Our next chapter event is coming soon in October, and I hope many of you will attend our masterclass with renowned organist Paul Jacobs on Saturday, October 3 at 10 a.m. at Queen Anne Lutheran Church. Three of our chapter members will be playing, but all of us can benefit from the expertise of Mr. Jacobs, who is chair of the organ department at Juilliard and the 2021 AGO International Performer of the Year. The New York Times calls Paul Jacobs “one of the finest organists and teachers of our day.” He will also be presenting a concert of Bach’s complete Art of Fugue, BWV 1080, the previous evening at St. Mark’s Cathedral.

 

Those of us who attended our September 13 chapter event at Epiphany Parish had a wonderful time! The stunning evensong, our gathering over refreshments in the Fireside Room afterward, and the opportunity to hear from evensong organist David Boeckh, Epiphany Director of Music Zach Hemenway (both Seattle AGO members), and Epiphany Rector Rev. Doyt Conn all made it a rich, highly worthwhile evening. I encourage all of us to put chapter events such as these on our calendars as they are announced. Coming together with our colleagues in the Seattle AGO is always time well spent!

 

Our November chapter event will be a visit to Ebenezer Lutheran Church in Lake Stevens, where our Dean-Elect René Marceau will share with us his recent organ installation. Yvonne Hoar will demonstrate the instrument, church members will provide finger food, and the Orgelkids kit will be available along with our music exchange. I hope you will make plans to gather in Lake Stevens on Saturday, November 7 at 10:00 a.m.

 

Beyond this fall, our Program Committee continues to work behind the scenes to plan chapter events for the first half of 2027, and we hope to announce a full slate of those events soon. While the details aren’t yet formed enough for me to give you any hints, I have been privy to the planning conversations and can assure you that we’ll have some excellent opportunities to gather, learn, play, and celebrate. Stay tuned for what’s to come!

 

One additional note. As I’ve mentioned here and in previous newsletters, we have a number of excellent people who work behind the scenes to make the Seattle AGO a successful chapter that not only provides opportunities for its members, but promotes the organ and organ music to wider audiences and to a new generation of organists. We are always looking for people who are interested in getting a bit more involved in the life of our chapter through planning, administration, and logistics. If you think you could be one of those folks, please reach out to me or to any member of our Executive Committee. The blessings of being involved are well worth the reward. Thanks for considering it!

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Randall Wilkens, DMA Dean