Walter Hilse, organ

The Durham-Chapel Hill Chapter of the American Guild of Organists hosted organist Walter Hilse for their opening program. On September 27, Dr. Hilse conducted a Masterclass, at which four people played, and the next evening, he played a wonderful recital at University United Methodist Church in Chapel Hill.

Here is the program. He was so enthusiastically received that he played two encore pieces.

Sonata II
   Lebhaft
   Ruhig bewegt
   Mässig bewegt, heiter (Fuge)
Paul Hindemith (1895–1963)

Two Chorales from the "Great Eighteen"
   „Von Gott will ich nicht lassen“ (BWV 658)
   „Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend“ (BWV 655)
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)

Prelude and Fugue in a minor (BWV 543)
Bach

Three pieces from Studien fur den Pedal-Flugel (Studies for Pedal Piano), Op. 56
   E Major (No. 3)
   A-flat Major (No. 4)
   b minor (No. 5)
Robert Schumann (1810–1856)

Two Pieces
   Prelude on Engelberg ("When in our music God is glorified")
   In memoriam Duke Ellington
Walter Hilse (b. 1941)

Carillon-Sortie
Henri Mulet (1878–1967)

Encore pieces:

4 Skizzen fur den Pedal-Flugel, Op. 58: III. Lebhaft
Schumann

Now Thank We All Our God
Sigfrid Karg-Elert (1877–1933)

Compline at Chapel of the Cross, Chapel Hill, NC—09.26.2010

Late. Again. Yes, it's being back-dated.

Compline at Chapel of the Cross.

We've been using the Order for Compline, as set by David Hurd.

Here are our little additions:

Lord, for Thy tender mercy's sake (Farrant)
Psalm 91 (chanted to Tone 8)
Hymn: To you before the close of day (TE LUCIS ANTE TERMINUM, Mode 8)
Nunc Dimittis from Short Service (O. Gibbons)
Salve Regina (Marian antiphon right after the Dismissal)
Ave Maria (Josquin Desprez)
Organ improvisation by the abfab Van Quinn on Adoro te devote

26 September - Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost - Proper 21

Sigh. Late again. Backdating. Again.

Better late than never, right?

I cantored the 7.45 am Mass at Immaculate Conception Church. As usual, the numbers come out of GIA's Gather Comprehensive 1994 (green cover):

Sunday 7.45 am Mass: Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Processional Hymn: 535 To God with Gladness Sing (CYMBALA)
Gloria: 157, Mass of Creation (M. Haugen)
Psalm: Psalm 146 (Guimont)
Gospel Acclamation: 198, Mass of Remembrance (Haugen) with verse miraculously fit to Haugen's setting ("Though our Lord Jesus Christ was rich, he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.")
Offertory Hymn: 829, Shepherd of Our Hearts (J. Chepponis)
Sanctus, Memorial Acclamation, Amen, Agnus Dei: 201, 204, 206 – 207; Mass of Remembrance (Haugen)
Recessional: 714 God, Whose Purpose Is to Kindle (HYMN TO JOY)

I was quite happy I was able to fit the Gospel Acclamation verse of the day to the "music" setting. And yes, I messed up the Agnus Dei. It's been years since I sang that particular setting. I guess it showed...

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St. Joseph's Episcopal Church where I played the usual 10.30 am service. As usual, the numbers are out of The Hymnal 1982.

Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Holy Eucharist Rite II
Prelude: Improvisation on Du Lebensbrot, Herr Jesu Christ
Processional Hymn: 375, Give praise and glory unto God (DU LEBENSBROT HERR JESU CHRIST)
Gloria: S-277, New Plainsong (Hurd)
Psalm: Psalm 91 (Simplified Anglican Chant)
Sequence Hymn: 552, Fight the good fight (PENTECOST)
Offertory Hymn: 423, Immortal, invisible, God only wise (ST. DENIO)
Sanctus: S-125, Community Mass (Proulx)
Lord's Prayer: chanted (S-119 in Hymnal 1982)
Fraction Anthem: S-167, The disciples knew the Lord Jesus (M. Martens; Mode 6)
Communion Anthem: One Thing I Ask (Ps. 27; arr. P. Tirol)
Recessional Hymn: 437, Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord! (BIRMINGHAM)
Postlude: Improvisation on Birmingham

Compline at Chapel of the Cross, Chapel Hill, NC—09.19.2010

Compline at Chapel of the Cross.

We've been using the Order for Compline, as set by David Hurd.

