New purpose

The blog is getting busy again. I'm about to launch a new, LONG series on a biography of Richard Forrest Woods. Please enjoy. Bit by bit.

In four years, I'll retire from teaching. That is, if the market [mine] will bear it. This year, I'll hear auditions from students who will 'retire' from college at the same time I do. I'll need something to do in retirement. Broadway coaching? Bus driving for retirement communities? Funeral volunteering? Service playing? Truck driving school? Bicycling all over God's creation? Visiting all the National Parks? I'm all ears.

Happy New Year, dear Reader. It's going to be a ride.

Out of the tunnel

This pandemic has devastated many and affected all. It has merely slowed me down for a time. But things are coming back to life now. I played three virtual recitals, three virtual Morning Prayer rites, one fully in-person super-spreader wedding (sorry to say -- that's for another blog post). And, of course, I had an entire armload of programs and other events cancelled. But now I'm on board to play my third performance in the south of France this summer, and I'm looking forward to a few other side trips. As of this writing, my second vaccination is tomorrow, and my masks are still numerous, clean, and always nearby. Meanwhile, my virtual teaching is in top condition (at least for me -- for my students? Who knows.). Everyone hang in there. We're coming back.

Last rites revisited

My last News update mentioned the final proofs of the final Widor recordings. Well, now I have those completed recordings in my hands! The deed is done, the gift copies have been sent out, and I will now be working out marketing procedures with the various venues. This project is a gift that keeps on giving.

Last rites

I have just sent the final corrections to the proofs for the final installment of my complete Widor Symphonies recordings. Although that sounds like a monumental project -- which it was -- it was done in stages, with plenty of time for me to learn the next pieces for the next recording sessions. Nevertheless, when I look at my storage closet filling up with 'inventory,' I feel a growing satisfaction with this body of work I have completed. Although I don't fancy myself one of the greats (but would have been glad to be considered so), my recording crew and I have captured some thrilling music on some equally thrilling organs, and I hope those who hear them will agree.

I have no plans for future recordings. But if a sponsor wants to step forward, I'll come out of recording session retirement!

Super Tour 2019

My school of music has just completed their first-ever "Super Tour," publicly named "Mountaineer Music Tour." This was a recruiting tour undertaken in the Asheville area, where our major ensembles visited seventeen high schools across three days. Meanwhile, our poor keyboard faculty had little to do. So we played our own concert at First Presbyterian in Asheville, home of a beautiful Holtkamp in an equally beautiful space inhabited by a welcoming, affirming congregation. See a candid shot below, plus another shot with our trumpet Professor James Stokes sporting his ASU colors as well. Who wore it better?