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Saturday, October 20, 10 a.m. Catalina United Methodist Church 2700 E. Speedway Blvd. Free

All SAAGO members are invited and urged to attend and to participate in this unique opportunity to look into the art of improvisation. Dr. John Schwandt, who is very well known for his exceptional improvisational skills, will lead the workshop, sharing tips on creating and/or improving your improvisational skills. Organists are some of the few musicians today who still regularly improvise and the ability to improvise is a skill that enhances the abilities of church organists. This workshop should provide useful guidelines which can improve your confidence about improvising.

Programming this workshop is in direct response to requests from chapter members who are interested in improving their improvisational skills. Please let us know if you plan to attend by contacting Dean Larry Kuipers (larikipe@yahoo.com).

This is an exceptional opportunity for SAAGO chapter members to learn from an expert. And the workshop is free.

Programs at a glance through November 18

Admission or suggested donation for some events

Douglas Reed, Organ Roy Johnson Series Sunday, Oct. 14, 7 p.m. Holsclaw Hall, U of A

John Schwandt, Organ Friday, Oct. 19, 7 p.m. Catalina United Methodist

Church

John Schwandt, Improvisation Workshop Saturday, Oct. 20, 10 a.m. Catalina United Methodist

Church

Trevor Carolan, Organ Sunday, Oct. 21, 4 p.m. St. Philip’s in the Hills

Episcopal Church

Evensong Celebration of Praise Sunday, October 21, 5 p.m. Northminster Presbyterian

Church

Paul Lee, Organ Dedication Saturday, Oct. 27, 4 p.m. Episcopal Church of the

Apostles, Oro Valley

Woosug Kang, Organ Sunday, Oct. 28, 2 p.m. St. Philip’s in the Hills

Episcopal Church

SAAGO Showcase Recital Sunday, Nov. 4, 3 p.m. Grace St. Paul’s Episcopal

Church

Mariana Mevans, Organ & Harpsichord

Sunday, Nov. 18, 4 p.m.

St. Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church

October John Schwandt, Improvisation Workshop

The CYPHER Newsletter of the Southern Arizona Chapter

American Guild of Organists

Volume 38, Number 2

October 2018 Chapter Website: www.saago.org

John D. Schwandt is Associate Professor of Organ and Director of the American Organ Institute (AOI) at the University of Oklahoma School of Music. He is a nationally acclaimed performer and is in demand as a clinician, recitalist, leader of hymn festivals, silent film accompanist and as an organ consultant. He has been a featured performer for the American Guild of Organists, the American Theatre Organ Society and the Organ Historical Society. He has also been featured numerous times on American Public Media's Pipedreams broadcasts.

Dr. John Schwandt

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AMERICAN GUILD

OF ORGANISTS

SOUTHERN ARIZONA

CHAPTER P.O. Box 31315

Tucson, AZ 85751-1315

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

DEAN

Larry Kuipers 308-5651

larikipe@yahoo.com

SUB DEAN/PROGRAM CHAIR

Jared Aragón 505 720-9483

jrdscrgn@gmail.com

SECRETARY & TREASURER

David Horr 822-7808

dahorr@comcast.net

PAST DEAN/PLACEMENT

Douglas Leightenheimer 910-515-2404

ldleighnc@aol.com

MEMBERSHIP

Janet Tolman 888-3173

tolman@wvcnet.com

ADVERTISING

Dhira Mahoney 325-1360

Dhira.Mahoney@asu.edu

HOSPITALITY

Joyce Swinehart 207-0785

joyceehart@gmail.com

EDITOR, THE CYPHER

Dusty Johnson 323-7856

skj5@cox.net

PUBLICITY/PROMOTIONS

Lars Andersen 909-9038

L.andersen@q.com

LIAISON, UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA

Pamela Decker 327-2169

pdecker@email.arizona.edu

MEMBER-AT-LARGE

Grahame Davis 487-8906

onlypipes@dakotacom.net

MEMBER-AT-LARGE

Catharine Kennedy 286-6159

kdkcck@hotmail.com

CHAPLAIN

The Rev. Bailey Pickens 325-1001

bailey.pickens@gmail.com

ARIZONA/SOUTHERN NEVADA

DISTRICT CONVENER

Kristin Prouty 480-964-8606

kristin.holtonprouty@gmail.com

AGO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR NATIONAL PRESIDENT WEST REGION COUNCILOR

James Thomashower Michael Bedford Mathew Burt

212-870-2311 918-346-8104 650-283-7512

Stardust (Dusty) Johnson, Editor 520-323-7856 skj5@cox.net

Deadlines for the 2018-2019 season are October 15 November 15 December 15 January 15 February 15 March 15 April 15

