University of Michigan 22nd International Organ and Church Music Institute

Marilyn Mason opened the institute on June 24 with a recital on the two-manual, 28-stop Fisk organ at the School of Music, assisted by soprano Brenda Wimberly. The music included the premiere of James Lee's colorful "Variations on Balm in Gilead" commissioned by Marilyn Mason.

On June 25 at Hill Auditorium, Deborah Friauff presented a lecture-recital entitled "Heroic Memory: Organ Works Dedicated to Jehan Alain." Playing on the Frieze Memorial Organ, Dr. Friauff alternated engaging narrative with performance of works by Langlais, Fleury, Litaize, Dupré, Grunenward, and Duruflé. In the afternoon, Timothy Tikker demonstrated the "Messiaen Modes of Limited Transposition: Toward a Practical Grasp" playing on the 3/38 Reuter in the studio of Marilyn Mason. Following this there was a general meeting of the Alain Association in America. The day ended with a concert by students from Professor Mason's Seminar in 20th Century Organ Music. Michael Elsbernd, Sean Jackman, Jean Randall, David Saunders, Brennan Szafron, and James Wagner performed organ works by Messiaen, Duruflé, Jacobus Kloppers, Calvin Hampton, and Ruth Watson Henderson at Hill Auditorium.

 Tuesday morning, Timothy Tikker presented a lecture-recital at Hill:  "An Overview of the Oeuvre of Charles Tournemire." Mr. Tikker shared with the audience his exhaustive list of Tournemire's published organ works. The afternoon began with flautist Pamela Michael and the vocal group, Vox, conducted by Deborah Friauff, collaborating with organists Timothy Huth and Matthew Samelak in "Chamber Works of Jehan Alain." Returning to the Mason studio, attendees gleaned practical suggestions for utilizing the smaller works of Alain from recent U of M graduate, Dr. Linda Dzuris. The Institute concluded that night with a recital in Hill Auditorium featuring the major works of Alain played by organists Timothy Tikker, Timothy Huth, and Deborah Friauff. Dr. Huth performed Litanies with particular flair, while Dr. Friauff brought the concert to a close in grand style with her energetic performance of Trois Danses.