On Tuesday, September 5, 2006, six young organists began arriving in Wethersfield, Connecticut, to participate in the Ninth Annual Albert Schweitzer Organ Festival/USA. This year the caliber of playing was especially high. All who heard were greatly encouraged about the future of organ playing in our country.
We are grateful to the following churches for allowing these six finalists to practice on their organs: Trinity Episcopal Church, Wethersfield, Bruce Henley, organist-choirmaster; St. John’s Episcopal Church, West Hartford, Ralph Valentine, organist-choirmaster; Asylum Hill Congregational Church, Hartford, Charles Miller, organist and associate minister of Music; Christ Church Cathedral (Episcopal) Hartford, Canon James Barry, organist and choirmaster; Bethany Covenant Church, Berlin, Olga Ljungholm, minister of Music; and First Church of Christ, Glastonbury, Angela Salcedo, organist-choirmaster.
Friday morning, the finalists were treated to a tour of the Austin organ factory in Hartford. Finalists were able to experience this institution, now in its 114th year, and were able to see pipe metal being cast as well as the many unique machines used in the process of making a pipe organ.
Friday evening, September 9, a concert was held in the historic Meetinghouse of the First Church of Christ in Wethersfield. The prelude was Andante Espressivo (from Sonata in G Major, op. 28) by Elgar. The Festival Choir sang Psalm 150 by Franck. All in attendance sang “Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation” (tune Christ Church by Richard Dirksen). The choir then sang Kyrie (from Messe Solennelle, op. 16) by Vierne. David Spicer served as organist-choirmaster for this portion of the concert.
Music from West Africa was presented by St. Mary’s Ghanaian Catholic Ministry Choir from East Hartford. The choir, dressed in ceremonial garb, was directed by Rev. Fr. Savino-Gyimah and Joachim Pennin. Music sung in the Ghanaian tongue was a reminder of Albert Schweitzer’s great missionary work in Africa. Next, the three judges for the competition played on the Austin IV/62. Marilyn Mason played March on a Theme of Handel by Guilmant and Amazing Grace (from Gospel Preludes, Book IV) by William Bolcom, which was commissioned by and dedicated to Dr. Mason. Following this, Frederick Hohman played two excerpts by Widor: Meditation (Symphony No. 1 in C minor, op. 3), and Intermezzo (Symphony No. 6 in G, op. 42). Thomas Heywood ended the judges’ recital portion with his own composition: Humoresque for Pedal Trombone.
Anthems He Comes to Us by Jane Marshall (with text by Albert Schweitzer) and Go Ye Into All the World by Robert Wetzler were sung by the Festival Choir. These anthems reinforced the idea of the missionary work that was so much a part of Dr. Schweitzer’s life. The concluding hymn was “Let Heaven Rejoice” (tune: Rock Harbor by Alan MacMillan, and text by Hal M. Helms), which has become a tradition at these opening concerts.
Saturday morning, September 9, the High School Division competition was held 9–noon. The Young Professional Division finalists competed 1–4 pm.
High School finalists were Caroline Judith Robinson from Greenville, South Carolina (third prize), who studies with Adam Pajan; Malcolm Ross Matthews from Knoxville, Tennessee (second prize), who studies with Professor John Brock; and Samuel Kohei Gaskin from Beaumont, Texas (first prize), who studies with Marjorie Rasche and Christina Harmon. Gaskin also was the judges’ choice for the most creative hymn playing in this festival.
The Young Professional Division finalists were Ahreum Han, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (third prize), a student of Alan Morrison at the Curtis Institute of Music; Mark Edwards from Ontario, Canada (second prize), a student of David Higgs at the Eastman School of Music; and Brenda Portman, from Flint, Michigan (first prize), a graduate of Wheaton College and Northwestern University.
Sunday morning, September 10, all finalists played portions of the 8, 9:15 and 11 am worship services. At 3 pm awards were presented and first-place winners Samuel Kohei Gaskin and Brenda Portman were heard in recital.
Frederick Hohman remarked that “It has been a privilege to have served as permanent juror at ASOF/USA for the first nine years. All recent contestants chosen for the finals have shown remarkable levels of technical achievement. The technical ability and secure memory shown by High School and Young Professional contestants is at a higher level than I can recall in any previous generation. ASOF/USA recognizes and encourages this devotion and achievement in organ-playing with cash prizes; however, equally valuable is the exposure that the festival provides young organists with regard to inspired leadership in hymn-playing, and the detailed, honest, and at times tough and frank feedback of the jurors.”
The total combined repertoire represented by these six finalists included Bach: Trio Sonatas No. 3, BWV 527, No. 5, BWV 529, and No. 6, BWV 530; Concerto in d minor, BWV 596 (Vivaldi); Prelude and Fugue in C Major, BWV 545; from Dupré’s Opus 7: Prelude and Fugue No. 1 in B Major and Prelude and Fugue No. 3 in g minor; Widor: Adagio from Symphony No. 2; Adagio from Symphony No. 5, Cantabile from Symphony No. 6, Andante Sostenuto from Symphonie Gothique; Franck: Choral No. 1 in E Major, Choral No. 2 in b minor, and Choral No. 3 in a minor; Hindemith: Sonata II (first movement); Persichetti: Sonata for Organ (Vivace, movement III); Demessieux: Te Deum; hymn tunes: Coronation, Diademata, Eventide, and St. Thomas.
We are grateful to Ahlborn-Galanti Organs for the $2000 award for first prize in the High School Division. The Young Professional Division first prize of $3500 was shared by the Helen L. Reinfrank fund, which provided $2000, and J.H. and C.S. Odell Organ Builders, which provided $1500. Bank of America, Hartford, provided $1500 for the second prize Young Professional Division. Austin Organs, Inc. provided a tour of their facilities and a gift for the judges’ awards. The Helen L. Reinfrank Music Fund provided $500 for the most creative hymn playing. In addition, several local residents gave gifts to this festival, which are most appreciated.
Special thanks go to Gordon Auchincloss, who was on hand throughout the Saturday competition to offer assistance should the organ need it, and to Bon Smith of Austin Organ Service Company of Avon, Connecticut, who graciously gave the gift of tuning for this festival. Austin Organ Service Company is the regular curator of this instrument, serviced by Alex Belair and Michael Tanguay.
Our thanks to Nancy Andersen, festival manager; Karen Franzen, administrative assistant; Betty Standish and Laurie Allen, ASOF/USA Chair, for so ably performing the organizational work that made the festival run smoothly and efficiently. A special note of thanks to Dana Spicer and Mainly Tea of Wethersfield, which provided a reception for the three judges on Friday evening, and a wonderful dinner for finalists and judges on Saturday evening.
At this moment, the Albert Schweitzer Organ Festival committee is preparing for our tenth ASOF/USA, to be held in Wethersfield, Connecticut, September 7–9, 2007. Organists Paul Jacobs and Diane Meredith Belcher will join Frederick Hohman as this year’s guest artists/judges. Plans are underway to feature these organists in the opening concert of the festival on Friday evening, September 7 at 7:30 pm. The committee is hoping to invite six qualified young organists to compete in the two divisions on Saturday, September 8.
Samuel Kohei Gaskin and Brenda Portman will perform in recital on Sunday, June 3, 2007 at 7:00 pm.
Information about the Albert Schweitzer Organ Festival/USA and current requirements for the competition are available by telephone: 860/529-1575 ext. 209; e-mail:
