Dean’s Message

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Dean's Message

April 2024

Dear Organists,

 

Spring greetings! At this time of year, so rich in tradition within the realm of liturgical music, my mind is drawn to the German and Swiss countries, where I have had the opportunity to play many great instruments, both large and small. As I consider the vast array of instruments I have explored, from the ancient Basilica of Valère in Sion to the renowned Schnitger instruments in north Germany, to the many charming, small village organs of Thüringen (Bach country), I am struck by the uniqueness and special qualities of each of these instruments.

 

Each pipe organ is an unicum. A brilliant and fascinating work of art, whose value is not determined by its size alone, but rather by its artistry and individuality. I see a parallel within the world of musicians. Just as no two hand-crafted organs are alike, no two musicians are alike, and no one’s contribution is the same as another. I challenge you to celebrate your individuality as a musician, and the individuality of others. Comparison is the thief of joy. At its best, art is not about competition or hierarchy, but rather enrichment and preservation. Every organist is a culture bearer, a distinct voice, preserving and amplifying a unique heritage. As colleagues, each one of us offers something of great value that cannot be replicated by anyone else. A friend and colleague recently shared his frustration in having a “bad playing day” (how many of those have we all had!). When he shared this, all I could think about was his many positive qualities—the unique and remarkable contribution he has made to our organ community over many years.

 

In that spirit, I am so happy to see the friendship and artistic exchange between so many of our members, both in joining together for group concerts on various instruments, and in joining together to support and mentor children, youth, and other emerging organists. Before the close of the season, SLCAGO has one more event on the horizon—a closing social at St. Paul’s Episcopal on Thursday, May 23rd, where we will hear a selection of organ works from the St. Paul’s organists, with open console time following their presentation. Thanks in advance to St. Paul’s, and I hope to see many of you there! For those of you with service playing duties, congratulations on surviving the rigors of Holy Week, and best wishes to you for the rest of Eastertide.

 

Emily Spencer

Dean, SLCAGO

March 2024

Dear Organists, 

At our recent Super Saturday event, I witnessed one of our established organists invite a young musician and his mother to his home to play his home organ and learn more about the “organ world”. The following week at an evening concert, I witnessed a prominent organist patiently and kindly answer the questions of a young person for a long period, and likewise invite him to visit and play a well-known instrument. I witnessed several colleagues of differing backgrounds join together as friends to present a phenomenal concert at one of our cathedrals. I witnessed one of our organ technicians working tirelessly behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly, not only with our instruments but within the community of colleagues. As 2024 unfolds, I have been impressed, even touched, by the service, collaboration, community-building, and team spirit of our members. I love this quote by Helen Keller: “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” Thank you for your support of the organ community; thanks to those with an intense performance schedule, to those who do so much to teach and mentor, and to the tireless technicians behind the scenes. 

Looking ahead, I’m excited for our March events and concerts, and encourage you to attend as many as you are able. The Eccles Organ Festival continues with two events featuring Tom Winpenny of St. Albans Cathedral; a masterclass on Friday, March 8th, at 2 pm at the Salt Lake Tabernacle, and a concert on Sunday, March 10th, at 8 pm at the Cathedral of the Madeleine. March is a wonderful time of year to celebrate the music of Bach, and we’re grateful to Halden Toy, who will present an all-Bach recital at St. Mark’s Cathedral on Friday, March 15th. Please join us in this Bach celebration! Lastly, the American Guild of Organists has declared March 10th as Woman Composer Sunday, and I invite you to include a work by a woman composer in your service playing that day. I am selecting a piece to play, and I look forward to hearing what you chose to play that weekend, in observance of International Women’s Day. 

Emily Spencer Dean, SLCAGO

August 2023

Thank you for your continued support of the Salt Lake Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. 

As a reminder, a portion of your dues remain with the chapter and help us bring you events such as 

  • The Eccles Organ Festival

  • Chapter socials

  • Educational events such as Super Saturday

  • Special programming for youth such as Pedals, Pipes, and Pizza,  and

  • The Quimby Regional Competitions for Young Organists.

As a thank you to our members, we invite you to attend a special guided tour and open console at the Cathedral of the Madeleine on Sunday, August 27, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.

Summer 2023

Dear Organists,

I hope you are enjoying your summer! The chapter leadership has already been busy planning events for the upcoming season, and we invite you to save the date for the events listed below.

