Used Music Sale
September 23, 2023
Allen Organ Studios, 10 Becker Terrace, Delmar
On September 23, 2023 we held a used music sale at Brad Day’s Allen Organ Studio. A number of members came and perused through our vast collection of used music, leaving with new found treasures to play. Special thanks to Susan Lohnas, our Used Music Librarian, for keeping the collection so well organized, Brad Day for storing the music and hosting the event and the volunteers who came to help set-up and break down. Proceeds from the sale go to our Scholarship Fund.
Music Sharing
October 14, 2023
Faith UMC, 811 N Brandywine Ave., Schenectady, NY
Hosted by George Schiller
We had a great time at our Potluck Luncheon and Music Sharing event on October 14, 2023. Ten of us got together at Faith United Methodist Church and enjoyed many deliciously prepared dishes. After lunch we moved to the sanctuary where we shared a wide variety of different music ideas. Members talked about their music and some also played it on the Faith pipe organ. It was a nice way to spend a Saturday afternoon, having great conversation, wonderful food and fellowship.
Organ Crawl
November 11, 2023
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 58 3rd St, Troy
St. John’s Episcopal Church, 146 1st St, Troy
On November 11, 2023, a group of us had a great day at our Organ Crawl in Troy, first visiting St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, where Rev. Alicia Todaro, Deacon, gave a guided tour of the magnificent Tiffany windows followed by Christopher Uhl, St. Paul’s organist/choirmaster, introducing us to the wonderful Austin organ which is presently being totally renovated. After lunch, we proceeded to St. John’s Episcopal Church where Rev. Judith Malionek, Rector, lead us on a tour of the stunning Tiffany windows, followed by organist Ted Phillips demonstrating the classic Skinner organ. The weather cooperated and it was a perfect day for an event like this.
Pictures from St. Paul’s, Troy, featuring spectacular Tiffany windows and furnishings.
Pictures from St. John’s, Troy:
Hymn Playing Workshop
March 9, 2024
St. George’s Episcopal Church, 30 N. Ferry St., Schenectady, NY
On March 9, Dr. Brian J. Taylor hosted a workshop on playing hymns. He talked about tempo, organ registrations, improvising, volume and other issues organists encounter in playing hymns for their congregations. A lively discussion, from those attending, entailed issues we have all encountered and ways to work around them.
Members’ Recital
Saturday, April 27, 2024 3:00PM
Zion Lutheran Church, Schenectady, NY
Host: Scott Trexler
It was a treat to hear eight local organists in recital at Zion Lutheran Church, Schenectady, on April 27. The diversity of the organists’ ages and backgrounds made for a strong program that included a broad spectrum of the organ repertoire.
Each organist drew on the extensive capabilities of Zion’s excellent organ, built by E. M. Skinner in1929 and rebuilt by Möller in 1977, to interpret their pieces.
Host Scott Trexler kicked off the program with a greeting and brief remarks about the organ. Audrey Daly-Gilman, one of this year’s scholarship winners, played J. S. Bach’s “Sleepers Wake, A Voice is Calling”. Her articulation and ornamentation clearly highlighted the tune of this chorale. She then played “Allegro Maestoso” from Sonata II by Felix Mendelssohn, a regal piece with rich registration.
What an additional treat to hear the pairing of organ and oboe for Duane Funderburk’s arrangement of “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”, played by Gayle Hinsdill with Geoffrey Stein on oboe. This interesting contemporary arrangement clearly depicted the meaning of the text.
Former scholarship winner Matthew Pascazio played “Invocation” by Charles Callahan. The softer solo stops brought the haunting melody of this solemn piece to life. Matthew also played his own composition, “Aria”, a heartfelt, poignant piece with a beautiful melody.
Our host, Scott Trexler, played the energetic and complex “Prelude and Fugue in A minor” by Johannes Brahms. In a completely different vein, he played “Ye Sweet Retreat” by William Boyce and arranged by Virgil Fox. The lush solo stops and other soft stops provided the color of this arrangement. Scott’s final piece was “Trumpet Tune” by Nicholas Bowden, a contemporary festive piece that fully utilized the strong reeds of this instrument.
In a completely different style, Christopher Uhl played the “Prelude in G Major” by Walter Macfarren. His sensitive use of the various soft stops gave shape to this poetic work with a gorgeous fade-away ending.
Scholarship winner Shalisha Woelfersheim played J. S. Bach’s “Toccata and Fugue in D minor”. Her interpretation made this familiar work her own, playing with high energy yet under control, with a rock-steady tempo. The strong principal chorus and pedal division sounded great throughout, culminating in a big finish at a fast tempo.
The program culminated with Daniel Romero playing four pieces. First, “O Filii et Fillae” arranged by Hendrick Andriessen. This joyful Easter hymn featured the melody in the reeds, then in the pedal, with a big trumpet ending. Alleluia! Next Daniel played “An Interlude” by Harold Darke, an interesting, restful piece with a haunting melody and a dramatic climax that fades to a calm and peaceful ending. He followed with the familiar Welsh tune “Ar hyd y nos” (All Through the Night) as arranged by Dale Wood. This lovely piece was expressive, with sensitive registration changes throughout. Finally, Daniel played “Variations on ‘Veni Creator’” by Maurice Duruflé, an impressive piece with four short variations that effectively highlight the Gregorian chant on which it is based. The last one, a complex toccata, brought the program to a strong conclusion.
ENY AGO 