112 Joe Bertolozzi 845-831-0695 Nancy Brown 845-373-9122 Greg Citarella 845-297-7693 Reginald Earls 845-532-8282 Richard C. Ehlenberg 845-658-9746 James Fitzwilliam 845-849-3606 Justan Foster 518-965-2389 Neil Gould 845-452-7857 Janice Grace 917-882-9393 Iouri Grichetchkine 917-974-6231 Larry Hazard 845-452-0119 List of Organ Teachers Eric Hepp 845-489-2625 Boyd Herforth 845-255-5298 Sally Hitchcock 845-596-2854 Wesley Joseph 845-849-0104 Dorcinda Knauth 845-770-3444 Andrew Kryzak 845-527-8662 Timothy Lewis 914-949-2874 Glenn May 908-890-4628 Janet Nickerson 845-561-0763 Joanne Reed 845-361-3474 Anthony Rispo 914-979-5181 Laura R Russell 845-485-1648 Patrick Walker 845-473-4208 John Ward 917-657-4614 The following chapter members have indicated on their membership application that they are accepting new organ students. Please note that only CHVAGO members in good standing are eligible to be included in this list. If you would like your name listed, please contact the editor using the information above. Gregory Citarella 845-297-7693 Justan Foster 518-965-2389 Larry Hazard 845-452-0119 Boyd Herforth 973-851-5192 Membership Questions Timothy Lewis 914-949-2874 Janet Nelson Nickerson 845-561-0763 Anthony Rispo 914-979-5181 Please address all questions regarding membership and ONCARD to our Registrar/Membership Coordinator, Barb Bayers. Her phone number is 203-260-4295 and her e-mail address is babayers@gmail.com. Page 4
Deadline for Next Newsletter We are always glad to receive input for the chapter newsletter in the form of calendar items, reviews of recent concerts and events, biographies, letters, photographs, etc. In order to make sure these submissions can be processed in a timely fashion, please make sure they are received by the 23 rd of each month. However, material such as calendar items may be submitted at any time; even if the material may not make it into the printed newsletter, it can be quickly posted on our web site at www.chvago.org. You may submit newsletter or web site material by mail, e-mail, fax or phone. Just contact the editor, Susan LaGrande, using the information given above. Remember, the deadline for the next printed newsletter, to be available the first week in February 2016, is January 23. Editor s Corner This newsletter is published by the Central Hudson Valley Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. The editor is: Susan LaGrande 12 Montrose Lane Wappingers Falls, NY 12590 Phone: 845-226-6496 (home) - e-mail: SUSANEL2@OPTONLINE.NET Position Openings Editor's Note - Hiring institutions are encouraged to check references from applicants' previous employers. It should not be assumed that applicants who learn of position openings via these listings are endorsed by the Central Hudson Valley Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. Position openings are listed without charge for three months unless an extension is requested. If you would like to place a listing, please contact the editor, Susan LaGrande at 845-226-6496 or email SUSANEL2@OPTONLINE.NET. Editor s Note Due to space considerations, position openings may include only the type of position and hiring institution. Complete information about positions is available on our web site at www.chvago.org, or contact the editor, Susan LaGrande, at 845-226-6496. ACCOMPANIST - (Part-Time) ROCKLAND COUNTY CATHOLIC CHOIR - NYACK, NY The Rockland County Catholic Choir is seeking an accompanist for rehearsals and concerts for 2016. Upright piano at rehearsals and various instruments at concerts. Repertoire varies from classical excerpts to modern day works. Size of group is about 30 singers. Pay is $100 per call with rehearsals in Nyack on Sundays from 6:30-8:30. Rehearsal dates are as follows: January 10 & 24, February 7 & 21, March 6 & 20, April 4 & 18, May 1 & 15, and June 5. Concerts are June 12 and one other date to be announced. Friendly atmosphere and people. If interested please contact Scott Walters at 845-558-1225 or at scottthetenor@yahoo.com 12/22/2015 ORGANIST/CANTOR/CHOIR DIRECTOR - (Part-Time) CHURCH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION - PORT JERVIS, NY The Church of the Immaculate Conception in Port Jervis, NY, also known as St. Mary's, is seeking an Organist/Cantor/Choir Director to provide music at all required Masses, special observances including Christmas, Holy Week, Easter, Confirmation, First Communion and Page 5
