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CONCORD - The New Hampshire Chapter of the American Guild of Organists presents a family-friendly concert of Seasonal music for the pipe organ. Several Guild members along with other guest artists will play, sing, dance and quite possibly howl their way through some great music, both popular and classical. The public is invited to attend in costume! There will be something of fun for people of all ages - from the "monster who gets no respect" (like Rodney Dangerfield) to a recitation of Lewis Caroll's "Jabberwocky", to incidental skits rendered to the performance of music by such greats as Bach, Boellmann, Durufle, Grieg, MacDowell and Messiaen. The program will be held at South Congregational Church, 27 Pleasant St., Concord, NH on Friday, October 30, 2009 at 7 PM. NHAGO members participating include: Mary Copeley, Nicholas Girgus, Michael Joseph, David Wold, Mark Frazier, and Charles Woodbury, and Ken Gallager. Other participants include Susan Berlenbach, Judy Signor and Rebecca Josephson, sopranos, Leslie Combs, Tenor, and various "actors". Free admission/donations accepted. For more information call (603) 424-4743 or (910) 257-6436. A Brief Note From Our Dean My heart is heavy as I write this sad news that Mark Frazier has decided to "retire" as Cypher Editor. I cannot begin to thank him enough for all the time and talent he devoted to our newsletter! Plus, it was lots of fun working with him! So what’s next? You know, folks, our little chapter really is amazing. After the incredible time we had putting POE together, and then when money was short you all dug deeper and we pulled off a most successful POE!! So I think of this chapter as "The Little Engine That Could"!!! So we just can’t let down our forward motion. Who will step up to the plate??? Any who would like to assume the role of newsletter editor, please contact Mark or me. And while I’m in a thanking mode - does ANYONE realize the years that Kevin Lindsay served as our placement director?! Many, many thanks Kevin for doing this "job" for so long!! Liz Black
Tentative "Pipescreams Spooktacular!" Program (not in any particular order)
American Tour of Bach’s Art of Fugue Honors Former Teacher In October organists, Jon Gillock and Dean Kauffman, former classmates at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, will join forces in Celebration and Homage to the Life and Heritage of their esteemed teacher and mentor, John Cowell. Seven concerts in all, the tour will take them from New Hampshire for two performances, followed by performances in Norwalk , CT , Schenectady , NY , Pittsburgh , PA , Seattle , WA , and Fayetteville , AR. The two concerts held in New Hampshire will be given on Friday, October 16, 7:30 pm, for the Mountain Top Music Center, in the private residence of Jack and Patti Dunn in Jackson on two concert grand pianos (tickets available through Mountain Top Music Center, Conway), and on Sunday, October 18, 4 pm, sponsored by Music in the Great North Woods, at Chapel Arts New England, in Gorham (contributions made at the door), performed "four hands" on an 1863 Erard piano. Gillock (internationally known especially for his interpretations of Messiaen) and Kauffman, Cowell’s first organ students at the University of Arkansas , will perform J. S. Bach’s epic masterpiece Die Kunst der Fuge (The Art of Fugue) in rarely heard live performances of this renowned work. In fact, it is perhaps better known by its reputation than by its transcendent beauty because Bach left no indications — in this, his last work, which is incomplete — as to its instrumentation. Thus, for many years musicians and theorists have considered it a purely academic work, demonstrating the ultimate in the handling of the art of the most complicated fugal techniques. The work has been recorded several times by organists, by string quartets and various other media but is rarely performed in public. These two performers will present the piece as a work for piano/4-hands (sometimes on one piano, other times on two) as arranged by Bruno Seidlhofer for the Neue Bachgesellschaft in 1937. Seidlhofer's arrangement for piano(s) is conceived to draw on an endless palette of colors to fit each fugue, the possibility of bringing out a theme at the right moment, and with the use of the expanded range that four hands give, an organ-like effect of doubling the voices, all of which gives the work majesty and solemnity. The work was not completed before Bach's death, and is interrupted by the addition of a transcription of Bach’s last chorale prelude for organ, Vor deinen Thron tret ich hiermit ("Before Thy throne, my God, I stand"). Gillock & Kauffman chose this masterpiece with which to honor their mentor as all the qualities of Professor Cowell's teaching are perfectly demonstrated by this music: his dedication to the true meaning of music (not just its technical solutions) and how to find these qualities in the music itself, his devotion to and love of his students, and above all his fidelity and constant search for true music-making. "Cowell was an exceptional concert pianist, composer, and conductor — and an exceptional human being," says Jon Gillock. Both concerts in New Hampshire will benefit Mountain Top Music Center in Conway , serving the North Country and devoted to excellence in music pedagogy. For more information: 603-466-2865, www.chapelartsnewengland.com or www.mountaintopmusic.org.
