The November/December 2013 Pipings Newsletter for the Ann Arbor Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.

1. ANNARBORAGO.ORG
NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2013
ANN ARB O R PI PI NGS
ABOVE: STEPHANIE YU & DUBOIS
LEFT: PARTICIPANTS OF THE
MASTERCLASS WITH DUBOIS
Vincent Dubois Wows Ann Arbor
On October 23rd,Vincent Dubois gave a
masterclass to four University of Michigan organ
students as part of his artist in residency at the
School of Music, Theater, and Dance. The students
played as follows:
Stephanie Yu - Grigny, Veni Creator
Glenn Tucker - Franck, Prière
JAMES KIBBIE, MICHELE JOHNS, KARL SCHROCK,
MARILYN MASON, & VINCENT DUBOIS
Ye Mee Kim - Duruflé, Prélude et Fugue sur
ALAIN
Josh Boyd - Dupré, Symphonie Passion, Final
Vincent Dubois concluded his time in Ann Arbor
with a stunning recital of French organ music in
Hill Auditorium on Friday, November 1.
ATTENDEES AT THE MASTERCLASS

2. A Letter from the Dean
Monday (Nov. 11) was St. Martin of Tours day (b.
316). 'Martinmass' was a great festival of the
Medieval times, instituted in the 5th century by
Pope Martin I. The underlayment of Martinmas is
twofold, the ancient Roman 'beginning of winter'
festival and the ancient Celtic festival of 'Samhain'
celebrating the New Year. Even at Martinmas this
was a time of visitations of angels and Saint Martin
(not unlike St Nick), as well as various sprites and
demons about, communing with the world beyond,
and a time of special foods, drink, and many
parties. The veneration of Martin spread quickly
throughout Europe and his folk festival grew
greatly (It's part of the magic of the church that
they pasted this feast squarely on the pagan feast,
the church didn't obliterate the pagan folk festivals
but 'Christianized' them-- It's nice we got to keep
the parties and a lot of the music!
Even in the 21st century, as we head on toward
the darkest depths of the solstice on Dec 21 this
is a magical and mysterious time of year, perfect for
the pipe organ as we bring from our stores our
Advent, Christmas and recital music.
There is so much fine organ music these days
around here, I can only marvel. "The sacred music
of Alfred V Fedak" at First Presbyterian in Ann
Arbor (Oct 11) featuring the composer as
Organist along with the vey musical choir of First
Presbyterian and their director Tom Granum was
inspirational ('Fanfare, Reflection and Dance',
commissioned by our Guild in honor of Marilyn
Mason will be heard again at our 'New Music
Festival' in February).
This Friday (concert) and Saturday (masterclass)
please note the upcoming EMU Improvisation
Symposium (again this year co-sponsored by Ann
Arbor AGO) featuring Dr Horst Buchholz and
soprano MeeAe Nam. Of course, our holiday
favorite 'An Organist's Christmas' featuring our
own Aaron Tan, MaryAnn Crugher Balduf and
Pamela Ruiter- Feenstra as well as the Ann Arbor
Boychoir is Dec 06.
Briefly before I share other news with you, I say
kudos to Colin Knapp at the Ypsilanti Pipe Organ
Festival concert Nov 03, Vincent Dubois at Hill
Friday Nov 01 and Terry Jankowski on the
symphonic Casavant at the IHM Motherhouse in
Monroe Oct 20...
AGO A2 News updates:
--Our longtime Archivist, Dr James Wilkes will
now be working with Board members (and UM
students) Joshua Boyd and Mary Zelinski. Our
archives are in the Bentley Historical Library and
are updated on a regular basis.
--We have a new Webmaster, Meghan Meloy, who
is currently taking over from Tom Strode. The
website has been growing and evolving since its
early inception; and we give sincere thanks to
Tom to bringing the website to this point (and
Marsha Rinke before that).
Giving and finances:
--our chapter recently gave $200 to the AGO
General fund, which serves us all
--our chapter is committed again this year to
giving $2500 to support 'Pipedreams' on WRCJ
09.9 FM Radio, Detroit. To date, we are well
short, please consider a gift.
Our annual contribution not only helps pay for
'Pipedreams' but provides our chapter enormous
benefit through 16 weekly message 'spots' on the
air. Partly through WRCJ we have become a
regional chapter reaching thousands of musicians
as well as the general public. As you know, these
radio ads we update and change on a regular
basis.
--please support the upcoming 'POEA' sponsored
by our chapter.
All best to each of you. I leave you with the
words of Walt Whitman: 'I heard you solemnsweet pipes of the organ as last Sunday morn I
pass'd the church, winds of autumn, as I walked
the woods at dusk, I heard your long-stretch'd
sighs up above so mournful.'...
Pax et summum bonum
Timothy Huth
Dean, Ann Arbor AGO