Please email information to Dusty Johnson, editor, at skj5@cox.net by the published deadlines. You may also send it via U.S. mail.

Advertising space available Full page, $150; Half page (horizontal), $100

Quarter page (vertical), $75; Business card size, $50 Contact Dhira Mahoney, Advertising chair (Dhira.Mahoney@asu.edu )

NOTE: Chapter members are invited to submit information about their special programs to be included in The CYPHER. If you have programs you would like included, we would like to hear from you! Please send program descriptions, along with pertinent information—title, date, location, time, brief description, cost, and photos—to Dusty Johnson, CYPHER editor. The information will appear in the print edition as well as in the online edition. Material may be edited as needed.

T o play only what is written is the domain of science. To

realize what is not written is the domain of art. —Jean Langlais.

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Dear chapter members,

We’re already in the full swing of activities with a ’packed’ calendar of events for October. Before reviewing coming events, I’d like to look back at some of the recitals I attended over the summer. I attended all three of the summer recitals at Catalina United Methodist Church on their fabulous four-manual Quimby organ. The summer siesta concert series, "In From the Heat," featured a light luncheon preceding an organ recital. This summer’s performers were Gordon Stevenson, Joseph Ripka and Ji-Sun Lee (organ) with her husband Michael Lich (guitar). I was delighted to see so many people at these events, which are typically very well attended, and the musicians were all top notch. If you are interested in reports on the 2018 AGO or OHS conventions, you can find a full report on each of them in the last issue of THE CYPHER.

Our Service of Installation for officers was held at St. Mark's Presbyterian Church on Sunday, September 23. Many thanks are extended to St. Mark’s for hosting this important event. Special thanks are extended to The Reverend Baily Pickens, Director of Faith Formation at St. Mark's Church, for her leadership in the service. Rev. Pickens is our SAAGO Chaplain for the 2018-19 season. Jared Aragón, Janet Tolman, and Lars Andersen offered their skills at the console for prelude, musical offering, and postlude, respectively; Dhira Mahoney provided a lovely reading of the poem A Song for Saint Cecilia's Day by John Dryden.

It was an honor for me to be installed as dean. I joined SAAGO just over two years ago, so you can imagine how finding myself dean in such a short time is a little overwhelming, particularly in that I was not sub-dean for the previous two years. However, I am happy to step up to the plate and am extremely grateful for the support given to me by my fellow board members. I find it a privilege to work each of them and consider them my friends. Thanks from the bottom of my heart.

Following the installation service, we enjoyed a delicious dinner prepared by chef Andy Bruno, who works magic in

the kitchen and is a chef extraordinaire! Thanks to Andy, and also to Doug Leightenheimer and Joyce Swinehart for organizing the dinner—no small task.

I especially want to recognize Doug Leightenheimer, past dean, who did an outstanding job. Not only did he serve as dean, he also filled in as sub-dean, after Sara Tobe moved to Ohio. Additionally, he assumed the responsibilities of Membership Coordinator this fall when Michael Koss moved to West Virginia. Doug has painstakingly edited the membership directory—no small task. Doug, you have served us so well with endless hours of your time and effort. WE THANK YOU!

I am very grateful to Jared Aragón for becoming our new sub-dean. A special bond has been created between the two of us since we are both new at this. Thank you, Jared, you’re the best!

