CONCERT CANCELLED

Due to lack of interest and a medical emergency in the Dean's family, the October 9 organ recital has been cancelled.

FROM OUR DEAN FOR SUMMER 2011

Our Summer Newsletter is, with the exception of the (tentative) schedule below, devoted entirely to a list of recommended Choral Selections for the Fall/Winter Seasons. In view of today’s downsized choirs, a generous balance of 2 and 3 part selections are included. As always, print status and price can not be guaranteed. The Fall Newsletter will stress organ repertoire. All AMSI Publications are available from Lorenz Industries on a uniprint basis.

TENATIVE PROGRAM FOR 2011-2012

Sunday, October 9, 3:00 pm, Grace Episcopal Church, Sandusky: Chapter Organ Recital

Progam TBA for February or March. Still in the planning stage.

Sunday, April 22, 4:00 pm, Zion Lutheran Church, Sandusky: Hymn Festival with May Schwartz.

DEANS LIST: FALL & WINTER

ALL SAINTS:
“Onward Ye Saints” – Robert Wetzler (SATB, Organ) (AMSI/Lorenz Ind). A noble and dignified melody, unison first stanza, SATB second stanza , third stanza in unison with an SATB conclusion. Easy to learn and a practical addition to any choral library.

“God A Dwelling Shall Prepare” (a choral adaptation of a melody from “Jephtha”) – G. F. Handel / arr. by Henry Kihlken with an original new text (SA[TB], organ) (Coronet Press/Theodore Presser 392-42378). Your tenors need not be left out in this one as both TB ranges are compatible.

“Jewels” – music by George F. Boot (1820-1895) / text by William O. Cushing (1828-1902) / arr. by Henry Kihlken (SA or 2 part mixed, keyboard) (Coronet Press/Theodore Presser 392-41388). Simple, melodious, and direct. Easy to prepare and sing/ Also suitable for Advent as the first line “When He cometh to make you His Jewels” would indicate.


THANKSGIVING:
“With Joyful Heart and Voice” (from “24 Canons”)- by Luigi Cherubini (1760-1842) / realized and arr. by Henry Kihlken (Canon for 3 voices, any combination and keyboard) (Coronet Press/Theodore Presser 392-42380). Not difficult but requires careful attention.

“Now Thank We All Our God” (from “A Psalm of Thanksgiving) – Randal Thompson (SATB with piano reduction) (E. C. Schirmer No. 2746). Neo Baroque setting of the Johann Cruger chorale. Choral parts are in simple chorale style; accompaniment requires practice and preparation.


ADVENT:
“Wake, Awake For Night is Flying” (“Wachet auf”) – arr. by Carl F. Meuller (SATB with unison youth choir or soloists) (Carl Fischer CM7640). Parts intended for the youth choir may be sung in unison by the main choir; includes descant parts for soprano or tenor. Requires a large number of voices but is not difficult. Very majestic, and suitable for a Community Choral Festival or a Christmas Concert.

“Advent Carol” – Dale Wood (SATB with organ) (AMSI/Lorenz Ind, No. 119). Melody in Sacred Harp modal style. Very characteristic of this composer. Easy – Medium requirements.

“Awake and Be Watchful” (from the “Christmas Oratorio”) – J. S. Bach / arr. by Richard Simonds (SAB, keyboard) (Coronet Press/Theodore Presser 392-41708). A choral arrangement of the Alto aria “Prepare Thyself, Zion.” Easy – Medium requirements.

“A Tiny Child Will Come” – Don Besig (SATB, keyboard) (Harold Flammer A-6196). No, I haven’t been out in the sun too long. This is a very lovely, melodic piece; the Besig pot is definitely not boiling over in this one. Modal harmony. Easy.

“Now Behold Emmanuel” – Henry Kihlken (SA, keyboard) (Celebrations Unlimited CU 185). Based on the ancient plainsong “Ecce Nomen Domine.” Recommended for the last Sunday in Advent. Easy.