Here are our little additions:

O Lord, the maker of all thing (Anon.; from the Sixteenth Century Anthem Book)
Psalms 4 and 31 (chanted to Tone 8)
Hymn: Christ, mighty Saviour (CHRISTE, LUX MUNDI, plainsong Mode 7)
Nunc Dimittis from Short Service (O. Gibbons)
Salve Regina (Marian antiphon right after the Dismissal)
Ave Maria (Josquin Desprez)
Organ improvisation by the abfab Van Quinn on "Ave Maria, gratia plena" from Desprez' Ave Maria

Para sa 'yo, San Lorenzo Ruiz

Last Sunday, the Bishop of Raleigh, Most Rev. Michael F. Burbidge, celebrated along with the Filipino community in NC a Mass honouring the first Filipino saint, St. Lorenzo Ruiz. This Mass had taken place at St. Andrew's the Apostle in Apex. The Diocese of Raleigh did a wonderful write-up of the event (with pictures) on their site, which you can read by clicking here.

The NC Pinoy Choir worked really hard, and under the direction of Myra Odulio, did a wonderful job.

Here is the slate of music. We'd planned an extra two pieces, but didn't get a chance to sing them, so they may very well be planned for the upcoming Simbang Gabi Mass. (Mark your calendars: it will take place at Immaculate Conception Church in Durham on Friday, December 17. The time will be announced later, so watch for publicity as the time gets closer.)

Processional Hymn: Umawit Kayo! (A. Aquino)
Gloria: Papuri sa Diyos (E.P. Hontiveros)
Psalm: Salmo 113 (Refrain: R.M. Velez; Verses: Myra Odulio)
Gospel Acclamation: Aleluya (M.V. Francisco)
Offertory Hymn: Panunumpa (J. Gonzalez)
David Binanay, violin
Sanctus: Santo, Santo, Santo (Francisco)
Memorial Acclamation: Si Kristo ay namatay (unattributed, most likely Hontiveros)
Concluding Acclamation: Dakilang Amen (Francisco)
Agnus Dei: Kordero ng Diyos (Hontiveros)
Communion Hymns

• Breaking Bread 442, On Eagle’s Wings (M. Joncas)
  Josh Mabellos, piano; David Binanay, violin
• Natatanging Hapunan (A. Espino)

Recessional Hymn: San Lorenzo Ruiz (Hontiveros)

19 September - Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost - Proper 20

Well. I guess I'm not too too late. Just one for you today. The San Lorenzo Ruiz Mass will have its own post.

St. Joseph's Episcopal Church where I played the usual 10.30 am service. As usual, the numbers are out of The Hymnal 1982.

Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost: Holy Eucharist Rite II
Prelude: Improvisation on Mit Freuden zart
Processional Hymn: 408, Sing praise to God who reigns above (MIT FREUDEN ZART)
Gloria: S-277, New Plainsong (Hurd)
Psalm: Psalm 79 (Simplified Anglican Chant)
Sequence Hymn: 701, Jesus, all my gladness (JESU, MEINE FREUDE)
Offertory Hymn: 601, O day of God, draw nigh (ST. MICHAEL)
Sanctus: S-125, Community Mass (Proulx)
Lord's Prayer: chanted (S-119 in Hymnal 1982)
Fraction Anthem: S-167, The disciples knew the Lord Jesus (M. Martens; Mode 6)
Communion Anthem: Fairest Lord Jesus (arr. M. How)
Recessional Hymn: 594, God of grace and God of glory (CWM RHONDDA)
Postlude: Improvisation on Cwm Rhondda

Compline at Chapel of the Cross, Chapel Hill, NC—09.12.2010

Better late than never, right? Backdating this post....

Compline at Chapel of the Cross.

We've been using the Order for Compline, as set by David Hurd.

Here are our little additions:

Christus Factus Est (Felice Anerio)
Psalm 91 (chanted to Tone 8)
Hymn: Christ, mighty Saviour (CHRISTE, LUX MUNDI, plainsong Mode 7)
In manus tuas (Sheppard; sung in addition to "Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit ...)
Nunc Dimittis from Short Service (O. Gibbons)
Salve Regina (Marian antiphon right after the Dismissal)
Ave Maria (Tomas Luis de Victoria)
Organ improvisation by the abfab Van Quinn on Christe, Lux mundi

Special greetings to Van, who will be celebrating a birthday tomorrow (September 13)! May you have many more to come! :)

12 September - Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost - Proper 19

Yes, late again, so I'm back-dating this post.

St. Joseph's Episcopal Church where I played the usual 10.30 am service. As usual, the numbers are out of The Hymnal 1982.

Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Holy Eucharist Rite II
Prelude: Improvisation on Lauda Anima
Processional Hymn: 410, Praise, my soul, the King of heaven (LAUDA ANIMA)
Gloria: S-277, New Plainsong (Hurd)
Psalm: Psalm 14 (Simplified Anglican Chant)
Sequence Hymn: 706, In your mercy, Lord, you called me (HALTON HOLGATE)
Offertory Hymn: 645, The King of love my shepherd is (ST. COLUMBA)
Sanctus: S-125, Community Mass (Proulx)
Lord's Prayer: chanted (S-119 in Hymnal 1982)
Fraction Anthem: S-167, The disciples knew the Lord Jesus (M. Martens; Mode 6)
Communion Anthem: Lord, for Thy tender mercy's sake (Farrant)
Recessional Hymn: 388, O worship the King, all glorious above!(HANOVER)
Postlude: Improvisation on Hanover

I mis-estimated the time required for the communion anthem, and there were still people in the communion procession approaching the altar rail, so I went through my music and pulled out a Taizé piece: WLP 825, Bless the Lord, my soul. I was gratified when the choir picked up on what I was trying to do, and people in the pews and in the chancel were singing it. I was hoping for Ubi caritas, but couldn't find it.

As it turns out, I'd need it for the afternoon service I played at....

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Christ Church (Episcopal) in Raleigh. My friend, Eddie, had asked me to sub for him; he plays the 5:00 pm Contemplative Eucharist.

Here is the music I played for that service.

Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Contemplative Eucharist Rite II
Prelude: Adagio-(Allegro), Voluntary in e minor (Op. 7, No. 7; J. Stanley)
Gradual Response: WLP 825, Laudate Dominum (Taizé)
Preparation of the Altar: 470, There's a wideness in God's mercy (BEECHER)
Communion Song: WLP 831, Ubi caritas et amor (Taizé)
Communion Voluntary: Allegretto (Wm. Boyce)
Postlude:Fantasia (J. Pachelbel)

It was an interesting service. Admittedly, I didn't pay much attention to the organ... three manuals, terribly out of tune... couldn't find any stops that seem to correspond to the third manual, but when I tried playing on it, a very out-of-tune set of reeds answered... but then again, it's a "contemplative service", so I used soft stops befitting of a service with that description. Unfortunately, soft stops don't exactly convince a congregation to sing, and the singing was a little weak, especially with the Taizé. I did hear some singing, but it's not robust like the singing I encounter at the 5.15 pm service at Chapel of the Cross, for example.

It was a good experience for me, though. I thank Eddie for the opportunity.

Compline at Chapel of the Cross, Chapel Hill, NC—09.05.2010

Better late than never, right? Backdating this post....

Compline at Chapel of the Cross.

We've been using the Order for Compline, as set by David Hurd.

Here are our little additions:

Domine fac mecum (Thomas Morley)
Psalms 4 and 31 (chanted to Tone 8)
Hymn: To you before the close of day (TE LUCIS ANTE TERMINUM, Mode 8)
Nunc Dimittis from Short Service (O. Gibbons)
Salve Regina (Marian antiphon right after the Dismissal)
Ave Maria (Tomas Luis de Victoria)
Organ improvisation by the abfab Van Quinn on Domine fac mecum

Van has proposed us coming up with themes for improvisation. If he likes it well enough, he'll do it. He did Charlotte and my suggestion for improvising on the Morley. We were happy he'd done it. :)

5 September - Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost - Proper 18

Yes, late again, so I'm back-dating this post.

St. Joseph's Episcopal Church where I played the usual 10.30 am service. As usual, the numbers are out of The Hymnal 1982.

Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Holy Eucharist Rite II
Prelude: Allegretto (Wm. Boyce)
Processional Hymn: 10, New every morning is the love (KEDRON)
Gloria: S-277, New Plainsong (Hurd)
Psalm: Psalm 139 (Simplified Anglican Chant)
Sequence Hymn: 675, Take up your cross, the Savior said (BOURBON)
Offertory Hymn: 581, Where charity and love prevail (CHESHIRE)
Sanctus: S-125, Community Mass (Proulx)
Lord's Prayer: chanted (S-119 in Hymnal 1982)
Fraction Anthem: S-167, The disciples knew the Lord Jesus (M. Martens; Mode 6)
Communion Song: Gather Comprehensive 1994 700, The Summons (KELVINGROVE)
Recessional Hymn: 484, Praise the Lord through every nation (WACHET AUF)
Postlude: Allegretto (G. Böhm)

All right... I'll admit, I was a little careless in choosing this set. It wasn't exactly the most engaging set of hymns I've ever chosen... I'll endeavour to do better next time. :P

Food for Thought—Not Quite Filipino, Not Quite American

This comes from the Definitely Filipino blog. It comes from a guy who was born in California to parents who had immigrated from the Philippines.