on Gillock grew up in Muskogee, Oklahoma, where he began piano lessons at an early age with Weldon Marshall. Weldon and his wife Jerry (Josephine) gave him much encouragement, and Jerry continues to take great interest in his career often "showing up" at concerts. He attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville where he earned the Bachelor of Music degree with High Honors and his Master of Music. Here, the major influences on his career were John Cowell and Barbara Jackson. He attended the College of Church Musicians in Washington, DC, under Leo Sowerby and Paul Callaway, and earned his DMA at The Juilliard School under Vernon de Tar and Gustave Reese. He was appointed to the Juilliard Organ Faculty in 1970 and remained there until 1994 when he moved to Paris. He also served on the Organ Faculties of the Manhattan School and Montclair State University, NJ. He studied with Olivier Messiaen at the Paris Conservatory in 1977. Since 1994 he has served as Artist Faculty with Yuko Hayashi in the Boston Organ Academy. Although he plays a great variety of repertoire, Jon Gillock is known internationally as a specialist in the organ music of Messiaen. His book, Performing Messiaen’s Organ Music: 66 Masterclasses, will be released by Indiana University Press in November. He has played Messiaen’s complete organ works several times to great critical acclaim by press and public alike. In 2008, Messiaen’s centennial year, he performed this feat again in Tokyo, where Toshihide Katayama, music critic of The Asahi Shimbun wrote, "It was as if he was practicing a religious service. He was totally absorbed in his performance...The music was filled with his passionate devotion...He was calm and graceful for the entire concert. His notes were smooth. Rhythm and phrasing were natural...The music does not sort God, Christ, and The Holy Spirit. All were unified as the title suggests. Indeed, this must be the best type of interpretation, deepening the true voice of the music...This concert showed me a miracle. A miracle that only Dr. Gillock could materialize through his earnest efforts." Jon Gillock was named International Performer of the Year, 1999-2000, by the New York City Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. Among the awards he has received for his recordings are the Diapason d’Or and the 10 de Répertoire in France and the Deutsche Schallplatten Preis, the Grand Prix in Germany. Dean Kauffman was raised on a rice farm in southeast Arkansas near Stuttgart and studied piano with Kathleen Elms and later bassoon with Thomas Kinser. In high school he was organist for his hometown church and was principal bassoonist for three years with the Arkansas All State Band and for the Arkansas Symphony. At the University of Arkansas he studied piano and organ with John Cowell and bassoon with Roger Widder and received the degree Bachelor of Music with High Honors. Encouraged by Cowell and scholar Barbara Jackson he went on to study musicology at New York University under Jan La Rue and Gustav Reese as a Woodrow Wilson Fellow and NYU Fellow and received the degree Master of Arts. Having completed course work for his PhD he took a temporary job in information technology that developed into a long career leading from computerized typesetting to banking and finally bond trading. For many years he worked as an independent computer consultant designing and implementing high-volume funds transfer systems for money center banks in the United States and abroad. He is currently manager of retail client connectivity for Tradeweb LLC and has served on a number of industry protocol standards workgroups including co-chair of the FIX Global Technical Committee. In parallel Dean has continued making music serving as organist/choirmaster for a number of churches in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut. A Note from the Editor
Dear Colleagues, After much soul searching, I feel it is necessary to step down as the editor of "The Cypher" after having served for 3 years. My own responsibilities at South Church and here in Concord have increased significantly this year, and hence the need I feel to step down. When Liz Black first asked me if I would consider doing it, I realized that it would be a new endeavor of a type of work I hadn’t done before. With the wonderful format I inherited from Michael Havay, I began to feel far more comfortable. These past three years have been quite an adventure, and working on the newsletter with Liz Black has been an absolute joy! I will be continuing for a while as webmaster for the NHAGO, and will be more than happy to assist with the transition of editors - if you are interested in doing this important job, just let either Liz Black or myself know, and I will be happy to help you get set up. Thank you to all of you for the chance to have had this wonderful experience! I will still be working on the radio show "Pipe Up!" with any NHAGO members who are interested. Sincerely, Mark W. Frazier Upcoming Events Roger Sayer of Rochester Cathedral, Rochester, England, to Perform October 31
at First United Methodist Church,
Highly acclaimed Organist and Conductor Roger Sayer will present a concert at First United Methodist Church located at 34 South Main Street, Rochester, NH on October 31, 2009 at 7pm. Call the Church Office at (603) 332-4170 for further information about the concert. ROGER SAYER joined FUMC to play the dedicatory recital in April of 1999. In November 2002, he returned and played his second recital at FUMC. His solo career has taken him to National Cathedral Washington DC; Riverside Church NYC; and Trinity Church Boston; including cities in England, Italy, France, Germany and Russia. In addition to this active solo career, Roger has been the Musical Director of the Rochester Choral Society in Rochester England since 1989.Roger's concerts in many parts of the world have included the organ symphonies of Vierne and all the Organ Works of Durufle. In 2009, his performances have taken him to Iceland, Italy, France, Germany and U.S.A. He accompanies many choirs including the world famous Tenebrae. He is also the accompanist to the London Symphony Chorus and is Deputy Musical Director of the London Gay Men's Chorus. The Midas Touch Organ Duo is another of his many additional musical activities and one which is hoped will promote the organ to a younger audience as they pilot educational concerts. Tickets for sale at First United Methodist Church office. For securing tickets or more information, please call or stop by the church office Mon.-Fri., 9 am - 2 pm. You may also contact Kevin G. Lindsay,Organist and Director of Music, at(603) 332-4170 Office, (603) 781-1918 Mobilefumcorganist@metrocast.net www.firstumcrochcester.orgFor further information about Roger Sayer's appearances, recordings or services, visit online at www.rogersayer.org.
