Anyone in the music business during the pandemic has learned that yes, you must still make plans, but not too detailed or distant–and always be prepared to pivot! Your chapter leadership has programs tentatively planned through spring, but we are finalizing them on a cautious schedule. However, please mark your calendars for the following chapter meetings; we will have the usual Covid precautions, but still warmly welcome you!

Bach’s St. Matthew Passion

Mon, Feb 21, 7:00 PM

St. Mark’s Lutheran by The Narrows (sanctuary)

Presenter William White is the Music Director of Harmonia Orchestra & Chorus, and a frequent pre-concert lecturer for Seattle Symphony and the Chicago Symphony. Will is also one of the commissioned composers for the 2022 AGO National Convention.

A Celebration of César Franck

Mon, March 21, 7:00 PM

Spanaway Lutheran

Sheila Bristow, Cheryl Drewes, Tim Drewes, and Wyatt Smith will perform a selection of works by Franck in honor of this centenary year.

One of the things I love about being part of a community of organists is the wide historical range in solo repertoire. A recital can include works from the 16th through 21st centuries, a much greater span than represented in the average symphony concert. I’ve gained a greater perspective on the 21st-century end of things by serving on the New Music Committee for the 2022 AGO National Convention (in Seattle July 3-7!). It has been fascinating to see the work of established organists who are also fine composers–and the work of established composers whose musical lives have been organ-adjacent. Part of the committee work included individual tutorials with the latter, on registration, etc., and I hope that work will bear fruit in a stream of future organ music. In the near future, please plan to attend the convention and enjoy the many fine performances and workshops! As a chapter member, you will receive 15% off the current registration fee by using the Discount Code SEATAC22. The registration page is at https://agoseattle2022.com/register/

If you are hankering to savor some new organ music before July, there are two opportunities this month. On Monday, January 10th at 4 PM, there will be a webinar presented by AGO National on women composers. Information is available at https://www.agohq.org/webinars-and-supporting-documents/ And on Friday, January 15th at 7:30 PM, Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral is presenting the annual Flentrop organ recital. The program will feature Cathedral organists John Stuntebeck and Michael Kleinschmidt, and includes a commissioned work by Rebecca Groom Te Velde. Please see the accompanying article for information on attending as part of our January chapter meeting. Hope to see you there!

Last weekend I was in the balcony of one of the parishes I serve, warming up before mass. I looked at the front of the church and took an inventory of the decor: harvest display in front of the altar; Advent wreath beside the ambo; AND the usual bevy of bouquets surrounding the high altar. The flowers were toned down in scale for Advent, but Christmas-inspired in color. It reminded me of my musical life right now: a bit crowded and off-kilter, but alive!

I hope that in the long and sometimes wearying process of reopening you are finding your own joy and color. And whatever holidays you celebrate, please do join the chapter for our musical Christmas party at PLU’s Lagerquist concert hall. I look forward to seeing and hearing you on Dec 20th!

Kudos to Tom Clark, David Dahl, Paul Fritts, and Susan Fritts McConnell for a successful chapter event last month at Wesley Homes. It’s really inspiring to see and hear a new organ, plus learn how it came to be in its new home. We have a chance for similar inspiration at this month’s chapter meeting at St. John’s Episcopal, Gig Harbor. I hope to see you for “An Organ Odyssey” on November 15th!

Dear chapter members,

This month it is wonderful to finally be able to celebrate the (cautious) return of live music! I am finding myself both exhausted and renewed by playing actual rehearsals and planning service music for actual people. I hope you are finding your own balance in these changing times, and encourage you to avail yourself of the calendar on the website to find ways to safely experience live organ music. Here’s a quick list of what’s on for October:

Oct 10: Organ Dedication Concert (Agnus Dei Lutheran Church, Gig Harbor)

Oct 18: Chapter Meeting (Wesley Homes, Des Moines)

Oct 22: Vierne Project (Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Olympia)

Oct 31: Organ Vespers (Epiphany Parish, Seattle)