Pittsburgh Chapter
of the
American Guild of Organists

Pittsburgh Chapter
American Guild of Organists

Pictures Of Recent Events

Recent Events - 30-Sep-2007 - Organ Artists Series Concert featuring Aaron David Miller, AGO Improvisation winner, in concert at Heinz Memorial Chapel on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh.

Aaron arrived on Saturday evening after the flurry of late September weddings were finished.

Who knew he was so strong? The main door of the Chapel is 800 pounds and he opened it with ease. He must have been in a hurry to get in and practice.

Pretty empty and dark, quite the contrast from the Saturday weddings. But an ideal and wonderful space for practice.

Lots of work to do for the concert tomorrow!

Eventually it was time to hang up the shoes and get ready for tomorrow. Thanks to the hospitality of Hugh and Alice Young, Aaron was able to do this in style at their spacious house. The shoes spent a comfortable night on the Steinway in the foyer.

Eager to get started on Sunday, Aaron headed out from the Young's for one last practice session. The Chapel was ready and the organ in position for the event.

The OAS committee swung into action to start the show.

The crowd kept coming....

About 120 or so were seated by the time the performance started.

It started spectacularly!

Aaron's personable commentary and style added immensely to the performance.

At intermission, CD sales were quite brisk. Charlotte and Stan had a rough time keeping up with the sales!

Some folks got a breath of fresh air at intermission.

Some preferred to remain inside...

The second half was also terrific!

The performance earned a standing ovation!

Of course, there was a terrific reception!

Helen and David Houggy, Alan Lewis and Andrew Scanlon did a great job of setup (and cleanup!)

....and folks departed.

Aaron got to relax back at the Young's house. Larry Allen (center) and Donald K. Fellows (right) enjoy a drink with Aaron.

David & Helen Houggy also joined in for a well deserved rest.

Alice Young was busy in the kitchen working on the feast.

Alice had a magnificent table set!

Everyone enjoyed a terrific meal, courtesy of Hugh and Alice Young.

As the dinner came to an end, everyone signed the guest book....

....And signed out.         

The next day, Monday, Aaron got to tour the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden. The ChihulyGlass exhibit is there which features glass art merged with the garden landscape.

Aaron also went up to the Schenley Park overlook to get a view down over the City in the distance. The 64-floor USX tower is in the distance (about 5 miles).

A bit to the right, the campus of the University and 36-floor Cathedral of Learning could be seen.

After the tour, Aaron got back to work with an improvisation master class at Heinz Memorial Chapel.

About 20 AGO members enjoyed a great session with Aaron.

After the class, the might Von Beckerath at Saint Paul Cathedral was on the agenda. This wonderful tracker instrument is scheduled for much needed renovation under the watchful guidance of Donald K. Fellows - who also happens to be the AGO Chapter Dean.

Aaron had fun with a test drive while Don watched.

After all of this, a quick trip to view downtown Pittsburgh from the Mount Washington overlook was in order

Dining for the evening was at The Grand Concourse, a historic train station converted to a restaurant.

Finally a quick trip back to the University of Pittsburgh Cathedral of Learning to see the impressive Commons Room.

Aaron got to sit in one of the "big chairs" but a massive support pillar for the 42 story structure.

Finally and end to the trip, closing the big gate in the Commons Room.

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