Queens Chapter AGO
A Short History of the first 25 years – 1957-1982

Website of the Queens Chapter AGO
www.agohq.org/chapters/queens

The story of the Queens Chapter of the American Guild of Organists is that of an artistic, educational and social organization which has grown steadily through twenty-five years – and grown chiefly by the voluntary efforts of a sizable number of devoted people. Some of them are singled out for special mention here; but these lines are at best a digest of the complete records of the chapter, which records are kept by the Librarian, Bertha Haas.

The very first chapter of the American Guild of Organists was the "New York City" Chapter, founded in 1896. For a long time the Borough of Queens, large tracts of which remained undeveloped until after World War II, simply formed part of the territory served by the New York City Chapter. By 1957, however, the President of the AGO, Dr. S. Lewis Elmer, and the New York City Dean, Harold Heeremans, felt that the great size of that chapter, along with the somewhat different needs of Queens places of worship, suggested the formation of a chapter in Queens. They asked two National Councillors of the AGO to undertake this task, our cofounders Anna Shoremount Rayburn, FAGO, and Lily Andujar Rogers, FAGO.

Letters were sent to musicians who might be interested; and meetings were held, January 28, 1957, at Mrs. Rayburn's home, and February 4, at the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, Flushing. At the latter meeting forty-one persons signed a petition for the establishment of a Queens Chapter. The AGO granted this request on February 11; and at a worship service in the same church, on February 17, Dr. Elmer administered the oath of office to the Chapter's first elected officers. They were –

Dean: Mrs. Rogers

Sub-dean: Roy Anderson, AAGO, ChM

Secretary: David Walker

Treasurer: Hugh Campbell

Registrar: Anna Schuh

Auditors: Mary Kaner and Ray Rayburn

Chaplain: Rev. August Bobzin (the pastor of the church)

Executive Committee: Anna Foulke; Marjorie Gulbrandsen; John Holler, AAGO; Charles Schaefer; Grant Smith, AAGO; and Wilbur Walker.

The simplest way to chronicle the twenty-five years that followed is to divide it according to the terms of service of the various deans.

1957-58

From the outset the Chapter emphasized the educational aspect of the AGO. Thus at its first official meeting, held on March 11 at Victoria Congregational Church, Jamaica, Harold Heeremans was invited to speak on "The Making of a Musician." Not surprisingly, the making of a musician turned out to be preparing for and passing the AGO exams! Here, then, was one type of meeting that would often be repeated in the years to come. April found the Chapter gathered for dinner at St. George's Episcopal, Flushing, a church that, over the years, would be particularly generous in welcoming the Chapter. The dinner was served, says a notice of the time, by the "Choir Mothers' Guild." (Those were the days of big congregations, but choirs, and big church budgets!) In mid-May the Chapter went to the First Church of Kew Gardens for anoth& often-repeated type of meeting, the class on choral direction. This one was conducted by Willard Irving Nevins, president-emeritus of the Guilmant Organ School and a columnist for the World Telegram and Sun. At the end of the month the Chapter went to St. James Lutheran, Ozone Park, for a business meeting, which was announced as the last meeting of the year. Apparently, though, being a new AGO chapter was just too good to give up, so they had yet another meeting – yet another class on choral direction, this one by Mrs. Rayburn. It was held on June 16 at Good Shepherd Lutheran, Queens Village, where the organist, David Walker, demonstrated the new three-manual Schlicker organ.

Fall, 1957, began with a report by Roy Anderson and Lorraine Merritt on the International Congress of Organists, held in England, which they had attended. Then came an address by Ray Berry, editor of the old American Organist, on church architecture and acoustics, a presentation by Pastor Kreider of St. James on audio-visual teaching materials, and still another class on choral direction by Harold Friedell, music director of St. Bartholomew's, Park Avenue.

Winter-Spring, 1958, saw the first instances of other continuing types of meetings. On February 9 came the first anniversary service, held at Grant Smith's church, Ss. Luke and Matthew, Brooklyn; the speakers were Dr. Elmer and one of the Chapter's most faithful friends among the clergy, Canon Dougald MacLean of St. George's. On February 24 came the first guest-artist recital: Searle Wright played the 1922 four manual organ E.M. Skinner organ at St. George's. In March there was another business meeting, and in April the Chapter gathered for what would be another lasting figure of its work:a members' concert. Usually they played or sang the works of others, but at this first members' concert, and not infrequently thereafter, they performed their own compositions. Composers represented on this occasion were Wellington Adams, Lawrence Salvatore, Charles Schaefer, Manuela Jimenez, Doris Kane, and Rayburn. In May the Chapter developed a thirty-six voice choir from members and friends, which Mr. Nevins led in a sacred concert. After that eventful year the members relaxed over dinner, June 17 at the Colonial Church, Bayside, and listened to a tape of their May concert. And a new dean was ready to go to work, Wilbur Walker, organist and choirmaster of St. George's.

