December 2015

San Francisco Chapter NewsletterThe American Guild of Organists

Submission deadline for the January issue is December 10

Inside this issueGive Us Your Students . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Silicon Valley January Jubilee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22015–2016 SFAGO Program Year (Abbreviated) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Classified Ads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Information Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Events Calendar & Looking Ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Dean’s Columnby Simon Berry

Dean’s Column, page 2

Dear organ builders:

Apart from a tonal palette that suits the needs of our con-gregations and the repertoire that we love to perform, we organists have a number of requests of you. Is it possible to fulfill these, or at least discuss them with us? Here is what we would like:

• a place to stow our pencils, erasers and post-its. They are essential parts of our practice and preparation. A little indentation in the area over the top manual or below the stop jambs will work, or a small drawer under the stop jambs.

• a clock that’s easily visible and that can be replaced easily when it stops working. Perhaps you just need to leave a space for one if it is not built into the organ transmission system.

• a rise and fall bench. Every car I’ve owned has one; my bike has one. Fixed benches for pianos in serious colleges and concert halls are rare; harp benches are all adjustable yet by no means are all organ benches. Yet we play multiple manuals and pedals and have multiple extra controls to manipulate, and we have different body shapes and dimensions. When you supply the rise and fall bench please also design a way that we can tell how high it is.

• honest naming on duplexed stops. Please stop the practice of giving duplexed stops different names when they appear in another department or at different pitches. It doesn’t help us choose stops and it appears to make the organ look larger. We suggest acknowledging every borrow and duplex on the stop control.

• compass range shown on short stops. Please acknowledge all stops which are of less than full compass such as celestes that stop at tenor C, Tierce and Nazard stops that are just four octaves, etc.

• standard dimensions and resistances on pedals and keyboards. Please check your keyboard and

February Chapter Eventfrom John Karl Hirten

The San Francisco Chapter of the American Guild of Organists presents:

Seven Ways to Step-up Your Hymn Playing:A Workshop with Dr Timothy HowardFor organists, music ministers, and churchgoers

Monday, February 15, 20169:00 AM to 3:00 PM

St Stephen’s Church3 Bay View Ave. (Corner of Golden Gate Ave.)

Belvedere, CA 94920

Soup lunch included

What can you do as a music minister to help your congregation sing better? Dr Timothy Howard will explore nine creative and powerful ways to help improve your accompanying skills. Dr Howard is Director of Music/Organist at Pasadena Presbyterian Church, Pasadena, California, and Lecturer in Music at California State University, Northridge. He is increasingly in demand as an organist,

educator, conductor, clinician, noted improvisor, continuo player and arranger.  s

SFAGO Newsletter • December 20152

Mark your calendars! On Saturday, Feb. 15, 2016 (President’s Weekend),

SFAGO presents Dr Timothy Howard in a workshop called “Seven Ways to Step-up Your Hymn Playing.” It will take place from 9 AM to 3 PM at St Stephen’s

Episcopal Church in Belvedere.

pedal board dimensions and springing resistances against established norms (such as AGO or RCO or RCO). The variety of widths, overhangs, springing, etc., varies hugely even on modern electric action organs.

Some builders have been acknowledged for their comfortable console arrangements (think Harrison and Harrison or EM Skinner). Now it’s your turn to emulate the successful builders.

Cordially, Your friends, the organists  s

Dean’s Column, from front page

Give Us Your Students!from Elizabeth Fosyth

Do you have a piano student age 10–18 or know of one in your congregation? Sign them up for the sure-

to-be-fantastic YOUTH ORGAN CRAWL in San Francisco Saturday, January 16, beginning at 9 a.m.

Three fabulous large organs will be demonstrated by their respective organists, followed by open console time for the students. Pizza lunch is included. Please contact Elizabeth Forsyth at e_forsyth@yahoo.com for details and to register your student for this fun and educational day. Organ students are also welcome!  s

Silicon Valley January Jubileefrom Paul Rosas

The Silicon Valley January Jubilee is going to be held this coming January 16, beginning 8:30 am at Los Altos

United Methodist Church. Do you need some inspiration or new ideas for your worship service? We have an exciting lineup of Bay Area musicians who will be giving great workshops to help you create a better worship experience for your congregation. Check out the October TAO for a detailed description of the workshops. Keep your eyes open for more information on how to sign up for this event. The $25 registration includes lunch. To preregister, contact tpaulrosas@comcast.net.  s

Saturday, January 16, 2016 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Lunch included

Youth Organ CrawlSt Mary’s Cathedral / St Mark’s Lutheran

Church / St Luke’s Episcopal ChurchSan Francisco

Open to young pianists and organists, ages 10–18. Limit 12.