CHRISTMAS:
“How Far is it to Bethlehem” – Geoffrey Shaw (SATB) (Novello and Co., LTD 29 031005). Preferably unaccompanied (good luck with that one), however, a reduction of the voice parts is included in the score. A choral classic. Medium requirements.

“Noel, Noel, a Boy is Born” – Natalie Sleeth (2 part – any combination, organ and optional handbells) (AMSI/Lorenz Industries No. 223). A delightful piece in Carol style. Easy. The composer of “Jazz Gloria” in a very traditional vein.

“Angels With Their Joyful Tidings” (Polish Carol) – arr. by Walter Ehret (2-part any combination, piano, optional flute) (Walton Music/Hal Leonard W2309). Light and graceful. “Gloria in Excelsis” refrain. Easy/Medium requirements.

“When Christ Our Lord Was Born” (Italian Carol) – arr. by Walter Ehret (2-part any combination) (Celebrations Unlimited CU 198). A familiar carol which is rumored to have influenced Handel in certain sections of “The Messiah.” Easy.

“Gloria in Excelsis” (from “Missa Solemins” [1811]) – by Luigi Cherubini / arr. by Robert Ross (SATB with keyboard reduction) (Coronet Press/Theodore Presser 392-41427). An excellent way to introduce your choir to a major sacred choral work by a composer who deserves to be better known. This arrangement is greatly condensed from the original. Both Latin and English texts are underlaid. Medium to Difficult requirements.

“Gloria in Excelsis” – Antonio Lotti (1667-1740) (SATB, keyboard) (Coronet Press/Theodore Presser 392-42160). Less difficult than the forgoing; an interesting addition to the “Gloria” repertoire. Medium requirements.

“Christ Jesus is Born” (Brazillian Folk Tune) – arr, by Robert J. Powell (SATB, keyboard) (Coronet Press/Theodore Presser 392-41260). Familiar Folk Tune, found in WOV with a different text. Easy/Medium.

“O Holy Jesus, Little Child” (Mexican Carol) – arr. by Robert Powell (SATB, keyboard) (Coronet Press/Theodore Presser 392-42161). Easy, delightful Hispanic Carol.

“In Dulci Jubilo” – Dietrich Buxtehude / arr. by Theron Kirk (2-part any combination, keyboard, optional 2 flutes) (Coronet Press/Theodore Presser 892-42147). An abridgement of a much longer setting; the melody line is ornamented but not difficult. Medium requirements.

“Hymn-Anthem on ‘Adeste Fidelis’” – Everett Titcomb (SATB, organ) (C. F. Peters 6399). Solo sections which can be sung in sectional unisons. Easy and Majestic setting.


EPIPAHNY:
“We Have Seen His Star” (from “8 Short Motets for Mixed Voices”)– Everett Titcomb (SATB) (Carl Fischer CM438). While this piece is preferably unaccompanied, the score does include a keyboard reduction. Easy motet, contrapuntal lines. A good way to introduce your choir to a linear style of choral writing. Masterful writing, not difficult at all, but requires care and attention.

“Say, Where is He Born” (from the unfinished Oratorio “Christus” – Felix Mendelssohn / ed. By Walter Ehret (SATB, piano) (Theodore Presser 312-41393). Requires some adjustment to be played on the organ. Easy / Medium.

OPEN ORGANISTS POSITION

Play everyother Sunday (one of 2 organists is retiring)
Allen Electronic Organ - AGO Standards
St. Peter Lutheran Church, Norwalk, Ohio
Evangelical Lutheran Worship: Settings 1, 3, 4
Service Times: 8:00 & 10:30 am
Choirs at both services
Weekly rehearsal with 8:00 choir (Wed., 5:30)

Contact: Pastor Fred Wiechers 419-668-2856

POSITION OPEN

Organist & Choir position open at St. Stephen UCC in Sandusky, Ohio. For more information please call the church office at 419-626-1612 Ext. 101.

CHAPTER DUES ARE NOW DUE

Chapter dues were due for the 2011-2012 year on June 30. Regular - $70.00 / Special - $52.50 (age 65 or over) / Student - $39.00 / Partner - $45.00 (second member of same household. No magazine for second member.) / Chapter Friend - $15.00.

