2015-2016

2015-2016 Chapter Events

Schedule of Chapter Events -- view calendar for full listings

Date & Time	Event Details	Location
September 20, 4:30pm	Opening Event: Rising Stars Recital featuring Alexander Pattavina and Daniel Ficarri, organists with open console time and dinner	Christ Church Bronxville 17 Sagamore Rd, Bronxville. NY
October 25, 4pm	Members' Recital	White Plains Presbyterian Church, 39 North Broadway, White Plains, NY
November 15, 4pm	Nathan Laube, Organ Concert	Hitchcock Presbyterian, 6 Greenacres Ave, Scarsdale, NY
January 3, 4pm	Twelfth Night Party and Music Swap	Home of Bob and Jenny Chase
February 23, 7pm	Anthem Reading presented by Philip Stopford, composer and newly appointed choirmaster at Christ Church, Bronxville	Hitchcock Presbyterian, 6 Greenacres Ave, Scarsdale
April 9, 8pm	Dedication of the New HUGUENOT MEMORIAL CHURCH Organ, Dedicatory Recital by Jan-Piet Kniff	Huguenot Memorial Church, 901 Pelhamdale Ave, Pelham, New York
April 10, afternoon	Workshop for young pianists and their teachers	Huguenot Memorial Church, 901 Pelhamdale Ave, Pelham, New York
June 21, 6:30pm	Annual Dinner and Meeting	The Private Patio at SAM’S OF GEDNEY WAY, 50 Gedney Way, White Plains

Opening Recital

Sept. 20, organists and guests attended the chapter's opening meeting at Christ Church, Bronxville. After greetings from Dean John King and Fr. Michael Bird, organ scholars Daniel Ficarri (Hitchcock Presbyterian, Scarsdale) and Alexander Pattavina (Christ Church, Bronxville) played a superb mini recital on the four-manual Casavant, Opus 3878 (2009). Works by Bach, Boëllmann, Dupré, and Duruflé showcased the magnificent organ. Both organists study with Paul Jacobs at Juilliard. Following the performance, all viewed the stained-glass window dedicated to former Christ Church organist Robert Owen. An open console and reception followed.. – Joyce Gardner

as published in the December, 2015 issue of The American Organist

Program

Chorale Varié sur le théme du ‘Veni Creator’, Op. 4.
Maurice Duruflé  (1902 - 1986)

Ronde Française
Lèon Boëllmann (1862 - 1892)

Daniel Ficarri

Prelude and Fugue in G major (BWV 541)
J. S. Bach  (1685 - 1750)

Cortège et Litanie, Op. 19, No. 2
Marcel Dupré  (1886 - 1971)

Alexander Pattavina

Above are the special windows designed to honor former organist Robert Owen. ln designing the Music windows, Ellen Miret—Jayson began by listening to examples of Messiaen's music, especially his “Quartet for the End of Time” and "The Ascension.” The first of these, written while Messiaen was a prisoner in a German concentration camp is balanced by the Ascension Suite. The problem was to find a theme for the second window to complement the other two. The solution she found was to begin with a piece of Gregorian Chant called “Death and Resurrection” which centered on Christ before Pilate: jeered at by the crowds, anguished and humiliated. This seemed to form a bridge between the ominous mood of the “Quartet for the End of Time” and the rising mood of “The Ascension.” She then incorporated symbols of the elements used by Messiaen in his music, both the instruments he used in the prison camp - clarinet, piano, a three-stringed cello. and a broken violin - and the influence of plainsong and birdsong. The opening chords from the third movement: of "The Ascension” form part of the third lancet - and the name "Owen" also appears in the second.
Given by members of Christ Church and friends of Robert Owen in thanksgiving for his ministry, this window reflects Owen’s love for the music of Olivier Messiaen, a leading twentieth century composer.

