Music and the Arts express our love of Christ
through the beauty of sight and sound
through the beauty of sight and sound
The history of our Skinner/Kegg Opus 374 organ
The following was researched by our Musician Emeritus William Kendrick:
Our pipe organ began its life in the Ernest M. Skinner factory in 1922. The Skinner company was the “Cadillac” of pipe organs in the 1920’s and 30's. (Other Skinner organ installations include Trinity Cathedral in Cleveland.)
The original specs called for a rather modest installation: 24 ranks of pipes played on a 4-manual console -- the keyboard control base. Dominated by an abundance of 8-ft pipes with only 3 ranks of 4-foot pipes, the instrument produced a warm, thick sound that very much appealed to the congregation and choir. The distinctive string and flute pipes and the colorful resonant reeds (think horn and trumpet sounds) were characteristic of this early Skinner opus. The organ was installed in 1923 and dedicated that same year by renown organist Edwin Arthur Kraft of Trinity Cathedral, Cleveland.
Trends in organ building began to change in the mid-1950's. Pipework more typical of the European Baroque and Classical period replaced many of the Romantic (think orchestral) organs of this era. In 1958, St. Paul's contracted the Hillgreen-Lane Company of Alliance, Ohio, to enlarge the organ to 43 ranks. The new pipes of a more brilliant and colorful nature certainly startled our congregation! Unfortunately, within 15 years, the console was nearly unplayable. Despite organ technician Robert Wervey's quest to correct the mounting problems, the parish was faced with the decision to either purchase a new organ or seek a company that would restore the organ's original integrity -- that of an English cathedral sound. Six organ firms submitted proposals, and in 1995 the Kegg Pipe Organ Builders were awarded the contract.
Opus 374 is a 4-manual, 49-rank instrument of unquestioned quality. Original Skinner pipes were the heart of the rebuild. New pipes of both subtle and heroic color were added. A number of ranks were judiciously relocated to more appropriate divisions. Former mechanical and electrical issues were resolved. The new console matches beautifully with the woodwork in the chancel. And we are most proud of our Kegg-Skinner organ. In addition, all carpeting in the chancel and nave has been removed to further enhance the sound of the organ.
Our pipe organ began its life in the Ernest M. Skinner factory in 1922. The Skinner company was the “Cadillac” of pipe organs in the 1920’s and 30's. (Other Skinner organ installations include Trinity Cathedral in Cleveland.)
The original specs called for a rather modest installation: 24 ranks of pipes played on a 4-manual console -- the keyboard control base. Dominated by an abundance of 8-ft pipes with only 3 ranks of 4-foot pipes, the instrument produced a warm, thick sound that very much appealed to the congregation and choir. The distinctive string and flute pipes and the colorful resonant reeds (think horn and trumpet sounds) were characteristic of this early Skinner opus. The organ was installed in 1923 and dedicated that same year by renown organist Edwin Arthur Kraft of Trinity Cathedral, Cleveland.
Trends in organ building began to change in the mid-1950's. Pipework more typical of the European Baroque and Classical period replaced many of the Romantic (think orchestral) organs of this era. In 1958, St. Paul's contracted the Hillgreen-Lane Company of Alliance, Ohio, to enlarge the organ to 43 ranks. The new pipes of a more brilliant and colorful nature certainly startled our congregation! Unfortunately, within 15 years, the console was nearly unplayable. Despite organ technician Robert Wervey's quest to correct the mounting problems, the parish was faced with the decision to either purchase a new organ or seek a company that would restore the organ's original integrity -- that of an English cathedral sound. Six organ firms submitted proposals, and in 1995 the Kegg Pipe Organ Builders were awarded the contract.
Opus 374 is a 4-manual, 49-rank instrument of unquestioned quality. Original Skinner pipes were the heart of the rebuild. New pipes of both subtle and heroic color were added. A number of ranks were judiciously relocated to more appropriate divisions. Former mechanical and electrical issues were resolved. The new console matches beautifully with the woodwork in the chancel. And we are most proud of our Kegg-Skinner organ. In addition, all carpeting in the chancel and nave has been removed to further enhance the sound of the organ.
A free special concert June 25th commemorates the dedication of St. Paul's historic organ
A free concert on Sunday, June 25, will celebrate 100 years of music performed on St. Paul's historic Skinner/Kegg Opus 374 pipe organ.
The concert falls 100 years to the day since the original dedicatory concert for the organ. Other venues for Skinner organs include the Cleveland Museum of Art, Oberlin College's Finney Chapel and the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.
The organ was enlarged in the late 1950s by Robert Wervey, and successfully renovated and somewhat enlarged by the Kegg Organ Builders. About 26-28 ranks are original E.M. Skinner.