other services as indicated (Holy Days of Obligation). Right of first refusal for funerals and weddings ($150 fee given directly to the Organist). Regular services include one Saturday evening Mass (4:00 PM) and two Sunday morning Masses (8:30 AM & 11:30 AM). Volunteer adult and youth choirs rehearse weekly September to June (Wednesdays Adult Choir 7:00 PM, Youth 6:00 PM). The Candidate must be able to work well with staff and the two choirs and be able to cantor at times, since we are not a large parish. Knowledge of Catholic Liturgy preferred as well as familiarity of all common traditional hymn styles and chant. We sing the Meinrad tones for psalms and the parish sings all of the mass parts including the Gloria and the Our Father. The salary will be based on experience and the church budget ($21,000 - $24,000). The organ at St. Mary s is a 3-manual, 43 rank Delaware (incorporating some pipework from the original 1870 Odell), rebuilt in 2004 by the Levsen Organ Company of Buffalo, Iowa. The rebuild included all new magnetic stop switches (no more leather) as well as digital relays. Added were a transposer and a recorder facility with 15 channels accessible without using the Midi feature. The combination system operates on 9 levels, with 8 generals and 4 pistons for each manual and the pedals. The Swell is enclosed. The organ is in a choir loft at the back of the church. If interested, please send a cover letter, resume or curriculum vitae, and contact information for three professional references to: Reverend Father Matthew C. Newcomb pastor@stmarysportjervis.com PO Box 712 Port Jervis, New York 12771 Phone: 845-856-8212 Fax: 845-858-8375 Website: http://stmarysportjervis.com 12/22/2015 Organist/Choir Director (Part-Time) REFORMED CHURCH OF SAUGERTIES SAUGERTIES, NY The Reformed Church of Saugerties is seeking an organist/choir director. Our beautiful historic sanctuary, designed by James Renwick, features a stunning 1892 Roosevelt pipe organ and Baldwin piano. Our musical style is a mixture of traditional and contemporary. We are looking for a personable, passionate leader who has a heart for church music. This position requires playing for one service on Sunday mornings at 10:30 AM and leading our SATB Sounds of Joy Choir, which sings September through June. The choir rehearses on Tuesday evenings from 6:30-8:00 PM. Services are at 10:00 AM during July and August. The organist/choir director is responsible for arranging soloists for these services. Additional services include Advent Walk, Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, Tenebrae, and the Council of Churches meeting. The organist/choir director has right of first refusal for weddings and funerals. This is a part-time position with a yearly salary of $12,500 - $14,000, depending on experience. Three weeks of paid vacation are included. Interested candidates may inquire by sending a cover letter and resume to: Elder Terri Massardo, Vice President of Consistory, Reformed Church of Saugerties, 173 Main Street, Saugerties, NY 12477, tel. 845-246-2867 or email refsaug@yahoo.com 12/18/2015 Page 6
MUSIC DIRECTOR/ORGANIST - (Part-Time) FISHKILL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH - FISHKILL, NY Part-time Music Director proficient in piano and organ to direct, accompany and coordinate music for Sunday morning service and special worship services, direct vocal choir and provide leadership for the music ministry. Church attendance averages around 60-70 in worship. One Sunday service at 9:30 AM; choir rehearsal Thursday at 6:30 PM (schedule to be negotiated with choir). Reuters pipe organ (Opus 1448, 1963), two manuals, eight ranks; a grand piano is also used in worship. Candidate will participate in worship planning. Music training and experience required. Salary $11,000/year, paid monthly. Weddings and funerals: extra compensation. Please submit letter of interest with resume to fishkillumc@yahoo.com or by mail to Fishkill United Methodist Church, 38 Broad Street, Fishkill NY 12524. 