Category Archives: Dean’s Message

Monthly dean’s message, shows up on front page under calendar

Dean’s Message March 2024

Three funerals and two baptism services in four weeks’ time gave me pause for reflection. The stories of the dear departed were poignant, full of love, sorrow, humor, and wisdom. And for the baptized, there was the joy of wonder and promise. Love Divine, All Loves Excelling…It is Well with My Soul…Be Thou My Vision. At least two out of three of these hymns were included in each of the five services, and all were gloriously sung. Coincidental, or is there more to this?

As church musicians, we are blessed with the call to carry the congregational song, which not only carries the moment, but also the life-long journey. And we have a journey of our own – that is, to make the hymn compelling. For me, when things are going right, I can hear, even feel, the reciprocal energy of the congregation moved to sing with conviction. Sometimes I’ve soloed out a verse, thickened or changed the harmonies, or even backed way off for an a cappella experience. The techniques are myriad, but intention is what really counts.

The hymn is ubiquitous in our work, but it is all too easy to lose sight of the familiar – kind of like losing the forest for the trees. Preparing hymns takes time – a lot of it. Dr. Mel Butler, at a memorable TAGO hymn-leading workshop a few years ago, said that he spends more time practicing the hymns than preludes, offerings, and postludes combined. He demonstrated how to construct hymn interpretations, including the use of accessible approaches. One need not be a virtuoso improvisor. Much of the time, just a well-placed tweak here or there will do, and it is always okay to write it down. So be encouraged! May we be inspired to bring the hymn alive, such that a community of faith can fully exclaim, “How can I keep from Singing?”

Looking ahead, we are excited about our next chapter meeting, exploring The Oxford Book of Organ Music by Women Composers, Saturday, April 27, at St. Luke’s Memorial Episcopal Church, Tacoma. We will begin at 9:30am with coffee and refreshments, followed by the presentation at 10:00am, and open console at 11:30am. We hope you can join us for this fine opportunity of discovery!

Also, we are planning events for May and June to round out a wonderful year of programming. Stay tuned for details. My heartfelt thanks, as always, to the board, presenters, and members who make our chapter a place of warm support, vibrant ideas, educational opportunities, and friendship!

Cheers,
Cheryl

Dean’s Message February 2024

Sometimes sage words bring a comforting perspective. Consider this recollection from my friend, an organist and retired piano teacher:

I once had a studio of bright, talented kids, enthusiastic adults, and a struggling few who failed to show any musical proficiency. I remember a girl of eleven years, gawky and large for her age, withdrawn and frequently apologetic, who was, frankly, bereft of any signs of musical aptitude. I couldn’t make headway with the poor girl and found myself hoping that she would become frustrated and quit. She never did. Week after week, we plodded through the same material, and I began to dread her lesson days.

Years later, I ran into her mother at a grocery store. After thanking me profusely, she told me that her daughter had come into her own, was headed to college on scholarship, and still enjoyed playing piano every day! It was the lessons, she told me, that helped her daughter grow in self-esteem, and feel some sense of accomplishment during that awkward period in her life. I was both shocked and humbled. Though a professional musician that young girl would never be, music lessons sustained her through a critical time, and allowed her to blossom. As they say, one never knows!”

Music educators and church musicians alike are sure to encounter the mystery of unknowing. What to make of the perennial, underachieving student, or the impassive though faithful choir member? How reassuring it is to realize that our presence matters, even when not apparent to us at the time. Thanks, my friend, for sharing!

Looking ahead, we are excited about our next chapter field trip to attend “Hallock at 100” at St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral, Seattle, on February 24 and 25. A few of us will be at the Sunday afternoon performance, and I highly encourage you to attend whichever date works best for you. Peter Hallock was such a huge influence in the Seattle area and well beyond. His legacy literally sings on!

Also, remember that there is no chapter meeting in March, giving us all a break during the hectic season of Lent through Easter. Instead, look forward to events in April and beyond.

Cheers,

Cheryl

Dean’s Message January 2024

Well, we did it! Another hectic season, full of anticipation, leading up to Christmas. Heaven knows it was quite an immersion to prepare our choirs, soloists, and ensembles for a myriad of services and performances. It’s a wonder that there was any time left for family traditions. But year after year, perhaps for decades, we manage to get it all done, and what a blessing it always turns out to be, especially in the complicated times that we live in now. We provide and receive a deeper comfort and joy in a broken world. May the remaining Twelve Days be a time of rest, renewal, and contentment and among family and friends.

