This afternoon was Alcee Chriss’ phenomenal recital at Central Union Church, and all I could say about it is “Wow. Just Wow.” Calling him a virtuoso is woefully inadequate. Not only did he bring infinite colors to the tonal palette, his use of the organ and his jazzy improvisatory technique was so far beyond human… Read More Wow. Just Wow.
All of our rehearsals EXCEPT for the one with the University of Hawaii Chamber Singers have been completed and we are ready to go for Monday’s “Happy 337th Birthday, J. S. Bach” concert, March 21st at 7:00 pm at the Lutheran Church of Honolulu. As it turned out, our planned rehearsal with the choir had… Read More Back to basics
Yesterday was the halfway point, otherwise a Transition Day in our organ festival, “Celebrating the Pipe Organ in Hawaii.” It meant saying goodbye to Katelyn Emerson and her mom, Sue, as they flew to Lihue, Kaua‘i, for Katelyn’s upcoming concert at All Saints Episcopal Church, March 19. We then greeted Alcee Chriss and look forward… Read More Hello and goodbye
Those are the two words that came to mind as I was listening to Katelyn Emerson play her concert at Central Union Church this afternoon. Hers was an extremely elegant and sophisticated performance today, and the number of colors she got from the instrument was incredible, made possible by a huge quantity of piston changes… Read More Glorious elegance
This morning Katelyn Emerson and I woke up early to get ready for a class she was going to be teaching at nearby St. Andrew’s Schools—a demonstration of the Aeolian-Skinner organ at St. Andrew’s Cathedral for the girls in the Lower School Choir. You’ll know from my previous posts that the organ is in bad… Read More Ambassador for the organ
Just about eleven years ago, I wrote this post on March 26, 2011: … it was in 1971 that the church decided to commit itself to a music program that would make LCH a center for sacred music and a venue for classical music concerts. It was then that the decision to purchase the Beckerath… Read More A turning point
In the last couple of days, I have learned of the death of two organists, one well-known and the other, perhaps not so well known, but both loved by colleagues and others in their communities. I will write about the second person in a separate post. Joyce Jones had a most distinguished career, and you… Read More Well done, good and faithful servant
HONOLULU – Gov. David Ige announced that the state is ending the travel quarantine and the Safe Travels Hawaiʻi program after the current emergency period ends on Mar. 25. Beginning at 12:01 am, Mar. 26, passengers arriving from domestic points of origin will not have to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination or a pre-travel… Read More Mask on, mask off
It’s only ONE WEEK AWAY from the onslaught of our “Celebrating the Pipe Organ in Hawaii” festival, and I have just finished updating the Hawaii Chapter American Guild of Organists website with the artist programs and bios. We’ll be having an Executive Board meeting tomorrow where we’ll be putting the finishing touches on all the… Read More Help, I’m drowning!
Sometimes you just have to shut the world out. Just as I was leaving last night to play the Bach and Prayer service came the notice that Russia had invaded Ukraine. My words to myself were “Just think CALM. Focus on the music.” I hated to admit it, but my pulse was starting to race,… Read More But, but, but …