Newsletter

February, 2008

American Guild of Organists
Jackson, MS, Chapter

Members’ Recital

7:30 p.m. Friday, February 22, 2008
Millsaps College
Academic Complex Concert Hall

Call for Participants!

If you would like to perform on our Members’ Recital, please send your selection by phone, mail, or email. In regard to practice time: I plan to have the organ available most of the day on Saturday, Feb. 16; if this is not possible for you, times can also be arranged during the week. (Not available 12:00-1:00 M-F and 12:00-2:00 Fri.) Let me know several possible times, and I will check with Millsaps and coordinate the practice schedule.

The instrument is a 1968 Moller three manual of approximately 40 ranks, renovated in 2006. It has one level of memory with six general and also divisional pistons. While we can assign some of the pistons, it would be advisable to plan to handset the beginning and select registrations that do not require excessive time-consuming piston changes. I think you will enjoy the instrument.

Even if you don’t choose to play, please come and enjoy the program and support your colleagues!

Carol Durham
cdurham@comcast.net
601-924-0469 or 601-906-0350

Pedals, Pipes, and Pizza Report

Your chapter hosted a very successful Pedals, Pipes, and Pizza event on January 19. There were three pipe organ venues in close proximity: Provine Chapel at Mississippi College and across the street at First Baptist Church of Clinton with instruments in the Old and New Sanctuaries. The morning began in Provine with a welcome from Carol Durham and performances by MC freshman organ major Chris Ray (Bach’s Prelude and Fugue in F Minor and Bridge’s Adagio on E Major) and Bob Knupp (Bach’s Toccata in D Minor, of course).

Four student groups then rotated among for presentations. At Provine Bob Knupp gave a tour of the pipe chambers and also demonstrated use of midi. Glenn Gentry led a participatory demonstration with pipes. At First Baptist, Sheila Hess demonstrated how that organ is used in worship, including the playing of hymns, and Billy Trotter gave a mini organ class lesson showing how organ playing differs from piano playing. At each location the students were given opportunity to try playing the organs, especially trying out their Bach Festival pieces!

Thanks are also due to Annie Coleman, Tricia Dennis, Shirlene Gill, Roseanne Smith, and Barbara Tracy, who also assisted.

Because of the snowy morning, only twenty of the fifty-two registrants were able to attend. Those who came exhibited great enthusiasm, and several responded to the possibility of a few complimentary organ lessons which Bob Knupp is arranging.

And of course the morning was concluded with a pizza feast served in the lobby of Aven Hall.

Upcoming Events

March 7 at 7:30 p.m.:
Annual Choral/Organ Concert, featuring The Belhaven College Choirs, under the direction of Dr. Chris Shelt, singing the Lord Nelson Mass, by Haydn, accompanied by wind ensemble and guest organist Dr. Jeff McLelland, who will also present a short organ recital; at Northminster Baptist Church (note change of venue).

April 17 at 7:30 p.m.:
Organist Yoon-Mi Lim performing at Galloway Memorial Methodist Church.