Pittsburgh Chapterof the
American Guild of Organists
Pittsburgh ChapterPittsburgh Chapter
American Guild of Organists
Pictures Of Recent Events
7-Nov-2004 - Michael Barone of MPR's Pipedreams radio program sponsored by the American Guild of Organists Organ Artist Series (OAS) , Shadyside Presbyterian Church Music In A Great Space (MIGS) , and radio station WQED. The program featured local organists
The event was noted in the following papers:
A lot of work went into planning the event with the three groups. It's always a challenge to coordinate things. But the hard work paid off! On the day of the concert, everyone was ready to do their part and get the show off to a good start. | ||
The wonderful Music In A Great Space (MIGS) staff was ready and waiting. Pictured left to right are David Mills, Momoko Mills, and Louis Martinage. |
Former OAS Chairman J. Barbara McKelway (left) and OAS Chairman Donald K. Fellows (right) are also ready, consulting with Louis Martinage of the MIGS staff (center). |  Ticket sellers Peter Bodnar of MIGS (left) and Stan Yoder of OAS (right) |
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WQED Producer, Paul Johnston, was ready in the back with recording gear. | 
The WQED Engineer, Dan Vanhassel, had all the equipment and sound levels checked out and ready.! |
WQED Announcer, Jim Cunningham, arrived to help start off the event. |
 Of course, the organ was ready! | ||
The organists were also ready and excited and ready. Pictured from left to right are Ann Labounsky, Gretchen Franz, John C. Walker, and Neil Stahurski.
Shadyside Presbyterian's sound engineer was also there to capture the performance from the balcony.
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The doors opened, and people streamed in. |
It was amazingly crowded at times. |  Ticket sellers were VERY busy! |
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The church quickly filled up. | 
There was hardly any room left downstairs. |
People quickly overflowed upstairs, near the gallery organ. |
It was so crowded, the some folks decided to just camp out on the stairs. Fortunately they were carpeted.
After some brief announcements from MIGS and OAS personnel, WQED's Jim Cunningham introduced and welcomed Michael Barone.
The program featured seven performers who played pieces with some connection to Pittsburgh.
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David Billings (seated) was first on the program. He played Josef Rheinberger Sonata #4. This composer's works were made more accessible for organists in the early 1900s by Pittsburgh organist Edwin H. Lemare. |
Next, Neil Stahurski (seated) chatted with Michael before playing "Prayer and Alleluias". This work was written by Kittanning born composer Calvin Hampton (1938-1984). Kittanning is a suburb of Pittsburgh about 30 miles north on the Allegheny River, which ends to form the Ohio River in downtown Pittsburgh.
|  Longtime Pittsburgh organist, John Walker followed by playing a selection from a work that he commissioned, "Hymn Sonata", by composer Ronald Arnatt. Michael warned the audience that the "big horns" (trumpet en chamade) above the chancel would be heard near the end. |
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J. Christopher Pardini (left) takes a bow after finishing the first half of the program with "Rubrics"by Dan Locklair. This popular work was commissioned by the Organ Artists Series of the Pittsburgh Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. |
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During intermission, Michael Barone (right, facing front) mixed with the audience to chat about the program.
Pittsburgh American Guild of Organists treasurer, Dale Gilliland, was delighted with the program and enthusiastic audience.
Organ student Vincent Rone (left) talks with Duquesne University's Mary Pappert School of Music Dean, Edward Kocher (right) during intermission.
