December Issue of the Bombarde

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December 2022 Issue

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The Dean's Column

Why is it that locals are the least likely to visit their own region's tourists' attractions? I have lived in Michigan my entire life and I am embarrassed to say there are places in my own back yard that I have never been. One of those places is Cranbrook House. I work about 7 minutes from the Cranbrook campus and certainly know of it's amazing history and architecture, but I guess I've never had a reason to go there. I now have two reasons to go there! The first is to experience the beauty and craftsmanship of one of the finest residences in metro Detroit. The second reason is being with all of you! If you attended the reception after the Christopher Houlihan concert, you know how much fun it can be when colleagues get together. This will certainly be an event you won't want to miss.

If you have been to a restaurant lately, you may have experienced a bit of sticker shock when you saw the prices as a result of inflation. A main course, glass of wine, and tip will easily set you back $50. Look below to see what your $45 will get you-quite a selection!

One more, note about the dinner. This year, you have the option of contributing a little bit more money to help sponsor a young organist to attend the dinner. When I was a young organist, I was so lucky to have teachers and mentors that included me in events such as this. I am happy to pass it on and return the favor. I hope you will join me in doing the same.

Andrew Herbruck

Dean

Epiphany Dinner Returns!

Monday, January 9, 2023

Please RSVP to the AGO Detroit Chapter Epiphany Dinner

St. Dunstan’s Chapel, Christ Church Cranbrook

and

Cranbrook House, Cranbrook Educational Community

Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

All current members should have received a Paperless Post invitation last week for the return of this annual event. If you didn’t receive an invitation, please contact Nathan Costa at ngcosta14@gmail.com.

Celebrate the season with colleagues, partners, and friends, old and new, as we return to this spirited annual event following a two-year pandemic hiatus!

A brief recital at 6 p.m. by Joe Balistreri on the new Casavant Freres mean-tone organ in St. Dunstan’s Chapel, Christ Church Cranbrook.
Cocktails and dinner at 6:45 p.m. across the street at Cranbrook House, the iconic 1908 home of Cranbrook founders George and Ellen Booth, designed by renowned Detroit architect Albert Kahn and decked for the holidays.

Greg Wittkopp, director of Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research, will offer some history and a tour of the public parts of the house, which includes the recently refurbished 1929 Steinway D piano in the library.

Tentative menu includes:

Hors D’Oeuvres:

Johnny Cake with bacon and jalapeno jelly bite
Edamame and Carrot Hummus Tart with feta and zaatar
Langoustine Shrimp Shooter lemon dill cream

Dinner

Harvest Salad
Applewood Smoked Chicken: Michigan cider gastrique, pomegranate seed
Hard Seared Salmon: Atlantic salmon in dijon cream sauce
Mushroom Sacchetti in tarragon cream sauce
Roasted Garlic Whipped Potatoes
Roasted Corn and Asparagus

Bar hosted by AGO Sub-Dean Nathan Costa & AC Roche, President, Cranbrook Educational Community

Cost is $45 per person for AGO members and guests.

Opportunities available also to sponsor an AGO Young Organist.

We hope to see as many of you as possible at these unique events for our chapter to reunite and reengage with one another following the busy holiday season!

Would You Like to Play the Area's Largest Residential Organ?

Once again, the original-condition 1919 Aeolian organ in Meadow Brook Hall will be featured during the annual Holiday Walk from Thanksgiving until Christmas. Meadow Brook Hall is a National Historic Landmark. It is the 88,000 sq.ft. former home of Alfred and Matilda Dodge Wilson, and is on the campus of Oakland University.

In past years Detroit Area organists have generously joined in volunteering to man the console and provide holiday music for the hall's visitors. Around the end of October, interested organists will be contacted to set up schedules. If you have an interest in playing this historic instrument and would like to be added to the contact list, please contact Pete Townsend at ptownsend@comcast.net so your name can be added to the email list. If you have an interest in a short practice or trial session prior to then, please also contact Pete.