3. A Letter from the Sub-Dean
Another Advent and Christmas season is fast
approaching. And what do I find myself thinking
about already? This summer's Hymn Society
Conference. I understand I am writing to you as
Sub-Dean of this very fine Ann Arbor Chapter of
the AGO and most often our focus is on many of
the aspects relating to organ performance/
working as church organists. But have you ever
considered either becoming a member of the
Hymn Society, or if you are a member, attending
one of the summer conferences? If you have
answered yes to one or both of those questions,
this summer is the perfect opportunity to take
advantage of both! Over the last five years, the
conferences have been held in Colorado Springs,
CO, Birmingham, AL, Winnepeg, Manitoba,
Canada, Northville, MN and Richmond, VA (not in
that order!). But this summer the Hymn Society
will be having it's annual conference just a short
drive away in Columbus, OH. I ask you to
consider attending this summer's conference.
Every day of the conference features a variety of
educational sectionals aimed at teaching a wide
variety of aspects relating to not only hymnody
but church music in general. There is also a daily
hymn festival, which is something you have
probably and will probably never experience
anything like anywhere else. Not only are the
members of the Hymn Society wonderful
musicians, just like those of you in our chapter
of the AGO, but they are some of the most
wonderfully caring and welcoming people you
will ever meet. Want to know more? Feel free
to send me an email at oboesip@gmail. Or stop
by the Hymn Society website at
www.thehymnsociety.org. You won't be
disappointed!
Sipkje Pesnichak
Sub-Dean, Ann Arbor AGO
Merry Christmas from James Kibbie!
James Kibbie continues his annual holiday tradition of
offering free downloads of a recording on his house
organ, a 7-stop Létourneau tracker, as an “audio
holiday card.” This year’s recording is Jan Koetsier's
"Partita on Wachet auf," Op. 41/3, for Trombone and
Organ, recorded with David Jackson, Professor of
Trombone at the University of Michigan.
The recording is available in MP3 and streaming
audio formats at:
http://www-personal.umich.edu/~jkibbie/Site/
Holiday_Recordings.html

4. EMU Improvisation Symposium
ANNUAL IMPROVISATION SYMPOSIUM
and
the Ann Arbor Chapter of the American Guild of Organists
present
RENEWAL and INNOVATION
A Concert of Solo Organ Works and
Works for Voice and Organ
Friday, November 15, 2013, 7:30 p.m.
with
Guest Organist Horst Buchholz
and
EMU Professor of Voice MeeAe Cecilia Nam
AND
AN ORGAN MASTERCLASS
Saturday, November 16, 2013, 10 a.m. – Noon
with
Guest Organist Horst Buchholz
Organ Recital Hall
Alexander Music Building

5. A2’s Most Festive
Pipe Organ Event
of the Season is
COMING UP!
Please join us on Friday, Dec. 6th at
7:30pm at First United Methodist
Church in Ann Arbor for the annual
Organist's Christmas concert! This year
we have three stellar soloists with
marvelous repertoire picked out for
you. And back by popular demand, the
Boychoir of Ann Arbor will be back and
adding their beautiful voices to the evening's
organ works. MaryAnn Crugher Balduf, Pamela
Ruiter-Feenstra and Aaron Tan will all perform
some of their favorite Advent and Christmas
organ music.You won't want to miss this!
Pa m e l a R u i t e r- Fe e n s t ra w i l l b e
performing "Toccata on Veni Emmanuel" by
Adolphus Hailstork, CRANHAM ("In the Bleak
Midwinter") from "On This Day, Earth Shall
Ring" by Pamela Decker and "Fugue on Vom
Himmel Hoch" by Pamela Ruiter-Feenstra.
MaryAnn Crugher Balduf will be
performing "Fanfare and Chorale" from Triptych
on an English Noël by Franklin D. Ashdown,
"Noël Basque" by Dom Paul Benoit, "Poèm
Mystique" by Richard Purvis and "Alleluias"
from Portraits of Bethlehem by Robert C. Lau.
Aaron Tan will be performing:
Peter Tchaikovsky, arr. Aaron Tan - 3 scenes
from Nutcracker
i. Decorating and Lighting the Christmas Tree
ii. March
ix. Waltz of the Snowflakes
Marius Monnikendam (1896-1977) - Tema con
Variazione per la Notte di Natale (Theme with
Variations for Christmas Eve)
We can't wait to see you on December 6!