Email Elizabeth Forsyth at e_forsyth@yahoo.com to reserve a spot for your student

January 24, 2016 — 4 p.m.Celebrity Recital with Hector Olivera

Grace Cathedral1100 California Street

San FranciscoReception following

Monday, February 15, 2016 — 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.President’s Day Workshops

with special clinician Timothy Howard

St Stephen’s Episcopal Church3 Bayview Avenue, Belvedere

Lunch included

Friday, April 22, 2016 — 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Workshop/ Master Class

with Richard Elliott“10 Steps to Becoming a Better Organist”

First Congregational Church2345 Channing Way, Berkeley

Friday, April 22, 2016 — 8:00 p.m.Celebrity Recital with Richard Elliott

Principal Organist, Salt Lake Tabernacle

First Congregational Church 2345 Channing Way, Berkeley

Free to members, $20 general admissionReception following

2015–2016 SFAGO Program(Abbreviated)

SFAGO Newsletter • December 2015 3

SFAGO Newsletter is published monthly, August thru May, with a Summer issue for June/July, by the San Francisco Chapter, American Guild of Organists . Opinions stated herein are those of the individual contributors and do not necessarily reflect official policies of this Chapter . The deadline for receipt of all newsletter items is the 10th of the month preceding publication . Dean: Simon Berry, 415.674.0430, simoncberry@gmail.com Sub Dean: Elizabeth Forsyth, e_forsyth@yahoo.com Sub Dean Elect: George Emblom, gaemblom@aol.com Secretary: Arthur West, arthurwest@gmail.com Treasurer: William Visscher, bvissch@fastmail.fm Registrar: Christoph Tietze, 415.924.1377, orgelchris@yahoo.com Webmaster: Alex Oldroyd, alex@oldroyds.com Chapter Website: www.sfago.org

Newsletter Departments: Send your entries to the appropriate editor; all submissions due by 10th of the month preceding publication Events Calendar Listings: Brian Swager, 415.551.7866, sfagocal@gmail.com Job Placement & For Sale Listings: David Howitt, 510-437-0254, dhowitt@sjbalameda.org Obituary Listings: To be announced Newsletter Articles: George Morten, 209.565.6660, sfago-editor@att.net 20

15–2016

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Classified AdsCollected by David Howitt

This information is provided as a service to SFAGO members and the employing institutions . Inclusion of information in this column does not imply endorsement by the SFAGO . Send Job Referrals items, Substitutes Available notices, and For Sale items to: dhowitt@sjbalameda .org . Deadline for the January issue is December 10. Online listings available at: www .sfago .org/jobs/

SFAGO Newsletter • December 2015 3

Positions Available

San FranciscoINTERIM ORGANIST, St Elizabeth Roman Catholic ChurchSt Elizabeth Roman Catholic Church is looking for an interim organist from January–May and possibly for a longer period . The Sunday mass is at 9:30am with a 9:00am choir rehearsal . There is an option of two–four Sundays per month depending on the applicant’s availability . Although the choir sings for this mass, the organist would not be responsible for rehearsals, planning hymns and service music nor scheduling cantors . The organ is a two-manual, 21-rank Schoenstein, opus 94 . If interested please send an email to: Karen Haslag khaslag@comcast .net; St . Elizabeth Church, 459 Somerset St ., San Francisco 94134

MUSIC DIRECTOR, Noe Valley Ministry, PCUSADuties: Communicate and coordinate music for Sunday worship with pastor on or before Wednesday of the same week (sometimes sooner if vacation schedules require); Conduct choir rehearsal immediately prior to Sunday worship from 9:30–10:15am; Lead choir rehearsals alternate Wednesday evenings, from 7:30–9:00pm; Responsible for prelude, offertory and postlude in addition to playing hymns and accompanying the choir during Sunday worship from 10:30–11:30am; Provide musical accompaniment and choir conducting during other special services of the church; Include your own creative adaptations or compositions as part of your work, as approved by the Pastor and/or Worship Committee . Benefits: Sick leave granted at the beginning of each calendar year

– 2 Sundays per year (rate in accordance with California Sick Leave Requirements); Pay is bi-weekly by direct deposit or paycheck .Contact: Rev . David Brown, Noe Valley Ministry/Presbyterian Church USA, 1021 Sanchez St ., San Francisco; 415/282-2317; sfrevdab@gmail .com .

Note – this announcement has been edited for length. Please contact the listings coordinator for a complete job description: dhowitt@sjbalameda .org

ASSISTANT ORGANIST, Star of the Sea Catholic Church, San Francisco. See November newsletter .

