AGO plays and sings

One way we organists stay sharp and in touch is through a group called the Lancaster Chapter of the A. G. O. (American Guild of Organists). The A.G.O. (people just say Ay-Gee-Oh) held its monthly meeting at our church last evening. The program was organ pieces based on hymns and then singing the hymn. Six organists played and the chaplain, front right, Tim Craven, introduced the hymns--Now Thank We All Our God, Holy God We Praise Thy Name, Be Thou My Vision, What God Ordains Is Good Indeed, God Whose Giving, and Praise to the Lord the Almighty.

The beaming-faced organists in the pic are, l to r, Joy Ide, Margaret Marsch, Peter Brown, David Gross, Carl Tobias, and Peter Omundsen.

A dozen or two of our Neffsville people came out and helped raise up the glorious sound of congregational singing. Thanks to them all.

The AGO is not new to us. Former organist Janet had been a member for many years.

AGO hymn sing

Come and enjoy. Hear six different organists play hymns and sing along with these assorted local church music persons of leadership--organists, choir directors, music ministers, etc. Mark it down--Monday, Sept. 21, 7 p.m.

titles for 9.13.2009

Before the service yesterday I played three pieces. First was a fairly modern piece, as classical music goes, by Marcel Dupré, who died in Paris at age 85, in 1971. The 3-minute piece is a meditation on Ps. 133:1, "Behold how pleasant and good it is for brethren to dwell together in unity." That is its title, too.

Next I played the piece whose tune most people recognize as "Glorious things of thee are spoken." (Blue hymnal #619). The tune is known as Austrian, by Haydn. I included the trumpets on chamade (the loud pipes high up above the exit doors) on a phrase during one of the high moments.

Then a short piece called meditation by Nicolas Lemmens. This is quite soft, and called simply "Meditation." I think everyone was listening because of the loud Austrian piece just before.

Linda Helmus was with us. As a courtesy, I had called her and asked if she had a favorite hymn I might use as postlude. She suggested either "Be Thou My Vision" or "We walk by faith," a 1983 Marty Haugen tune, which is the one I chose to improvise on. A few people said they recognized it and appreciated it. It was a new tune to me.

titles for 9.6.2009

It's Labor Day. I can't resist bringing the hymn "Work For the Night Is Coming" into the service. I'll put it in as the last prelude. Special thing about it--words written by an 18-year-old English girl, Anna Coghill (1836-1907).

The offering piece is "Jesu Joy Of Our Desiring" by J. S. Bach. The postlude is a final excerpt from Bach's most famous Toccata.