If you have not yet done so, please mail your dues ASAP to Charles Scroggy, 218 W. Bogart Rd., Sandusky, OH 44870.

SMALL CHURCH ORGAN FOR SALE

"Pipe Organ in good working condition. It has four ranks and fits in a small place. The pipes and chests could be used with your existing instrument. Detailed description available. Contact Joanna Pretz-Anderson at Christ the Redeemer, Brecksville by email at jpretzanderson@crlcbrecksville.org or call 440-526-2303."

UPCOMING EVENT

Sunday, May 22, 7:30 PM: “29th Annual Spring Concert” St. Mary’s Church, 429 Central Ave., Sandusky (419-625-7465). The St. Mary’s Parish Choir will join forces with Zion Lutheran Church Senior Choir to perform Thompson’s “Alleluia, and Rutter’s “Gloria.” For more information, visit St. Mary’s Music Ministry website,
http://stmarysmusicministry.blogspot.com/

Sunday, June 12, 3:00 PM: Sandusky Chapter AGO program “organ repertoire sharing,” at Holy Angels Church, 1605 W. Jefferson St., Sandusky, Oh. This was the event that was snowed out this past February.

FROM OUR DEAN FOR MAY / JUNE 2011

“Robert Elmore (1913-1985) A Personal Reminiscence”

In the oversight department, the March issue of TAO, pg. 33, notes the premiere performance of the Concerto in C Minor for Organ and Orchestra by Robert Elmore. I refer you to the March issue for all details. Appended to this newsletter is a copy of an article by Pauline Fox (from May 1994 TAO), a student of Dr. Elmore reporting the deposit of the Robert Elmore Collection in the archives and records center of the University of Pennsylvania. It is from this collection, without any doubt, that the score and parts for this Organ Concerto was retrieved.

I was introduced to Dr. Elmore in the Spring of 1974 by one of his organ students whom he taught in his private studio, and who had used some of my organ and choral selections in her Church Service Repertoire.

Having been shown examples of my work, both published and in manuscript, Dr. Elmore expressed a desire to meet me. Our conference took place on a warm afternoon in May at his home in Wayne, PA, on Philadelphia’s Main Line and occupied the greater part of the afternoon.

Dr. Elmore read through numerous organ, choral, and solo vocal selections, both sacred and secular, offering helpful and thoughtful critiques along the way. He seemed particularly interested in my arrangement of “In Thee Is Gladness” for SATB Chorus accompanied by Brass Quartet, subsequently published by Walter Gould in his Music 70 Series (an adjunct to the Lawson-Gould Music Publishers) and my SATB a cappella composition “Wide Open Are Thy Hands” which has not made print, due, no doubt, to the many enharmonic changes, difficult intonation, and chromatic voice leading which abounds in this works; Dr. Elmore took specific note of these aspects of the piece, making reference to them in a very analytic way.

It was during the 1970’s that Dr. Elmore was Organist/Choirmaster of the historic 10th Presbyterian Church, 17th and Spruce Sts. in Philadelphia, PA. Numerous visits to Philadelphia during this period provided many opportunities to attend the 7:00 PM Sunday Evening Services, enjoy “after the Service” conversation, listen to his 70 voice choir, and learn much regarding organ technique from listening to his always virtuoso performances.

10th Presbyterian was, at the time, the point of origin of the Radio Program “The Bible Study Hour,” featuring the Church’s Pastor, the Rev. Dr. James Montgomery Boice. An amusing incident occurred after one of the services when a parishoner approached me, in a reasonably friendly way, inquiring as to why I had been attending the Evening Services. I responded, “Why to hear Dr. Elmore play the organ and direct his choir.” The somewhat taken aback look I received indicate to me that this was not the expected or desired response, in view of the illustrious occupant of the pulpit.

It would hardly be accurate if I did not declare that Dr. Robert Elmore was one of the major influences on my own musical development and professional life.

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Note: A commentary on Hugo Distler and his student Jan Bender will appear in the June/July Newsletter. There will be no August Newsletter. The Newsletter will resume on a bi-monthly basis in September 2011.