North BaySUBSTITUTE ORGANIST, First Church of Christ Scientist, BelvedereThe First Church of Christ Scientist, Belvedere is seeking an occasional substitute organist, specifically for December 27, 2015 . Two services weekly: Sunday 10:00am and Wednesday 7:30pm . Rehearsals are arranged with the church soloist . The pay is $160 for the Sunday service and $120 for the Wednesday evening service . The instrument is a two manual, 11 rank Schoenstein Organ, opus #99 . If interested please contact: Charles Caviness, 415/435-9618, c .caviness@sbcglobal .net

ORGANIST, Nazareth House, San RafaelNazareth House is a Catholic assisted living community in San Rafael that is sponsored by the Sisters of Nazareth . They are looking for an organist for their weekly mass on Sunday at 9:30am with a pre-mass rehearsal with the House Superior at 8:45am . The instrument is a new two manual and pedal Allen organ . If interested please contact: Sister Catherine, Nazareth House, 245 Nova Albion Way, San Rafael, CA 94903, 415/479-8282

PART-TIME MUSIC DIRECTOR, St Francis Episcopal Church, Novato. See November newsletter .

East BayPART-TIME INTERIM ORGANIST, Resurrection Lutheran Church, Oakland. See November newsletter .

INTERIM AND PERMANENT ORGANIST, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Concord. See November newsletter .

HECTOR IS COMING!

Save the date: Hector Olivera will be performing at Grace Cathedral on Sunday, January 24, 2016, at 4 p.m. Please look for more details in the January newsletter.

SFAGO Newsletter • December 20154

Bay Area Concert CalendarCollected by Brian Swager

Events, dates, times, and locations are subject to change without notice . Compiled from flyers, press releases, and listings submitted by members and organizations . SFAGO is not responsible for errors, although every effort is made to be accurate . Submission deadline for the January issue is December 10 . Send event listings to sfagocal@gmail .com . For the most up-to-date calendar, visit www.sfago.org, click on SFAGO Bay Area Concert Calendar .

Recurring VenuesChurches and institutions offering programs on a regular basis have been assigned abbreviations so as to save space in our listings . Abbreviations are listed below with the full name of the venue . When no city is stated, San Francisco is assumed .

December2015

16 Saturday8:30am . Silicon Valley AGO Jubilee . See the October issue of TAO for workshop details . $25 . tpaulrosas@comcast .net . Los Altos United Methodist Church, Los Altos

9am–3pm . SFAGO Event . Organ Crawl . Berkeley

23 Saturday5pm . Men’s Chorus with chamber orchestra . Susan Jane Matthews, Director; Joey Blundell, Countertenor . Bach: Cantata 169, Duruflé: Messe cum jubilo . Freewill donation . Reception follows . SPE-BU

24 Sunday3:30pm . Albatross Clarinet Quartet . $15 donation . RP-SR

4pm . SFAGO Event . Hector Olivera, Organ . Grace Cathedral

CPLH: Calif . Palace of the Legion of Honor FPC-O: First Presbyterian Ch, Oakland RP-SR: Resurrection Parish, Santa Rosa SME-B: St Mark’s Episcopal Ch, Berkeley SPE-BU: St Paul’s Episcopal Ch, Burlingame

Looking Ahead

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December5 Saturday4pm . David Hegarty, Organ . CPLH

5pm . Advent Lessons & Carols . Susan Jane Matthews, Director . Bachmann: I look from afar; Poston: Jesus Christ the apple tree; Ticheli: There will be rest; Rachmaninoff: Bogoroditse Devo; Rütti: I wonder as I wander; Howells: Magnificat. Freewill donation . Reception follows . SPE-BU

6 Sunday4pm . David Hegarty, Organ . CPLH

7:30pm . San Francisco City Chorus . Sing-along Messiah . $10 . Lakeside Presbyterian Church

12 Saturday4pm . Jonathan Dimmock, Organ . CPLH

13 Sunday4pm . Jonathan Dimmock, Organ . CPLH

4pm . Sing-along Messiah with Friction Quartet . $10–$20 suggested donation; children free . FPC-O

6:05pm . Elizateth Forsyth, Organ . Preceded by 5:30 Evensong . Reception follows . SME-B

26-27 Saturday & Sunday4pm . John Walko, Organ . CPLH

January 201610 Sunday6:05pm . Michael Messina, Organ . Preceded by 5:30 Evensong . Reception follows . SME-B

February 20166 Saturday5pm . Choral Evensong . Susan Jane Matthews, Director . Davies: God be in my head, Sumsion: They that go down to the sea in ships, Magnificat and Nunc dimittis in G. Freewill donation . Reception follows . SPE-BU

14 Sunday4pm . Hans Hielscher, Organ . Mission Dolores Basilica

6:05pm . Robert Bozeman, Organ . Preceded by 5:30 Evensong . Reception follows . SME-B

15 Monday9am–2pm. SFAGO Event . Presidents’ Day Workshops . St Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Belvedere

21 Sunday3:30pm . Lyle Sheffler, Guitar . $15 donation . RP-SR

28 Sunday5:30pm . Choral Evensong . St Francis Choir; Robert Kerman, Director; Rodney Gehrke, Organ . Buxtehude cantata: Jesu, meine Freude . St Francis Episcopal Church

Season’s Greetings

Best Wishes for the

New Year