We are looking forward to a year of interesting programs for 2016/2017. While not all details are final yet, the basic outlines are settled. Our programs will feature various interesting area organs, lecture-performances on important organ repertory, a presentation on new hymns, an open house at the Pasi shop, and some favorite Tacoma traditions. In addition to the actual programs themselves, we are incorporating social activities that will allow members to meet and visit with each other. Here I introduce the first four programs for the fall/winter. As the program chair, I sincerely thank the wonderful members of the board, whose ideas and support were so essential to this planning!
We begin the year with a visit in September to a wonderful turn-of-the-previous century organ. Cheryl Drewes will introduce the 1905 Jesse Woodberry organ at Spanaway Lutheran Church, where she is organist. We ask you to invite particularly area organists of your acquaintance who are not active in our chapter to this meeting! As further incentive, there will be an after-meeting reception in the narthex/courtyard.
In October, we present the first of two lecture/demonstrations that will feature important organ repertory. Jonathan Ryan will give a presentation at Christ Episcopal Church on J S Bach’s Clavierübung III, Bach’s monumental setting of a mass for organ using German chorales. This complements Mr Ryan’s complete performance of that work on October 9 in Lagerquist Hall as part of PLU’s organ recital series. Tacoma AGO members will enjoy reduced admission ($10 instead of $15) to the recital.
The November meeting will feature a joint presentation on exciting new hymns by Cooper Sherry, Director of Music Ministry at St. Mark’s on the Narrows in Tacoma, and Shari Shull, Minister of Music at Angus Dei Lutheran Church in Gig Harbor. They will share their extensive knowledge of church music and new hymnody with us, using the organ and piano at First Lutheran Church in Tacoma.
Rounding out programs for the fall is our annual Advent/Christmas party, which will be held this year at the Tacoma residence of Paul Fritts, with beautiful views of the Sound and the enchanting sounds of the Fritts Op 7 house organ. We are quite certain that our host will be in a celebrating mood as he returns from installing his Op 37 (the largest organ built by his company to date) at the Notre Dame University Basilica in South Bend, Indiana.
The following fall programs will all be held on Mondays at 7:30 pm:
September 19 at Spanaway Lutheran Church: Cheryl Drewes presents the 1905 Jesse Woodberry organ. Reception to follow.
October 10 at Christ Episcopal Church, Tacoma: Jonathan Ryan presents J S Bach’s Clavierübung III (Recital performance on October 9 at 3 pm in Lagerquist Hall, PLU).
November 14 at First Lutheran Church, Tacoma: Cooper Sherry and Shari Shull present “The Best of New Hymns”.
December 12 at Paul Fritts’s residence in Tacoma: Annual Advent/Christmas party featuring seasonal organ music and hymns.