Many people, both long-time Pacific Northwesterners and newcomers, have told me how impressed they are with the local pipe organ scene. The culture here is so vibrant, with a great many splendid instruments large and small, and stellar performances. Everyone plays with such a high level of artistry, professional and avocational musicians alike. So true! And even more – we benefit from a collaborative spirit of support and encouragement among peers, colleagues, teachers, and students such that connections are made, friendships blossom, and there is an almost endless opportunity to engage and grow. As a piano and organ teacher, I’m especially glad to see a few of my students find a place in the community of organists, which almost always starts at the chapter level. And from there, who knows? Maybe one day a student becomes a college professor, a lifelong church musician, an organ builder. Now that the Pacific Northwest weather has finally found sunshine and warmth, we can be encouraged by the garden metaphor to remember what happens when the soil is cultivated, and seeds planted. Abundance grows!

Looking ahead at a couple of exciting events coming up soon!

All-Bach on the Flentrop Organ, at St. Mark’s Cathedral, Seattle, Friday, May 5, at 7:30pm, performed by Nathan Laube, associate Professor of Organ at the Eastman School of Music and International Consultant in Organ Studies at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Tacoma Chapter members are eligible for a ticket discount of 20 percent. Click here to sign up for this discount.

Silent Movie Mondays at the Paramount Theatre, Seattle, May 8, at 7:00pm. Organist Christian Elliott will accompany the comedy, Exit Smiling (1926). It has become a chapter tradition to meet at the Tacoma Dome to travel by public transportation to Seattle, this time by the commuter train in, and bus back. Click here for specific instructions.

One more event, for which you may want to purchase tickets ahead of time:

Saint-Saëns Organ Symphony, performed by the Seattle Symphony and leading organist, Thierry Escaich, June 1, 3, and 4. Tacoma and Seattle Chapter members are eligible for a ticket discount though Seattle Symphony’s Rendezvous Program. Click here for discount instructions.

Cheers,

Cheryl