Dear Colleagues,

October saw a sensational start to our 2010-11 program season with two outstanding events. Ken Cowan dazzlingly displayed the myriad colors of the new Schoenstein organ at St. James Episcopal Church. We also had a wonderful tour of the Flentrop and Schoenstein organs at Juilliard and the Schoenstein at Christ and St. Stephen’s Church. A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Davis Wortman, Christopher Barrett Jennings, Paul Jacobs and Nigel Potts for welcoming us to their institutions and organs.

This month the Chapter welcomes Dame Gillian Weir at a sherry reception at Brick Church on Friday, November 5 at 6pm. This event is only open to New York City Chapter members. You will not want to miss this opportunity to visit with Dame Gillian and also enjoy a glass of sherry in the elegant surroundings of the Brick Church's Living Room. If you have not already done so, you must make a reservation for this event by emailing Sub-Dean David Enlow at david@davidenlow.com. Dame Gillian may also be heard in recital the previous evening on the Rieger organ at the Church of the Holy Trinity (Episcopal).

November 15 is the deadline for advertising in our chapter’s annual directory. This handsome volume is the perfect vehicle for advertising your music program, concert series, or recital schedule. I encourage you to visit the chapter’s website, www.nycago.org, to learn more about advertising in the annual directory or contact our directory advertising coordinator, Bernadette Hoke, at directoryads@nycago.org. Please visit our website to view regularly updated information about our chapter's events and other concerts throughout the city.

For many of us, November brings a busy time of preparation for Advent and Christmas services. I offer best wishes to all of my colleagues involved in church music during this hectic time. I also extend warm wishes to all for a Happy Thanksgiving!

Respectfully yours,

Keith S. Tóth
Dean

Please enter the Parish House at 62 East 92nd Street, between Park and Madison Avenues.

This event is for members only, and those planning to attend are asked to Rsvp to David Enlow.

An important etiquette reminder: The correct way to address a Dame of an order of chivalry in conversation, or when referring to her in the third person informally, is Dame First Name. Just as it would be incorrect to say 'Sir Willcocks' when speaking with Sir David Willcocks, so it is incorrect to say 'Dame Weir'. It's an obscure point of protocol to many people in the USA -- but just good manners for those of us who will mingle with a great musician and a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE). So, welcome Dame Gillian!

Fun fact: the only extant official existence of the phrase 'The British Empire' is in the order of chivalry of the same name.

Click here for a link to Dame Gillian's web site.

Can you identify this Member from the Past?

. . . now deceased?