Summer

Recently one of my all time favorite shows, Gilmore Girls did a reunion type series in 4 installments labeled Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer. I'm going to try and catch you up on the last several months of my life by first bringing you Summer.

Last fall I wanted to brush up some of my piano and music theory skills and was pleased to begin working with one of the best musicians in our area. As it turned out she wanted to learn how to play the organ so we traded services. Susan is a local private music teacher and a talented performer on the piano and flute so of course she is taking to the organ very well.

She and I together with my Hubby on his euphonium gave a recital in August as part of the Organists of the Keweenaw summer recital series. Each summer the local organists put on recitals on local historic pipe organs to raise money for their upkeep. For our recital we used one of the oldest tracker pipe organs in MIchigan. I often wondered if I was crazy for putting myself through the stress of practicing and performing on an unfamiliar instrument, but once the evening was over I was glad we did it. I haven't. decided if I'm ready to do another any time soon though. 

I had great fun taking some inquisitive friends D and J on an organ crawl of some of those historic organs this summer. We had a good time getting to know each other better and formed fast friendships, especially between me and J. They live in FL during the winter and before they left we had established a routine of meeting for breakfast one day a week for breakfast. We have a lot in common, she's a very good listener and she really supports me in my work and ministry on the organ. J told me that after D, who's cancer is in remission, got home he fell fast asleep on the couch and when he woke up he said his dreams were of organ music! Warmed my heart! 

I was proud to see several of my piano students perform publically at Calumet's sesqui-centennial celebration this summer. The plan was to have different performing groups at each intersection downtown but because fo rain they put us under a small tent in the part which was right next to a large tent of vendors and the very loud MTU pep band. We also had to borrow a keyboard that unbeknownst to us arrived with no music rack, bench or power source. My students rallied like professionals and made the most of a difficult situation by helping me find solutions to each problem and then put on excellent performances that made people stop and take notice. It was a learning experience for each one of us and I was so proud of each one of my students!

Unfortunately I took a picture of each student that participated but I can only find few in my files. Where the rest have disappeared to I have no idea. I'm rather upset. 

Well it was quite the summer filled with music. I discovered some of my weaknesses but also some of my strengths and in these few instances I believe I wore my crown well. 

Practice at the Garret House Organ

So today is a day I've been looking forward to for a while now.  I've shared this organ with you before, this is the Garret House Organ that resides in an old church building which is now owned by the Houghton County Historical Museum.  I haven't been to this organ in a few years. The first time my mentor took me there it was an experience of a lifetime. We entered through the side door which is locked only by a padlock. There were cob webs and a musty/moldy smell as we climbed a set of steep steps which took us up behind the pipes of the organ. I felt like a child exploring the forbidden! There we saw that organists of the past had written there names (some carved) into the wooden pipes...my mentor included as he had practiced there regularly since he was a young boy. We continued past the pipe work and rounded the corner to find the handle which, though the organ has been electrified, the wind-chest can still be pumped by hand. Clerical robes still hang on hooks outside of what must have been the Pastor's office. I remember the feeling of being transported to a place I can't even describe as my mentor began to play - the sound so sweet, so honest, so pure.  I had a wonderful time that day - I was given the opportunity to play it as well as try my hand at pumping while my mentor played. Now that's hard work! 

At first glance the building doesn't look like much, but when you take time to look closer and notice the detail, it really is lovely and must have been quite elegant in it's day. If I could travel back in time, I would like to attend church there some summer Sunday morning. 

After that first visit, I returned one or two other times with my mentor and was thrilled to be able to hear the great organist and organ instructor from University of Michigan, Marilyn Mason play a concert there one time. 



Today's experience was much the same, though not quite as adventurous and fascinating as my very first visit. The building has seen some improvements since the last time I was in and people are sometimes using it for a wedding venue. It smells much less musty. The organ is still beautiful but needs a good tuning. I sure hope they are able to get it tuned before August 26th. 

Because on August 26th my current piano teacher who is also my organ student and I are going to play a recital together. After today's visit I am nervous about our recital. The organ is so different from what I normally play that it makes me feel like I did that first visit as a very new beginner! We have a lot of work to do both together and separately. Next week I plan to go back alone and try to get acclimated as well as get each of my pieces registered. I'm glad we still have more than a month to prepare because with my responsibilities as organist at church I will need every opportunity possible for practice. 

 Well that's about it for today. I'm sure you'll hear more from me about this organ and my adventures there this summer. We are headed out first thing in the morning to visit our son and daughter in law. I'm looking forward to the trip. 

