Annual chapter event that introduces the pipe organ to the new student.

A demonstration of how the pipe organ works and sounds.

Students will receive a 25 minutes hands on lesson and will be able to play their selected piece at the conclusion.

Of course there will be Pizza afterwards.  We don’t want pizza sticky fingers on the organ consoles, which is why we eat after the program.

This is offered to any student at absolutely no cost to them.  Deadline for reservations is TBD

Roy A. Johnson Memorial Organ Series

Alcée Chriss, Organist and Composer

Recital and Master Class

Recital:                        Friday, February 4, 2022, 7 p.m.

Master Class:   Saturday, February 5, 2022, 10 a.m.

Place:               Holsclaw Hall

.Winner of the 2017 Canadian International Organ Competition and Firmin Swinnen Silver Medalist at the 2016 Longwood Gardens International Organ Competition, Alcée Chriss III is widely regarded as one of the leading young organists of our time. He has been celebrated for his “grace, skill and abundant proficiency” by the Journal Assist News, Albuquerque. Of his prize-winning performance at the Longwood Gardens Competition, Choir and Organ Magazine declared, “Chriss stole the show.”

Mr. Chriss has performed throughout the United States, Canada, and France. Recent performances include the Organ Historical Society’s 2019 convention (Dallas, TX), Riverside Church (NYC), John F. Kennedy Center, and the Washington National Cathedral, among others.

In July 2019, Chriss was appointed as University Organist and Artist-in-Residence at Wesleyan University, where he teaches courses in organ and applied music. In October 2019, Alcee was awarded his Doctor of Music degree from McGill University, where he studied with Hans-Ola Ericsson. He previously studied at Oberlin Conservatory of Music where he received his Master’s degree in historical keyboard and a Bachelor’s degree in Organ Performance. At Oberlin, he studied organ with James David Christie and Olivier Latry, improvisation with Marie-Louise Langlais, and harpsichord and continuo playing with Webb Wiggins and Hank Knox.

In addition to his organ and harpsichord performances, Alcee is also active as a church musician, conductor and jazz pianist. He currently serves as the Minister of Music at Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Ridgefield, CT.

Alcee is represented by Karen McFarlane Artists, Inc.

This workshop will focus on newly composed Hymn-Tune Preludes suitable for the entire church year. 

Examples from the recently published 7 volume “Oxford Hymn Settings for Organists” will focus on the work of prominent American & British composers, who bring a great variety of invention to their interpretations of classic and universally loved hymn tunes. 

Or own Dr. Pamela Decker is one of the composers features in this series!

Lynne Davis, who was scheduled to play has had to cancel due to a recent hand injury.  Lynne’s replacement is Isabelle Demers on the same date and time.

Over a forty year period, Andrew Carnegie donated over 7,000 pipe organs.  Was this “curious: form of philanthropy an extension of his Gospel of Wealth philosophy?  Was Andrew Carnegie a true devotee of the pipe organ. 

Find out the answers and much more on Saturday, April 23, 3022 @ 10:00am.  Presenter is William Kuhlman, Professor Emeritus at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.

We will visit several organ installations in and around Tucson.  Some may be in a residence, or perhaps a church or other building.

Locations to be determined … stay tuned and watch for further announcements in The Cypher.