From the Dean
What a truly spectacular Organ Spectacular we had on Sunday afternoon. It was a celebration of organs, organ building, organ music, and organ performance. Our three outstanding organists used the Auditorium’s Aeolian-Skinner organ to its best advantage to showcase a wide variety of music for organ and for organ plus instruments. The first half of the program began with music for organ and brass, continued with two pieces for organ and violin, including Ornament of Grace by Bernard Wayne Sanders, and concluded with Jan Kraybill’s exciting performance of the Sonata No. 1 by Guilmant. The second half began with Jan Van Otterloo’s superb performance of Blithely Breezing Along by Stephen Paulus, the piece commissioned for performance at Organ Spectacular events. The concert concluded with outstanding performances of Leo Sowerby’s Pageant, William Bolcom’s What a Friend We Have in Jesus, and Franz Liszt’s Prelude and Fugue on B.A.C.H. by our 2007 Region VI winner of the AGO/Quimby Regional Competition for Young Organists, Adam Peithmann. If you had to miss the concert, you missed a very rewarding musical afternoon; if you missed the dinner, you not only missed a great Italian meal, but also a chance to win an Organ Spectacular T-shirt!
Our November 17 meeting at Village Presbyterian Church will offer a change of pace. Joe Utterback, celebrated American jazz pianist, will present a workshop on “Using Jazz Styles with Hymn Improvs,” followed by a jazz piano recital. To end the program, Ann Marie Rigler, at the organ, will join Dr. Utterback to play a movement from his Images for piano and organ duet. You can read Joe Utterback’s biography elsewhere in the Bombarde. If you have friends or students who are interested in jazz, invite them to come with you to our November meeting.
We will gather for dinner at 6:15, preceded by fellowship around the punch bowl. The program begins at 7:30. If you do not have a standing reservation for dinner, be sure to make a reservation by Wednesday, November 12, by calling 816.452.8222.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Bill McCandless, Dean
RESERVATION DEADLINE Wednesday, 12 November 2008 Call 816.452.8222. Please leave your name, phone number & number of reservations, if Jean is not home. Menu–A Thanksgiving Meal! Turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, buttered peas, cranberry jello salad, pumpkin and/or coconut pie, rolls and coffee |
Joe Utterback, jazz pianist
Celebrated American jazz pianist “Dr. Joe” Utterback is a featured performer throughout the United States. From his longtime annual appearances at The Tony Awards Gala Receptions and in the lobby of The Empire State Building for the Christmas season to his numerous solo jazz piano concerts, Joe’s high-energy improvs infuse blues, ballads, Broadway, and jazz classics with a captivating dynamic style. Igor Kipnis in Stereo Times said: “Utterback’s style is incredibly varied and his compositions, originals as well as arrangements, are sophisticated and endlessly inventive.”
With nine solo jazz improv CDs, more than 280 published jazz-influenced compositions performed internationally, and many recordings by other artists of his compositions, Utterback has received annual ASCAP awards since 1991. He has appeared at AGO regional conventions on many occasions and led workshops on improvisation for the Denver, Philadelphia, and Chicago national conventions. In 2007, Joe was featured at the Royal Canadian College of Organists convention in Edmonton: the University of Edmonton madrigal choir sang his “Song of the Wind” as part of their hymn festival; he performed an evening jazz concert with percussion and string bass; and he also presented two workshops introducing his choral music and jazz improv techniques with hymns.
Along with a DMA in piano performance from the University of Kansas and a faculty position at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut, where “Dr. Joe” resides, he directs the Stratford Sister Cities Chorus and serves as Director of Music and Organist for the Stratford First Congregational Church. He is under management with Bill & Mary Todt of Jazzmuze, Inc.
REQUIESCAT IN PACE
We extend our condolences to Joan Schmitt on the loss of her husband, Paul Schmitt, who passed away on Tuesday, 14 October 2008. Memorial contributions may be made to the "Paul J. Schmitt Jr. Memorial Fund" at Calvary Lutheran Church, 7500 Oak Street in Kansas City, MO.
INFOPAK IS NOW ON-LINE
The Greater Kansas City Chapter of AGO’s updated version of INFOPAK is online under the ‘contact us’ tab [new!]: http://kcago.com/contact.html. This resource is most helpful to both employer and employee.
PIPE ORGAN ENCOUNTER FLYER ON-LINE
Please check the PIPE ORGAN ENCOUNTER tab, and you can download copies of the flyer that publicize our POE in 2009. Tell your students or piano teachers!
