Today is the Solemn Requiem for Gerre Hancock, formerly organist and choirmaster of St. Thomas Church in New York City for over thirty years. One tribute said, “He was one of the greatest church musicians of our time and inspired generations of musicians who worked with and admired him.” He was such a giant in the field… Read More A giant in church music
One of the resource books we use in planning worship is called Sundays and Seasons, published by Augsburg Fortress. It is a comprehensive collection of prayers, lessons, ideas and images, and suggestions for hymns, choral and instrumental music. For this Sunday, the Fifth Sunday after Epiphany (February 5th), we will be commemorating the Martyrs of… Read More The Martyrs of Japan, died 1597
This week at LCH we’re going all-American: the choir will be singing music by Randall Thompson (1899-1994) and I’ll be playing organ music by Gerald Near (b. 1942). Most people associate Randall Thompson with his famous “Alleluia” — an unaccompanied anthem with only one word repeated over and over. Written in 1940, it was commissioned… Read More All-American Sunday
The month of January has traditionally been one in which the LCH choir gets a break from Thursday rehearsals — and that is because at one time, several of the members went to sing in the chorus at Hawaii Opera Theatre. However, only David Del Rocco and Paul Schwind in the bass section were in… Read More All in the family
When I teach my young students about playing the organ, I ask them, “And what is the last thing you do after you finish playing your piece?” Push the Cancel button! That is to cancel any stops that are on to eliminate any “oops!” moments if your fingers happen to touch any keys by mistake… Read More An Organist’s ‘Oops!’
In the Lutheran liturgy, the Gospel Acclamation, once known as the Alleluia, comes right after the second reading and precedes the reading of the Gospel. Verses are appointed for the day, which are sung after the Alleluia refrain. Over the years the LCH choir has sung settings by William Byrd, Heinrich Isaac, Carl Crosier, Peter… Read More New (to us) Gospel Acclamations
Some of you may have received an email message from the Oahu Choral Society about their spring fundraising banquet and silent auction on March 10th. The Oahu Choral Society sponsors all the activities of the Honolulu Symphony Chorus and the Honolulu Chamber Choir. Their mission is “to present and promote choral music at the highest… Read More Vivace! 2012 to honor Carl Crosier
That’s what superstar organist, Ken Cowan, received at last Sunday night’s concert at St. Andrew’s Cathedral and I’m so sorry that I didn’t do more to publicize his recital through this blog so that more of you could have attended his fantastic program. His program showed not only all the colors of the Aeolian-Skinner organ,… Read More Four standing ovations
Sunday, January 8th was the Baptism of Christ and I programmed two settings of “Christ, unser Herr, zum Jordan kam” by J. S. Bach. They were both from a collection called “Clavierübung” or “keyboard practice,” which is sometimes referred to as Bach’s German Organ Mass because there are chorale preludes on the Ordinary — the… Read More Amazing coincidences
Yesterday when I opened the Star Advertiser newspaper, I cannot tell you thrilled I was to see Rodney Gehrke‘s picture prominently displayed in the entertainment section. Rodney arrived yesterday from San Francisco and will be playing a recital on the mighty Beckerath organ at the Lutheran Church of Honolulu, Sunday, January 15th at 4 pm.… Read More Two organ recitals in January