Tuesday, November 23

FROM OUR DEAN FOR NOVEMBER 2010

Our first meeting of the season, an Anthem Reading Session, took place October 10th at the Huron Prebyterian Church with seven members in attendance.

Our next meeting will be Sunday, February 6, 2011 at 2:00 for an organ music reading session at Holy Angels Church (1605 W. Jefferson St, Sandusky) on their newly restored organ. We have the church from 2:00-4:00 at which time another group comes in to get ready for their Mass and program.

Work has begun on the directory “AGO Members Today,” which will be the first AGO Directory to feature both photos and contact information of our national membership. If you wish to be included call the toll free number 1-800-347-7562 on the yellow card each of you should have received.

Reading the account of the AGO National Convention in Washington, D.C. caused me to think of program possibilities for the future. A Taize Service, and a Bach Vespers (pg. 62) are certainly possibilities for advertised and promoted public events. If our Chapter is to survive, such public events are essential.

Reading “The Last Page” is a reminder that strife between pulpit and Choir/Organ Loft is an ancient, if regrettable art, long pre-dating guitar services and the introduction of pop and contemporary styles into our Worship Services.

As serious work begins on our loaded Autumn/Winter Music Schedule, I wish each of you great success in fulfilling your seasonal and Holiday projects.

A new feature to assist our membership in music preparation and planning, called “The Dean’s List” is being introduced with this installment. This list will consist primarily of suggested organ and choral music which has come to your Dean’s attention, to be included in our Chapter Newsletter every other issue. While this list might prove late for Advent – Christmas – Epiphany Season this time it might be helpful for some last minute planning.

As prices are subject to change without notice, these have not been included, but may be obtained on the internet, directly from the publisher, or from your favorite music dealer.

Your Dean,
Henry Kihlken

DEANS LIST

ORGAN:
Bach: “Ausgewahlte Werke Fur Kleinorgel” complied and edited by Hermann Keller (Edition Peters No. 4510). This is the same editor who compiled “80 Chorale Preludes by German masters of the 17th and 18th Centuries,” and is just as useful, perhaps more so, since most if not all of the selectionas are playable on manuals only.

Bach: “J. S. Bach: An Album for Manuals Only” edited by Lionel Lethbridge (Oxford Organ Music, Oxford University Press). A good companion to the previous volume mentioned as it contains only two duplications.

Willan/ Ed Gerike: “Organ Works of Healey Willan,” (Concordia No. 97 – 6676U1). This volume contains, under one cover, all the Hymn and Chorale Preludes by Willan ever published by Concordia Publishing house. All previous editions have been discontinued. These works were commissioned by the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod but are useful in all types of services.

Richard Proulx: “Preludes on Four Hymns” (Augsburg/ Fortress No. 11-10051). Contains all of the Hymn Preludes by Proulx pubished by Augsburg/ Fortress. Variations on the Purcell Tune WESTMINSTER ABBEY, was composed expressly for this volume. It makes a brilliant Festival Prelude and is ideal for Pre-Nuptial Prelude Music.

Paul Manz: “Three Hymn Settings for Organ” (Morning Star Music, No. MSM-10-522). Hymns in this volume are “When Long Before Time/The Singer and the Song,” “Beautiful Savior,” and “Who Trusts in God, a Sure Abode.” This volume should be in every organists library.



CHORAL:
Most Highly Favored Lady, Basque Carol (Gabriel’s message)” arr. By Garry A. Cornell, Celebrations Unlimited No. CU 237. A little late for this Season, but hold the thought for next year. Delightful. SATB

Keep Your Lamps” Spiritual arr/ Andre Thomas. Includes optinal parts for Conga Drums. Orff instruments could certainly be substituted in any varied combination. SATB. Hinshaw Music No. HMC577. Great for early Advent.

Lord of All Hopefulness” Hymn-anthem based on SLANE, arr. By Healey Willan, C.F. Peters No. 6985, C. F. Peters Corp. SATB with organ. A lovely setting, unison passages alternation with SATB, melody alternates between parts on the last verse, men leading the way.

Father, We Praise Thee” Hymn Anthem on the French Church Melody “Christe Sanctorum” arr. By Healey Willan, easy SATB on verse 1, Soprano unison on verse 2, full unison on verse 3 with an SATB “Amen.” C. F. Peters Corp., No 6125. Gorgeous. A favorite of the St. John Choir.

Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones” A Hymn Anthem on LASST UNS EFREUEN arr. by Healey Willan, moderate SATB, alternating full with unison passages, full organ accompaniment, C. F. Peters Corp., No. 6238.

All listed Anthems are in the repertoire of St. John Lutheran Choir, Port Clinton.

SCHEDULE NOTE

The Port Clinton Community Choir under the direction of Craig Dietterich and accompanied by Henry Kihlken will present large sections of Handel’s “Messiah” at St. John Lutheran Church, 207 Adams St., Port Clinton, at 3:00 PM Sunday, December 19, 2010.