Do you remember Blue Light Specials at K-Mart? Here’s a description to refresh your memory: Kmart® is a discount department store best known for its iconic blue light special sales gimmick, consisting of surprise announcements when price-cuts were offered for a limited time on specific merchandise. At the beginning of each random sales blitz, the phrase “Attention Kmart® shoppers…”… Read More Attention, K-Mart Shoppers… !
When last week the Lutheran Church of Honolulu brought a candidate to Hawaii to audition for the job of Music Director and Organist, I thought back to the three church jobs I’ve had since moving here: Church of the Holy Nativity, 1973-1976Lutheran Church of Honolulu, 1978-2012Nuuanu Congregational Church, 2020-present Would you believe that I never… Read More The organist’s audition
The following is the text of Scott Fikse’s farewell address to the congregation. I was secretly thrilled that he included my name! I give thanks to God for leading me and Marcus on a path that brought us to all of you. I’ve told this story to many of you, but when Marcus graduated from… Read More Scott’s farewell
When I haven’t seen people for awhile, generally they ask me two questions: “What are you working on?” “Where are you going on your next trip? Well, I’m glad you asked! I am pleased to tell you that Scott Fikse asked me to play the organ on his last Sunday at the Lutheran Church of… Read More Fingers crossed!
Last week when I was scrolling through Facebook, one post caught my eye: As readers of my blog may know, I’m a HUGE fan of the television show, Doc Martin, which I discovered only about three years ago. I saw this post on Thursday and thought about it all day. That night, I couldn’t sleep… Read More OMG! I’m on the BBC!
If you had gone to the Early Music Hawaii concert Saturday night, you may have seen this little blurb in the program: Upcoming concert of interest to Early Music lovers: Organists 1-2-3: Music for One, Two and Three Organs. For the first time in Hawaii, concertgoers will have the rare opportunity to experience music for one,… Read More Shameless self-promotion!
Flabbergasted! Okay, even though I know what it means, it’s not a word that I use in ordinary conversation. The term originated in 1772, and was mentioned (with bored) in a magazine article as a new vogue word, likely an arbitrary formation from flabby or flapper and aghast. Dictionary.com defines the word flabbergasted as an adjective, “to overcome with surprise… Read More Flabbergasted!
You may recall from previous posts that I’m back to practicing Bach—the so-called German Organ Mass, also called the Clavierübung, Part III. According to Wikipedia, “It is considered Bach’s most significant and extensive work for organ, containing some of his musically most complex and technically most demanding compositions for that instrument.” You know me—I never take the easy way… Read More Listening to my 28-year-old self
Shivers of delight ran up and down my spine yesterday as I was listening to the concert by former student, Joey Fala, at St. Andrew’s Cathedral. I was in amazement at his musical maturity, and the ease with which he played extremely difficult passages — the music just oozed out! Here was Joey’s bio in… Read More Beautiful concert, beautiful playing