The latest bulletin board in the courtyard of the Lutheran Church of Honolulu focuses on the history of the music program with special focus on the Rudolf von Beckerath organ and organ concerts which have been held at the church since 1975. You may or may not know that Carol Langner, whom I call the… Read More Queen of the Bulletin Boards
Forty years ago, the Lutheran Church of Honolulu sought to revitalize its music program, beginning with the purchase of a mechanical action organ — a tracker organ — altogether unique and unprecedented in Hawaii, in a classic design made by one of the leading master organbuilders, Rudolf von Beckerath of Hamburg, Germany. It turned out to… Read More What is a tracker organ?
Yesterday on Facebook, I posted pictures of my Valentine’s Day dinner for the Merry Widows: Margaret Lloyd, Gloria Faltstrom, and Betsy McCreary. Missing from our “group” was Nyle Hallman, who could not make it this time. If you are not on Facebook, you can see all my pictures by clicking here. The menu included: baked… Read More Valentine’s Day dinner
Just two days ago, I was contacted about playing the organ at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Kailua this Sunday because their organist/choirmaster had resigned unexpectedly. But not only will I play their tracker organ — I was asked if I would conduct their choir too. Yes, I told Mother Giovan King, forty years ago… Read More The art of head bobbing
Yesterday I went early to St. Christopher’s to practice after our usual Saturday morning walk of 5 miles. Little did I realize I was going to have another workout — but this time on the J. W. Walker tracker organ! You see, the Walker is a completely mechanical organ, with not only mechanical key action… Read More Working out on the Walker