6. Looking Ahead at 2014
We took time earlier this fall to give you
further details about our upcoming A2AGO
events. Here is the remainder of our season
starting with our annual Epiphany Party in
Burton Memorial Tower. Please join us on
S u n d a y, J a n u a r y 5 t h
starting at 7pm for a
time of music and
fellowship. All members
are invited and we ask
that everyone bring a
snack and/or dessert to
share. This is a
wonderful time to
gather with fellow
members to relax after
a busy holiday season!
We have two fantastic events in the month of
February. On Saturday, Feb. 1 from 9:30-11:30am
in Room 2110 at the School of Music, Theater
and Dance at the University of Michigan we will
have a workshop led by Dr. Julie Nagel. The
wo r k s h o p, " Pe r f o r m a n c e A n i e t y :
Managing Your Musical Fears" will
feature psychologist Julie Nagel and will explore
the physical, emotional and neurological aspects
of musical performance and the obstacles that
musicians often face through performance
anxiety, stage fright and feelings of inadequacy.
Participants in this workshop will gain
knowledge and tools to aid in optimal artistic
performance and preparation. If you have ever
experienced any performance related anxiety,
or know someone who has, this is the
workshop for you!
At the end of February on Friday, Feb. 28th start
at 7:30pm at Bethlehem United Church of
Christ we will be having a New Music
Concert featuring music composed by area
composers from throughout Southeast
Michigan and Northwest Ohio featuring the
organ.
This year's Lenten Recital Series will be
held in the same location, but the time of day
has changed! The first Lenten Recital will take
place at First Congregational Church in Ann
Arbor on Friday, March 7 at 5:15pm. It is our
hope that more members and non-members
alike will be able to attend on their way home
from work to enjoy some wonderful organ
music to provide a bit of a respite from the
regular hustle and bustle of our busy
schedules. These concerts will not last more
than an hour. Please come and enjoy music
performed by our many talented area
musicians.
Also taking place in March is a concert cosponsored by the Ann Arbor Chapter of the
AGO and the Ypsilanti Pipe Organ Festival,
performed by Daniel Roth. On Sunday,
March 23rd at 4pm come hear the virtuoso
organist, composer and pegagogue Daniel
Roth perform live in concert. Daniel Roth is
the titular organist
for St. Sulpice in
Paris where some
of his predecessors
include CharlesMarie Widor and
Marcel Dupre. This
is sure to be one of
the finest concerts
in this area this
ye a r. Yo u wo n ' t
want to miss it!

7. Support Our Pipe Organ Encounter Advanced!
You recently received a letter containing
information about the upcoming Pipe
Organ Encounter Advanced,
requesting your support. We hope to
have 100% participation in supporting
the POEA, not just from our chapter,
but from AGO members throughout
Region V. Gifts of any amount are
welcome. For our last POE, AA AGO
chapter members contributed a total of
over $750. Let's all work together to
surpass that goal.
Checks can be made out to
Ann Arbor POEA
and sent to:
Sherri Brown
2842 Walton Blvd.
Waterford, MI 48329
Thank you!
Marcia Van Oyen

8. Ypsilanti Pipe Organ Festival
On Sunday, November 3, over one-hundred
enthusiastic audience members filled the pews of First
Presbyterian Church of Ypsilanti to hear the Ypsilanti
Pipe Organ Festival presentation of a concert for
Soprano & Organ featuring Olivia Betzen, soprano,
Colin Knapp, organ, and the Heron Chamber Orchestra
conducted by Joshua Boyd. The highlights included Lili
Boulanger’s Pie Jesu and Bach’s glorious Cantata No. 51
“Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen.” More info regarding
the series can be found at ypsipipes.org.

9. Third Annual High School Organ Festival & Competition
Winston-Salem, NC
With prizes guaranteed to be at least $3500 and potentially over $10,000, UNC School of the Arts,
Salem College, and the Winston-Salem Chapter of the AGO are pleased to announce the Third Annual
High School Organ Festival & Competition the weekend of January 24-26, 2014. The festival and
competition is open to any High School Senior or younger. The competition will be held at First Baptist
Church of Winston-Salem (First Baptist Church Grooms & Payne Organ), and the Festival portion will be
held on the campuses of UNCSA (UNCSA Fisk, Op. 75) & Salem College (Salem College Flentrop
Organ).
This year's competition application requires a CD submitted with letters of reference by
December 13, 2013.
Included during the weekend in addition to the competition is a masterclass with world-renowned
Injury-Preventive Keyboard Technique pedagogue, Barbara Lister-Sink; an introduction to Alexander
Technique; and a masterclass and individual lessons with UNCSA & Salem College organ professor, Dr.
Timothy Olsen, all of which are included in the application fee.
Eight finalists will be chosen from the application pool, and will be notified by December 20, 2013.
Job Openings
Old St. Patrick Catholic Church in Ann Arbor, Michigan is seeking a qualified candidate to
work as a part-time Music Director and Organist (15-20 hours/week.) If desired, the position might be
supplemented with unrelated work at the parish office. Salary is flexible with experience. Proficiency at
the organ, experience directing choirs, the ability to cantor, familiarity with Roman Catholic Church
documents on music and the liturgy, and a working knowledge of Gregorian chant is required. Familiarity
with the Extraordinary Form of the Mass and pronunciation of ecclesial Latin is highly recommended.
Responsibilities include one weeknight choir rehearsal, three weekend Masses, one weekend choir
rehearsal, additional seasonal rehearsals, additional yearly liturgies including Masses on Holy Days,
holidays, First Communion, Confirmation, a monthly Extraordinary Form Mass, and twice-yearly penance
service liturgies. There is additional compensation for weddings and funerals. Old St. Patrick is a small
but historic parish that is committed to fulfilling the ideals set by Vatican II in continuity with the
Church's rich spiritual tradition. Please send a cover letter and resume to
Debbie@stpatricka2.org or 5671 Whitmore Lake Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
From Michele Johns:
There is a good job open at Cherry Hill Presbyterian in Dearborn Heights. (40 minutes
from campus) One of our recent DMA grads, Luke Davis, served the church for several years and
enjoyed the job and the people.
Please contact Michele Johns at johnsm@umich.edu or 734-662-8612 for more information

10. Job Openings Continued
The First Presbyterian Church of Battle Creek
111 Capital Avenue, NE • Battle Creek, MI 49017
Mission Statement
The mission of First Presbyterian Church is to share God’s love and grace with all people and celebrate
the truth of Jesus Christ. We fulfill this purpose by: Serving Christ through SERVICE to others, connecting
people to God through OUTREACH, and nourishing people in the Spirit through WORSHIP,
FELLOWSHIP, and DISCIPLESHIP.
Position Description - Director of Music Ministries
PURPOSE: To serve the church through a choir and instrumental music program that gives glory and praise
to God, promotes a positive Christian witness, and contributes to the spiritual growth of the
congregation.
REQUIREMENTS:
1. Experienced church musician (2 years experience or more) with a degree in music and knowledge of
liturgy.
2. Excellent pianist and organist with skills in both classical and contemporary service.
3. Must have the appropriate level of conducting skills.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Work closely with the Pastor in developing and leading the worship life of the congregation through the
ministry of music.
2. Prepare and provide direct leadership for vocal and instrumental ensembles and congregational singing
during worship service.
3. Provide music leadership for Sunday Morning Service(s) as well as special services such as: Christmas
Eve, Ash Wednesday, and Maundy Thursday.
4. Recruit and direct volunteers for musical ensembles including but not limited to chancel and handbell
choirs, and praise team(s).
5. Promote opportunities for special music during worship, direct and accompany such persons as needed.
6 . As schedule permits, provide music for weddings and funerals.
7. Maintain the musical library and manage the budget of all vocal and instrumental music programs of the
church.
8. Responsible for obtaining substitutes when absent.
9. Attend staff meetings and retreats as schedule permits.
10. Carry out other relevant tasks, duties or responsibilities which may be assigned by the Head of Staff.
ANTICIPATED WORK SCHEDULE: This is a part-time position, approximately 18-20 hours per week,
exempt.
SALARY RANGE: $22,000 – 25,000 Contingent on level of experience and education.
Applications will be accepted from November 1, 2013 until December 1, 2013
E mail: admin@firstpresbc.org
FAX: 269-964-7488