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Even after the shuffle at intermission, extra seats were difficult to come by. These folks found a few row seats adjacent to the balcony steps. |
Gretchen Franz takes a bow after one of three works that she performed. These included a chorale prelude by Louis Huybrechts, former organist at Sacred Heart in Pittsburgh; a "Quick Dance" by Pittsburgh born compose Harold Stover; and the "Maestoso con fuoco" from a symphony by Pittsburgh organist Edwin H. Lemare. |  Ann Labounsky, of Duquesne University, sits to talk with Michael before performing "Confluence, op 90" by Pittsburgh composer Joseph Wilcox Jenkins. |
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Joseph Jenkins stands to take a bow after Ann Labounsky's performance of his composition. "Confluence" is appropriate in Pittsburgh, where the Monongahela and Allegheny rivers join downtown to form the Ohio river at the triangular shaped "Point" formed by the waters confluence. | 
A surprise was in store for everyone. The unique dual-console arrangement of the organ was used for a duet. Ann Labounsky was at the main console while Neil Stahursky (left) was at the gallery console to play "Virgo Dei Genetrix" from "Trois Esquisses Romanes" by Jean Langlais. Ann, who is on the faculty at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, was a longtime student of Jean Langlais an a noted authority on his work. | 
To conclude, John Walker was welcomed back to perform a work that was commissioned for the dedication of the organ a bit over ten years ago by John Weaver. This was a variation of "Sine nomine" (literally translated 'without name' and known as "for all the saints" who are unnamed.) |
John Walker asked the audience to stand and sing the three verses of the hymn before he performed the work. They obliged, from the sanctuary to the balcony, the air was filled with 500 or more voices alternating verses between men and women. The church resounded with song and celebration.
Everyone sat down to hear the finale. Well, nearly everyone. This young fellow could not resist standing to get a birds-eye
view of the amazing footwork in the finale. A dramatic part of the piece was performed with
pedal alone, requiring the organist to brace themselves on the bench with both hands to be
able to play as many as 4 or 5 notes at once with their feet!
The concert ended with tremendous applause, especially after the dazzling pedal work. John Walker (left)
waves to an appreciative audience as Michael Barone (right) also applauds.
Everyone was excited as the concert ended. Many wanted to get to the reception and enjoy some of the
famous hospitality at events hosted at Shadyside Presbyterian Church.
A lot of work went into planning the event with the three groups. It's always a challenge to coordinate things. But the hard work paid off! On the day of the concert, everyone was ready to do their part and get the show off to a good start. | ||
The kitchen staff worked hard to prepare a Pittsburgh tradition for folks to feast.... |
...pierogies! Which disappeared as fast a they came out from the kitchen! |
The friendly folks in the kitchen kept the great food coming! |
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Folks quickly took up a plate and enjoyed. |
Performer Neil Stahurski (left) chats with J. Barbara McKelway (right) about the unique duet that can be done on the dual-console instrument. (This feature is also shared a 'sister' organ at Heinz Memorial Chapel which also has two consoles.) |
Performer Ann Labounsky (foreground with back to camera) looks on as J. Barbara McKelway (holding basket) waits for Michael Barone (right) to pick another winner. |
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AGO Dean Mark Nurnberger (foreground, front) looks on hopefully during the CD raffle. Unfortunately for him, he didn't win. |
There were certainly a lot of people enjoying the reception. |
This visitor, Marie Perrell from Washington DC, is plotting a strategy through the crowd to get a closer peek at Michael Barone. (Who says you can't have your cake and eat it?) |
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Many did get a chance to see Michael Barone (back center) close up and have a few words with this popular host. |
Performer Gretchen Franz (left) enjoys chatting with an admirer from the audience. |
Performers David Billings (left) chats with J. Christopher Pardini (foreground). |
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Stephen Baum from radio station WQED also had a chance to enjoy the concert and reception afterward. |
Performer Ann Labounsky (left) has an intense discussion with an attendee.
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Eventually the crowd began to thin down bit by bit. |
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Down to the last few faithful fans. |
Amazing as it may seem, just about all of the food disappeared.
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Performer J. Christopher Pardini, who is also the organist at Shadyside Presbyterian, smiles and looks on at the remnants of a unique and wonderful collaboration, Pipedreams in Pittsburgh. |
Not everyone left when the doors closed.
The custodian got to enjoy a few leftovers!
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