The first event of the morning for me was Choral Matins in Grace Cathedral. You must know that this whole convention was about choices — in addition to Matins, you could also elect to go to an African-American worship service in a Baptist church or an organ and violin concert by a Chinese organist. There… Read More Last day of the convention
For the first time ever in my professional career (that’s almost six decades!), I am working in a parish which will formally recognize the efforts of its choir. In this week’s parish newsletter at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, The Rev. Paul Lillie wrote: … at the High Mass Aloha Hour there will be a reception… Read More Choir Recognition
Well, you’ll never guess where I am again—my home away from home, Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu! This time I will take a very quick trip to California to celebrate my grandson’s 7th birthday. People at my two churches won’t even know that I’ll be gone—I’ll be back for Thursday choir rehearsal! At… Read More Land of Fire and Ice
At Christmas time I stayed two nights on the island of Kauai, where I played a concert with the Kauai Chorale, under the leadership of Shane Morris Wise. I told you about my rude awakening at 3 am in the morning when roosters began crowing. Go back and read my post, “No paltry amount of… Read More As if on cue …
Prizewinning organist, James Kealey, is in Hawaii to present a couple of concerts for the Hawaii Chapter American Guild of Organists and was interviewed by Gene Schiller this morning at Hawaii Public Radio. James said that when he was growing up, he wanted to be an airline pilot, and even started studying geography in preparation… Read More James Kealey in Hawaii
Yesterday I woke up to a text on my phone that our dear friend, organist and harpist Nyle Hallman, had passed away. That was confirmed in a phone call with her daughter, Kathy Hallman, who was her mother’s constant companion, page turner and harp mover. We send our deepest condolences to the Hallman family at… Read More Rest in peace, Nyle
These are three little words I said to one of my newest students a couple of weeks ago. I did not plan what I was going to say … these words just popped out of my mouth. But apparently they made a huge difference in the life of James Myers, who is the latest of… Read More ”I need you”
You probably have heard this quote which has been attributed to Christa McAuliffe, the teacher who perished in the 1986 Challenger Space Shuttle accident. She may not have originated the expression, but she did bring a T-shirt with this imprinted on it, and she certainly popularized it, according to a Wikipedia article I read. So,… Read More I touch the future, I teach
A few days ago, a longtime friend who is a faithful reader of this blog sent me this message: “… I haven’t read a blog from you for quite awhile. Everything ok? 🤗💕” I pointed out that I had written a post just five days prior, but apparently she hadn’t received the notice. People who… Read More Controlled (?) mayhem
A few days ago, I received an email from my friend and former organist duet partner, Jieun Kim Newland. Hi Kathy, A good friend of mine, Russell Weismann is visiting Honolulu. He and I studied together at ISM (Institute of Sacred Music). He is a fabulous organist and is teaching at Georgetown University. Russ is also… Read More Distinguished visitor