Thanks also to Stephen Keyl for his work on publicity and promotions. Stephen maintained our wonderful SAAGO web page, and painstakingly compiled all recital information for the past few years. Welcome to Lars Andersen who now fills the Publicity/Promotions position. In addition to maintaining the web page, Lars has created a SAAGO Facebook page. We also welcome Janet Tolman, who has agreed to be Membership Coordinator in Michael Koss’s absence.

A huge welcome to the new board members and a great big thank you for those of you who have completed service.

With the advent of October, a very busy season of recitals is at hand. Foremost, is the concert at Catalina Methodist Church on Friday evening, October 19, at 7:00 p.m. John Schwandt, master improviser, will accompany the 1927 classic silent movie "Metropolis.” Additionally, he will present a workshop on the skill of improvisation the following morning, Saturday, October 20, at 10:00 a.m. I hope many of you will join us in the chancel at Catalina Church to learn from John. Put this on your calendar and plan to attend. It is a remarkable opportunity to learn from an expert.

There are a number of other recitals this month listed here and on our website. Happy recitaling, everyone. I'll see you at the next event.

Warmest regards,

Larry Dean

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Douglas Reed, Organ Roy Johnson Memorial Organ Series Sunday, Oct. 14, 7 pm Holsclaw Hall, Fred Fox School of Music, U of A Admission: $10, seniors $7, students $5 Celebrated concert organist Douglas Reed will offer a program of contemporary music for organ, highlighting works by the legendary American composer William Albright (1944-1998). Included on the program will be the “Whistler Nocturnes,” a major work by Albright that has been prepared for performance and publication by Dr. Reed. This landmark set of three pieces drew inspiration from the art of James Abbott McNeill Whistler (1834-1903). Dr. Reed is Professor Emeritus of Music, the University of Evansville, where he taught for 39 years. He has made recording premieres of William Albright’s music on the Eastman School of Music’s American Music Series (Albany Records), Arkay, and Equilibrium labels. As a student of Russell Saunders, he earned the Doctor of Musical Arts degree and the Performer’s Certificate from the Eastman School of Music, where his dissertation topic was The Organ Works of William Albright: 1965-1975. Co-sponsored by SAAGO.

John Schwandt, Organ Friday, Oct. 19, 7 p.m. Catalina United Methodist Church 2700 E. Speedway Boulevard $25, $15 seniors, $5 students

John Schwandt improvises on Metropolis, the 1927 science fiction masterpiece

Organist John Schwandt brings back the silent film era with his accompaniment to silent movies. In those glory days

without TV or the Internet, silent films were actually not silent since there were often theatre organs and organists. A featured performer for the AGO, ATOS and OHS, he is equally at home on a classical or theatre organ. Dr. Schandt is Associate Professor of Organ and Director of the American Organ Institute (AOI) at the University of Oklahoma School of Music,

John Schwandt, Improvisation Workshop Saturday, October 20, 10 a.m. Catalina United Methodist Church 2700 E. Speedway Boulevard Free. See description on page 1.

Trevor Carolan, Organ Pre-Evensong Service Organ Recital Sunday, October 21, 4 p.m. St. Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church 4440 N. Campbell Avenue

Trevor Carolan served as organist for numerous Minnesota Twin Cities churches, after studying organ at Wartburg College in Iowa and was most recently interim organist at All Saints’ Cathedral, Phoenix.

Woosug Kang, Organ Sunday, Oct. 28, 2 p.m. St. Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church 4440 N. Campbell Avenue Suggested Admission: $20, students free. Reception following.

Concert organist, former Director of Music at St. Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church and former active SAAGO member, Woosug Kang will perform works of J.S. Bach, Vierne, Dupre, composers from New Zealand and Australia as well as the monumental “Sonata on the 94th Psalm” by

Reubke. Welcome back, Woosug!

SAAGO Annual Showcase Concert Sunday, Nov. 4, 3 p.m. Grace St. Paul’s Episcopal Church 2331 E Adams Street Donations Gratefully Accepted Reception Following Our chapter’s annual Showcase Concert features three performers from our chapter: Dean Larry Kuipers, Sub-Dean Jared Aragón and Past Dean David Wachter performing works by Dupré, Franck, Callaerts, Frahm, Sandresky and Aragón. In addition to excellent performances, this is our annual chapter fund-raising event.

