A few reactions by Lee Nelson, Jay Peterson, Derek Nickels and Jim Brown
The Southwest Michigan Chapter worked for over two years to make this regional convention a huge success for over 340 registrants. There were dozens of volunteers who were friendly and helpful. The convention booklet, our Bible for the four days, was beautifully executed, and provided detailed information about each event, various church histories, the organs and the artists. A tabbed page in the middle of the booklet conveniently detailed the convention schedule up close and by the hour.
Receptions on Sunday and Monday evenings offered a cash bar and a long table of tasty hors d’oeuvres. Exhibits were open each night, but were rather slim in numbers with one major music publishing company and an organ builder. The Radisson Hotel provided an ideal location in the heart of Kalamazoo, with all of the concerts/churches within easy walking distance—a rarity for any convention. The hotel, with several fine restaurants, a fitness center and a pool, served a superb buffet for the Tuesday evening banquet. (L.N.)
Learning new ideas and being inspired and newly motivated are, of course, major reasons for attending an AGO convention. Many workshops on a large variety of topics were offered, and it was often difficult to choose among them. Bruce Neswick, who we enjoyed in Glenview last April, shared a few of his ideas on building a vocabulary for improvisation. A former dean of the Grand Rapids Chapter offered some excellent suggestions for chapter growth. His experienced advice encouraged chapters to publish more, talk more and change or die. Our chapter should invite Frances Brockington of Wayne State University. Her ideas on dealing with healthy vocal issues in choral ensembles (with singers of all ages) were very enlightening. Joe Miller, head of choral ensembles at Westminster Choir College, was extremely impressive in leading a three day choral academy that was comprised of about seventy convention registrants. His superior influence on the American choral scene is already being felt worldwide. Brooks Grantier amazed us with his study of the collaborations in the twenties and thirties between W.K. Kellogg (as in Battle Creek’s corn flakes) and E.M. Skinner. (J.P.)
The Region V Convention of the American Guild of Organists in Kalamazoo and Battle Creek, Michigan offered a great variety of organs in a variety of acoustics. One of the last pipe organs (exclusively pipes) built by the Wicks firm in 2004 was heard during the Opening Service at First Congregational Church. The Subterranean Tuba on the Echo division is the only stop of its kind to be found in North America. The 1998 Létourneau organ at First Baptist sported a commanding horizontal reed that dared you to get close in addition to a hair-raising Cornet on the Great. It provided a nice contrast to its sister instrument built by the same firm two years later at First United Methodist. The brightly voiced Casavant in the rear gallery of First Presbyterian Church sang beautifully in sumptuous acoustics. The 2002 gallery installation by the Nichols & Simpson firm in the Catholic Cathedral sounded much larger than its 41 ranks. Lyn Dobson’s work was represented in three different instruments: St. Luke’s Episcopal, Miller Chapel of First Congregational Church in Battle Creek, and First Presbyterian in Battle Creek, all dating from 1989 to 1994. While one of the smallest instruments heard at the convention, the Skinner at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Battle Creek, boasted some beautiful and heroically sweet sounds in its 16 ranks. The Aeolian-Skinner in the W. K. Kellogg Auditorium was the largest and last organs to be heard on the convention. The 72 ranks placed on either side of the ornately appointed hall were well worth hearing. (D.N.)
The Region V AGO Convention featured organ recitals that were truly the equal of many national conventions. Susan De Kam, a prizewinner in the 2012 NYACOP competition at Winnetka Congregational Church offered superb playing on a very loud organ—first thing on Monday morning. One of the highlights was Nathan Laube’s performance at St. Augustine’s Cathedral. Laube’s realization of Franck’s Fantaisie in La was particularly memorable. German organist Christian Bischof performed his American debut recital featuring a group of early 15th-17th century works—expertly played and wonderfully enjoyable. Bischof also gave a top performance of Max Reger’s Fantasie and Fugue on BACH.
Renée Anne Louprette gave a fine rendition of the complete Opus 18 Antiphons of Marcel Dupré in her Tuesday evening recital on a very aggressive Létourneau instrument at First Baptist Church. Thomas Bara performed a recital on the small sixteen rank 1929 E.M. Skinner at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Battle Creek. It was a delight to hear wonderful playing on a small but very beautiful instrument.
Probably the finest recital of the convention was by Yun Kyong Kim at First Presbyterian, Battle Creek. She demonstrated excellent pacing, inventive programming and a couple of wild romps. Guillou’s transcription of Prokofiev’s Toccata in d minor was absolutely fantastic. Huw Lewis’ rendition of the complete third symphony of Vierne was enjoyed by all, and David Schrader held forth in consummate fashion at the grand finale recital. The Reubke Sonata and Dudley Buck’s Grand Sonata for solo organ were pitted against works by Sowerby and Dupré for organ, brass and percussion. (J.B.)
Congratulations to the Southwest Michigan Chapter for hosting such a well-planned and diverse convention. We hope that more of the North Shore membership will take advantage of such opportunities in the future.