It’s the middle of May and our thoughts are turning to our summer travels. And although we’re not going to Germany this year, I did think about the St. Nicholas Church in Leipzig, where Johann Sebastian Bach was once organist. From 2002 there was a new organ there incorporating much of the previous 1858 instrument… Read More A Porsche in the organ
As I reported previously, this week we are hosting young South Dakota organist Wyatt Smith. Wyatt gave a most colorful and interesting recital at St. Andrew’s Cathedral today at noon, including Bach’s Toccata in F, BWV 540a and a 3-movement work he himself commissioned, Missouri Sonata by Kurt Knecht (b. 1971). From his website, I learned… Read More Pay to play
When I gave my speech on April 14th at the celebration of my 35 years at LCH, you may recall that I recited a litany of my other careers: statistical typist, preschool secretary, handbell teacher, notary public, computer specialist, wedding coordinator, parish administrator, etc. In that regard, I’m no different from many other church musicians… Read More Dual careers
It was back in May 2011 that I received a message from Wyatt Smith, a young organist from South Dakota: Hi Katherine, I just wanted to say how much I REALLY enjoy reading your blog. It is one thing I look forward to every day. I really wish that I could just fly out to Honolulu… Read More A visitor from the Internet
I received so many positive comments about my last post (concerning the story of my retirement in the newspaper) that I thought it only fair that I share Carol Langner’s original news release about Mark Wong. And today happens to be his birthday! Lutheran Church Announces New Organist Mark Wong has joined the staff of… Read More The unpublicized story
Nearly two weeks ago, Carol Langner sent out a press release announcing the appointment of Mark Wong as the next organist of the Lutheran Church of Honolulu. She sent me a courtesy copy which included Mark’s biographical details, but also mentioned that Mark was the successor to my 35-year tenure. Well, this is how reporter… Read More Overshadowed
During the years of 1993-2004 I made my living by playing weddings full-time for Japanese tourists (of course, this was in addition to my church job at LCH, my chapel job at Iolani School AND my organ teaching.) Basically I jumped on the organ bench, spent fifteen minutes playing the wedding, posed for pictures, then drove… Read More Have shoes, will travel!
When I opened my email this morning, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that I’ve been invited to be a judge at an organ competition! It will be the AGO/Quimby Regional Competition for Young Organists for Region IX, which encompasses the states of Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah plus Korea, Singapore, Sydney and… Read More A first time for everything
Those of you who attended the Mass in B Minor performances at the Lutheran Church of Honolulu in May 2011 (and there were hundreds of you!) surely will not forget the heart-stopping and “time standing still” performance by mezzo-soprano, Meg Bragle and her poignant rendition of the “Agnus Dei.” For many listeners, her performance was… Read More Happy memories
Just this morning when I opened my email, I got a notification that today is Marcel Dupré‘s 126th birthday (May 3, 1886 – May 30, 1971) and it brought back memories of our trip to France, three years ago, and specifically, our visit to Meudon, Dupré’s home, where I had my organ lessons. You might… Read More Happy Birthday, Marcel Dupré!