845-896-9810 12/2/2015 ORGANIST/CHOIR DIRECTOR - (Part-Time) LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD - GLENVILLE, N.Y. One Sunday Service at 8:30 AM. Christmas Eve services at 7:30 and 11 PM. Holy Thursday and Good Friday services split with Contemporary Group. SATB adult choir between 8 and 12 people rehearses one evening, 7-9 PM. Occasional brass group, a mixed orchestra and children s choir. Weddings/Funerals - organist given right of first refusal and paid separately by organizer. 1975 Two-manual Schlicker Pipe Organ (1975), 18 ranks. Salary - based on experience. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church celebrates a traditional service at 8:30 AM and a Contemporary Service at 10:30 AM. Traditional worship attendance is approximately 75 with Contemporary Services of approximately 120. The church is family friendly and community oriented with approximately 500 members. Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 547 Saratoga Road, Glenville, NY 12302. 518-399-4540. E- Mail: office@goodshepherdglenville.com Contact: Carl Heiner, Personnel Chair - 518-490-2158. 10/30/2015 MUSIC DIRECTOR/ORGANIST/PIANIST - (Part Time) NEW HACKENSACK REFORMED CHURCH - WAPPINGERS FALLS, NY The New Hackensack Reformed Church is seeking a music director/organist for our congregation. We are looking for a mature, dedicated person with a servant s heart and an enthusiastic, cooperative spirit who is willing to work closely with our Music and Worship Council, our Choir Director and our Pastor. Our congregation is known for its warmth, caring and hospitality. This position requires playing for one service on Sunday mornings at 10:00 AM and playing for special services, including Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, and Holy Week. It might also require playing the piano for our Thursday evening (7:30 PM) choir rehearsals during the school year. You would also have the right of first refusal to play at all unscheduled services such as weddings and funerals, with the terms of compensation to be determined by the organist. This is a part time position, and the salary is negotiable based on experience and responsibilities assumed. The organ in our sanctuary is a 2-manual Allen computer organ 600 series, circa 1979. It is in very good condition and has been serviced every year under an annual service contract. Our sanctuary also houses 2 baby grand pianos. Page 7
NHRC also has a handbell choir with a permanent Director, a vocal choir director and a pianist who plays for our 8:30 AM service and is playing for our 10:00 AM service while we are without an organist. If interested, please contact Roger Eddy at rmeddy@optonline.net, Pam Kara at pamelapsk0715@aol.com, or contact Music Search Committee, c/o New Hackensack Reformed Church, 1580 Route 376, Wappingers Falls, NY, 12590. Phone: 845-462-0810, Fax: 845-462-4121, E-mail: office@nhrc-church.org, Web:www.nhrc-church.org. 9/22/2015 MUSIC DIRECTOR/ORGANIST - (Part-Time) ST. JOHN'S EPISCOPAL PARISH - SOUTH SALEM, NY St. John Episcopal Parish in South Salem, New York is seeking candidates to succeed our beloved Music Director/Organist who is retiring after 20 years. Joy-filled liturgy and worship are important to us. Our preference would be for a musician familiar with the Anglican liturgy, who can work with and grow our choir and coordinate the music program. The ideal candidate will be an energetic, creative individual who is willing to: Become familiar with Anglican worship if he or she is not already; work with our parish priest, taking the lead in planning Sunday and Holy Day Liturgies; plan rehearsal times with the choir; be open to coordinating music for our family and children s services (9:30 AM); enjoy playing our magnificent Peragallo & Sons two-manual pipe organ, Opus 645 (2003); encourage and support our thriving guitar-based music program Saturdays at St. Paul s Chapel at 313 Smith Ridge Road (Rte. 123), South Salem, NY; have the right of first refusal to play at all unscheduled services, such as weddings and funerals, with the terms of compensation to be determined by the organist; and have use of the church facilities, with the permission of the Vestry, for private lessons for students Salary commensurate with experience for an average of 10-15 hours per week. St. John s is located at 82 Spring Street, South Salem, NY 10590. Responses should be sent to stjohnsch@cloud9.net, attention Music Director Search Committee. 