James Kibbie Holiday Recording

James Kibbie continues his annual holiday tradition of offering free downloads of a recording on his house organ, a 7-stop Létourneau tracker, as an “audio holiday card.” This year’s recording, the 21st in the series, is Robin Milford’s "Cradle Song for Christmas Day,” available in MP3 format at:

http://www-personal.umich.edu/~jkibbie/kibbie-holiday.html

St. Andrew's Episcopal celebrates the installation of their new

Richards, Fowkes & Company organ

Job Postings

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Ferndale, MI seeks a part-time Music Director: 8-12/hours week; $13-16,000 annually. Duties include accompanying all worship services on organ and piano, and directing the adult choir. Facility with a wide range of musical styles is a must; flexibility, humor and warmth are a big plus! Full Position Description: https://tinyurl.com/2uzpbuke. Send inquiries to the Rev. Clare Hickman, rector@stlukesferndale.org or call 313-330-5550.

Trinity Lutheran Church in Clinton Twp MI is looking for an organist familiar with Lutheran Services to play every Sunday at 9 am and every other Saturday at 5pm. Pay is negotiable. Position is available immediately. Special Holiday services included. Contact Paul Finazzo, Minister of Worship and Music at pfinazzo@trinityct.org or call at 586-854-4663

First Presbyterian Church of Tecumseh is hiring a 15-20 hour per week Director of Music Ministry. This position will provide oversight, direction and development to our music and worship ministry, and will be directly responsible for the following:

Develop and execute the vision for our music ministry in collaboration with the Pastor, Head of Staff and Worship Committee

Serve as organist, accompanist and musical educator for our congregation

which includes an adult vocal and hand bell choir

Incorporate variety of musical genres and cultural diversity in worship

Develop additional musical offerings: ensembles, choral groups, soloists, duets,

children's music ministry

Engage with the community through music outreach

Please submit a resume to: Ms. Lisa Michelin, Personnel Committee: tecumsehfirstpres@gmail.com

Immanuel Lutheran Church in Jackson, Michigan, is seeking an accomplished organist/pianist and choir director. We are a singing congregation! Duties include playing for weekly Sunday services and also some special services as well as leading and accompanying a small choir for rehearsals and services. Instruments include an 18-rank Wicks pipe organ and a Steinway baby grand piano. Knowledge of liturgical service practices is desirable. Salary commensurate with experience and duties as mutually agreed upon. If interested, please contact Pastor Kate at the church at 517-782-6081 or pastorkate@immanueljackson.org.

DIRECTOR OF MUSIC MINISTRY/ORGANIST - ST. MARY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH

St. Mary Roman Catholic Church in Marshall, Michigan, is seeking an Organist and Director of Music. Our National Historic Landmark District community is committed to economic growth and innovative technology. We have a new 2021 custom Allen 3 manual drawknob organ housed in the beautifully renovated historic church with an ideal acoustic music environment.

St. Mary Church offers three weekend Masses. We are a singing church. The qualified candidate should be a skilled organist and choir director who can effectively work with cantors, instrumentalists, and adult and youth choirs. The Organist/Director of Music would collaborate closely with the pastor in support of the liturgies. We prefer a degree or equivalent in music or a related field and an understanding of and respect for Catholic traditions and liturgy. Leadership and communication skills and a passion for sacred liturgy and music are essential qualities. This is a 30 hour per week (on average) position with a negotiable salary and benefits program in the range of $50,000-$60,000 per year, commensurate with experience/qualifications/hours. Compensation is also provided for other services. Relocation expenses negotiable for qualified candidates.

*Point of contact: E-mail resume and pertinent material to Office Manager, Mrs. Stacie Contat, St. Mary Church at stmarymarshall@aol.com (269-781-3949). Also, visit our website at www.stmarymarshall.org.

Do you have news that you’d like to share with the Chapter? Please send your information to Andrew Herbruck at andrew@fpcbirmingham.org for inclusion in the next issue of The Bombarde.