Southern Arizona American Guild of Organists

The Easter Story
Saturday, April 26, 5 p.m.
Sunday, April 27, 9:15 a.m.

The Resurrection Choir and orchestra will present The Easter Story, by Tom Fettke and Thomas Grassi.

The cantata retells Jesus’ suffering, death, resurrection, and exaltation to the right hand of God the Father. The narrative helps listeners relive the events that unfolded in Jerusalem 2,000 years ago, and also places them in the flow of God’s dramatic, eternal story of redemption.

The production will feature a local interpretive ign language ensemble, Rise ‘n Sign. The 35- minute musical will be presented within worship on Saturday.

The Great Eighteen are a group of ambitious, large-scale organ works based on Lutheran chorales. Bach assembled them toward the end of his life from pieces he had written years earlier, revising and in some cases expanding them, perhaps intending to have them printed. Many are favorites with organists and audiences, such as: the brilliant fantasia on “Come, Holy Ghost” for full organ; the lyrical “Savior of the Nations, Come”; and the quietly moving “Before Thy Throne I Now Appear,” said to have been revised by the composer shortly before he died.

Church musicians are made, not born, and becoming a better church musician is largely self-directed, on-the-job training. Few of us start our musical journeys with clear ideas of the steps we would need to take and the challenges we would encounter.

Dr. Raymond T. Ryder, SAAGO Dean and Piano Director, Pima Community College, will address how musicians, pianists particularly, can successfully prepare to transition into service playing, choir accompanying, and leading rehearsals. During this seminar/workshop, Dr. Ryder will present proven strategies, and resources, for improving our musicianship skills. Dr. Ryder will also share repertoire suggestions for pianists and organists (since we often do a bit of both).

Sunday, May 11, 2 p.m.
St. Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church
4440 N. Campbell Ave.
Tucson, Arizona