The concert selections will be performed by three of the men who have devoted decades to the music ministry of St. Paul's: Music Director Edward Grimes, Musician Emeritus William Kendrick and organist Dave Carnell. .Many of the pieces they will perform are evocative of what was played in churches in our region a century ago.
Their selections will include:
- Reflection, Walter Watson (1933-2014)
- Bourree I and II, Charles Wood (1866-1926)
- Psalm Prelude, Set One, No. 1, Herbert Howells (1892-1963)
- Prelude on Rhosymedre, Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)
- Tuba Tune in D Major, C .S. Lang (1891-1971)
- Pastorale (Psalm 23:1), Percy Whitlock (1903-1946)
- Andante Pathetique, Sir John Stainer (1840-1901)
- Exultation, G. Winston Cassler (1906-1990)
- Meditation from the opera Thais, Jules Massenet (1842-1912)
- Grande Choeur, William Faulkes (1863-1933)
- Evening Hymn "Abide with me" Eventide EH 662
The free concert begins at 3 p.m. and will be followed by a community reception in the Guild Hall.
The works of Mozart, Pärt and Rheinberger benefit the work of StarkFresh
Jenny Cluggish and Daniel Pereira will join St. Paul's Music Director Edward Grimes for a special recital and reception Sunday afternoon, May 21, beginning at 3 p.m. Freewill offerings will benefit StarkFresh, a partner of St. Paul's whose mission is tackling the causes of hunger by creating realistic pathways out of poverty.
Here's more about the visiting artists:
Jenny Cluggish, violin
Cluggish earned her masters in violin performance at the University of Miami in Oxford, Ohio, where she earned a full scholarship and was a member of the graduate string quartet. Her bachelor's degree in violin performance was awarded by the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music.
She teaches, has played with the West Virginia Symphony, Huntington Symphony, Richmond Symphony, Springfield Symphony and the National Symphonia in Washington, D.C., and has studied with the Killington Chamber Music Festival in Vermont and with the Ying Quartet at the Eastman School of Music. As a member of a piano violin duo in Cincinnati from 2009-2016, she specializedin performing works by women composers for concerts throughout the Cincinnati area.
Daniel Pereira, cello
A native of Caracas, Venezuela, Daniel Pereira has been cello teacher, chamber music coach, orchestral performer and chamber musician. He's been a member of the Harrisburg Symphy Orchestra since 2005 and also performs regularly with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra and Wheeling Symphony Orchestra.
He was a regular substitute with the Cleveland Orchestra from 2006-17, where he played under some of the world’s leading conductors including Franz Welzer-Möst, Herbert Blomstedt, Alan Gilbert, Vladimir Ashkenazy and Stéphane Denève, He has also performed with the Pittsburgh Symphony and New World Symphony.
Here's more about the visiting artists:
Jenny Cluggish, violin
Cluggish earned her masters in violin performance at the University of Miami in Oxford, Ohio, where she earned a full scholarship and was a member of the graduate string quartet. Her bachelor's degree in violin performance was awarded by the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music.
She teaches, has played with the West Virginia Symphony, Huntington Symphony, Richmond Symphony, Springfield Symphony and the National Symphonia in Washington, D.C., and has studied with the Killington Chamber Music Festival in Vermont and with the Ying Quartet at the Eastman School of Music. As a member of a piano violin duo in Cincinnati from 2009-2016, she specializedin performing works by women composers for concerts throughout the Cincinnati area.
Daniel Pereira, cello
A native of Caracas, Venezuela, Daniel Pereira has been cello teacher, chamber music coach, orchestral performer and chamber musician. He's been a member of the Harrisburg Symphy Orchestra since 2005 and also performs regularly with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra and Wheeling Symphony Orchestra.
He was a regular substitute with the Cleveland Orchestra from 2006-17, where he played under some of the world’s leading conductors including Franz Welzer-Möst, Herbert Blomstedt, Alan Gilbert, Vladimir Ashkenazy and Stéphane Denève, He has also performed with the Pittsburgh Symphony and New World Symphony.
Waltzes, Gypsy melodies and an ode to West Virginia
fill St. Paul's sanctuary
fill St. Paul's sanctuary
The St. Nicholas Church Balalaika Orchestra returned to St. Paul’s Sunday afternoon (Jan. 15) to fill the sanctuary with waltzes, Gypsy folk tunes, love songs and even a balalaika rendition of John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads.”
All were played on traditional Russian folk instruments, including the hallmarks of the orchestra: triangular-shaped, bevel-backed stringed instruments known as balalaikas, as well as massive dombras, accordions, a piano gulsi, tamborines, blocks and the newest addition: a flute.