Members' Recital

Above, front row: Kyoko Meredith, Janet Jacobson, Margaret Kim, Dean John King, Sandor Szabo 2nd Row: Tim Keenan-Devlin, Craig Degener, Anthony Rispo, Frank Miller, Terence Flanagan, Jonathan Riss

Oct. 25, a members' recital was held at White Plains Presbyterian Church (host Jonathan Riss, minister of music). An exciting program featured music of Bach, Dubois, Messiaen, Miller, Rispo, Robinson, and Sowerby, Two members played their own compositions; one was a hymn-tune improvisation. The 3-manual, 48 rank Austin (1964) offered great color contrasts at the hands of Craig Degener, Terence Flanigan, Janet Jacobson, Tim Keenan-Devlin, Margaret Kim, Kyoko Meredith, Frank Miller, Anthony Rispo, Jonathan Riss, and Sandor Szabo. A reception prepared by the Millers followed the concert and topped off a lovely afternoon. – Joyce Gardner

as published in the January, 2016 issue of The American Organist

read performer bios

program listed below:

THE PROGRAM

Toccata in C, BWV 564--J. S. Bach
Kyoko Meredith
Toccata from 12 pieces--Dubois
Margaret Kim
In Dir ist Freude, BWV 615--Bach
Tim Keenen Devlin
Wenn wir in höchsten Nöten sein, BWV 641
Der Tag, der ist so freudenreich, BWV 605--Bach
Janet Jacobson
When in Our Music God is Glorified
Choral Prelude on DOUGLASS--McNeil Robinson
Craig Degener
Hymn Improvisation on Lobe den Herrn
Frank Miller
Prelude and Fugue in C, BWV 547--Bach
Terence Flanagan
Daydream--Rispo
Anthony Rispo
Pageant--Sowerby
Jon Riss
Dieu parmi nous--Messiaen
Sandor Szabo

Nathan Laube, Organ Concert

Nov. 15, the chapter presented a recital by Nathan Laube playing the church's J.W. Walker & Sons organ at Hitchcock Presbyterian Church, Scarsdale. The program included works by Bach, Cabanilles, Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, Buxtehude, Rameau, de Bergamo, and Widor. A reception followed. -- Virginia Bender
as published in the February, 2016 issue of The American Organist

view the program and the performer bio

Twelfth Night

Westchester County N. Y. January 3

An Epiphany Party was held at the home of Bob and Jenny Chase. Dinner chair was Frank Miller. Following a delicious meal, guests were entertained by Jenny Chase playing the gu zheng, a Chinese string instrument. Carols sung at the Steinway, accompanied by Miller, rounded out a delightful evening. -Joyce Gardner

as published in the April, 2016 edition of The American Organist

Hymn Reading with Philip Stopford

Feb. 23, Hitchcock Presbyterian Church, Scarsdale, was the scene of an anthem reading session. Featured was music of British composer Philip Stopford, who conducted his own anthems. Host Dr. John King conducted additional anthems, which were all beautifully accompanied by Ruaraidh Sutherland. Delicious refreshments were served.
-- Joyce Gardner

as published in the May, 2016 issue of The American Organist

Dedication Organ Concert

Kathryn Jones, host, and Dr. Jan-Piet Knijff, Consultant and Recitalist

Westchester County, N.Y. April 9, Jan-Piet Knijff played a dedicatory recital on the newly restored organ at Huguenot Memorial Church, Pelham (Kathryn Jones, music director-organist). The three-manual organ was rebuilt by Adema's Kerkorgelbouw, The Netherlands. Knijff showcased various organ stops in his selections, which included works by Mendelssohn, Bach, Schumann, de Klerk, Boellmann, and Hindemith. The following day, he led an Organ Intro for piano students. Receptions followed both events. - Joyce Gardner

as published in July, 2016 issue of The American Organist

view the program and Dr. Knijff's Bio

organ specs
organ article
music notes

Organ Workshop For Piano Students Hosted by Kathryn Jones at Huguenot Memorial Church

Dr. Jan-Piet Knijff conducts Organ Workshop for pianists

Annual Dinner & Meeting

Westchester County, N.Y. June 21, the chapter celebrated another successful year with a dinner and meeting. New officers for the upcoming two-year term were installed: Terence Flanagan, (dean); Craig Degener (sub-dean), Karen Longwell (secretary); Kevin Walsh (treasurer/registrar), Kyoko Meredith and Michael Mulder (directors, Class of 2019). Jonathan Riss completed the FAGO exam with flying colors; he had a perfect score of 15. Robert Chase announced the publication of his book Gradus ad Parnassum by Wayne Leupold Editions. A guide to the literature of organ instruction, it is available on the publisher's website. – Karen Longwell

as published in the September, 2016 edition of The American Organist