1999
Region I AGO Convention
Worcester,
Massachusetts June 27-30, 1999
WORKSHOPS
ORGAN CHORAL CHURCH MUSIC
Liturgical Organ Music
in the 19th Century Martin Jean
The
Enlightenment and the Gothic Revival provide a paradoxical backdrop for the
19th century organ scene in Germany, England, and France. This workshop will
discuss important trends in the use of the organ in these countries and will
give a broad overview of this period's repertoire.
Making Early Music Come
Alive James David Christie
James David Christie is considered an international leading authority on early
music and performance practice. He will show how Baroque music can come alive
through touch, colorful registration, and imagination. This masterclass will
feature two young artists on the 50-stop mechanical action Taylor & Boody organ
built in the Dutch/North German tradition of the 17th century in St. Joseph's
Memorial Chapel, College of the Holy Cross.
The Organ Music of My
Brother, Jehan Alain (1911-1940) Marie-Claire Alain
For over 40 years, Marie-Claire Alain has been a tireless champion of her brother's
music. Her recordings of the complete organ works of Jehan Alain were awarded
the prestigious Grand Prix du Disque. Mme. Alain is currently making a revised
edition of Alain's organ works based on newly discovered manuscripts and has
recently published several of his instrumental works. She transcribed an improvisation
on Jewish themes that had been preserved on a limited edition recording made
by Jehan Alain while he was organist at the Synagogue of the Rue Nazareth in
Paris. Bring your scores of Alain to this workshop.
How to Make the Most
of the Practice Time You Don't Have with the Organ You Do Have Joyce Jones
Joyce Jones will share ideas for efficient learning techniques and maximizing
limited practice time. She will also give suggestions for organizing registration
and getting the most out of an organ of any size.
More Mozart for fhe
Organ? Thomas Murray
The world has long been puzzled by the scarcity of organ music by the master
who claimed, "The organ is my passion!" Recent examination of Mozart's keyboard
music suggests that a fair number of pieces previously thought to be for the
piano (including selections often published as music for piano four-hands) were
really intended for the organ. Come and survey this music with the guidance
of Prof. Murray.
Feats for the Feet
Joyce Jones
Sharing ideas for improving pedal efficiency with a repertoire list of music
for feet.
It Don't Mean a Thing
if You Can't Make 'Em Sing Kenneth Grinnell
How are we, as leaders of congregational song, to bring all that we have in
skill and heart to one of religion's oldest callings? This is an hour of looking
at the use of the organ - registration, choice of key, tempo, phrasing, knowledge
of style, understanding of the organist's role in worship - to make the best
use of ourselves in helping the people along with their music. The starting
point is with the understanding that the congregation is our most important
choir and how we can facilitate their musical role. Musical examples will abound
and participants encouraged to help illustrate from the console.
Vocal Solos Malcolm
Halliday
Don't always have a choir to sing at services? What can you use during the summer
if you have only one singer? This workshop will emphasize repertoire other than
the traditional, perhaps overused Oratorio arias and Victorian selections, which
often demand larger or better trained voices than one might have on call. An
effort has been made to find contemporary settings with inclusive language,
unusual repertoire (including works long overlooked), and a diversity of composers.
Two outstanding singers, soprano Maria Ferrante and baritone Donald Boothman,
will perform some of the repertoire discussed at the workshop.
Repertoire for the Small
Organ James Woodman
Many organists who regularly play small instruments have come to appreciate
the pleasure of music making on an intimate scale. The challenge for such musicians
is not how to make adaptations of large works but rather to explore the wealth
of literature written for the instruments they play. The workshop will begin
to explore this extensive repertoire, from the 15th century Buxheimer Orgelbόch
to Daniel Pinkham, from Tudor church music to Tournemire.
Creating Idiomatic Organ
Accompaniments Peter Sykes
All too often the organist is confronted with the situation of having to play
music on the organ that was not written for the organ. What is the true nature
of organ music, and how can music written for the piano or orchestra be translated
effectively (and easily) so that it can sound convincing on the organ? Peter
Sykes, who has recorded his own organ transcription of Gustav Holst's orchestral
suite The Planets to critical acclaim, will give a practical, hands-on demonstration
of techniques and attitudes that can help any organist deal more effectively
with transcribing music for the organ.
