Category Archives: AGO

My Wonderful Committee

Posted on June 20, 2018 by Jon

Just back from two days in the city working with the Committee on Professional Certification, which I’ve chaired for three years now. The current makeup of the committee is wonderful–a mix of talents and perspectives that blends together into a … Continue reading →

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How I Spent My Summer Vacation, part 1

Posted on May 14, 2018 by Jon

One week ago today I was on campus administering final exams. Grading must always be done carefully and attentively, especially when a final exam and final grade for a course are involved. There were also final papers to read. Last … Continue reading →

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Volunteer Work

Posted on March 1, 2018 by Jon

I have always enjoyed volunteer work. Currently I help out pro bono at a local Catholic church for a weekend Mass. Money is not abundant there, but the church is a little jewel and the pastor and I get along … Continue reading →

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Parallel Octaves, Again

Posted on February 3, 2018 by Jon

I’ve read some internet chatter about BWV565 that makes me shake my head. An allusion to “parallel octaves” in the opening measures. Here we go again. I wrote about this in The American Organist in September, 2011. The organ does … Continue reading →

Posted in AGO, Baroque Music, Music, Music Criticism, Music History, Music Theory, Nutters and Such, Pipe Organ, The Agonies of Art, The Lapping Shore of Psycholand | Comments Off

Dretzel Update

Posted on January 4, 2018 by Jon

The Divertimento Armonico of Cornelius Heinrich Dretzel settles into an Italian harpsichord perfectly. The italophilia of Nuremberg is borne out in this piece, and the bright, clear, affirmative tone of my new harpsichord is serving it well. At the same … Continue reading →

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Vassar

Posted on October 29, 2017 by Jon

I had a wonderful time at Vassar College today. There was an afternoon celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, which was kicked off by Martin Luther on October 31, 1517. There was a panel discussion, then a … Continue reading →

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Upcoming Programs

Posted on October 15, 2017 by Jon

I have several things coming up. On October 26 and 27, I will be speaking for the NYU orchestras. Again, the programs will be in the Frederick Loewe Theatre. More info to come. On October 29, I will be participating … Continue reading →

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Learning Dupré

Posted on July 8, 2016 by Jon

After many false starts–interrupted for various reasons–I’m in for the distance this time. I’m hard at work on the Dupré opus 7. I played the G minor prelude and fugue a number of times some years ago, including for my … Continue reading →

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Down Time

Posted on June 1, 2015 by Jon

School’s out, but there’s much on my plate. This gets to be the heavy season for my Guild work, for one thing. Also, church isn’t out for the summer, and there is much to do there. But there is a … Continue reading →

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Transitions, Good and Bad

Posted on November 24, 2014 by Jon

One hopes and prays for gracious transitions–whether one is on the way in or out, succeeding or being succeeded. In the last five years, I have had two outbound transitions that were marred with negativity by the newcomer. In both … Continue reading →

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