Be sure to mark your calendars now and to invite your friends to attend a varied program of great music.

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Saturday, October 20, 10 am—John Schwandt, Improvisation Workshop. Dr. Schwandt will offer guidelines and insights into the improvisation process. Catalina United Methodist Church, 2700 E. Speedway Blvd.

Sunday, November 4, 3 pm—Showcase Recital. Performances by Larry Kuipers, Jared Aragón and

David Wachter. Reception following. Grace St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 2332 E. Adams.

Sunday, December 9, 5 pm—Celebrate the Holidays Social. Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season for food and fellowship with your fellow members of SAAGO. Graciously hosted by Past Dean Doug Leightenheimer. 2572 N. Splitwood Ave.

Saturday, January 12, 10 am—Seasonal Service Music. This is an opportunity for members to share favorite service music (preludes, offertories, postludes) for the liturgical year. Christ Church United Methodist, 655 N. Craycroft Rd.

Saturday, January 26, 10 am-2 pm—Pedals, Pipes and Pizza. SAAGO’s annual event is designed to give children and youth a brief introduction to the pipe organ and its music. Attendees get to explore the inner workings of the instrument and will also receive individual instruction on the organ. St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church, 3809 E. Third Street.

Saturday, February 2, 10 am—Kimberly Marshall, Regional Organ Design. Dr. Marshall will discuss what differentiates organ design in different countries and historical periods and how to register pieces composed for these organs on the modern (classic) American organ. Lunch ($5) following. St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, 602 N. Wilmot Rd.

Saturday, March 2, 10 am—Pamela Decker, A Look into the Creative Process. The AGO’s Distinguished Composer of the Year and University of Arizona Professor of Organ will discuss and give insight into the creative process of her musical compositions. Lutheran Church of the Risen Savior, 555 S. La Canada Dr, Green Valley.

Saturday, April 6, All Day Event—Phoenix Organ Crawl. Join fellow chapter members for an exploration of various organs in Phoenix. Individual organs will be identified in future issues of the CYPHER. The day will culminate with a meal at the Organ Stop Pizza Parlor in Mesa (cash, no credit cards), home of the ‘Mighty Wurlitzer.’ Meet at Catalina Methodist Church parking lot at 8 a.m. to carpool.

Sunday, May 5, 3 pm—Dedication of Dove of Peace Organ featuring Guy Whatley . SAAGO has been invited to attend this celebratory event. The original two-manual Moller organ with seven voices is being rebuilt into an organ of three manuals with an additional 23 voices available by Pipe Organ Artisans of Arizona. The installation phase begins in mid-October. Reception Following. Dove of Peace Lutheran Church, 665 W. Roller Coaster Rd, .

Sunday, June 9, 4 p.m.—End of the Year Potluck Social and Membership Meeting. Colonia Verde Clubhouse, 2700 N. Camino Valle Verde.

2018-2019 SAAGO Chapter Programs

Help Swell our Ranks.

From the Royal Festival Hall, London, posted on Facebook by Renée Louprette

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Members’ Choral and Organ Programs

Evensong Celebration of Praise Sunday, October 21, 5 p.m. Northminster Presbyterian Church 2450 E. Fort Lowell Road Free-will offering

An Evensong Celebration of Praise, incorporating all Northminster’s traditional music ensembles and the Contemporary Praise Team. Music includes Bach’s Toccata in F Major, BWV 540 and Toccata in C Major, BWV 564; Craig Courtney’s Silence the Stones for Women’s Choir; Dan Forrest’s How Firm a Foundation for Men’s Choir; Haydn’s The Heavens are Telling from Creation; Hosanna and Hallelujah, arr. Joel Raney, for multiple ensembles and bells; and congregational hymns, prayers and Scripture readings.

Choral Evensong and Organ Recitals Third Sundays—Pre-service Organ Recital , 4 p.m. Evensong, 4:30 p.m. St. Philips’ in the Hills Episcopal Church 4440 N. Campbell Avenue Free admission

Choral Evensong, a deeply moving service with candlelight, prayers, chant and incense, is sung on the third Sunday of each month, October through May. Evensong is one of the jewels of the Anglican tradition, with sung settings of the psalms, evening canticles and prayers drawn from the 1662 Prayer Book.

Sung by the Saint Nicholas Choir of boys and girls, and the Schola Cantorum adults.

Robert A. Anderson

Phone: (520) 326-4048 randerson79@cox.net

5027 E. Timrod St.

Tucson, AZ 85711

Be sure to take a look at our chapter’s Facebook page: american guild of organists - southern arizona chapter (https://www.facebook.com/

groups/497988863981903/

Prayer Book.

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Larry Kuipers, Dean

A native of Whitinsville, Massachusetts, Larry began piano lessons at the age of seven with a local piano teacher. At age 14, he began organ study under the tutelage of LeRoy K. Hanson, Minister of Music at the magnificent Wesley United Methodist Church with its fabulous E. M. Skinner organ, in Worcester, Massachusetts. Larry continued organ study at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, earning his BA degree in 1985, having studied with Dr. John E. Hammersma and Shirley Boomsma. He then earned a Master's Degree in Organ Performance at Boston University, studying with Max B. Miller. Larry has given recitals in the U.S. and in the Netherlands. He has held several organ positions, most notably at St. Agatha Roman Catholic Church of Milton, Massachusetts, where he also served as Music Director for three of his 17 years there. He is currently organist of Resurrection Lutheran Church of Oro Valley, Arizona. Jared Aragón, Sub Dean

Composer and organist Jared Isaac Aragón has been surrounded by music his entire life. He grew up in his parents' music store in Belén, New Mexico, where he was given his first musical instrument: a glockenspiel. Soon after, he began piano lessons under Bobbi Carbajal and discovered a love for writing his own music. This passion led Aragón to pursue degrees in music composition from Eastern New Mexico University (summa cum laude), the University of Arkansas, and the University of Arizona where he has studied under composers Mark Dal Porto, Robert Mueller, and Daniel Asia. He has performed at Carnegie Hall, St. Mark's Basilica, and the Vatican and has written music for several prominent musicians and ensembles, including New Mexico’s premiere ballet company. Aragón is organist and director of handbells at St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church.

Lars Andersen, Publicity and Promotion

Born in Detroit, Lars grew up in California where he studied privately for 12 years and then for six years with Charles Shaffer who was organist at Hollywood Presbyterian Church. He has been a Lutheran church organist since 1961 and is currently the organist/pianist at

Tanque Verde Lutheran Church. He was formerly the organist at Dove of Peace Lutheran for over 30 years. Lars has also had the wonderful experiences of having played the Mormon Tabernacle organ and for a Pentecost Mass at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.

Cathie Kennedy, Member-at-Large

While growing up in Michigan and Ohio, Cathie studied piano and organ in high school. She majored in Art at the University of Oklahoma and taught junior high school art while raising her family in Oklahoma, New Jersey and Arizona. Later, she earned an architecture degree and became part of the design team for a most unique, one of a kind project...The Biosphere 2. That was followed by challenging site construction management for major corporation headquarters in Virginia. She attended organ performances everywhere she lived. She was involved in the building of the Quimby Pipe organ at Catalina Methodist Church and serves on the Organ Festival Committee. She is delighted for the organ opportunities SAAGO membership brings!

Janet Tolman, Membership

Janet Tolman has served as organist/accompanist at Christ Church United Methodist since March 2009, where she founded and directs the Christ Church Concert series. She previously held positions in Tucson at First Christian Church (Disciple of Christ), St. Philip’s In the Hills Episcopal Church, and Catalina United Methodist Church. A native of Hiawatha, Kansas, she holds a Bachelor of Music degree in organ performance with a minor in piano performance from Washburn University of Topeka, KS. She grew up in the First United Methodist Church of Hiawatha, KS, where her organ studies began. She is organist for the annual Tucson Messiah Sing-In. She is past dean of SAAGO and past district convener of the Grand Canyon District—AGO.

All current chapter officers are listed on page 2 of

THE CYPHER.

