2016-2017 Chapter Events
Schedule of Chapter Events -- view calendar for full listings
Date & Time |
Event Details |
Location |
September 18, 4pm |
Opening Event: Rising Stars Recital featuring Alex Pattavina, organ scholar Christ Church Bronxville and Ryan Kennedy, organ scholar Hitchcock, with open console time and dinner |
Bedford Presbyterian, 44 Village Green, Bedford, NY |
October 23, 4pm |
Pedals, Pipes and Pizza |
Irvington Presbyterian, 25 N Broadway, Irvington NY 10533 |
November 13, 4pm |
Members' Recital |
Huguenot Memorial Church, 901 Pelhamdale Ave, Pelham, NY |
January 8, 4pm |
Twelfth Night Party and Music Swap |
Robert & Jenny Chase Home |
February 19, 4pm |
The History of Organ Methodology given by Robert Chase |
St. Columbanus Catholic Church 122 Oregon Rd, Cortlandt Manor, NY |
March 26, 4pm |
Masterclass: Hymn Playing and Improvisation with David Enlow |
Irvington Presbyterian Church 25 North Broadway, Irvington, NY |
May 23, 6:30pm |
Annual Dinner (reservations required) |
The Private Patio at Sam's of Gedney Way, 50 Gedney Way, White Plains, NY 10605 |
Opening Recital
Westchester County, N.Y. The opening meeting was held Sept. 18 at Bedford Presbyterian Church (John Lettieri, host). Outgoing dean, John King, was honored for his excellent service and presented with a dean's pin by new dean Terence Flanagan. "Rising Stars" Ryan Kennedy and Alexander Pattavina played a delightful concert of Bach and Boellmann on the church's Pasi Opus 13 (II/31). Both performers are students of Paul Jacobs at the Juilliard School, and are currently organ scholars in Westchester churches -- ; Ryan at Hitchcock Presbyterian, Scarsdale, and Alex at Christ Church, Bronxville. After a social hour, a delicious dinner, prepared by board member Frank Miller, was served. .-- Joyce Gardner
as published in the December, 2016 issue of The American Organist
view the program
as published in the December, 2016 issue of The American Organist
view the program
Pedals, Pipes and Pizza
Westchester County, N.Y. Oct. 23, our second event of the season was a rousing success. About 20 young people (with accompanying older types and others interested in the organ) came to our Pedals Pipes and Pizza extravaganza. The Irvington Presbyterian Church was ringing with the sound of 32’ pipes, zimbelsterns, Bassoon pedal stops, and laughter. Terence Flanagan (dean) welcomed everyone, and Craig Degener launched into Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor to get us in the mood. We were fortunate to have a video system that allowed us to see what was happening near the organ, both hands and feet. Then, Frank Miller gave an interesting demonstration with a series of organ pipes from 8’ to 1’, wood and metal. We learned about flutes, principals and reeds as Jonathan Riss, the church's music director, demonstrated the sounds on the organ. Terence returned to the organ bench and played Boëllmann’s Toccata from Suite gothique as students crowded around. Following this, Jonathan gave us an insider’s view of the workings of the machine. We saw the chamber where the wires pull the valves to allow air into the pipes. Jonathan also showed us the “bells and whistles” of the organ and played Sowerby’s Pageant to show off the pedals. We were treated to a fascinating video that showed us the different ways the organ is used in cinemas and concert halls, and watched organ builders pour molten metal into the pipe molds. Everyone, young and old, was allowed a few moments on the organ bench to try out some different sounds. Others tested their lungs trying to blow into an 8’ pipe and make a sound. Of course, after that pizza was required! Thanks to Craig and Ruth Ann Degener for providing refreshments. Thanks to Terence and Lisa Flanagan, Craig Degener, Jonatahn Riss and Frank Miller, for organizing an enlightening program. Perhaps there will be some inspired organists-to-be coming out of this evening. – Karen Longwell
as published in the January, 2017 edition of The American Organist
as published in the January, 2017 edition of The American Organist
Members' Recital
The Chapter held its members' Recital on Nov. 13 at Huguenot Memorial Church in Pelham. Ruaraidh Sutherland (Christ's Church, Rye), Terence J. Flanagan, (dean), Kathryn Jones (Huguenot Memorial Church; and Frank Miller played the church's new Ingram-Hele-Willis organ by Adema's Kerkorgelbouw, the Netherlands. Music of Krebs, Vierne, Bach, Cochereau, Parry was heard along with various improvising.