It seemed particularly worthwhile to report the Chapter's first, pattern forming year in some detail. Regrettably, evident limitations of space will restrict the rest of this account to the highlights of each year. It should not be overlooked, however, that in every year of its existence the Chapter has presented a full schedule of meetings, ranging from seven to ten in the September-June span, and that each year only one or two of these were primarily social. Friendships grew out of shared interests, but the interests were pursued quite seriously.

1958-1959

In the Fall, choirs continued to occupy the Chapter's attention. Members Anna Rayburn, Anna Schuh and David Walker addressed themselves to the problems confronted in directing children's choirs. (A later speaker – not one of the above – was to suggest keeping a mean-looking dog to inspire discipline.) Wesley Bartlett came from the Carl Fischer publishing house to conduct a sight-sing of his wares. And the superbly intelligent, but also extremely funny Medeleine Marshall came from Juillard to unscramble the mysteries of English Choral diction.

In the Spring term there was, among other attractions, a festive anniversary service at Good Shepherd, with brass and percussion complementing the organ. Then came a "Young Artist" recital, in which two of the Chapter's own recent AAGO's played, and rather ambitiously. Doris Kane did three movements of Vierne's Third Symphony; Richard Amend presented all three of Langlais' Parapharases Gregoriennes. This term also held what is possibly the strangest program the Chapter ever offered. It was a fund-raiser called "Organ Music I Never Played," and the idea was that you gift-wrapped some piece you disliked for sale to the unwary. All in a good cause. And a new dean was chosen, Roy Anderson.

1959-1960

November, 1959, saw the first AGO program at an instrument that later figured prominently in these programs, the new three-manual Casavant at the First United Methodist Church, Flushing; Lilian Carpenter was guest artist. It is worth noting that this and later public concerts arranged by the Chapter were meant both for their educational and spiritual value to the members, but also as fund-raisers. Records indicate that in order to present these concerts the members were very active in rounding up pre-concert subscriptions. In May there was a children's choir festival at St. George's; the record shows that some three hundred children, from thirty-one churches, took part. The records also contain some charming personal letters. Young Gerre Hancock, fresh from the North Texas Chapter, wrote he was "terribly anxious" to give a concert for the Chapter, adding, in case they had not heard of him, "I can secure references or other particulars regarding my performance abilities." And Jane Schatkin thought she should join the Chapter, she wrote, because "This is my first year at Queens College as a music major." At year's end the deanship passed to Anna Schuh.

1960-62

Highlights of Miss Schuh's two years as dean included a discussion of the music of Reform Judaism by David Benedict, Cantor of Temple Israel, Lawrence. Other speakers were Seth Bingham, on the music of Langlais, Earl Berg, on "Music in the Small Church," and Charles Dodsley Walker on improvisation. On May 7, 1961, Claire Coci gave a recital at Good Shepherd; and on May 27, 1962, choirs from eighteen churches, under the direction of Mary Kaner, gave a concert at St. George's illustrating various possibilities in hymn use. In a note regarding the fifth anniversary dinner Lily Rogers drew attention to "five associates in five years, plus one choirmaster's certificate, and several other examinations in the making: a fine record on which to build, and a testimonial to the alert and forward-looking membership of our Chapter." This she attributed as well to the work of the Academic Welfare Committee, or AGO certificate-holders of the Chapter, acting as a kind of continuing-education impetus. As if to underscore her point, the Chapter came up with $250 to finance the participation of Mrs. Theo Rayburn Wee, an AAGO member, in the National Playing Competition of the Guild; it hurt less when she won.

During 1962-63 Robert Clearwater was dean. The main attactions of the year's programming were an organ tour to the West Point Military Academy, which has one of the largest instruments anywhere, and the concert appearance at First Methodist, Flushing, of Alec Wyton. The Chapter also had the first of a number of handbell sessions; the performers on this occasion were a group from Babylon Methodist.

1963-65

These years, under Dean Lorraine Merritt, contained perhaps the most ambitious programming, before or since, in the Chapter's history. There was a master class in organ by Claire Coci and a session on choral direction by Alec Wyton. Charles Harmon, organist and choirmaster of St. Andrew Avellino, Flushing, led his choir in a long demonstration program of what would now be called "pre-Vatican II" Roman Catholic liturgical music. St. Andrew's organ would now also figure in Chapter programs, a 1941 Casavant, three manuals, but fifty ranks. E. Power Biggs presented a concert on the recently renovated and enlarged St. George's Skinner. And on May 17,1964 the Chapter presented a so called "Massed Choir Concert" at the New York World's Fair.