Looking ahead, we are excited about our next chapter event, a field trip to see “Safety Last” at the Paramount Theatre, Seattle, on Monday, January 22nd, at 7:00pm. As in the past, a public transportation option for those traveling from Tacoma will be planned, which will include an opportunity for a pre-movie meal together.

We hope to bring our membership a February event, and now that Christmas is over, we can refocus our attention to a couple of possibilities in the works. As well, it’s always good to check the TAGO calendar for newly published community events.

Finally, hang on to your hats as 2024 includes an early Easter, March 31st, with Ash Wednesday falling on Valentine’s Day! To make life less complicated, we will not have a chapter meeting in March. Instead, look forward to events in April and beyond.

Cheers,
Cheryl

Dean’s Message December 2023

Kudos! and a huge thanks to Bruce Shull for his presentation, “Meantone Marvels of Germany and the Netherlands.” After leading us through a demonstration of quarter-comma meantone tuning on the harpsichord, Bruce provided a captivating travelogue of the recent Fritts organ shop study tour, complete with slides and recordings. All the instruments were magnificent, some jaw-dropping. And the meantone intonation? The sweetly sonorous pure major thirds are pure bliss, and as one moves through more distant keys, harmonies start to rub, and melodic intervals stretch or contract. Go beyond, and the music sounds torqued, sometimes intensely so. What a rich palate for the composer!

Inspired to go down the meantone rabbit hole, I came across two recordings of Michelangelo Rossi’s highly chromatic Toccata Settima: first, the almost hair-raising quarter-comma tuning, and second, the genteel fifth-comma tuning. What an eye opener!

  • Alice Sheu on the historical organ at Oosthuizen, Netherlands
    on YouTube.
  • Nathan Laube on the C.B. Fisk at Abbey Chapel, Mount Holyoke College
    on YouTube.

Thank you! Cooper Sherry and the community of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church by the Narrows for your gracious hospitality. Thanks also to everyone who brought treats for the lovely reception.

Looking ahead, we invite you to our Tacoma AGO Holiday Party at the home of the Tietjens, Monday, December 11th, at 7:00pm. Join us for good cheer and music! Please bring a food item to share.

Also, mark your calendars for our chapter field trip “Safety Last” at Seattle Paramount Theatre, Monday, January 24th, at 7:00pm. We always look forward to Silent Movie Mondays, especially this one featuring Harold Lloyd’s iconic comedy. We hope you can join us!

Cheers,
Cheryl

Dean’s Message November 2023

Another Halloween night, and for once it didn’t rain. Little ghosts and goblins came by, and judging by their bulging sacks, it was treats all the way! First, I heard their busy footsteps, and then a knock on the door and more shuffling of feet. Skeletons, witches, a black cat, and even a princess with her adorable pea chanted “trick or treat!” These little spirits beamed in anticipation – like so many jack-o’lanterns lining the front porch – as I added to their growing delectable treasure. Bounty accepted, they ran off, reveling in the night.

I love the spooktacular as much as the kiddos, a natural for any organist, after all. At the same time, especially this year, I find myself mindful of Halloween’s harvest origins as a mark of transition. As I hurriedly carved pumpkins before heading out for the day, my thoughts drifted in anticipation of the busiest time of year for the church musician. It can be daunting no matter how well prepared we are, and yes, I do get frantic at times. Yet, what a blessing it is that our work, by intention, takes us through every season and the liturgical year within a faith community. In this way, we are always in the right place at the right time. May our musical offerings be bright with hope, and full of comfort.

Looking ahead, we are really excited about our November event, Meantone Marvels of Germany and the Netherlands, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church by the Narrows, Sunday, November 19th, at 2:30 pm. Bruce Shull will talk about the historic organs visited by members of the Fritts organ shop on their recent study tour of meantone instruments. You will hear examples from magnificent organs, view stunning photos, experience firsthand a meantone demonstration on the harpsichord, and learn more about the shop’s plans to build a new meantone organ. We hope you can join us for this fascinating travelogue!

Remember also to check our website events page, for some wonderful programs coming up in the next few months, including our Tacoma AGO Holiday Party at the home of the Tietjens, Monday, December 11th, at 7:00 pm. Thank you, Sandy and Dick, for your warm hospitality in your lovely home!

Cheers,

Cheryl