—Terence J. Flanagan
as published in the March, 2017 issue of The American Organist
view the program
—Terence J. Flanagan
as published in the March, 2017 issue of The American Organist
view the program
Twelfth Night
The Twelfth Night Party was held at Jonathan Riss' home with Frank Miller as the coordinator of the food.
Justin Bischof Recital
Westchester Chapter, NY, Feb 2,: the chapter and Irvington Presbyterian Church sponsored a recital by Justin Bischof on the Klais Bonn Opus 1797 (2001). Dedicated to the memory of McNeil Robinson II, the recital included music by Bach and Robinson. The last piece was an improvised symphony on themes submitted by the audience. Following the recital,, a reception was held in the parlor.
-- Virginia Bender
as published in the June, 2018 TAO
view the program
-- Virginia Bender
as published in the June, 2018 TAO
view the program
Phythagoras, Broccoli and the Evolution of Pipe Organ Stop Action presented by John Bishop
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Westchester County, NY, April 22, in spite of the magnificent spring weather, chapter members eagerly came out to hear John Bishop give a presentation titled “Phythagoras, Broccoli and the Evolution of Pipe Organ Stop Action”. He gave us all greater insight into the complexity and history of the king of instruments. from its roots in Pythagoras’ anvils to the dawning of the digital age. Members were curious about the title of his talk, and he quickly explained. The Fibonacci series of numbers, when applied geometrically, correspond with the buds on the conical florets of a Romanesco broccoli (the whorl pattern, similar to a nautilus shell). Likewise, the same numbers correspond with the pipe lengths of an organ in order to bring out the overtone series. Math applies to spatial relationships as well as pitch relationships. You can email John (john@organclearinghouse.com} to ask for more explanation. Yorktown United Methodist Church was aptly suited for this PowerPoint presentation with its state-of-the-art projection system. Thanks belong to Tom Cipolla for offering his technological wisdom that made the presentation a success. A reception afterward allowed everyone to mingle and ask questions. And yes, broccoli was served.-- Karen Longwell
as published in the July, 2018 issue of The American Organist
as published in the July, 2018 issue of The American Organist
Annual Dinner & Meeting
Westchester Chapter, NY, May 22, members gathered for the Annual meeting and dinner at Sam's of Gedney Way. Members enjoyed convivial conversation as they ate together. A brief meeting took place before dessert. New officers will be installed this fall at the chapter's first event. -- Terry Flanagan
as published in the October, 2018 issue of The American Organist
as published in the October, 2018 issue of The American Organist
Katelyn Emerson Recital
Craig Degener (Newly Elected Dean) , Terry Flanagan (Last Meeting as the Current Dean), Katelyn Emerson, recitalist; Holger Redlich, CEO of Beckerath Orgelbau and Siegmund Tessmer, pipe maker and voicer.
Westchester County, NY, June 10, the chapter was treated to
a recital by Katelyn Emerson, the AGO 2016 National Young Artists Competition in Organ Performance winner. She played works by Duruflé, Bach, Langlais, Widor, Sowerby and others on the III/41 Beckerath at the Presbyterian Church of Mount Kisco (Terry Flanagan, host). A reception was held following the recital.
-- Virginia Bender
As published in the September, 2018 issue of The American Organist
view the program and Katelyn's Bio
a recital by Katelyn Emerson, the AGO 2016 National Young Artists Competition in Organ Performance winner. She played works by Duruflé, Bach, Langlais, Widor, Sowerby and others on the III/41 Beckerath at the Presbyterian Church of Mount Kisco (Terry Flanagan, host). A reception was held following the recital.
-- Virginia Bender
As published in the September, 2018 issue of The American Organist
view the program and Katelyn's Bio
