This afternoon was Alcee Chriss’ phenomenal recital at Central Union Church, and all I could say about it is “Wow. Just Wow.” Calling him a virtuoso is woefully inadequate. Not only did he bring infinite colors to the tonal palette, his use of the organ and his jazzy improvisatory technique was so far beyond human… Read More Wow. Just Wow.
Our local newspaper, the Star-Advertiser, runs a feature photo on Sundays titled “Back in the day.” Last Sunday, when I opened up my paper, I was so surprised to see this! Unfortunately, it’s not only the tradition of theater music that’s dying… it’s organ music in general. There are simply fewer organists to go around… Read More Back in the day
Guess I am getting a reputation for being a jet setter or a traveling gadabout because whenever I see people I haven’t seen in awhile, they ask the question, “Where are you traveling next?” Actually next week I am going to (gasp!) my 50th high school reunion! Yes, so now you can guess how old… Read More Remember the organist!
In my last post, I told you that I was the new Membership Chair of the Hawaii Chapter American Guild of Organists, and that I was working on the membership directory. I am happy to report that our chapter will have gained several new members as a result of the post. One of our new… Read More A new organist in town!
This afternoon was my turn at Hawaii Public Radio’s semi-annual fund drive, and I deliberately chose a time at which I would normally be listening: Fred Child’s Performance Today. Seems that in my busy schedule, I always seem to be driving around at that hour, and am able to enjoy the live performances which are featured.… Read More What a coincidence!
It’s been three days since Joey Fala’s triumphant concert last Sunday, and people are still commenting and raving about his performance to me. Last Friday, Karl Bachman, the Dean of the local Hawaii Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, arranged for Joey to be interviewed by Gene Schiller of Hawaii Public Radio. Joey certainly… Read More Organist on the radio!
Chills ran up and down my spine as I sat in St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on the Green, in Norwalk, CT, where former student, Joey Fala, is the Organ Scholar. For me hearing him play a liturgical service, masterfully improvising on the hymn tunes which either came before or after the various parts of the… Read More Sunday at St. Paul’s
Today was the first official day of the Organ Historical Society convention, its 61st convention in this its 60th year since the founding in 1956. Its purpose is thus: The Organ Historical Society celebrates, preserves, and studies the pipe organ in America in all its historic styles, through research, education, advocacy, and music. And because… Read More The 61st for the 60th
It all started with an inquiry to my Ionian Arts email account last January 28th, 2016: Dear Mrs. Crosier, I found your email address on the Ionian Arts website. I hope it is O.K. to contact you. My wife and I may be moving from Cape Cod MA to Honolulu in the coming months and I am trying… Read More Aloha and Welcome, Todd and Jennifer!
Once a year, the Hawaii Chapter of the American Guild of Organists brings a “rising star” organist to play a concert in our island state. This coming Sunday, March 6 at 2:00 pm, we will hear Greg Zelek play on the 4-manual Aeolian-Skinner organ at Central Union Church, 1660 South Beretania Street, Honolulu. Here’s what we… Read More Rising star, Greg Zelek