Dear Colleagues:

Please mark your calendars and plan to join us for the two Autumn events that the Program Committee has prepared for us.

The first is our chapter’s celebration of the Organ Spectacular on October 19 at 7:30pm The concert will take place at the Church of the Heavenly Rest, located at 5th Ave. and 90th streets.  Performers include: Frank L. Crosio, Brian Harlow, Christopher Jennings, Nancianne Parrella, Robert Ridgell, Anthony Rispo, and McNeil Robinson.  The Organ Spectacular is an important component of the International Year of the Organ and each AGO chapter throughout the country has been asked to create a concert event for October 19th.  You can help us spread the word by publicizing this event in your church or academic community.

The second Program Year event will take place on November 17th and will be A Master Class with Dr. John Walker, FAGO.  Currently Dr. Walker is Director of Music at Brown Memorial Presbyterian Church in Baltimore and also serves on the faculty of the Peabody Institute.  Many of us remember John fondly from his tenure at the Riverside Church and at the Manhattan School of Music, so it will be a great pleasure to welcome him back to New York City.

Congratulations are offered to our chapter member Dr. Jan-Piet Kniff, who was awarded the FAGO certificate as well as the S. Lewis Elmer prize for the highest score in the 2008 Professional Certification exams. This is the second year in a row that this remarkable feat has been accomplished by a member of the New York City Chapter.  Last year the prize was awarded to chapter member David Enlow, who currently serves on the Executive Board.

On Sunday, October 19 at 7:30 p.m., please plan to join us for Organ Spectacular! – The World’s Largest Organ Concert at the Church of the Heavenly Rest.  Please consider including the following announcement in your church or synagogue’s publications.

CELEBRATE THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE ORGAN!  The American Guild of Organists has designated 2008–2009 as the International Year of the Organ.  Please join the New York City Chapter of the Guild for Organ Spectacular! – The World’s Largest Organ Concert on Sunday, October 19 at 7:30 p.m. at the Church of the Heavenly Rest, Fifth Avenue and 90th Street.  This program is one of over 225 recitals featuring over 2,000 performers taking place throughout the world, celebrating the King of Instruments.  The program will feature solo literature, works for four hands and four feet, an improvisation created “on the spot”, music for organ, violin and harp, and treasures of hymnody, performed by Frank L. Crosio, Brian Harlow, Christopher Jennings, Nancianne Parrella with Jorge Avila and Victoria Drake, Robert Ridgell, McNeil Robinson, and Anthony Rispo.  Included on the program will be a work composed by Stephen Paulus, commissioned for this day.  Music lovers of all ages – especially those who have never been to an organ recital -- are welcome.  A free-will offering will be accepted.  For more information, please contact Paul Murray, Sub-Dean of the New York City Chapter of the Guild at 212.753.3401 x14 or visit www.nycago.org.

Paul Sanner