Meet the New SAAGO Executive Committee Members

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The Episcopal Church of the Apostles recently acquired and installed a new organ—see photo at left. The church obtained it from the St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where it had served as the antiphonal organ. The instrument was built by the Wicks Pipe Organ Company in 1985 and has five ranks and 389 pipes. It is now housed in an attractive case in the church’ sanctuary. The installation was led by Dr. Elliot Jones, Director of Music Ministries, who disassembled it from its former church home, transported it to Tucson and who then was assisted in the installation by persons in the congregation.

Elliot is thrilled with the instrument and says that it is perfect for the acoustics of the church sanctuary.

Organ Dedication Program. Everyone is invited to attend the dedication program which will be held on Saturday, October 27 at 4:00 p.m. with guest organist Paul Lee, Director of Music Ministries at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Scottsdale.

Wicks Pipe Organ Co. Opus 6055

Episcopal Church of the Apostles Wicks Opus 6055

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From Larry Grove. I attended the annual convention of the American Theatre Organ Society in the LA area from June 29 to July 3, 2018. The opening concert was on the historical Moller Theatre Organ in the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. If you go to this web site: (http://www.latos.org/venue_organ/pasadena-civic-auditorium/ ), you will find pictures of the organ & auditorium. If you click on the Pasadena Civic link on the web site there is a short video of the organ being played.

5/28 Möller Opus 6690

ATOS National Registry Organ Originally shipped 1938 Installed in present location 1980

The five-manual twenty-eight rank Möller theatre organ now housed in the Pasadena Civic Auditorium was originally designed as a touring organ. British organist Reginal Foort used a caravan of five trucks to move his Gigantic Touring Organ to venues throughout England in the years before World War II. The organ was installed in London and then the Netherlands before reaching its present home. In 1980, the Möller made its debut in the 3,000 seat Pasadena Civic Auditorium. It is reported that the sound of the organ at the Pasadena dedication brought Mr. Foort to tears less than a month before his death.

American Theatre Organ Society Convention AGO 2019 WEST REGION

CONVENTION Orange County, California June 30-July 3,

2019

Patronize our advertisers

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▪2018▪

Douglas Reed, Organ Roy Johnson Organ Series Sunday, Oct. 14, 7 p.m. Holsclaw Hall, U of A $10; Seniors, $7; Students, $5 John Schwandt, Organ Friday, Oct. 19, 7 p.m. Catalina United Methodist Church $25, $15 seniors, $5 students John Schwandt, Improvisation Workshop Saturday, Oct. 20, 10 a.m. Catalina United Methodist Church Free Trevor Carolan, Organ Sunday, Oct. 21, 4 p.m. Pre-Evensong Recital St. Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church

Evensong Celebration of Praise Sunday, October 21, 5 p.m. Northminster Presbyterian Church Free-will offering Woosug Kang, Organ Sunday, Oct. 28, 2 p.m. St. Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church

$20; students free SAAGO Showcase Concert Sunday, Nov. 4, 3 p.m. Grace St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Donations gratefully accepted Mariana Mevans, Organ and Harpsichord

Sunday, Nov. 18, 4 p.m.

Pre-Evensong Recital St. Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church

Christa Rakich, Organ Friday, Dec. 7, 7:30 p.m. St. Alban’s Episcopal Church $15; $10 seniors (60+) and St. Alban’s members; $5 students

SAAGO Celebrates the Holidays Sunday, Dec. 9, 5 p.m. Doug Leightenheimer’s home Joseph Ripka, Organ Sunday, Dec. 16, 4 p.m. Pre-Evensong Recital St. Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church

▪2019▪ Seasonal Service Music Saturday, Jan. 12, 10 a.m. Christ Church United Methodist Christa Miller, Organ Friday, Jan. 18, 7 p.m. Catalina United Methodist Church $25, $15 seniors, $5 students John T. Brobeck, Organ Sunday, Jan 20, 4 p.m. Pre-Evensong Recital St. Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church