Happy 4th to all!!

Summer Begins

With the start of summer coming on, I have been keeping quite busy. Memorial Day weekend brought my son and daughter-in-law up for the long weekend...it was nice to have them for longer than usual. Past visits have proved difficult for them and their two large fur-babies...the dogs are quite needy and finding a place for all of them to stay that was both private and quite was a challenge. They decided they wanted to try reclaiming a room from our old apartment which is over Hubby's print shop. Since we bought our house and moved out of the apartment he took it over for added shop space and it's quite full and quite the mess. I helped them clean out a room and make a bathroom look less like something you'd find at a gas station in the middle of nowhere. :P It was exhausting work, but they seem to be comfortable with the result. 

Here I am pictured with one of my piano students. I carried 15 students for most of the season and Saturday the 4th 11 of them participated in our spring recital. We had several with fast fingers...some of that due to nerves. I try to tell them when the adrenaline kicks in things can sometimes get out of control. Even with some mistakes, everyone seemed to handle it well. I took this week off to catch up on some things here at home before I start summer session for those who want it. I think I’m only going to have about 6 and most of those will only be once a month to every other week depending on their needs. I think I’m the most flexible teacher in the area when it comes to scheduling.

I’ve been working on spring cleaning a little at a time and trying to sell some of our extra junk we no longer use or need. It’s quite the job to sort and make decisions, take pictures, write up descriptions and post on websites...time consuming too.

I have been working with a fellow pianist and teacher this winter. We have traded services to better ourselves. She is working with me on the piano to sharpen and enhance my skills as both pianist and teacher and I am teaching her the organ. It’s been a good experience for us both and on August 26th we will be joining together in a recital. We will be using a very historic organ in the area and one of my favorites. Our recital is one of several to showcase the organ and raise funds for it’s upkeep. 

Tomorrow is another ATC trade - this months theme is "Holiday-you pick". I'm trying to use up all my scraps that I won't be needing for scrapbook pages so my holidays were chosen with that in mind. I did four on Easter using the song text from Easter Parade: 

I continued on with New Year's...not the holiday I would normally choose, but again, I had supplies to use up:

The two in the middle are my favorites. Using more supplies I went on to St. Patrick's Day and made two for Christmas. The one in the middle is my favorite of this group:

It seems my to-do list is ever growing. There never seems to be enough time in each day to accomplish all I should do. There has been some curiosity from some of you as to the goals I've been referring to lately. I will be sharing some of those with you in coming blogs so stay tuned. Nothing earth shattering, I assure you. 

I'm off to the church this afternoon for practice time.

Hubby and one of our church members have been making some repairs on our church organ. I am very thankful our friend is good at soldering. We still have some work to do, we did find out a repairman is out of the question due to expense.

Hubby and I thought we were going to be given an organ for me to practice on at home. It would have been very helpful for numerous reasons but the deal fell through. I still hope to obtain one at some point. 

Garret House Organ

I was given a special treat this week; my usual practice organ was unavailable, so my mentor took me down the road a bit to an old church building that closed it's doors to it's congregation many years ago. It has been purchased by the Historical Society, but unfortunately not much has been done to it. 

I remember the first time he took me there many years ago now and not much has changed. The door is locked with a padlock and once inside we were greeted to spider webs and a strong musty/moldy smell.

The wall paper is stained and falling off the walls in places, but one can still imagine what it must have been like to worship here in it's day. The stained glass is simple but lovely and fortunately, still intact. 

My mentor used to play the organ here regularly ever since he was a young boy and he showed me where he scratched his name in the woodwork of the casing in the back of the organ.

When the church closed it's doors, he was given the keys and was made caretaker over the organ until recently when the Historical Society took over.

Now he needs special permission to use it, and as a result it gets played rarely. 

Several years ago our special guest organist, Marilyn Mason played this organ in concert and it was probably the best organ concert we've had in this area. I remember taking my mom there to hear her play as if it were yesterday. 

Over the years I've had a few opportunities to play it, but never for an entire afternoon by myself. That was my special treat this week! 

 This was one of the first organs my mentor took me to visit when we first started working together. It's one of, if not the oldest working organ in Michigan!

 It has always held a special place in my heart.

 It's a small organ, not very many ranks, but it has such a sweet sound. How I wish our church could have it, then it would be used every week!

As you can see, I had some fun with the camera on my phone! That afternoon will certainly be one of the highlights of my summer! I hope you enjoyed this little tour.