This morning Katelyn Emerson and I woke up early to get ready for a class she was going to be teaching at nearby St. Andrew’s Schools—a demonstration of the Aeolian-Skinner organ at St. Andrew’s Cathedral for the girls in the Lower School Choir. You’ll know from my previous posts that the organ is in bad… Read More Ambassador for the organ
“The passing of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu is another chapter of bereavement in our nation’s farewell to a generation of outstanding South Africans who have bequeathed us a liberated South Africa,” President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a statement early Sunday. When I read the news about Desmond Tutu, anti-apartheid leader and voice of justice, dead at… Read More Desmond Tutu memories
This is “Priory Week” for me because: a. On Sunday I played for St. Andrew’s Priory Baccalaureate.b. Last night, I played for 6th Grade Moving Up Ceremony (girls only)c. Tonight, I played for 6th Grade Graduation (boys only)d. Friday, I’ll play for graduation rehearsale. Sunday, I’ll play for Graduation. Although Queen Emma founded the school… Read More The fulfillment of a dream
Today is Ascension Day, also called The Feast of the Ascension of Jesus Christ, which falls on the 40th day after Easter and commemorates the ascension of Jesus into heaven. It is also the day that St. Andrew’s Priory School was founded on May 30, 1867, by Queen Emma, wife of King Kamehameha IV and… Read More Hail thee, festival day!
This coming week I will be playing the first of several end-of-the-year events for St. Andrew’s Priory School, starting with Ascension Day, the school’s traditional Founders Day event. St. Andrew’s Priory School was founded on Ascension Day, May 30, 1867, by Queen Emma, wife of King Kamehameha IV, and Mother Priscilla Lydia Sellon of the… Read More Getting back to “normal” — almost!
Last Sunday, I spent the morning at Nuuanu Congregational Church where they honored organist Jieun Kim Newland for her several years of service. It was one of the first services in which the church has resumed in-person services. Everyone had their temperature taken before entering the church and every other pew was blocked off. There… Read More Social distancing
If you can believe this, the photo of me above was taken while I was playing for the Baccalaureate Service for the Class of 2020 of St. Andrew’s Priory! Shocking, isn’t it! Look at the way, I’m dressed! I properly have my mask on, but I’m wearing a T-shirt and shorts! A complete faux pas,… Read More Virtual Baccalaureate
From 1974 to 1977, I was the organist and accompanist for the choirs at the all-girls Episcopal school, St. Andrew’s Priory, and worked under Wanda Gereben, the choral teacher. But I not only played the piano and organ—I also sewed costumes for the spring musical one year. When I left the Priory in 1977, I… Read More Returning to “my mother”
In the last four days, I have attended three concerts and gotten my chance to be an audience member. I used to remember Carl Crosier saying that as performers it was our job to make it Christmas for everyone else—now I’ve had my chance to hear someone else’s hard work. On Sunday, I was at the… Read More ‘Tis the season, part 2
This afternoon, I will be playing for the St. Andrew’s Priory Class of 2017 Commencement ceremony at St. Andrew’s Cathedral. I remember that it was always one of Carl Crosier’s favorite events of the year—he says it always filled him with such pride and joy. Even though he did not ever actually have a daughter… Read More Tears of happiness