19 September 2024
Message from the Dean
We have just finished celebrating more than 75 years of our chapter’s existence! The past year of 2022-2023 was again very rewarding and informative where: Sub-dean Leatha Kieser presented the history and hymnody of Lowell Mason and recitals with and without a choir, chapter and community members enjoyed music of Ralph Vaughan Williams, music of Cesar Frank at Zion Lutheran Church in Sunbury, an Estonian Holiday, an exploration of organs at First Presbyterian Church in Troy, Mansfield University, and Tioga, PA.
2024 Program Highlights
The 2024-2025 year has started. Events are already taken place.
On 7 April 2024 a “Concert for a Cause” featuring the Seipp/Sheets Trumpet and Organ duo took place at Covenant Central Presbyterian church in Williamsport. It was co-sponsored by Lycoming college. The duo was outstanding and presented a repertoire in a wide variety of styles. The performance raised over $800.00, which was donated to the Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors. On Saturday, trumpeter Seipp presented a workshop at Lycoming College and both duo members participated in the Sunday morning church service. Please see the July 2024 issue of The American Organist.
On 10 June 2024 Chapter members thoroughly enjoyed a tour of the Parsons Pipe Organ Builders Co. in Canandaigua, NY. established in 1921. The tour commenced by seeing and playing a small model of a pipe organ used for school presentations. The tour continued with the staff giving detailed explanations of the process and materials while each of the sections of the newly built St. Benedict Cathedral of Evansville, IN consisting of 70 ranks and 4, 340 pipes were being viewed. Members of the visiting chapter had the privilege and enjoyment of playing the organ.
This fall 2024, a variety of instruments will enhance the events and performances of our chapter. We look forward to meeting, hearing, seeing and learning from the instrumental and chorister performers and their performances. It is our desire that you join us at the specific locations and enjoy the beauty of the music.
2024-2025 Calendar of Events
Thursday, 19 September – Member Recital at Lycoming College
Saturday, 19 October – 2:00 P.M. -Keys and Brass Recital with Catharine Getchell, trumpet, Donna Elkin, organ, Amanda Gunderson, piano, and the Lycoming Brass Group-Quintet. Location: Covenant Central Presbyterian Church, Williamsport.
Friday, 8 November – Organ Recital by Vince Carr . Location: Bucknell University.
Saturday, 9 November – Workshops with Vince Carr. Location: Trinity Episcopal, Williamsport.
Sunday, 10 November -10:00 A.M. – Faure Requiem for Remembrance Day with Vince Carr at the organ (Regular church Service).
Sunday, 29 December – 2:00 P.M. Member Recital of Christmas/Advent/Epiphany Music. Location: Messiah Lutheran Church.
Friday, 24 January – Poor Organists’ Winter vacation to England.
Thursday, 20 February 12:00 Noon – Music of the Night
Date tbd – May – Organ crawl-Elmira, NY
Date tbd – July/August Planning session – Carsontown-Waterville, PA
Please feel free to email us for any program information. We will be glad to be of assistance.
All area musicians are welcome.
Local Events
Event Coordinators:
Please contact:
Donna Elkin: donnaelkin@gmail.com
Carol Waltz: cawaltz@comcast.net
Newsletter
Events that were held in the Winter-Spring-Summer 2024
6 January 2024 Annual Christmas Music Recital: Covenant Presbyterian Church. Location: Williamsport, PA
2 February 2024 Winter vacation in Brazil. Location: Casa Getchell
13 February 2024 Williamsport Symphony Orchestra featuring Dr. Marcus Krieger
7 April 2024 Seipps/Sheets Trumper and Organ Duo Workshop and Concert. Location: Covenant Central; at 4:00 P.M.
May/28 April 2024 Dialysis Benefit Concert celebrating the life of Richard “Dick” Lakey. Location: St. Luke Lutheran Church, 1400 Market St. Williamsport,
*A luncheon is held every third Thursday of the month. Please check with C. Waltz or L. Kieser for location.
Membership
| For membership information: Please contact: Mrs. Carol Waltz, 345 Bayard St., So. Williamsport, PA 17702 or phone 570-337-5295. You are also very welcome to contact any officer of the Williamsport Chapter for information. Carol A. Waltz, Sec./Treas. 570-323-3311 |
Placement
If anyone knows of any open positions please notify:
L. Kieser: lkieser22@comcast.net or C. Walz: cawaltz@comcast.net
Employers and job seekers are invited to post and search listings of available positions on the Guild’s National Website.
Certification
Contact Us
For information about anything on our website or in the event you have anything to add please call or e-mail Johan van der Jagt at j.w.van-der-jagt@att.net
Links
Organ Historical Society
http://www.organsociety.org
The Associated Pipe Organ Builders of America
http://www.apoba.com
