Last month, many TAGO members joined with the community of Christ Church to celebrate the forty-fifth anniversary of the Brombaugh organ with a concert by Nathan Laube. It was an incredible evening all around! Laube’s program and performance was stellar – a rose amongst the bouquet of performances that happen in Tacoma year-round! Additionally, we were able to thank a number of people who made that night possible: the visionary leadership of David Dahl, the landmark organ building of John Brombaugh, the support of Paul Fritts, the current leadership of Paul Tegels, and many others.
December is an all-too-familiar time of the year for working musicians, both past and present. Before we all dive into playing and / or attending events, do remember take care of yourself, as one cannot pour from an empty cup! Schedule time for yourself. Perhaps you might meet a friend for a cup of coffee or go for a brisk walk around Chambers Bay golf course. Whatever self-care looks like for you, do it!
The TAGO will have its annual Christmas party at the home of Paul Fritts on Tuesday, December 10 from 7:00-9:00pm. Please visit the calendar link to find out more information. If you would like to play a short seasonal piece on organ, piano, or harpsichord, you can sign up here!
In the meantime, take a look at the rich assortment of concerts, special services, and more on the TAGO calendar. Next month, the Chapter event will take place on Monday evening, January 6 at St. Luke’s Memorial Episcopal Church. This event, centering around Organ Vespers for the Feast of the Epiphany, will begin centennial celebrations of the remaining stops of the 1925 Moeller organ at St. Luke’s. I will give a talk on the history of St. Luke’s and its organs at 6:15pm. Chapter member Kyle Haugen will join me in offering Organ Vespers at 7:00pm, featuring music by Kristina Arakelyan, Ludwig Lenel, Samuel Scheidt, and Christopher Rathbone. A festive reception will close out the evening, celebrating the end of the Christmas season. The January newsletter will have information on Chapter events for February through June.
Happy holidays!
In music,
Wyatt Smith