1964-65 kept up the pace. There was a master class with Robert Baker. On November 24 Jean Langlais gave a concert at St. Andrew's, including a generous sampling of his own compositions. Mr. Harmon still marvels, not only at the grace of Langlais' execution, but at the mind-boggling ease with which the famous Parisian, blind from birth, familiarized himself with St. Andrew's console. Later in the year Lady Susi Jeans lectured at Queens College (where David Walker is a faculty member) on English and Austrian organ music. On May15 there was a second choral concert at the World's Fair, actually two performances; and a recording was made. Of this Alec Wyton, now AGO President, wrote, "The program was notable, not only for the quality of music, but also for the standard of its performance; and there was a large and appreciative audience from all over the world, listening to the results of the work of the AGO. . . The officers and members of the Queens Chapter are to be resoundingly thanked for this incalculably important gesture." To make sure their feet were on the ground the members had for their annual banquet a barbeque in the dean's back yard.

Carleton Inniss, AAGO, served as dean in 1965-66. Highpoints were a class by Margaret Hillis on choral direction and a concert, at Manhasset Congregational Church, by Virgil Fox. As would happen from time to time in the following years, the Queens and the Nassau Chapters pooled their resources to present an artist; for his efforts of the day Mr. Fox got, so reads his contract, "$500 plus 50% of the net after fee and publicity expenses." In 1966-67 Lily Rogers was again dean; and there were concerts by Lilian Carpenter and David Craighead, plus a gala tenth anniversary concert, including Schubert's Mass in 0, conducted by the dean at her church, St. Gabriel's Episcopal. On this occasion the postlude, Bach's Fantasia and Fugue in 0 Minor, was played by a young man who had been one of Mrs. Rogers' choirboys, David Hurd. A letterhead of the time reminds us that Richard Amend of Grace Episcopal had by now earned the FAGO and ChM certifications. During 1967-68 Hugh Campbell was dean. As part of its ongoing effort the Academic Welfare Committee presented another program on the AGO exams, this time on the Service Playing Certificate. Edgar Hilliar played a concert at St. George's. Perhaps the biggest event of the year was the dedication of the new three-manual Austin at Douglaston Community Church. Robert Baker played a concert on May 12, and the following week Alec Wyton brought over the choir from the Cathedral of St. John the Divine for evensong. The organist and choirmaster at Douglaston – then and now – is Gordon W. Paulsen, who is also the AGO's legal advisor.

1968-1970

In the Chapter's second decade all the deans, save in one instance, served for two years. During 1968-70 Roy Anderson was again dean. Reflecting the changing shape of worship, no less than three programs were devoted to American or new-folkloric religious song. Virgil Fox appeared in recital again, and Frederick Swann gave the inevitable class in choral direction. At Douglaston's new Austin Jane Schatkin Hettrick gave the doctoral program she had prepared for Marilyn Mason at the University of Michigan, a recital of baroque.period compositions in variation form. The Chapter was saddened by the passing of former dean Robert Clearwater on July 18, 1969.

1970-72

Howard H. Epping was dean. At the Cathedral of the Incarnation, Garden City, the Queens and Nassau chapters presented Frederick Swann in a workshop and concert. Later concerts at the same large Schlicker instrument were given by Heinz Wunderlich and Piet Kee. On May 7, 1972, a new activity entered the picture: the Chapter went to see and hear a distinguished old instrument, the 1871 Hook & Hastings at St. Alphonsus Church, Manhattan. Largely through the work of the Organ Historical Society Americans were beginning to discover that their 19th- and early 20th-century organs were – and are – very beautiful indeed. The new dean would be Margaret Battle, Colonial Church.

1972-74

Events of this period include some fancy items, such as jointly sponsored concerts by Paul Manz, Gillian Weir and Marie.Madeleine Durufle, but also a good selection of altogether pleasant "down home" happenings, such as anthem sight-sings, members' concerts – the members were still composing – and covered-dish suppers. On June 2, 1974, there was the dedication of the first new-old tracker organ in the Queens area, the thirteen- rank 1877 Ryder, relocated by the Organ Clearing House and fully rebuilt by Bozeman-Gibson, at Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church, Maspeth.