I read through this and was very thankful that my parents had instilled in me the Filipino culture and values. Now that I'm on my own, I'm able to spend lots of time with members of the Filipino community and feel right at home with them. I don't speak the language well ("Parang telegrafia," sabi ng tatay ko) but at least I understand it when spoken to me. My uncle (RIP, Tito Paeng) had once told me that if I were to spend six months to a year living with them in Mandaluyong, I'd have no trouble picking up the language because it's all in my head; I'd just have to let it all out.

My excuse now? "Maliit ng kahon ng Tagalog ko." (My box of Tagalog is small.)

Click here to read the blogpost, "Not Quite Filipino, Not Quite American." It expresses very well what those of us "local borns" experience, having grown up Filipino outside of the Philippines.

For the record, I've been to the Philippines a few times and am in contact (thanks to Facebook) with cousins over there, as well as the cousins who have left the Philippines to work and live abroad.

Compline at Chapel of the Cross, Chapel Hill, NC—08.29.2010

Compline at Chapel of the Cross.

This was our first Compline of the academic year. We've been using the Order for Compline, as set by David Hurd.

Here are our little additions:

Lord, for Thy tender mercy's sake (Farrant)
Psalm 91 (chanted to Tone 8)
Hymn: To you before the close of day (TE LUCIS ANTE TERMINUM, Mode 8)
In manus tuas (Sheppard; sung in addition to "Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit ...)
Nunc Dimittis from Short Service (O. Gibbons)
Salve Regina (Marian antiphon right after the Dismissal)
Ave Maria (Tomas Luis de Victoria)
Organ improvisation by the abfab Van Quinn on Salve Regina

Despite there being some sort of frat party across the street, we still managed to attract at least 150 people. Not bad for the first Sunday back. :)

It felt really, really nice to chant Compline with my friends again. And we have a very good group whose voices blend together very, very well. And the sopranos were on pitch! No flatness there, no siree.

Now I'll need to do a little homework. Van has me singing alto, and he wants to bring back the Parsons Ave Maria. I've only ever sung the ethereal soprano part. Now I'll have to learn both alto lines because he may call on me to sing either Alto I or Alto II. And I had a difficult time following it.

So I'll be hitting the books and studying it carefully... but happily. I am looking forward to having this wonderful piece back in our repertoire! :)

29 August - Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost - Proper 17

Better late than never, right?

I have two lists for you today.

I cantored the 7.45 am Mass at Immaculate Conception Church. Jane was back at the console. She did mprovisations for voluntaries today. It's always a treat to hear her improvise. She's so good at it.

As usual, the numbers come out of GIA's Gather Comprehensive 1994 (green cover):

Sunday 7.45 am Mass: Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Processional Hymn: 662, Love divine, all loves excelling (HYFRYDOL)
Gloria: 176, New Mass for Congregations (C.T. Andrews)
Psalm: Psalm 68 (Guimont)
Gospel Acclamation: 177, Mode VI; Verse to Tone 6F ("Take my yoke upon you, says the Lord, and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart.")
Offertory Hymn: 646, I heard the voice of Jesus say (KINGSFOLD)
Sanctus: 180, People's Mass
Memorial Acclamation, Amen: 181-182, Danish Amen Mass
Agnus Dei: 184, Agnus Dei XVIII (in English)
Recessional: 614, O God, our help in ages past (ST. ANNE)

By the way, the improv for Communion was on Adoro Te Devote and the Postlude was an improv on St. Anne. I really enjoy Jane's improvs. ♥

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St. Joseph's Episcopal Church where I played the usual 10.30 am service. As usual, the numbers are out of The Hymnal 1982.

Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Holy Eucharist Rite II
Prelude: Prelude on Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing (P. Manz)
Processional Hymn: 686, Come, thou fount of every blessing (NETTLETON)
Trisagion: S-100, New Plainsong (Hurd)
Psalm: Psalm 81 (Simplified Anglican Chant)
Sequence Hymn: 321, My God, thy table now is spread (ROCKINGHAM)
Offertory Hymn: 665, All my hope on God is founded (MICHAEL)
Sanctus: S-130, Deutsche Messe (Schubert/Proulx)
Lord's Prayer: chanted (S-119 in Hymnal 1982)
Fraction Anthem: S-169, My flesh is food indeed (Urwin)
Communion Anthem: Draw us in the Spirit's tether (H. Friedell)
Benediction: The Lord Bless You and Keep You (Peter Lutkin)
Recessional Hymn: 477, All praise to thee, for thou, O King divine (ENGELBERG)
Postlude: Prelude and Fugue in B-flat Major (attr. J. S. Bach)

This was Maggie Silton's last day with us. We're very sad to see her go and wish her all the best at Chapel of the Cross.

Click here to read her last sermon with us. She delivers wonderful homilies, and this one was probably one of the best she'd ever given.

Good luck, Maggie.