Pedals, Pipes and Pizza Saturday, Jan. 26, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church Lich/Lee Duo Guitar and Organ Roy Johnson Organ Series Sunday, Jan. 27, 7 p.m. Holsclaw Hall, University of Arizona $10; Seniors, $7; Students, $5 Kimberly Marshall, Regional Organ Design Saturday, Feb. 2, 10 a.m. St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church Will Thomas, Organ Sunday, Feb. 17, 4 p.m. Pre-Evensong Recital St. Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church

Douglas Cleveland, Organ Friday, Feb. 22, 7 p.m. Catalina United Methodist Church $25, $15 seniors, $5 students

Doug Leightenheimer, Organ Friday, Mar. 8, 7:30 p.m. St. Alban’s Episcopal Church $15; $10 seniors (60+) and St. Alban’s members; $5 students

Julia G. Tucker, Organ Sunday, Mar. 17, 4 p.m. Pre-Evensong Recital St. Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church

Pamela Decker, Workshop A Look into the Creative Process Saturday, Mar. 2, 10 a.m. Lutheran Church of the Risen Savior,

Green Valley Pamela Decker, Organ Roy Johnson Organ Series Sunday, Mar. 31, 2 p.m. Holsclaw Hall, University of Arizona Free SAAGO Phoenix Organ Crawl Saturday, Apr. 6, 8 a.m. meet at Catalina Methodist Church Parking lot to carpool. Jean-Pierre Gabriels, Organ Mildred Flood Mahoney Concert Sunday, Apr 28, 4 p.m. Holsclaw Hall, University of Arizona Free

Dove of Peace Organ Dedication Guy Whatley, Organ Sunday, May 5, 3 p.m. Dove of Peace Lutheran Church Reception Following Susan H. Wilson, Organ Sunday, May 19. 15, 4 p.m. Pre-Evensong Recital St. Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church

End of Season Social and Membership Meeting Sunday, June 9,4 p.m. Colonia Verde Clubhouse

2018-2019 Chapter and Member Programs at a Glance

Listings include member events and are

included at editor’s discretion and may

be edited for space and style.

Information is subject to change. Please

check with the sponsoring organization.

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Choir Director, Part time Lord of Grace Lutheran Church (7250 N. Cortaro Road, Tucson, AZ 85743) is seeking a part-time director for the adult choir for traditional worship services. Responsibilities include maintaining a small music library, directing the choir for weekly rehearsals, leading the choir anthem each week at the 8:30 AM Sunday services. Experience or current training in choral conducting required. Experience in liturgical worship is preferred. Accompanist provided. Choir season runs from mid-August through the end of May with rehearsals held on Tuesday evenings from 6-7:30 p.m. Additional mid-week services may required on Wednesday evenings for Thanksgiving Eve, Ash Wednesday and during the Lenten season.

Compensation is per event/service/rehearsal at $50 each. Contact the church office at (520) 744-7400 or email Pastor Lars Hammar at pastor@lordofgrace.org. Questions may also be directed to Todd Martin (Director of Music) at (520) 247-1866 or email pianotodd@gmail.com Lord of Grace is a member of the ELCA Synod which advocates diversity with open doors to all. Flexibility and special consideration is given to students who may need occasional time off for rehearsals/performances required for their studies. See the SAAGO website to download an application (http://saago.org/postions-available/)

Handbell Director, Part Time Immanuel Presbyterian Church (9252 E 22nd St.) seeks a part-time handbell choir director for the period of October through April of each year, beginning this October. Applicants should submit a cover letter and a resume describing previous experience and qualifications by email to Pastor John (john@immanuelpc.org). The posting will remain open until the position is filled. An audition will be expected and will be scheduled at a later date. The position description may be viewed on the SAAGO website (http://saago.org/postions-available/).

