In May of this year, when organbuilder Hans-Ulrich Erbslöh was in Hawaii to clean and add a couple of stops to the Beckerath organ, I mentioned that I was planning to go to Japan for my birthday this year. Hans immediately said that I ought to contact Takeshi Nakazato, with whom he had gone through… Read More A day with Takeshi
I left Honolulu on Monday morning via ANA airlines, my first time on that carrier, and in spite of the fact that I booked my trip over three months ago, all that was left were middle seats. Still I was impressed by the outstanding service, the design of the aircraft, and fortunately, being a Star… Read More Memories of Paris in Japan?
Last weekend was the 50th anniversary of the dedicatory concerts by McNeil Robinson at the Beckerath organ of the Lutheran Church of Honolulu, which in itself is an auspicious occasion — but whatʻs REALLY SCARY is that I was there in person, fifty years ago! Yikes! There were two dedication concerts, but since so much… Read More Fifty years later
Ever since Easter, I have been beyond busy and have been juggling so many balls in the air that this is the first time in many weeks that I’m able to sit down and write this post. By far, the project that has consumed more than 60 hours (and counting!) of my time has been… Read More Beyond busy …
You didn’t know that Cleveland was in Hawaii? It was Douglas Cleveland, concert organist, at the Lutheran Church of Honolulu, who played a colorful program last night: Praeludium in G major (Nikolaus Bruhns) Vater unser im Himmelreich (Georg Böhm)Prelude and Fugue in E-flat, BWV 552 (J.S. Bach)Tierce en taille—Homage to Louis Couperin (David Dahl)Transformations (Jessica… Read More Cleveland in Hawaii
As soon as the Christmas Day High Mass was over at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church (about 12:35 pm), I raced home where I already had my suitcase packed and ready to go. My friend, Cindy Scheinert, picked me up and we headed for the airport, where I had a flight scheduled with a 2:20 boarding… Read More Out with the old!
It all started on Friday, with my alarm set for 5:00 am so I could get to the airport on time for an early morning flight to Kaua‘i — this after an intense rehearsal with the St. Mark’s Episcopal choir the night before. It’s now been four years since I have been flying monthly to… Read More Another crazy weekend!
[UPDATE] By now, the whole world has heard about the devastating wildfires on the island of Maui, here in Hawaii, and the horrific fires which have completely flattened the historic town of Lahaina, with 93 persons confirmed dead and nearly 3,000 buildings destroyed. Among those buildings lost was Holy Innocents Episcopal Church, a parish of… Read More RIP Beckerath organ in Maui
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
Hans-Ulrich Erbslöh, who first came to Hawaii nearly 50 years ago to install the Beckerath organ, is back in town, along with his assistant, Bernd Becker, to service the two organs in the Lutheran Church of Honolulu, in addition to the J. W. Walker organ at St. Christopher’s Kailua; the Beckerath organ at Holy Innocents,… Read More The German organbuilders are here!