Even though it’s been an absolute ton of work, I’m really enjoying playing the organ at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. Like this past weekend: I played three services there (Friday night Candlemas, Sunday morning Solemn High Mass and Sunday afternoon Vespers and Benediction), in addition to the 9 am service at Nuuanu Congregational Church, making… Read More Sore neck no more!
I’ve been home for a week now, and fighting jet lag (as always); in fact, it’s 3:44 am and I’ve been awake for an hour. So I thought I may as well do something useful and tell you about something that happened on the way home. We only had one stop in San Francisco between… Read More Is your name Kathy?
This was the text message I received last night from Shane Morris Wise after Caroline Robinson‘s organ concert at All Saints Episcopal Church in Kapa‘a, Kaua‘i. Caroline is here in Hawaii as the recitalist for the Hawaii Chapter American Guild of Organists Annual Organ Concerts, a series which was started in 2006 with the concert… Read More Caroline. WOW!
While the numbers of people were few, the enthusiasm was unmistakable of those who were brave enough to come out to a concert in these frightening times of the coronavirus pandemic. There was no problem keeping a “social distance” from other audience members in the large sanctuary. I’m speaking about yesterday’s absolutely phenomenal organ recital… Read More WOW! Absolutely phenomenal!
Last night was the opening Welcome Dinner for the Hawaii Chapter American Guild of Organists, and look at the big crowd we had! People literally came out of the woodwork—and for some people, it’s been DECADES since they have attended a meeting of local organists. (By the way, not everyone was in the picture! Some… Read More They came out of the woodwork!
61 people “liked” my post when I asked this question on my Facebook page with some photos. Only one person, Susan Haas, seemed to know what I was up to when I showed off my dining table. If you count the number of plates, you will come up with the number nine—which is how many… Read More Guess who’s coming to dinner?
Totally at home. That’s how I felt last night sitting at the fabulous Flentrop organ at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Berkeley. In fact, I told George Emblom, the church’s music director, that I felt like I had more and better practice than I did at home—no interruptions, not having to stop to give a… Read More Totally at home
Today I attended Samuel Lam‘s last service as organist of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. I’ve known Sam for years now ever since he moved back to Hawaii in 1985 after getting his doctorate at the University of Michigan and living in Ann Arbor, MI. Sam grew up in Honolulu and graduated from Hawaiian Mission Academy. I… Read More Mixed emotions
For a number of years, our local chapter of the American Guild of Organists held a clergy-organist dinner, a time when we could say ‘thank you’ to each other for working together. A date was scheduled for a similar event this year, but was cancelled due to lack of interest. This was most unfortunate, because… Read More Clergy appreciation dinner
Yesterday I played the organ at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church on Kapahulu near Waikiki and as I usually do, last week I checked out the appointed gospel lesson for the day to decide what to play. It was Matthew 14:22-33: Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other… Read More Walking on water