October 2019 - So Much to Celebrate!

Dear colleagues,

It was an occasion to remember! Our chapter kicked off the program year on Sunday, September 22nd with a service of Ecumenical Evening Prayer with Installation of Officers, and did it in style! We gathered at the historic Old Otterbein United Methodist Church located in the shadow of Camden Yards. John Walker’s talented Peabody students, Jordan Prescott and Midori Ataka made impressive, creative use of the 1897 Henry Niemann organ as they treated us to prelude music by Stanford, Schumann and Buxtehude before Michael Britt took to the bench to lead us with his energetic, inspiring hymn playing. It was thrilling to experience such exuberant participation.

Greatly enriching the service was LUX chamber choir. Founded in 2014, this small group of singers provided beautifully prepared works by Howells, Runestad, Duruflé, MacMillan and Tallis, easily filling the church with a sumptuous rainbow of choral colors.

Clergy from Methodist, Episcopal and Roman Catholic Churches presided over the liturgy by offering prayers, readings and a homily by our own member, Thomas Malia, who spoke of the importance of taking time to lift our voices in words and music offering thankful praise for God’s continued blessings.

Following the postlude, With Pipes of Tin and Wood, a colorful work by Al Fedak, we adjourned to the parish house for a lively reception of fine food, drink and fellowship.

Grateful thanks to all participants; to Sean O’Connor and Joe Martenczuk for their unending energy in planning this wonderful occasion and to Dan Fisher and the staff of Old Otterbein for hosting.

Please see below for details of our next event on Sunday, October 13th when Clara Gerdes presents a recital at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church. I look forward to seeing you there when there will be yet more to celebrate!

The October 2019 Issue of the Pipe and Pedal is now available.