The audience at the Organ Expo 2013 was treated to an entertaining afternoon of pipe organ music on Sunday, March 3rd at Garden City Community Church. Members of the Nassau and Suffolk Chapters of the American Guild of Organists (AGO) and the Rockville Centre Chapter of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians put together an exciting, informal program that appealed to music lovers of all ages. Frank Crosio, Music Minister for GCCC hosted the event.
After distributing organ information packets, Christopher Cusumano, program chairperson demonstrated the organ's various sounds on the church's Moeller Organ. The children in the audience came forward for a close-up view as he explained things, listening intently. Cusumano played the lowest note on the organ and everyone was amazed at how it vibrated through the sanctuary like thunder. Then he played the highest note of a pencil-thin pipe. It was so high that only half the audience could hear it.
Next, Ray Henderson, Dean of the Suffolk AGO showed various metal and wood organ pipes of different sizes. The metal pipes are made of tin and lead, so he wore gloves to protect his skin from lead- poisoning and to avoid getting grease on the pipe. As a side story, Henderson explained how two cousins of President Theodore Roosevelt died in their thirties due to the occupational hazards of working with lead pipes in their organ- building business. No one knew about this in the early 1900s. Despite the concern over lead, Henderson blew on the various pipes to demonstrate the sounds. Another interesting fact is that some organ pipes can be 32 feet tall, although at the Community Church they are not that tall.
Special guest organists, Matthew Koraus of the Church of St. Patrick in Huntington and Joseph Woo of the Congregational Church of Patchogue played some beautiful music by Bach, including "Trio Sonata #1 in E Flat" that the group of almost 60 enjoyed.
Not to be outdone, the students of Scottie Owens played. They included Theo (7) and the Charles children: Kens (11), Kevin (9), Whitney (8) and little Heather (3). Other people, young and old tried the organ for fun.
Afterward, pizza, cookies and drinks were served, organized by Claire Klein, newsletter editor for the AGO in Suffolk.
Organ scholarship opportunities were announced. The Suffolk Chapter of AGO Scholarship awards up to $500 for a high school student and up to $1,000 for a college student. In addition, the Elsener Award of up to $1,000 is for a beginning student of any age. All applications are due March 15th with auditions scheduled April 12th. Please visit www.SuffolkAGO.org. For more information on organ lessons in your area, please contact Chris Cusumano at chapelcus@optonline.net or call 631.271.4635.
The Garden City Community Church is located at the corner of Stewart Avenue and Whitehall Boulevard. Please call 746-1700 e-mail ChurchOffice@GardenCityCommunityChurch.org or go to www.GardenCityCommunityChurch.org for more information.
