Organists and Organ Playing

Sudden death

We all know that death and taxes are inevitable, but when we hear of the sudden deaths of celebrities or of people we know, it seems all the more shocking. This morning when I checked my Facebook notifications, I was taken aback by the news of organist Jane Parker-Smith. From her website, her bio reads:… Read More Sudden death

Organists and Organ Playing

WMD

There was a time when the initials WMD meant “Weapons of Mass Destruction.” Those three initials were in the minds of those who lived during the Gulf War with Iraq, March 20, 2003 – December 18, 2011. The United States was at war because officials believed Saddam Hussein was developing Weapons of Mass Destruction or… Read More WMD

Organists and Organ Playing

Te amo, tutu!

Te amo, tutu! (I love you, grandma) I asked my grandson to call me “tutu” which is “grandma” in Hawaiian. These were his last words in yesterday’s telephone call. Two and a half years ago, if I heard these words, I wouldn’t have had a clue what they meant. It was then that I decided… Read More Te amo, tutu!

Organists and Organ Playing

We grieve 100,000

I am always in awe of people who can creatively put words together to express profound ideas, especially those who can write hymn texts with a rhyming scheme. One of those persons is Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, an ordained Presbyterian minister who happened to attend Princeton Theological Seminary at the same time as my good friend,… Read More We grieve 100,000

Organists and Organ Playing

Ancient history

Today Daryl Akamichi, a former organ student of mine, tagged me in some old programs he saved from the 1980s. He said he turned pages for me, and remembered attending the rehearsals and services for this performance. Looking at all of these brings to mind two words: Ancient History! Look at all the names of… Read More Ancient history