Our 2007-2008 Program Year got off to a great start with an Organ/Architecture Tour of the Upper Westside.  Although it is impossible to visit all that is worthwhile in this amazing neighborhood in just one afternoon, we visited three churches that that were of great architectural interest and had fine pipe organs, each representing a very different style of organ building.  Details about these churches and instruments, including complete specifications, can be found on the chapter website.  Many thanks to our webmaster, Steve Lawson, who continues to document the organs in our city with such zeal and attention to detail.

Many thanks are also due to Robert McCormick and the Program Committee for putting this event together, and to our hosts and performers.  They were:

At St. Michael’s Church: Host: John Cantrell, Director of Music.  Noah Wynne-Morton, recitalist and winner of the NYC Chapter Competition.

At Church of the Ascension R.C.: Hosts: Fr. John Duffell, Pastor, Preston Smith, Director of Music, who also ably demonstrated the organ for us.

At Corpus Christi R.C.: Host: Louise Basbas, Director of Music, Kyle Babin, recitalist.

Our next event will take place on November 19, 2007 at 8:00 pm.  It will be a recital by James David Christie at the Church of the Holy Trinity (Episcopal), 316 East 88 Street.  Dr. Christie’s program will include works by Dieterich Buxtehude in commemoration of the 300th anniversary of the composer’s death. Admission is free to members of the New York City chapter.  Dr. Christie’s interpretation of this repertoire is always fresh and exciting, so mark your calendars, this will be a recital you won’t want to miss!  See you there!