1974-77

Wilbur Walker, St. George's, sewed a second time as dean in 1974-75. Highlights of that year included the dedicatory recital of a new Schlicker at Dr. Hettrick's church, Redeemer Lutheran, Bayside, a session on handbell ringing by Dean Walker, and a recital by McNeil Robinson at First Methodist, Flushing. The speaker at the annual banquet was Richard Westenberg. For the following two years the dean was Donald Ulm. During that time there took place, among other things, the presentation of a film-cum-recordings show developed by the Organ Historical Society; a lecture and recital devoted to Marcel Dupre, given by Dr. John Pagett; the dedication of the new Moller at Holy Trinity Lutheran, Hollis, with organist and choirmaster John Stump at the console, and additional recitals by Susan-Ingrid Ferre and Gerre Hancock. (Mr. Hancock, now of St. Thomas, Fifth Avenue, left no doubts about his performance abilities!) Members were both interested and concerned in the light of liturgical changes: addressing this need. Charles Harmon and Olga Conti provided the music for a post-Vatican II Mass at Mrs. Conti's church, St. Margaret's, Middle Village; and Dr. Eugene Brand lectured about Lutheran developments at Holy Trinity. The June banquet speaker for 1976 was Dr. Roberta Bitgood, President of the AGO. Speakers in June, 1977, were Dr. Jack Kemp of Westminister Choir College and the new dean, Dr. Joseph Fitzer of St. John's University. Dr. Fitzer's talk was subsequently printed in the AGO's national journal (December, 1977: "Of Deans in Queens").

1977-79

With some reason Dr. Fitzer's tenure as dean could be seen as a kind of turning point in the history of the Chapter. By now the public perception of religion had changed notably from what it had been in the Eisenhower era. Moreover, population shifts had brought to Queens new residents whose cultural traditions did not include the kinds of music described in these pages. The message now was clearly, no more big congregations, choirs and budgets. The Chapter's programs reflected this situation. Ronald Bishop of Schantz Organs told why a pipe organ is still a better buy. Maureen Morgan, founder of the AGO's Committee on Professional Concerns – compensation and conditions of employment – urged Chapter members to take a more active role in seeking their legitimate share of shrinking funds. (President Bitgood subsequently appointed Dean Fitzer to the Professional Concerns Committee, whose column in The American Organist he edits.) Dr. Grant Anderson, directoremeritus of the Queens Federation of Churches, spoke of the tensions, but also of the rewards, of clergy-musician relations, as did Dr. Howard Hageman, President of New Brunswick Theological Seminary, at the June, 1978, dinner. But there were concerts, too: Paul Thomas and the Chapter's most recent FAGO, Thomas Bohlert; Dean Fitzer presented a lecture and demonstration of Baroque Catholic organ-choral alternation. On the whole, however, the emphasis was on making-do and stabilizing: the first of two members' concerts in 1978-79 celebrated the reconditioning (without tonal alteration) of St. Andrew's 1941 Casavant. St. Gabriel's Moller was rebuilt and expanded by William Fennimore. Barbara Owen spoke at the June, 1979, dinner; her subject: "Organ Restoration and What It Means to Us." With sorrow, the second ‘78-79 members' concert, February 4, commemorated the passing of former dean Roy Anderson.

1979-82

The new dean was Martin Gigler, a former organ student of Mrs. Rogers, and (then) organist and choirmaster of the United Methodist Church of Maspeth. Programs of particular note included a presentation of "Music for the Small Organ" by Regional Chairman Donald Ingram, a concert at St. Gabriel's by David Hurd (now of General Theological Seminary), a multi-media Lenten presentation, and two organ tours of Brooklyn, with Chapter members hearing and inspecting instruments by Odell, Jardine and Skinner. Chapter member Allen Dreyfuss relocated an 1895 Odell in the Protestant Chapel of Kennedy Airport. Continuing Chapter traditions, David Walker spoke on "Involving Children in the Children's Choir," and Walter Hilse of the AGO's Examination Committee (and himself a native of Queens) gave two presentations on the Guild examinations. Former dean Wilbur Walker passed to rest in the Lord. But the life of the Chapter continues: on May 4, 1980, the Chapter, in co-operation with the Queens Federation of Churches, presented a kind of double-bill at the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, Richmond Hill. Erik Routley spoke on new trends in hymnody, and a choir specially prepared for the occasion sang Britten's Re/oice in the Lamb, with John Stump at the organ. In 1981 Charles Harmon celebrated his fortieth anniversary at St. Andrew's. The 1982 members' concert contained works of Bach, Dubois, Franck, Widor, Manz and Langlais, played by organists Inniss, Stump, Hettrick, Foulke (charter member), Lisa Kelly, David Close, and William Gavigan (1981-82 Dean); the "producer" was cofounder Lily Rogers. —JPF

Website of the Queens Chapter AGO – www.agohq.org/chapters/queens