Majesty of Brass
October 18, 2009 at 3:00 PM
Cathedral of St. Joseph, Manchester, NH Sunday 22 November 2009, 2:00 p.m. Cathedral of St. Joseph, 145 Lowell Street, Manchester, NH. UMass Lowell University Choir & Chamber Singers. Britten's Ceremony of Carols, US premiere of Angels Praise Thee by Demetrius Spaneas and choruses from Handel's Messiah. Murray Kidd, Conductor, Eric Bermani, organist. Freewill offering. Cathedral is wheelchair accessible. For information, call Eric Bermani at 603-622-6404, x31 or visit www.stjosephcathedralnh.org Sunday 29 November 2009, 1:00 p.m. Cathedral of St. Joseph, 145 Lowell Street, Manchester, NH. Organ recital with David K. Lamb, organist. Featuring the music of Mendelssohn, Stanley, Hollins, Saint-Saëns, Thalben-Ball, Bédard, Zabel, Guilmant, Bach, Holst and Vierne. Freewill offering. Cathedral is wheelchair accessible. For information, call Eric Bermani at 603-622-6404, x31 or visit www.stjosephcathedralnh.org Maine Event 5:30-6:30 p.m. Friday December 11, 2009: "Christmas Carol Capers", a musical appetizer served in front of blazing fireplace. This event on the Christmas Prelude marketing schedule of events for the Kennebunks is a singalong, with solo performances interwoven, to benefit Classical Voice of New England, Inc., www.cvNewEng.org non-profit online classical music journal, with calendar and reviews that will eventually cover all of New England. Kennebunkport Conservation Trust Headquarters great hall, Gravelly Brook Road, Kennebunkport. ME. Adm. FREE. Donations accepted. Strongly consider reservations for the 75 seats around the blazing fireplace in the great room! Performing artists to be announced.
Positions Available THE FIRST CHURCH (UCC) – Nashua, NH – Guest Director of Music (January 2 through February 22, 2010; additional weeks available in Dec. ’09 and March/April ’10 to interested candidate) – Assume all playing and directing responsibilities of current Minister of Music. Minimum time commitment in January: Wednesday (1 rehearsal), Thursday (2 rehearsals) and Sunday (2 services) then adding Tuesday (1-2 rehearsals) in February. First refusal for weddings and funerals for this time period guaranteed. Direction of Chancel Choir (30 members), A Cappella First (12 members), Decibells (3-5 octaves), and First Schola (10 members). Payment per rehearsal/service; averaging a total of +/- $850/week – negotiable. 1926 Austin Organ – III/36, new console in 1996. Minimum of CAGO or academic equivalent preferred. Contact Minister of Music Joseph Olefirowicz at (603) 882-4861 x 15; or jolefirowicz@firstchurchnashua.org for more information. Church website: www.firstchurchnashua.org Unique Opportunity for an NHAGO Radio Program, "Pipe Up!" Dear members of the NHAGO - we have a unique opportunity to share the music of our instrument with the greater public through the medium of radio. WKXL 1450 in Concord would like to add an organ program to its lineup of locally produced radio shows. This is a great opportunity seeing that many areas are discontinuing NPR’s "Pipedreams" for simply business and/or financial reasons. This program will be far more significant if a lot of NHAGO members step up to the plate and assist in its production. It would quite likely be unique throughout the national organization to have a chapter behind the creation of an organ radio broadcast. All that is needed is for members to pick a favorite organ recording and assist in recording announcements for each piece presented. Approximately 34 - 37 minutes of music is needed along with spoken announcements to fill the 44 minutes required for an hour of commercial radio time. Mark Frazier will assist those in the actual recording and preparing for broadcast. Please let him know which recording you would like to hear broadcast, and make arrangements with him for about 30 minutes to an hour of your time to record the spoken parts! DRIVING DIRECTIONS:
You want to get to I-93 from wherever you are starting! From either the north or south, take exit 14 off of I - 93 and turn west (toward downtown Concord). Turn left onto Main Street and proceed to the next light. Turn right at this light which is Pleasant Street. The church is just past the next intersection (State St.) on the left side of Pleasant St. (27 Pleasant St.) If coming from Hopkinton, come down Hopkinton Road which turns into Pleasant St. And proceed past Green Street. The church is a brown brick structure which will be on the right coming from this direction. Above: South Church
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Rochester, NH First United
Methodist Church of Rochester, NH celebrates the 10th anniversary of the
Dedication of their Pipe Organ First United Methodist Church 34 South Main
Street, Rochester, NH October 31, 2009 at 7pm Ticket Prices: $8 / Adults, $6 /
Sr. Citizens & Students Contact the Church Office at (603) 332-4170.
