David Enlow, Dean

From the Dean

Dear Colleagues,

The whole world of church music is lately mourning the loss, all too soon, of one of its great lights. John Scott’s death was both sudden and unbelievably sad, and I know many of you have already posted tributes and messages online about John, his career, and his influence on your work. One common thread in the tributes to his work is the consistent high standard which he applied to himself and to all who worked with him through the years. Sometimes, leaders hold others to a high standard, and yet have no human kindness about them; in John’s case, though, many have also written how encouraging and helpful he was, even with the great demands of the schedule at St. Thomas and his own performing career at the organ. Whenever I played in his presence, he was encouraging and kind, and when on several occasions I asked for help for NYC AGO, he was generously willing to do whatever was needed.

This month, his funeral observances take place at St. Thomas (see the notice below), and I know I will see many of you there to pay your respects, and many of you will also send condolences to his widow and children. Next month, the public memorial service for McNeil Robinson also takes place. Several months have passed since McNeil left this world, but both of these eminent chapter members leave a legacy of music-making, loyal students, and supporters, which those of us who are left can keep in our memories, and do our best to live up to.

In the chapter’s common life, we begin our year together with “Fantasia”, the members’ recital and champagne reception at the Church of St. Ignatius of Antioch on the West Side, on September 28th (note new date) beginning at 7 PM. You will see more about that later in this newsletter. Please take the opportunity to be together, to build up the community in our city, and to encourage one another in your good work.

Yours truly,

David Enlow
Dean

Upcoming Chapter Events

The 2015-16 season begins with "Fantasia", a Members' Recital and champagne reception on Monday, September 28th at 7:00 PM on the recently restored III/44 Casavant Frères, Op. 2892 at Saint Ignatius of Antioch. The evening will also celebrate the installation of a new Flûte harmonique stop given to the church by former Organist and Choirmaster, Douglas Keilitz. The church is located at 552 West End Avenue between 86th and 87th streets. Interested performers should contact me by clicking here. This is an excellent opportunity to perform for and entertain your colleagues, and to try out new repertoire.

The second event of the season will take the form of a masterclass with Carole Ruth Terry, renowned American organist, harpsichordist, and pedagogue. Professor Terry teaches on the faculty of the University of Washington and as visiting professor at many institutions throughout the US, Canada, and Europe. The masterclass will take place on the II/43 Johannes Klais Orgelbau instrument at St. Peter's Lutheran Church on Saturday, October 17th at 3 PM. The church is at 619 Lexington Avenue, at 54th Street. Interested participants should contact me by clicking here.

Looking ahead in the season, November will see a choral conducting masterclass with Dennis Keene at the Church of the Ascension. Our annual improvisation symposium and concert will take place in January. In March we will hold a Pedals, Pipes, and Pizza event at Saint James Church, Madison Avenue. Colin Macknight, winner of the latest NYCAGO Chapter competition, will perform a recital.

The 2016 Presidents' Day Conference is entitled “An American in Paris: the French Romantic School” and kicks off with a concert by Ray Nagem at the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine on Sunday February 14th. The main events of the conference will take place on Monday February 15th at the Church of Saint Ignatius Loyola.

The final event of the year will take the form of a festive dinner with special guest David Hurd, known to many of us as an organist, composer, and contributor to the Episcopal 1982 Hymnal, among his many other endeavors.

Complete details of these upcoming events will be made avaliable on the Chapter website and Facebook pages. As always, please email me should you have any questions or comments. We look forward to welcoming you to this spectacular season of events!

James Kennerley
Sub-Dean

Memorial Services

John Scott

September 12th, 2015, 11 a.m.

St. Thomas Church, Fifth Avenue

McNeil Robinson

October 13th, 2015, 7:30 p.m.

Church of the Ascension, Fifth Avenue at 10th Street

Bach to Brooklyn

The Brooklyn Chapter has organized a bus tour of many interesting Brooklyn churches and organs for September 12, 2015. For more information, or to sign up, follow the link below. You may also write to dean@brooklynago.org.

http://tinyurl.com/pzgb6wl