The line between order and disorder lies in logistics (Sun Tzu) My Bach concerts are only two days away, and I AM READY! Postcards printed and mailed – Check! News releases distributed – Check! Interviews with media – Check! Tickets printed and pre-orders inserted into envelopes – Check! Volunteers recruited to move pews, sell tickets… Read More Logistics
When I opened up the newspaper today, I turned to the TGIF section, where I hoped there would be something about my concert this weekend. Indeed, on page 2, there was my picture and the headline, “Veteran organist tackles daunting Bach chorales.” You know, I didn’t know that story about Bach scaring off the competition… Read More You learn something new every day
While I am off practicing, my local consultant felt compelled to write in my absence. Although I have been quoted in several of Kathy’s blog posts, this will be the first time I have actually written one myself. For the regular readers of this blog, you probably have already surmised that the upcoming Bach recitals… Read More A labor of love
Today I was the substitute organist at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, filling in for Karl Bachman. I came to the church on Friday to familiarize myself with the organ and to set up my pistons. As you know from a previous post, I more or less set up the pistons the same way, no matter… Read More Panic time
Our late friend and colleague, John McCreary, retired from St. Andrew’s Cathedral and Iolani School, used to lament the typically poor attendance at organ recitals. He’d say something like, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, let there be an organ recital!” (or something like that!), a take-off on the Matthew 18:20 text:… Read More Where two or three are gathered . . . NOT!
This week I will be substituting at a Sunday service and funeral at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church on University Avenue. Karl Bachman, their music director and organist, is visiting family on the mainland and asked that I play some of the selections from Bach’s Great Eighteen Chorales for the prelude and postlude. Sure, I’ll be happy to… Read More Another week, another organ
Many of you readers (hundreds, in fact) attended the Honolulu performances of Bach’s monumental Mass in B minor, in May 2011. Those concerts were dubbed Carl Crosier’s “swan song,” his last concerts as the cantor of the Lutheran Church of Honolulu. There were many stars those two nights, but one clearly stood out — that… Read More Bragle and Bach
Last night we bid “Aloha” to Pastor Rob Lloyd, husband of organist Margaret Lloyd, at Central Union Church. His obituary appeared in yesterday’s Star-Advertiser, but for those of you who have moved away from Hawaii and knew Rob, you might appreciate having more information about last night’s service. His obituary was also published in the… Read More Aloha, Rob Lloyd
An encore is an extra piece that is played at the end a performance. It is not on the program, although the performer may have secretly planned it. A performer will play an encore if the audience claps a lot. Sometimes the audience shout “encore!” when they want an encore. The word “encore” is the French word for “again”. An encore is usually a… Read More Encore
You probably guessed it, when I say “Half and half” I’m not referring to a beverage that we in the United States call that liquid which is half milk and half cream. I’m instead referring to how I’m going to play Bach’s Great Eighteen Chorales on August 18 and 25. A number of people have… Read More Half and half