Region VI Convention in Wichita
The Wichita Chapter of AGO announces the 2009 Region VI Convention, Pipes on the Plains, which will be held in Wichita, Kansas, 15-18 June 2009. Regional conventions provide opportunities for members from the entire region to gather for education, inspiration, and relaxation. The 2009 convention in Wichita is being planned with all of these in mind, with an outstanding program of artists, workshop leaders, and social activities. More information, including a list of featured performers, is available on page 119 of the September issue of The American Organist or at www.pipesontheplains09.org.
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN OUR REGION?
Go to Jan Kraybill’s blog: http://www.agor6.blogspot.com for everything you want to know!
UPCOMING RECITALS OF NOTE
Sunday, 2 November 2008, 4 p.m. Ken Cowan & Lisa Shihoten, organ and violin. Clinton United Methodist Church, 601 S. 4th St., Clinton, MO. Sponsored by Clinton Arts Council. Tickets $10, available from Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce, 660.885.8166. Contact Sam Lucas, slucas@clintonumc.net
Thursday, 6 November 2008, 7 p.m., Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Diocesan Choir of Kansas City/St. Joseph and Cathedral Choirs of Grace and Holy Trinity and Immaculate Conception perform John Rutter’s Requiem, with orchestra, honoring the memory of Monsignor "Bud" Fiedler. Individuals and families may remember Monsignor and others who have passed away by making a contribution in memory of that loved one. Names of loved ones will be listed in the program for a $25 donation. Deadline for listing names is 30 October 2008.
Friday, 14 November 2008 , 12:10 p.m., Westport Presbyterian Church, 201 Westport Rd., KCMO. Westport Center for the Arts: Brown Bag Concert Series: The Mariah Wind Trio: Nancy Clark, flute, Elena Lence Talley, clarinet, and Ann Bilderback, bassoon. FREE. Donations accepted. Coffee & cookies provided.
Sunday, 14 December 2008, 5 p.m, Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1700 Westport Rd. (at State Line Rd.) Bach Cantata Vespers: J. S. Bach’s Advent Cantata #65, “Sie werden aus Saba alle kommen” (All They from Sheba Shall Come) with the Vespers Choir and Orchestra. William T. Stewart, conductor. Free. The public is invited. 816.931.8483.
NOVEMBER PLACEMENT INFORMATION
Organist
Southminster Presbyterian Church (375 members) is seeking a part-time organist.3-manual Casavant, 28-voice Chancel Choir. Salary: $12,000 (no benefits); 10-12 hours/week; two Sunday services, 8:30am and 11:00am; one choir practice, 7:00pm Wednesdays. Position open until filled.Please send a resume and letter of interest to Dr. Stephanie Henry, Director of Music, Southminster Presbyterian Church, 6306 Roe Avenue, Prairie Village, KS 66208. Email to: stephhenry@sbcglobal.net
Choir Director
Ward Parkway Presbyterian Church, 7406 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, MO 64114. 1R, 1S, $N. Contact Joe Wilkinson, Director of Music/Organist at (816) 471-8188 or jnwilkinson@sbcglobal.net
Belton Christian Church, 409 Airway Lane, Belton, MO, 64012. Effective 1 January 2009. 1S two Sundays per month, 1R weekly and special services at Christmas and Easter. Salary negotiable. Send letter of interest to Dr. Jim Bottrell, Pastor, at the church.
SUBSTITUTES AVAILABLE FOR YOU
| Tom Atkin – org, lit, dir | 913.722.2404 | |
| Betty Bauer – org, lit | 913.814.9021 or 913.488.8417 | |
| Phyllis Curtis – org | (4th & 5th Sundays only) 913.839.8856, 913.406.5327 or 913.248.6600 | |
| Doris Daniels – org, lit | 816-431-3244, 816-721-3191 or 913.288.7129 | |
| Sharon Davies – org | 816.331.5581 | |
| Kathy Hellwege – org, dir, lit, sop, alto | 913.362.0594 or 913.706.0126 | |
| Steven McDonald – org, dir, lit | 785.841.4696 or 785.242.5200x5439 | |
| Nick Mourlam – org, lit | 913.488.1272 | |
| John Pitchford – org | 913.663.3768 | |
| Ann Marie Rigler – org, lit | 816.415.3792 or 816.781.7700x5199 | |
| James Snyder – org, dir | 816.765.1721 or 816.719.3289 | |
| Nancy Stankiewicz – org., lit | 913.642.8642 | |
| Marilyn VanderLinden – org, lit |
(very early or evening), 816.665.4441 | |
| Ann Warzyn – org | 816.453.5027 | |
| Roger Wischmeier – org | (Wed & Sun. p.m.) 816.761.3811 | |
| org=organist; lit=liturgical worship; dir=choral director; pian=pianist | ||
The absolute deadline for submissions to Bombarde's editor is the 20th of each month. Please email your information to bombarde@kcago.com.
(C)2008
Greater Kansas City Chapter of the American Guild of Organists