From time to time, I have written posts about organists being a dying breed—we are few and far between, and going the way of the dodo bird. Fewer students learn how to play the organ, and it’s just not possible to pick up the instrument “in ten easy lessons”—it takes years of commitment and practice.… Read More The real unsung heroes
Shhhh! Don’t tell Joey! This was a title of an email I sent to Bob Alder and Rick Mazurowski, two members of the Hawaii Chapter American Guild of Organists who live on the Big Island and in charge of Joey Fala’s recital at the Higashi Hongwanji Mission, March 12th. You see, I really wasn’t… Read More Secret mission
Today the Hawaii Tribune-Herald newspaper on the Big Island published a story by Katie Young Yamanaka about our homeboy, Joey Fala, and his upcoming recital at the Higashi Hongwanji Mission, Sunday, March 12th at 3:00 pm. I was surprised that Joey came up with the same analogy as I have previously written about, particularly in regards… Read More Like going into someone else’s kitchen
This weekend, Joey Fala will play a concert at Higashi Hongwanji Mission in Hilo on the Big Island. According to Bob Alder, who does electronic organ service in Hawaii and is underwriting Joey’s transportation to Hilo through his firm, Church Organs Hawaii, said: “This organ has always been used by Higashi Hongwanji for their regular services.… Read More Organ music in a Buddhist temple!
It’s not as easy as it looks. From day one, you are taught to always sit in the middle of the organ bench so you can develop a sense of where the pedals are without looking. So if I were to play a duet with someone else on the organ, I would be discombobulated. This… Read More Four hands, four feet
This morning I went to the 8:00 am service at the Lutheran Church of Honolulu where two of my young students played the prelude and postlude. It was Faith and Arts Sunday, the day that members of the congregation showcase their writing, art work and musical talents. I was pleasantly surprised to hear the congregation… Read More The next generation of organists
Last night was the Honolulu Chorale’s “Jubilate! A Celebration of Choral Music and Musicianship,” and I was reminded of the Hawaiian phrase, Ke Akua Ho’omaika’i Oe (God bless you). The dinner for John Renke was as much of a celebration of John’s ten years in Hawaii as well as a chance to say ‘goodbye.’ I was one… Read More Jubilate! Ke Akua Ho’omaika’i Oe, John!
Founded in 1966, the Honolulu Chorale, one of the longest-performing community choruses in the state of Hawaii, will hold its Annual Musical Event and Joe McAlister Award Dinner at the Honolulu Country Club tomorrow night. This year’s honoree is our colleague, John Renke, and you’ll never guess who was asked to be the speaker! Egad, little ‘ol… Read More Jubilate! honors John Renke
My former student, Joey Fala, will be playing an organ recital at the Washington National Cathedral this Sunday, February 26 at 5:15 pm. I took a screen shot of the web page, but if you would like to see it for yourself, click here. This week we also received the postcards promoting Joey’s concerts in Hawaii, which… Read More If you’re in D.C. this weekend …
I spent the weekend in Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii, playing harpsichord in the Early Music Hawaii concert. After a mad dash to the airport after teaching organ lessons on Saturday morning, I arrived in Kona and was taken immediately to the concert venue, the Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity, where the rehearsal… Read More Out of my comfort zone