Dexter Bailey died on April 11 from complications of gastric distress at Swedish Covenant Hospital, Chicago. He was 58. Bailey was former longtime organist at St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Chicago, and associate conductor and accompanist for the former Choral Ensemble of Chicago.
Born and raised in Michigan, he began piano study at age 5 with James Spencer in Adrian, and during his high school years attended the National Music Camp at Interlochen. He began organ study in 1964 with Janice Beck in Ann Arbor, and in 1966 entered the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago, where he studied music theory with Stella Roberts and piano with William Browning. Shortly thereafter, he was appointed to St. Paul's Church and also accompanist for the Choral Ensemble of Chicago, originally known as the Chicago Chamber Choir. In the early 1970s Bailey moved to Bethany Lutheran Church in Chicago's Beverly neighborhood, before returning to St. Paul's in 1991.
In 1972 Bailey won first prize in the AGO young artist competition. He appeared in recital throughout the USA and in Canada and Europe, and had been a soloist with the Evanston Symphony Orchestra and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. In 1979 he appeared in the Lyric Opera of Chicago 25th anniversary gala concert. In 1988 and 1990 he studied with Marie-Claire Alain at the Academy for Organists in St. Donat, France. He also studied with Wilma Jensen and Catharine Crozier. Known for his performances of 20th-century music, Bailey commissioned The Mystic Trumpeter from composer Lora Aborn and gave its world premiere at St. Paul's Church. The performance was recorded by WFMT radio and broadcast throughout the country.
Gustav Bittrich died on September 30, 2004 in Morristown, New Jersey, of complications from thyroid cancer. Born on July 1, 1937 in Morristown, he graduated from Oberlin Conservatory in 1959 and served as a church organist and choir director in New Jersey, including positions at Christ Church, Elizabeth; St. James, Bradley Beach; St. George's, Maplewood; St. Luke's, Gladstone; Bedminster Reformed Church; and the Convent of St. John the Baptist in Mendham over a 50-plus-year career. After retirement, he was a substitute organist at many churches, and at the time of his death was interim organist at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Morris Plains.
Bittrich was a member of the American Guild of Organists (Metropolitan New Jersey chapter), the Association of Anglican Musicians, the Church Club of New York, the St. George's Society and the Corps of Ushers at St. Thomas Church, New York City, and at his parish church, the Church of St. John on the Mountain in Bernardsville, New Jersey. He was also active in the music program and, until the day he died, was working on the specifications for the new organ for the chapel with organist and choir director Andrew Moore.
Bittrich was also interested in dog breeding. He was co-owner with his wife of St. David's Pembroke Welsh Corgis. In addition, he and his wife May raised ten puppies for The Seeing Eye of Morristown, New Jersey.
George A. Foster died on March 19 in Little Rock, Arkansas, from kidney failure. Born in Little Rock on October 28, 1949, he attended Philander Smith College until he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He then served in the Arkansas Army National Guard. His father, Allen Foster, was a pipe organ technician for the Möller Organ Company. George Foster began playing the piano and organ at an early age and this led to a career as organist at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church in Little Rock. He also served as organist for several other churches in Little Rock as well as accompanying the Philander Smith College Choir from 1962-1985. In 1966 he began teaching piano and had many students in the central Arkansas area. His funeral was held at Wesley Chapel UMC, where he was christened and remained a member all his life.
