When I haven’t seen people for awhile, generally they ask me two questions:

“What are you working on?”

“Where are you going on your next trip?

Well, I’m glad you asked! I am pleased to tell you that Scott Fikse asked me to play the organ on his last Sunday at the Lutheran Church of Honolulu before he heads off to grad school at the University of Washington! Over the past seven years, Scott and I did a number of collaborations together, the first of which was his brave decision to conduct the world premiere of Missa O Magne Pater by Frank Ferko celebrating Carl Crosier a year after his death. (See my post, SRO Bravissimo!”

Back then, I wrote:

Some of the biggest applause of the night was when Scott Fikse acknowledged composer Frank Ferko, after the stunning performance of his Missa O Magne Pater, which was a triumphant victory for the combined choirs of the Lutheran Church of Honolulu and Hawai’i Vocal Arts Ensemble. Special kudos to Scott for taking on this challenging yet beautiful piece and conducting it so masterfully.

On July 31st, I’ll play the service at Nu’uanu Congregational Church through the hymn following the sermon, then will attempt to slip out quietly while my former student, Daryl Akamichi finishes with the closing hymn and postlude. I’ll arrive at LCH in time to play the liturgy, hymns, Bach Cantata 187, Es wartet alles auf dich, and the postlude. I’m also pleased that Scott has chosen a couple of my hymn harmonizations for the service.

As for next trips, well tomorrow is my monthly trip to Kaua‘i to teach my three students over there!

Seriously, though, I’ll be flying to Seattle in September to travel to Leavenworth, Washington to have a reunion with my husband’s cousins. When he grew up in Port Angeles, WA, the families of his two uncles all lived in the same town and he became close to all his girl cousins. That’s right, he was the only boy among six girl cousins plus his sister Carol, and as he told me, “I was a pill! Luckily I’ll be only gone a few days during the week and won’t miss playing the Sunday service.

And THEN—In October I’ll be joining my two sisters, Margo and Doris, with my friends, Jo Ann Condry, Jieun Kim Newland, Barbara Adler and Bill Potter on a tour called “Marian Shrines and the Way of St. James” to France, Spain and Portugal. It’s a tour that I’ve tried to book FOUR times already! I first tried in 2019 but there were insufficient numbers of people enrolled. Then I tried again in 2020, but you know what happened then—the pandemic (!) The tour was then postponed to 2021, and now to October 2022. Last week I booked the airfare so fingers crossed that the trip will become a reality! And hopefully, the airlines will have sorted out their difficulties by then!

Here’s a description of the trip:

Trace the route devout pilgrims have walked since the middle ages.

Follow in the footsteps of medieval pilgrims as you make your way through France, Spain, and Portugal on this immersive tour. As you go, admire some of the holiest sites in Christendom and step inside soaring churches where people have prayed for centuries. From bustling Toulouse and historic Lourdes to the ancient streets of Santiago de Compostela, spirituality comes to the forefront on this memorable journey.

Among the highlights will be:

• Basilica of St. Sernin
• Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes
• Burgos Cathedral
• The Way of St. James
• Santiago de Compostela Cathedral
• Basilica of Our Lady of Fátima

I can’t wait!