9/3/2015 Calendar of Events Please note: Due to space considerations, this Calendar of Events may exclude the following: Events taking place outside the area served by the Central Hudson Valley Chapter Events which conflict directly with chapter sponsored events Events listed in the calendar are not necessarily endorsed by CHVAGO. Please contact the editor if you have an event to be publicized. Boxed items are Central Hudson Valley AGO Chapter events. Names listed in bold face are chapter members. Sunday, January 17, 2016 4:00 PM St. Andrew's Church, Poughkeepsie - Decommissioning Service In case you hadn't heard, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church is closing. The decommissioning service will take place at the church, 110 Overlook Road, Poughkeepsie. Info: 845-452- 6832. Page 8
Sunday, January 24, 2016 3:00 PM Sunday, January 24, 2016 6:00 PM (Snow Date: Sunday, January 31, 2016) Sunday, March 13, 2016 3:00 PM Sunday, March 13, 2016 3:00 PM Sunday, April 24, 2016 3:00 PM Sunday, May 29, 2016 3:00 PM Sunday, June 19 through Thursday, June 23, 2016 Jay Ungar & Molly Mason in Concert Newburgh Chamber Music's series "A Touch of France" presents Jay Ungar and Molly Mason at St. George Episcopal Church, 105 Grand Street, Newburgh. A good choice for families, the program will include American folk music as well as Cajun and Quebecois waltzes and reels. Tickets at the door or online at www.newburghchambermusic.org. Adults: $25, Students: $5, Children under 12: Free. Handicapped accessible with parking across the street. The concert is followed by a reception with the artists. Info: 845-534-2864. Annual Spuds & Sundaes Social Come enjoy baked potatoes and ice cream (both with appropriate toppings), along with good fellowship! First Reformed Church, 1153 Main Street, Fishkill, NY. Watch this space for more details. Info: Connie Lacey, 845-897-5962. Organ Recital by Kimberly Ann Hess Kimberly Ann Hess is Instructor of Music Theory at Marymount University in Arlington, VA. She won First Prize in the Arthur Poister National Organ Competition, Syracuse Chapter AGO in 1994. Open to the public and free of charge (free-will offering accepted). Cadet Chapel, US Military Academy, West Point, NY. Info: contact Craig Williams at 845-938-7352 or craig.williams@usma.edu. Organ Recital by Richard Elliott Since 1991, Richard Elliott has served as one of the three full-time organists at the Mormon Tabernacle and in 2007 was appointed its principal organist. He performes on the Mormon Tabernacle Choir broadcasts which are presented weekly by 2000 television and radio Stations. Dr. Elliott has performed extensively throughout the United States and is a favorite among concert audiences. First United Methodist Church, 603 State Street, Schenectady, NY. Free. Info: 518-374-4403. Organ Recital by Meredith Baker Meredith Baker is Organist and Director of Music, Most Holy Trinity (Roman Catholic) Chapel, West Point. Open to the public and free of charge (free-will offering accepted). Cadet Chapel, US Military Academy, West Point, NY. Info: contact Craig Williams at 845-938-7352 or craig.williams@usma.edu. Annual Members Recital North Congregational Church, 96 N. Beacon Street, Middletown, NY 10940. Watch this space for more information! American Guild of Organists National Convention Houston, TX. Visit the web site for more information. Page 9
Central Hudson Valley Chapter AGO Susan LaGrande, Newsletter Editor 12 Montrose Lane Wappingers Falls, NY 12590 www.chvago.org Soli Deo Gloria