Organist, Part Time Casas Adobes Congregational Church, United Church of Christ (6801 N Oracle Rd.), seeks a part-time organist. The applicant should have experience as an organist/accompanist and should hold a Master’s degree in music with credits in organ, or the equivalent in a combination of organ training and experience. The applicant should also have knowledge of church liturgy, the church calendar, appropriate church music and hymns as well as the ability to communicate and work with the Ministry of Worship, Senior Minister and Music Team to assist in the overall planning and execution of a quality music program. The organist provides appropriate accompaniment for worship, for the choir and ensembles, for special services and is involved in budget planning. The complete position description can be found on the SAAGO website (http://saago.org/postions-available/). Résumés may be sent to Jean-Marie Huijsen at info@caucc.org

Please renew your AGO membership if you haven’t already done so. Here are the ways to renew: Online using your credit/debit card. Go to the ONCARD website and follow the instructions: https://www.agohq.org/oncard/ Online sending a check through the mail. Go to the website https://www.agohq.org/oncard/ and then print the invoice, include your check, and mail it directly to headquarters in New York. The address is given in the form. Surface Mail. Please contact Janet Tolman. And, importantly, take a few minutes to update your information on AGO ONCARD. The information in that database is used for the membership directory—and it allows up to keep in touch with you!.

Available Positions Renew Your Membership

Help Swell our Ranks.

Bring a friend to the next event

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Presents a French Organ Music Conference New York City, October 23-27, 2018

Classes in French Improvisation and

French Performance Practice

Conversations, Classes, and Concerts with Yannick Merlin and Béatrice Piertot

(DUO MERLIN)

Playing Time on Notable NYC Organs FOMS Young Artists' Organ Playing Competition

featuring Jesse Eschbach Terry Flanagan

Andrew Henderson Dennis Keene Yannick Merlin

Jennifer Pascual Béatrice Piertot Jason Roberts Scott Warren

French Organists to be announced!

COMPLETE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT

WWW.BFOMS.COM

Directors: Masako Gaskin and Christina Harmon

Roy Johnson Memorial Scholarship

Established by the Southern Arizona Chapter of the AGO in memory of Professor Roy Andrew Johnson, the scholarship is available to assist in funding organ study as follows: lessons at any level through

collegiate; introductory organ lessons for

pianists; Registration fees for an

educational event, including a Pipe Organ Encounter (POE);

for collegiate level students, registration fees for

regional and national conventions of the AGO. for collegiate level students, full membership in the

American Guild of Organists, Southern Arizona Chapter.

Scholarship awards for organ study will range from $350 to $500. For educational events, the scholarship will cover the cost of registration.

An application form may be found online at www.saago.org. Completed forms may be submitted to the Scholarship Committee Chair at any time.

Support our chapter with a financial gift. Consider underwriting a concert, making a contribution to the general fund or to the

Johnson Scholarship Fund.

DONOR LEVELS

$500+ Tuba Mirabilis

$250-$499 Trompette

$100-$249 Diapason

$50-99 Flute Harmonique

$1-$49 Voix Humaine

Please make your check payable to So. AZ AGO

Mail it to

David Horr, Treasurer

P.O. Box 31511

Tucson, AZ 85751

Thank you! Your gifts make a difference.

The French Organ Music Seminar

-15-

Publication Information: The Cypher is a bimonthly newsletter published by the Southern Arizona Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. It is distributed to chapter members, organists of churches in Tucson and surrounding communities, and deans of all chapters in the West Region (Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Alaska, Oregon, and Washington as well as Korea, Shanghai, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Sydney, Australia). Southern Arizona Chapter members who do not request the printed version will receive The Cypher via email. Send information for publication to Stardust (Dusty) Johnson at email skj5@cox.net, or to 2215 E 2nd St., Tucson, AZ 85719-4930. Please type “Cypher” in the subject line. Views expressed in any of the pieces herein are those of the writers and not necessarily those of the Southern Arizona Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, its officers or members.

Southern Arizona Chapter American Guild of Organists P.O. Box 31315 Tucson AZ 85751-1315

Inside:

Improvisation Workshop, John Schwandt, October 20, cover

Dean’s Message, p. 3

Organ Programs, p. 4

2016-2017 Chapter programs, p. 5

Evensong Programs, p. 7

New Executive Committee Members Bios, p. 8

New Organ, Episcopal Church of the Apostles, p. 10

ATOS Report from Larry Grove, p. 11

Chapter and Member Programs at a Glance, p. 12

Available Positions, p. 13