Organists and Organ Playing

Blue and red

I am a hopeless political junkie and we are once again in one of my favorite news cycles —a presidential campaign. I just love the debates, the polls, and the talk shows. And of course there’s a lot of talk about blue states and red states, liberals and conservatives, progressives and establishment. But this weekend, blue and red will… Read More Blue and red

Organists and Organ Playing

Keeping up with Joey

On my Hawaii Public Radio interview today, somehow the name of Joey Fala came up, my former organ student, as I explained how public radio supports and endorses non-profit groups such as the American Guild of Organists (AGO) and Early Music Hawaii (EMH) by publicizing their events. You see, we sponsor one organ concert per year and every time, we… Read More Keeping up with Joey

Organists and Organ Playing

Introvert

Adele, Barbara Streisand, Lady Gaga, Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, Britney Spears . . . what do all these musicians have in common? According to Arlin Cuncic, all these people consider themselves shy and introverted. Adele, a Grammy-winning British pop singer whose music is topping the charts, puts it this way: “I’m scared of audiences,” she confessed.… Read More Introvert

Organists and Organ Playing

A piano lesson

Today was a first — my first piano lesson in over five decades! You see, in the upcoming Early Music Hawaii concert (only two days away!) I’m having to play the piano for the accompaniment to three pieces on the program. They include In vidi in terra by Franz Liszt, Nigra sum by Pablo Casals and… Read More A piano lesson

Organists and Organ Playing

Aloha, Lorna

Over the Easter weekend, we bid ‘Aloha’ to singer Lorna Mount, who with her husband, John, moved to Hawaii in 1975. As described by her family, Lorna was charismatic, energetic, always laughing, had the gift of gab, and when she was on steroids due to her ovarian cancer, “was a force of nature!” I know… Read More Aloha, Lorna