Southern Arizona American Guild of Organists

The St. Alban's 2024-2025 concert season continues with Michigan organist, pianist, and harpsichordist Julia Brown.

Julia is the organist and Director of Music at Mayflower Congregational Church and practice pianist for the Calvin Alumni Choir in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Julia maintains a full schedule of teaching, performing and recording.

Julia has appeared in concert in North and South America and in Europe, having performed for the AGO Regional and National Conventions, the Latin American Organist Conventions, the Oregon Bach Festival and other international organ and music festivals. Her organ and harpsichord recordings of W.F. Bach, J. S. Bach, Buxtehude and Scheidemann have gained high critical acclaim.

Julia will be presenting the southwest premiere of a commissioned work, "Peace," by Wolfgang Rübsam who plans to be in attendance. The program will also include works by W.F. Bach, J.S. Bach, Buxtehude, and Scheidemann. Julia played here 10 years ago, shortly after the Fritts organ was installed, and is looking forward to returning.

We are pleased to welcome Julia back to St. Alban's for this wonderful concert.

The performing organist for the Roy Johnson Memorial Organ Series will be Doug Leightenheimer. Doug is a past Dean of the Southern Arizona Chapter of the American Guild of Organists (SAAGO), as well as a long-time organist and choir master at St. Michael and All Angels Church in Tucson, Doug has also served on the executive boards of the Sarasota-Manatee (Florida) and Wilmington (North Carolina) chapters of the same organization, including two terms as dean for each group.

Doug is a published composer and recitalist. In 2008 he was featured with the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra performing Symphony No. 3 by Camille Saint-Saëns and Symphonie Concertante by Joseph Jongen. In both April 2013 and April 2014, he performed the Mildred Flood Mahoney Memorial Organ Series Concert at the University of Arizona. Recent solo performances include the evensong series at St. Phillip’s Episcopal Church, and the 2015 summer series at Catalina United Methodist Church in Tucson. During UA’s 2016 spring semester, he served as an assistant conductor with the University Community Chorus.

Two classically trained musicians, both with broad musical interests and a variety of work in many of New York City’s musical circles, Michael Hey and Christiana Liberis embarked on a partnership in 2017 to bring a new and fresh approach to the organ and violin repertoire. They continue to explore and create different styles and genres of music for these two instruments.

The 1960s and 70s proved fertile years for realizing the promises of the Organ Reform Movement in the building of organs as envisioned by Albert Schweitzer earlier in the century. Organ enrollment in the colleges and universities was high, and master teachers brought about a renewed interest in performance practice made possible by the “tracker” craze.

Professor Kuhlman will touch on a few of the builders and teachers of organ who were vanguards in realizing these “reforms” during these “golden” years.

The highly regarded Alcée Chriss returns to Tucson.

Alcée Chriss III is widely regarded as one of the leading young organists of our time. Alcée is the First-prize, and Bach-prize, winner at the 2017 Canadian International Organ Competition; moreover, Alcée holds many more
prestigious awards. Alcée currently serves as University Organist and Artist-in-Residence at Wesleyan University.

The venue for this featured artist's event is:
Catalina United Methodist Church
2700 E. Speedway Blvd.

Cost: $30 (general admission); $25 Seniors; $10 Students (with I.D.)

Saturday: 02/22/2025

In this favorite series of recitals, upcoming and talented young musicians from the Tucson area are invited to perform on their instruments in Saint Philip’s sanctuary.

The second concert in the Rising Stars Concert Series features two talented musicians who are sure to thrill the listener with their artistic stylings of pieces from Tchaikovsky, Beethoven, Ravel, Prokofiev, Chopin, Scriabin, and Khachaturian. The concert begins with selections from The Nutchracker Suite, Op. 71a and concludes with Sabre Dance, a movement in the final act of Aram Khachaturian's ballet Gayane (1942).

Dr. Pamela Decker performs her annual faculty recital on the Harris/Schoenstein organ in University of Arizona's Holsclaw Hall.

Pamela is a prolific composer as well as professor of organ and theory at the University of Arizona, Tucson Campus. Additionally, she currently leads the composition area. Her compositions have been published by major music publishers and they have in at least 19 countries by musicians from all over the world.

Northminster Presbyterian Church
2450 E. Ft. Lowell Rd.
Reception Following

Members are invited and encouraged to perform in this program, playing the beautiful Quimby organ (Opus 51, III/46). Selections should include music based on chorales, hymns or songs. The program may include congregational singing depending upon the performers’ repertoire. This is a first come, first served opportunity, so don’t hesitate! To sign up, and reserve your playing time, click HERE; provide the required information and reserve your performance spot. For questions regarding selections, the organ, etc., contact Carolyn Smith at cknorrsmith@gmail.com.

NOTE: Image Source is https://quimbypipeorgans.com/northminster-presbyterian-church/#uael-gallery & The SAAGO Website Library.

The March 22, 2025 concert features Sarah Roland on Cello.

Sarah's concert this afternoon features the following selections:

• Schubert Arpeggione Sonata, 3 movements, Allegro moderato, Adagio, and Allegretto
• Elgar Salut d'amour
• Bach d minor Suite Prelude and maybe another movement or 2
• David Popper Polonaise De Concert

Sarah, an 18-year-old cellist, has dedicated 12 years to mastering her musical abilities under the guidance of Mary Beth Tyndall. She is the principal cellist for the Tucson Philharmonia Youth Orchestra; has competed and placed in several music competitions; and, plays for her church congregation. Balancing her love for music with her personal interests, Sarah enjoys spending time outdoors, camping, hiking, and riding horses. As a homeschooled senior in high school, she recently expanded her horizons through an international trip that took her to Bali, Singapore, Vietnam, and Japan. Sarah’s diverse experiences and dedication to her art have helped her develop a well-rounded perspective with a bright future ahead.

Dr. Pamela Decker is a prolific composer as well as professor of organ and theory at the University of Arizona, Tucson Campus. Additionally, she currently leads the composition area. Her compositions have been published by major music publishers and they have in at least 19 countries by musicians from all over the world.

This is definitely a performance you will want to see and hear!

SOUTHERN ARIZONA CHAPTER | AMERICAN GUILD OF ORGANISTS
PRESENTS A SPECIAL WORKSHOP: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE PIPE ORGAN WITH ANNA LAPWOOD
Sunday, April 6, 4:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Catalina United Methodist Church
2700 E. Speedway Blvd.
Tucson, AZ

This workshop is FREE to all wishing to attend.
RSVP is required through EVENTBRITE by Monday, March 31.
To RSVP, either scan the QR Code on the flyer (see below) or click HERE to go to the EventBrite site to register.

Internationally renowned British organist Anna Lapwood has introduced countless people to the organ via concerts and social media. This is a rare opportunity for Tucsonans to hear, meet, and see Ms. Lapwood. Everyone interested in the pipe organ is welcome to attend this informal workshop, where Anna will demonstrate how a pipe organ works. RSVP... TODAY! A limited number of interested keyboard players will have the opportunity to play a short piece or a composition/improvisation of their own. Requests to play must be submitted in advance with the reservation by the same deadline.

A reception, with fresh & hot Pizza, follows in The Fellowship Hall from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

TICKET PRICES:
General Admission......................$30 + $3.85 Fee
General Admission (Seniors)............$25 + $3.52 Fee
General Admission (Student w/ I.D.)....$10 + $2.51 Fee
Students Under 12......................FREE