The instruments "are the paintbrushes and canvases with which the Russian peasant used to create the beautiful and poignant artistry of Russian folk music so treasured today," the St. Nicholas orchestra explains.
Kenneth Kramer, a retired music professor from Kent State and a founding member of the Ohio Light Opera, accompanied the orchestra, which wore the elaborately embroidered costumes of 17th and 18th Century Russian peasants.
The orchestra, whose home-base is St. Nicholas church in Mogadore, has been performing for nearly 40 years. The MacDowell Music Club of Canton sponsored Sunday’s concert, the first at St. Paul’s since January 2020 -- less than two months before Covid shut down most in-person performances in Ohio, the world and internationally.
Click here to view the concert on Facebook.
All were played on traditional Russian folk instruments, including the hallmarks of the orchestra: triangular-shaped, bevel-backed stringed instruments known as balalaikas, as well as massive dombras, accordions, a piano gulsi, tamborines, blocks and the newest addition: a flute.
The instruments "are the paintbrushes and canvases with which the Russian peasant used to create the beautiful and poignant artistry of Russian folk music so treasured today," the St. Nicholas orchestra explains.
Kenneth Kramer, a retired music professor from Kent State and a founding member of the Ohio Light Opera, accompanied the orchestra, which wore the elaborately embroidered costumes of 17th and 18th Century Russian peasants.
The orchestra, whose home-base is St. Nicholas church in Mogadore, has been performing for nearly 40 years. The MacDowell Music Club of Canton sponsored Sunday’s concert, the first at St. Paul’s since January 2020 -- less than two months before Covid shut down most in-person performances in Ohio, the world and internationally.
Click here to view the concert on Facebook.
The Balalaika Orchestra returns to St. Paul's
Senior Warden’s report: Welcoming our new organist/choirmaster
Ed Grimes will be joining St. Paul’s this fall as our new organist/choirmaster.
He comes to us from Christ Church in Kent, where he’s director of music and has served for nearly three decades. Ed’s been playing the organ since he was 14 and music is a key part of another aspect of his life, teaching music at the Spring Garden Waldorf School in Copley/Fairlawn. He's also the school's gardening coordinator.
He holds a master’s in conducting from Kent State University and has worked with Opera Cleveland, Kent Classic Arts, and many other musical and educational organizations.
“He obviously is a very spiritual gentleman and considers the music to be a very important part of a church service,” said Stephen Johnson, a member of the Organist Search Committee. “He seems a very good fit as far as his approach to the music and his ability.”
A key part of Ed’s job at St. Paul’s will be rebuilding our choir, and he interviewed with several members of our choir as well.
It was a couple months before the pandemic hit that we lost our organist, Mark Peterson, to an unfortunate medical condition that forced him to retire. Since then, we have been ably served by several organists who kept the music playing at St. Paul’s.
Thanks to the Search Committee: Steve Johnson, Tom Lilly, Douglas Colmery, Elizabeth Mapp and Brenda Denning for joining me in the search. And welcome, Ed!
David Lewis
Ed Grimes will be joining St. Paul’s this fall as our new organist/choirmaster.
He comes to us from Christ Church in Kent, where he’s director of music and has served for nearly three decades. Ed’s been playing the organ since he was 14 and music is a key part of another aspect of his life, teaching music at the Spring Garden Waldorf School in Copley/Fairlawn. He's also the school's gardening coordinator.
He holds a master’s in conducting from Kent State University and has worked with Opera Cleveland, Kent Classic Arts, and many other musical and educational organizations.
“He obviously is a very spiritual gentleman and considers the music to be a very important part of a church service,” said Stephen Johnson, a member of the Organist Search Committee. “He seems a very good fit as far as his approach to the music and his ability.”
A key part of Ed’s job at St. Paul’s will be rebuilding our choir, and he interviewed with several members of our choir as well.
It was a couple months before the pandemic hit that we lost our organist, Mark Peterson, to an unfortunate medical condition that forced him to retire. Since then, we have been ably served by several organists who kept the music playing at St. Paul’s.
Thanks to the Search Committee: Steve Johnson, Tom Lilly, Douglas Colmery, Elizabeth Mapp and Brenda Denning for joining me in the search. And welcome, Ed!
David Lewis
|
Liturgical Music: Edward Grimes, Choirmaster and Music Director, has been playing the organ since he was 14. He holds a master’s in conducting from Kent State University and has worked with Opera Cleveland, Kent Classic Arts, and many other musical and educational organizations. Musician Emeritus William Kendrick possesses a vast background of education and experience in church music. He specializes in classical selections, and has frequently writtenhis own for notable/seasonal services. |