From time to time, I have mentioned the name of my Swiss friend, Vreni Griffith. I first noticed her unusual name when I used to stick name labels on our music mailings for the Lutheran Church of Honolulu—that was probably in the early 90s. I later found out “Vreni” was a shortened version of “Varena”… Read More ¡Muchísimas gracias!
Yesterday, my long-time friend from the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians, Bruce Bengtson, his sister and brother-in-law and I had lunch at the Ono Steak and Shrimp restaurant in Waimanalo. I had never been there before and relied on my phone’s GPS to find the restaurant. The parking lot was filled to capacity which should… Read More Are you organists?
I hardly ever check my Twitter feed, but this headline caught my eye: Madison Church Organist Retiring After Years at the Same Campus Area Church. Of course, I knew the article was about our long-time organist friend, Bruce Bengtson, and his long tenure at Luther Memorial Church in Madison, WI. Click the link for the complete… Read More 40 years!
This morning, I got a text message out of the blue while I was walking into St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Philadelphia: “Did I see you this morning from a distance? Will look for you at Girard tonight. Bruce” Surprise, surprise! It was from organist friend Bruce Bengtson who is visiting the Organ Historical Society… Read More You never know who you’ll run into …
This has certainly been a week of parties — social events three days in a row with organists! Wednesday was the luncheon with my former organ students, then last night I had dinner with organist Bruce Bengtson from Madison, WI, then tonight was our Hawaii Chapter American Guild of Organists Dean’s Reception at the Pacific Club —… Read More My peeps!
My shuttle to Logan airport came 15 minutes early so in my haste to pick up my luggage, I left my fleece jacket at Edith Ho’s. In the lost and found department I have been hopeless on this trip. After leaving my glasses in the Newark Airport last week, I was overjoyed to have a… Read More Mecca for Bach pilgrims
In the Lutheran liturgy, the Gospel Acclamation, once known as the Alleluia, comes right after the second reading and precedes the reading of the Gospel. Verses are appointed for the day, which are sung after the Alleluia refrain. Over the years the LCH choir has sung settings by William Byrd, Heinrich Isaac, Carl Crosier, Peter… Read More New (to us) Gospel Acclamations
Worshippers at the 10:30 service at LCH will probably recognize the name Bruce Bengtson from the Sunday bulletins. This Sunday the choir will be singing another of his Alleluias (Gospel Acclamation). Bruce has been organist and director of music at Luther Memorial Church in Madison, Wisconsin since 1978. We met Bruce over twenty years ago… Read More Our friend Bruce
One of the traditions we have in the Crosier household is that we always have guests sign our guest book. We actually started the book at our wedding 34 years ago and we’re now on volume 5! When someone comes to dinner or is a houseguest or comes to play a recital or sing in… Read More The Guest Book
There was a story about Max Reger (1873-1916) which I learned in graduate school and still remember to this day. In answer to a music critic, Reger wrote: “I am sitting in the smallest room of my house. I have your review before me. In a moment it will be behind me!” Here’s another quote… Read More Reger and Cornelius this week