It was only a couple of weeks ago that I received a phone call from Nicholas Lee, Director of Music at St. Andrew’s Cathedral, asking me to play today’s two choral Eucharists in which Orlando Gibbons’ “This is the record of John,” was scheduled as the anthem. He had called me to ask whether I… Read More Someone was watching …
We know that the pandemic has changed our lifestyles in many ways, but none so more as in our ways of worship and entertainment. Church services have gone virtual, as have all concerts, it seems. What made me sit up and take notice, though, was this recent Washington Post headline which read: “The pandemic forced… Read More Gamechanger
Today I was scheduled to play the Walker organ and conduct the choir at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Kailua, on the windward side of the island. My music bag was packed with my organ music and shoes and I put on a long-sleeved blouse, a full-length jacket and dress slacks. As I got dressed,… Read More Armed for battle
Last Sunday, I was privileged to be a guest in the home of Mark Russell, owner and builder of what my late husband used to call “the finest harpsichord in Honolulu.” It was a chance to show off the instrument to Jieun and Ben Newland, newcomers to Hawaii. You may remember that she was the… Read More Insane harpsichord madness!
“You love life in the fast lane, don’t you” was a text message I received from my sister last night as I was sitting in Neal Blaisdell Center Concert Hall, waiting for the Beethoven Ninth concert to begin. I had just gotten off the plane from 9 days on the mainland with my family in… Read More Life in the fast lane
I’ve been waiting to play François Couperin’s “Tierce en taille” from the Messe pour les Paroisses, and finally got that opportunity when we visited the organ at Sarrebourg’s Église Saint-Barthélémy. Today is Day 5 of the Historical Organ Study Tour of Lorraine, France, and it was not until today that we have heard and played… Read More French Classic heaven
If a bomb had struck at St. Andrew’s Cathedral April 27th at 11:00 am, there would be no more church music in Honolulu! That is because every church musician in town was there to celebrate the life of Canon Organist Emeritus John McCreary. People were already starting to gather when I arrived at St. Andrew’s… Read More Celebration John McCreary