Ever since Easter, I have been beyond busy and have been juggling so many balls in the air that this is the first time in many weeks that I’m able to sit down and write this post. By far, the project that has consumed more than 60 hours (and counting!) of my time has been the creation of a memory book called “Legacies and Blessings,” a book of memories and photos in celebration of the 125th anniversary of the Lutheran Church of Honolulu. It’s like creating a giant puzzle, finding, sizing and fitting in photos to accompany the text, laying them out in a creative, elegant manner, and working with the committee to make sure that everything fits. And of course, when there are edits to the text after it has been formatted, as has happened more than 150 times, everything changes and has to be readjusted to fit.

Of course, there is a major section on the music scene, of which my husband Carl and I played a dominant role over the course of almost forty years. The contributors to the book were asked to write about their most memorable moments at LCH, and I began by writing about the first Bach cantata for which I was contracted to play the organ in May 1975.

Carl contracted me to play the organ continuo part in Bach Cantata 67, Halt’ im Gedächtnis Jesum Christ, which was performed on May 4. I remember the first rehearsal was only the Monday before the Sunday night performance, and I was most surprised that it was the choir’s first look at the score, meaning that they only had a few days to learn the music! We rehearsed in Isenberg Hall using the Steinway upright piano (which was ruined years later by a person who turned a water hose on it!), and I remember that even when my back was turned to most of the choir, I could see the conductor in the reflection of the piano’s glossy surface. Something I will never forget was that during the dress rehearsal, tenor William Livingston was sick and whistled his entire aria, not missing a note! For the performance and three rehearsals, I was paid $25.00, considered low by all standards. The organ I played was the one manual and pedal Beckerath positiv, which was later sold to Holy Innocents Episcopal Church in Lāhainā. It perished in the Lāhainā fire of August 8, 2023.

As I said, it’s like a giant puzzle (or a gigantic scrapbook!) but thankfully, we are coming down the home stretch—and the end is in sight! Hooray! “The Book” has 88 pages, is chock full of heartwarming anecdotes and photos from former pastors, interns, seminary candidates, musicians, and committee members, in addition to sections on history, property improvements and much much more. Here’s a sneak peek at the cover:

Both softcover and digital versions of the publication may be ordered later, the information for which I’ll share in a future post.

It almost seems like ancient history now, but I did provide a homestay for Tracy Cowart (and her husband) of the all-women’s vocal ensemble, Lumina, for the Early Music Hawaii concert on May 9th. They also sang a concert in Kona on May 11th—both fantastic concerts of music in praise of women, with music from mostly women composers such as Hildegard of Bingen. What struck me was the group’s incredible ensemble and blend, the five women sounded like just one voice. The program, which I formatted, can be found here.

I was especially pleased to meet member Kim Sueoka, a Kauai resident who once lived in Minnesota with the other members of the group, but now has returned home to Hawaii. She deliberately sought me out to tell me that she knows my Kauai organ student, Daniel Welch! Small world!

At St. Mark’s Episcopal Church where I am organist, there have been a rash of special High Masses, including St. Mark’s Day, Annunciation, St. Joseph’s, St. Damien and Marianne Cope, and tomorrow is Ascension. Coming up fast will be the Vigil of Pentecost and Corpus Christi. Mind you, these are all in ADDITION to the three services I play every Sunday, including a 9:00 am service at Nuuanu Congregational Church, 11:00 am High Mass at St. Mark’s, and 3:00 pm Vespers and Benediction at St. Mark’s. Every single service needs special organ music, and I am working on playing Maurice Duruflé’s variations on Veni Creator Spiritus for Pentecost and all-Bach for Trinity Sunday.

The German organbuilders, Hans-Ulrich Erbsloeh and Bernd Becker, are in town for a month to clean and restore the Beckerath organ at the Lutheran Church of Honolulu, in addition to adding two more ranks: an 8′ Trompete in the pedal division, and an 8′ Salicional in the swell division. Of course, I had to drop by to say ‘hi.’

They also installed a new zimbelstern which now will be able to be engaged as part of the combinations instead of the old, somewhat awkward way of pushing a small star-shaped toestud which was a hit-or-miss maneuver.

Organist Barry Wenger will be giving a concert on Friday, June 6th at 7:00 pm so that we will be able to hear the new stops. There will also be a Choral Pentecost service featuring the music of Craig Phillips, Jessica French, Handel, Bach, Proulx, and Widor on Sunday, June 8th at 5:00 pm.

Oh, and did I mention I’m on the committee for a Summer Social in my condo building, and I’ve been busy creating flyers and newsletters to advertise the event, in addition to attending weekly meetings of the committee.

This is the weekend of the Bach Mass in B minor with the Hawaii Vocal Arts Ensemble. Our first of two rehearsals is Friday night, with a Saturday dress rehearsal, and the performance is Sunday at 4:00 pm. It’s going to be a nailbiter — not the performance (!), but remember I have a 3:00 pm Vespers at St. Mark’s, which usually ends at 3:45 pm. I have 15 minutes to pack up my stuff, and drive to Sacred Hearts Academy, find a place to park, and be ready to play the downbeat at 4:00 pm! Yikes! Conductor Tim Carney did say he’d wait until I arrive to give the downbeat! I sure hope so!

All this time I’ve also been working on my itinerary to Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Chechia and France in July. Because we’re going to a music festival in Saintes, France, in addition to practicing Spanish every day, I’m trying to immerse myself in French besides! Now I’m REALLY confusing myself with the three languages: Spanish, French and English, and sometimes I’ll know a word in Spanish but not in French, and vice-versa. Lo siento and quelle horreur! I’ve also decided to go to Japan for my birthday in October to hear a concert by the Bach Collegium Japan, so I’m starting the airfare search now.

On Monday, I hosted Scott Fikse as he came to Honolulu to sing in the annual Lantern Floating Ceremony at Ala Moana Beach. Another overnight homestay at the Marble Palace!

Oh, and did I tell you that I’m taking a quick trip to California, leaving Sunday night after the Bach, to celebrate my grandson’s 8th birthday. He recently had his first Communion at St. Charles of Borromeo where he goes to school. You can see him in the dark blue suit, in the very front row, center.

Yup, I’m beyond busy!