In gratitude for our support of the Eccles Organ Festival, the Cathedral of the Madeleine is providing us with a tour of the Cathedral, followed by an open console for SLCAGO members. Please RSVP soon for August 27th, as space is limited. Looking to September, Valerie Harris’ lecture-recital “How the West was Won: Tabernacle Organ Recitals” will take place on Sunday, September 24th, at Christ United Methodist.

I hope you have a wonderful, relaxing, and rejuvenating summer, and I hope to see you at these events in a couple of months!

Emily Spencer, Dean
SLCAGO

April 2023

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to welcome you to take part in The BYU Free Organ Music Exchange. This library is contained in several white crates placed above the twelve organs in the BYU Organ Lab (2217 Music Building). Having been donated by individuals who are downsizing their libraries or from estates, they are available to organists for free.

You are welcome to come to the lab, play through the scores, and take those that you or your students will use. Please do not remove them with the intent to resell. The lab door is unlocked Monday through Saturday between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., but you can stay after 6:00 p.m. if you wish.

Please avoid group organ class times:

  • Mondays and Wednesdays
    • 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
  • Tuesdays and Thursdays
    • 9:00 – 10:00 am
    • 4:00 – 5:00 pm 4-5
  • Fridays
    • 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

If you have organ scores or books that you’d like to donate, please contact Don_Cook@byu.edu or Neil.Harmon@byu.edu to arrange for drop-off or pick-up.

Emily Spencer, Dean

SLCAGO

March 2023

Dear Organists, 

In celebration of Women’s History Month, we will hold a chapter recital on Friday, March 31st, at 7:30pm at First Methodist, featuring works by female composers. I hope you will avail yourself of this opportunity to enjoy the beautiful organ and sanctuary at First Methodist, and to experience organ works by Florence Price, Nadia Boulanger, Emma Lou Diemer, Rachel Laurin, Anna Laura Page, and Cecilia McDowall. 

I’m excited to hear compositions that are new to me, and I express my thanks in advance to our performers for their work and preparation. Please join me for this wonderful concert. Also looking ahead, the Eccles Organ Festival will present Adam Brakel on Sunday, March 12th, at 8 pm at the Cathedral of the Madeleine. The final concert of the 29th season includes works by Sweelinck, Roberday, Bach, Bossi, Franck, Reger, Widor, Duruflé and Shearing. Brakel serves as Director of Music for St. James Cathedral in Orlando, Florida.
We continue to grow as musicians as we expand our awareness of the rich, diverse, and ever-expanding body of organ literature. In February (Black History Month), we added a tribute to two talented African American composers William Grant Still and Florence Price to our website. This spring, I challenge you to explore, expand, and experience composers and compositions that are new to you. I wish you joy in your journey of discovery!

Emily Spencer, Dean
SLCAGO

February 2023

Dear Organists,

As I watched the snow fall this morning, the words of Christina Rossetti’s beautiful poem “In the Bleak Midwinter” came to mind. “In the bleak mid-winter frosty wind made moan, earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone…”

As organists create a point of gathering and communion in church services and concerts during the long days of winter, we bring light in the darkness and warmth to cold places. I just received a very kind and sincere note of gratitude for a funeral service I played last weekend; it reminded me of the “why” to our hard, often isolated work, which is the connection, warmth and hope we can offer during dark or difficult times.

Organ historian Douglas Bush introduced me to these beautiful words of Oliver Hereford, “I heard a bird sing in the dark of December, a magical thing, and sweet to remember.” Musicians indeed usher in the light, warmth, and songs that help people forge through life’s winters into spring.

I wish to express my thanks in particular to Shelby Fisher and Linda Margetts for their work toward a very successful open console event last Saturday at the LDS Conference Center. Looking to upcoming events, please join us on Friday, February 3rd at 7:30 pm, for the Tabernacle Organ Virtuoso Performance Series concert featuring Hungarian organist Viktor Billa. The following Friday, February 10th at 7:30 pm at First Baptist Church, we will enjoy a lecture recital by Kurt Lueders, of the Protestant Church of the Holy Spirit in Paris, France. Please join me this weekend and next in supporting both of these gifted visiting artists.

I hope to see you there!

Emily Spencer, Dean

SLCAGO