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Fourteenth Annual Albert Schweitzer Organ Festival

December 30, 2011
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David Spicer began as Minister of Music and the Arts at First Church of Christ in Wethersfield, Connecticut, in 1986. In 1996, he and Dr. Harold Robles founded the Albert Schweitzer Organ Festival. Spicer is a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music, where he studied with Dr. Alexander McCurdy, and is a graduate of the Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary. We wish to express our deep gratitude to Frederick Hohman, who has been a judge for these past fourteen years. Fred is resigning from this position. We owe him much for his great insight, guidance, and yes, humor! We shall truly miss him. It speaks volumes about him, and about the festival, that he was willing to invest so much of his time, energy and talents to help encourage so many young organists.

The fourteenth Albert Schweitzer Organ Festival took place September 9–11 at the First Church of Christ in Wethersfield, Connecticut. The schedule included a competition, concert, worship services, and masterclass. Charles Callahan served as the screening judge for a portion of the applications. Judges for the festival were Michael Barone, Gregory D’Agostino, and Frederick Hohman.

On Friday evening, September 9, the traditional opening concert was held. The service/choral portions were played by the writer:

Andante Espressivo (Sonata in G Major, op. 28), Elgar

Psalm 150, Franck

Hymn: Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation (Christ Church, Dirksen)

Kyrie (Messe Solennelle, op. 16), Vierne

He Comes to Us (with text by Albert Schweitzer), Jane Marshall

Go Ye into All the World, Wetzler

Hymn: Let Heaven Rejoice (Rock Harbor), text by Hal M. Helms, tune by Alan MacMillan.

Each of the judges played selections at the Friday evening opening concert: Frederick Hohman, Finlandia, Sibelius; Michael Barone, Souvenir, John Cage, Adagio (Symphony No. 2 in D), Widor; Gregory D’Agostino, Fantasy and Fugue on B-A-C-H, Liszt. Saturday morning, from 10 am to noon, the high school division finalists played the required repertoire. At 2 pm the young professional division finalists were heard. 

 

High school finalists 

Mary Pan: Bach, Trio Sonata No. 4 in E Minor, BWV 528; Widor, Andante Sostenuto (Symphonie Gothique); Vierne, Toccata (Pièces de Fantaisie); hymn, St. Thomas (Williams); hymn, Hamburg.

Jacob Reed: Bach, Trio Sonata No. 1 in E-flat, BWV 525; Widor, Andante Sostenuto (Symphonie Gothique); Messiaen, Joie et Clarté des Corps Glorieux (Les Corps Glorieux); hymn, St. Thomas (Williams); hymn, Ein’ Feste Burg.

 

Young professional finalists 

Justin Maxey: Bach, Fantasia and Fugue in G Minor, BWV 542; Franck, Choral No. 2 in B Minor; Eben, Moto ostinato (Sunday Music); hymn, St. Thomas (Williams); hymn, Diademata.

Ian Tomesch; Bach, Fantasia and Fugue in G Minor, BWV 542; Franck, Choral No. 1 in E Major; Karg-Elert, Jesu, Meine Freude (Drei Symphonische Choräle, op 87/2, I. Inferno); hymn, St. Thomas (Williams); hymn, Slane.

Christopher Ganza: Bach, Prelude and Fugue in D Major, BWV 532; Franck, Choral No. 1 in E Major; Duruflé, Choral Varié sur le theme du “Veni Creator”; hymn, St. Thomas (Williams); hymn, Eventide.

Immediately afterwards, all finalists and judges had a chance for interaction and discussion over a delicious meal provided by Dana Spicer at the Parish Hall of the Trinity Episcopal Church in Wethersfield. On Sunday, September 11, all finalists played portions of the 8, 9:15, and 11 am worship services, and Frederick Hohman played his version of the Air (from Suite No. 3) by Bach at the 8 am service. At 1:30 pm, a masterclass with the three judges was held. 

 

The judges’ decisions

High school division: first place, Mary Pan from Burlington, Connecticut, student of Patricia Snyder; second place, Jacob Reed from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, student of Wylie S. Quinn III.

Young professional division: first place, Christopher Ganza from Norman, Oklahoma, student of John Schwandt; second place, Ian Tomesch from New Haven, Connecticut, student of Thomas Murray; third place, Justin Maxey from Rochester, New York, student of William Porter.

Leigh and Betty Standish provided the $2,000 award for first prize in the high school division. The young professional division first prize of $3,500 was given by Robert Bausmith and Jill Peters-Gee, M.D. John Gorton and Richard Pilch provided $750 for the David Spicer Hymn Playing Award, which was given to young professional division finalist Justin Maxey. Other prizes and gifts toward the festival—including the high school division second prize of $1,000 and the young professional division second prize of $1,500—came from Marilyn Austin and the Austin family and several individuals in the First Church family.

Bon Smith of Austin Organ Service Company of Avon, Connecticut, was on hand throughout the Saturday competition to offer assistance, should the organ need it, and provided a gracious gift of tuning and maintenance for the festival. Austin Organ Service Company is the regular curator of this instrument, serviced by Alex Belair and Michael Tanguay.

Thanks go to Linda Henderson, festival coordinator and associate, for so ably performing the organizational work that made the festival run smoothly and efficiently. Churches that allowed their instruments to be used for additional practice were Trinity Episcopal Church, Wethersfield, the Reverend Scott Lee, rector; and First Church of Christ, Glastonbury, Angela Salcedo, director of music ministries. 

The 2012 Albert Schweitzer Organ Festival will have the following judges for the competition: Faythe Freese, Cherry Rhodes, and Gordon Turk. Plans are underway to feature these organists in the opening concert of the festival on Friday evening, September 7, at 7:30 pm. Information about the Albert Schweitzer Organ Festival and current requirements for the competition are available by telephone at 860/529-1575 x209, by e-mail at [email protected], or by viewing the ASOF website.

The 2011 first-place winners, Mary Pan and Christopher Ganza, will perform in recital on Sunday, June 10, 2012, 7 pm, at the First Church of Christ, Wethersfield, Connecticut.

 

Photos by David Gilbert

 

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