The Sacred Music of Charles
Ives Harold Stover
America's great musical innovator was also a great composer of religious music,
using the hymnody of his native New England to produce a unique and transcendent
spiritual art. This workshop will explore the gamut of Ives' sacred music, from
his earliest imitations of conventional Victorian church music to the visionary
masterpieces of his maturity through recordings and choral readings by workshop
participants.
Ringing RIGHT from the
Beginning: Handbell Fundamentals Daniel Moore
Put on some handbell gloves and experience the joy of making music with this
unique instrument. This session will present an overview of handbell choir organization,
equipment, resources, and basic ringing techniques. Lots of hand-outs and lots
of ringing!
Ringing UP: Techniques
to Get the Most Music from Your Handbell Choir Daniel Moore
Here is an opportunity for the established handbell choir director to refine/understand
some new developments in handbell techniques and notation. Drills and exercises,
basic maintenance and adjustments, choir management, recruitment, liturgical
applications, and developing a graded program will be addressed in discussion
and handouts.
Sing High, Sing Low
Richard Coffey
An exploration of a number of vocalises, warming-up exercises, and techniques
for expedient and effective choral rehearsals.
The Choral Art for Young
People: Voices, Minds, Spiritual, and Aesthetic Awareness Hazel Somerville
Musical training is not just about music! The many facets of choral singing
require mental agility, concentration, personal responsibility, and commitment.
In fact, singing in choirs can be a civilizing preparation for life: and the
younger it starts, the better. This workshop will include practical choir training
tips, an approach to vocal training, recommended repertoire, and a discussion
of ways to set the right conditions for a vibrant and well rounded program.
Masterpieces in Miniature
Richard Coffey
A chance to sing and discuss several short choral works by American composers.
Royal School of Church
Music in America Hazel Somerville
What is the RSCM and how can it help me? This question will be explored with
particular emphasis on the Chorister Training Program. The Royal School of Church
Music has the goal of enriching the lives of choir members, choir directors
and their congregations by providing courses and festivals with the express
purpose of improving skills for sacred choral music. Founded in England in 1927,
the organization has made the work with children a high priority.
Choral Reading: Hymns
and Spirituals Alice Parker
Read through new arrangements, with the composer offering her unique insights
into the music's melodies, structure, and performance possibilities.
Sing When the Spirit
Says Sing: Negro Spirituals Horace Clarence Boyer
Sing through new arrangements of Negro Spirituals with the percussive attacks,
brittle nuances, softened dialect, vocal color, and precise rhythms and attacks
that made these songs the first musical export of the United States. This workshop
is designed to cover the performance of Negro Spirituals in the "concert" and
"church" styles.
Sweet, Sweet Spirit:
African American Gospel Music Horace Clarence Boyer
This workshop is designed to familiarize participants with such gospel procedures
as "leading" songs, executing characteristic vocal devices, incorporating the
"high who," adding a "vamp," hand clapping, and body rhythm. Musical scores
of traditional and contemporary gospel songs will serve as the repertoire.
Professional Education
Workshop Stephen Rapp
National Headquarters representative Stephen Rapp will hold a lively discussion
on important issues facing musicians today.
MIDI: A Complement,
Not a Threat, to the Pipe Organ David Spicer
The MIDI, when combined with a pipe organ, opens a whole new world of possibilities.
Useful with solo organ literature, and especially for the sound that is needed
for Contemporary Christian music, the synthesizer can be a welcomed and a most
useful resource. To borrow a phrase from Fred Pratt Green, we enter "a new dimension
in the world of sound."
Pop Culture in the Church
Panel: Thomas Howard, Max Miller, and David Spicer
Some churches feel that an important tool of evangelism is music to which the
"masses can relate." Synthesizers, percussion, MIDI, guitars are all given place
over western "art music" in these heavily promoted "alternative worship" services.
What will be the place of Palestrina and Pop in the coming decades? Where will
be the Organ? What about Soft Rock? Known as intelligent speakers and clever
raconteurs with varying points of view, Spicer and Howard will join with Moderator
Miller to engage in entertaining and thought-provoking dialogue.
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