I received so many positive comments about my last post (concerning the story of my retirement in the newspaper) that I thought it only fair that I share Carol Langner’s original news release about Mark Wong. And today happens to be his birthday!

Lutheran Church Announces New Organist

Mark Wong has joined the staff of the Lutheran Church of Honolulu as Organist and Assistant Director of Music, effective April 1st.  He was selected after a national search to fill the position left vacant by the retirement of Katherine Crosier, organist for 35 years.

Mr. Wong is well known to O‘ahu churches, having served as staff or substitute organist at many parishes. For the more traditional 10:30 a.m. service, Mr. Wong will play the church’s Baroque German organ for the liturgy and all service music.  He will also be the organist for all special services in Advent and Holy Week, and for Evening Vespers.  Equally at home on the piano keyboard, Mr. Wong will play the contemporary settings for the 8:00 a.m. service on the church’s grand piano.

Mr. Wong maintains a vast personal music library of organ literature, and often plays his own arrangements of hymns and other service music. He is experienced at building organs utilizing digital software for voicing and registration.  His most recent project in this regard is a 111-rank 3-manual organ designed and installed at Kawaiaha‘o Church.  Mr. Wong has previously served as Dean of the American Guild of Organists, Hawaii Chapter.

Mr. Wong is a graduate of ‘Iolani School and studied Computer Science at Yale University.  While at Yale, he also studied at the School of Music and did graduate work at the Institute of Sacred Music.  He is deeply rooted in the cultural life of Honolulu, participating with many performing arts groups and serving on Boards of Directors.  Mr. Wong joins Dr. Miguel Felipe, Director of Music and Liturgy, in maintaining the high standards of music and liturgy at the Lutheran Church of Honolulu.