You have NO idea how the following pictures warmed my heart when I saw them on Facebook yesterday:

It’s my former student, Joey Fala, who is introducing the organ to the children’s choirs at Chapel of the Cross in Chapel Hill, NC, where he is the Organ Scholar. It was sixteen years ago (May 24, 2003) that Joey came with other children to the Lutheran Church of Honolulu, and he was one of the children who raised his hand, eager to ask a question about the organ.

And the rest is history, as they say. Joey started organ lessons with me and continued throughout high school when at graduation, he was awarded the prestigious Bishop’s Award for outstanding service to church, school and community and named “the best organist in the State.” Although he enrolled at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in the architecture program and received a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in architecture, he followed his dream by getting a Master of Music in organ performance at Yale University and received a two year position as Organ Scholar at Duke University in Durham, NC.

And talk about passing it on: A few days ago, Mark Boyle, formerly a tenor in the choirs at the Lutheran Church of Honolulu, celebrated his third anniversary as the conductor of the Pittsburgh Compline Choir.

Mark wrote this:

Tonight marks the beginning of my third year with the Pittsburgh Compline Choir. 

This service came into my life when Jane and I were still at the beginning of our marriage, figuring out life in a very different place than anywhere we had lived before—Hawaii. 21 years ago!

We found our way to the Lutheran Church of Honolulu and joined the Chancel Choir. We had no idea it would be one of the most meaningful choral experiences for both of us. 

Rather quickly, Carl Crosier asked me to join the LCH Compline Choir. In that group I got to make music with some wonderful people and learn each week from one of the best church musicians I have ever known.

Dr. Hallock, founder of the Compline Choir of St. Mark’s in Seattle, came out a few times and conducted us. He was largely responsible for the spread of Compline in the United States. The St. Mark’s Compline Choir – parent choir to both the LCH Compline Choir and the Pittsburgh Compline Choir – founded by Dr. Hallock in 1956, is still going strong today. 

John W. Becker founded our choir in 1988 after a visit to Seattle. I am honored to continue his vision and the vision of those who followed John. 

Compline, the last service in the Liturgy of the Hours, allows the soul to settle after a long week. It brings light into darkness by Word and music. I am forever blessed to be part of something so intensely beautiful, shared with dedicated folks who give of themselves so selflessly. 

So here’s to year three. Thank God, the universe, and all good things for this sacred responsibility. 

You can read all about Mark in the post I wrote, A Compline Alumnus.