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Message from the Dean

Our 2009-2010 Program Year began with a wonderful recital and master class presented by Dr. Gerre Hancock. It was thrilling to hear the great organ of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine sounding so wonderful once again. Many thanks to Bruce Neswick and the clergy and music staff at the cathedral for welcoming us. Many thanks also to McNeil Robinson and the clergy of Holy Trinity R.C. Church for hosting Dr. Hancock’s master class.

 

For our November program, Jeremy Filsell will perform on Tuesday evening, November 3rd at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Trinity. We are grateful to Dr. Stephen Hamilton and the Church of Holy Trinity for their support in planning this event with us. Mr. Filsell’s program can be seen on the chapter website: www.nycago.org. Thanks to Paul Murray and the Program Committee for all of their work in planning such exciting events for our chapter.

 

Thanks once again to the many members who have renewed their memberships, and to those who have made contributions to the chapter above and beyond their dues. An anonymous donor has made a contribution to the NYC AGO Chapter in the amount of $2,000; it is designated 50/50 between the upcoming POEA and helping retire the 2007 convention deficit. We are very grateful for these, and for all the contributions the chapter has received. If you haven’t renewed your membership yet, please do so in order to avoid a lapse in your TAO subscription.

 

I look forward to seeing many of you at Jeremy Filsell’s recital on November 3rd at 8:00 p.m.

 

With very best wishes,

 

Frank L. Crosio, FAGO

Dean

Next Chapter Event

February 14 and 15, 2010: Presidents’ Day Conference

Sunday evening recital by Stefan Engels at First Presbyterian Church.

Monday at Holy Family Roman Catholic Church: Lecture on Karg-Elert by Mr. Engels and panel presentation and discussion “Reaffirming our Vocation”.

At First Reformed Episcopal Church: Prayer Service with a Renewal of Commitment for Sacred Musicians. Further details are on the chapter web site.

  

From the Editor

The Chapter mourns the death of celebrated composer, organist, cantor, and former AGO Councillor Paul Manz who died earlier this week. A full obituary may be found at MorningStar Music, Manz's publisher for many years.

The Melodious Accord Fellowship Program presents A Spirituals "Sing" honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on Sunday, January 17, 2010, at 4:00 p.m. at Park Avenue Christian Church, 1010 Park Avenue at 85th Street. The "Sing" on Sunday afternoon is open to the public free of charge. It is the opening event of a three-day seminar led by Alice Parker titled "A Celebration of Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs" which introduces her Melodious Accord Hymnal . There is a charge for the Monday-Wednesday seminar. Full details are available at www.melodiousaccord.org.

The annual chapter directory is in production and will be ready soon in the new year. If you have suggestions for businesses or corporations who might benefit from taking out an advertisement, please pass that along to Walter Klauss at wlkauss@aol.com. Also, consider taking out an ad for yourself or your church, temple, or school. It will not only help offset the cost of the directory, but will become part of the permanent record of your participation in the rich life of the chapter in New York City.
 

Members from the Past

Can you identify this former member, now deceased?

Congratulations to Rick Alexander who correctly identified Jessie Craig Adam in the October issue. The photo originally appeared in the June 1932 issue of The Diapason together with an article describing the music program and new organ at Church of the Ascension where she was Organist and Music Director.

Jessie Craig Adam succeeded Richard Henry Warren at Ascension in 1914 and was followed by Vernon de Tar in 1939. She was one of several women who held prominent positions in New York churches during the first half of the 20th century. She was responsible for a large program that included weekly oratorios and the installation of the sizable Skinner Organ, portions of which remain in the present organ.

Jerome Butera, Editor of The Diapason, graciously permits use of photos asking that readers be reminded that if you would like to subscribe or receive a complimentary copy of The Diapason, write or call him at jbutera@sgcmail.com / 847-391-1045.
 
The next chapter newsletter is the December 2009 / January 2010 issue. The deadline for submissions is November 15th. Material may be submitted to Neal Campbell, editor. Nine issues are published through the year on a monthly basis with combined issues for December/January, May/June, and July/August. To make changes in your email address or to subscribe to the e-newsletter, please contact Paul Sanner.