Lately it seems that my life is nothing but hosting one houseguest after another—my niece and nephew from Virginia are with me this weekend to attend a wedding in Honolulu. Already they represent (can you believe it!) my fourth set of houseguests since the 15th of January, and in a couple of weeks I’ll welcome my fifth—Monica Czausz, rising star concert organist, who will be making a statewide tour under the sponsorship of the Hawaii Chapter, American Guild of Organists.

I’ve heard Monica play in person twice —once in 2015, and another time in 2016, both at Organ Historical Society conventions, and I’ve been bowled over each time. Here’s what I wrote in 2015:

Yesterday was Day Four at the Organ Historical Society and we again went to six musical events starting with an outstanding recital by Monica Czausz at the Wesley United Methodist Church. She had just won the AGO/Quimby Regional Competition for Young Organists in Fort Worth, TX and gotten home at 1 am this morning. And here she played a stunning recital at 8:30 the same morning! She seemed awfully perky for getting so little sleep.

And in 2016 in Philadelphia, I wrote:

We … went to an absolutely fantastic recital by Monica Czausz at Bryn Athyn Cathedral of the New Jerusalem denomination (the Swedenborgians). You may remember that I heard Monica at last year’s OHS convention and she is a friend of Joey Fala. In fact, last year when he played for the OHS convention, he stayed overnight at Monica’s parents’ home... The sound was just incredible, and Monica looked like she was having so much fun! She played nearly the whole program from memory and people leaped to their feet in a spontaneous standing ovation at the conclusion of the program.

Joey wrote me recently to say that Monica’s parents let him stay at her house, even though she wasn’t there herself, and that Monica’s mother even baked him a birthday cake when she found out it was his birthday! Now, that’s generosity for you (!) — to bake a birthday cake for a perfect stranger!

 Monica Czausz has quickly made a name for herself as one of the finest young American organists on the scene today. Known for her creative programming, innovative use of the organ, and charming demeanor, she was recognized as one of the top 20 organists under 30 in the May 2016 issue of The Diapason.

She has received first prize in numerous competitions including the American Guild of Organists Regional Competition for Young Organists and Schweitzer Competition in the Young Professionals Division, among others.

Upcoming performances include Walt Disney Concert Hall (Los Angeles, CA) and the National Convention of the American Guild of Organists, Spivey Hall (Morrow, GA).

Monica has been a student of Alan Morrison at The Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where she pursued an Artist Diploma in Organ Performance.  In 2017 she graduated Summa Cum Laude from Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music in Houston where she completed a five-year combined Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degree program in Organ Performance. There she studied with renowned professor Ken Cowan and, upon graduation, was awarded the Undergraduate Distinction in Research and Creative Work.  From September 2015 through July 2017, she served as full-time Cathedral Organist at Christ Church Cathedral (Episcopal) in Houston under the leadership of acclaimed director Robert Simpson. Monica graduated from The Curtis Institute of Music in May of 2019 with an Artist Diploma in Organ Performance and a Performer’s Certificate in Harpsichord Performance.

Monica will be playing the Prelude and Fugue in A minor (J. S. Bach), her own transcriptions of Brahms’ “Sechs Stücke für Klavier, Op. 118,” the Arabesques by Naji Hakim, Fugue on the name of BACH by Robert Schumann, “Sinfonie Kanzonisch” by Karg-Elert, and her own transcription of Dvorak’s “Carnival Overture” to close the program.

She will be playing similar programs at Makawao Union Church in Maui (March 17, 7:00 pm) and Holy Apostles Episcopal in Hilo (March 20, 7:00 pm.)

Please put the date on your calendar, Sunday, March 15th at Central Union Church, 2:00 pm, for an afternoon of fantastic organ playing!