2009-2010
Music at St. Anthony's
Recital and Concert Series
All Concerts begin at 3 p.m. A free-will donation is taken in order to help fully restore our historic 1912 Casavant Freres organ.
Please mark your calendar for the upcoming dates in our 2009-2010 series:
- September 27, 2009 Organ Recital — Natsumi Malloy, Guest Organist.
Natsumi Malloy was born in Osaka, Japan and started playing music on a toy piano that was a gift from her grandmother on her first birthday. Natsumi began taking electronic organ lessons when she was five, which was also when she started composing. A graduate of Kunitachi College, she was a member of ‘Sendai Kinen Company’ and performed during the Japan tour of 1994 -98. In 2000, she arrived in America, and graduated from Berklee College. She recently graduated from the New England Conservatory in Boston with a Masters in Music Theory, and has been playing organ and piano at Unitarian Universalist Church in Middleborough for past three years. Ms. Malloy has recorded a CD that received excellent reviews in the Boston Globe. - Boston Globe “I have listened to Natsumi’s CD and think it is absolutely amazing. She is a very talented woman and deserves to be recognized for the beautiful music she has created.” - Scott McAllester, Waltz Audio. To download a poster of this concert, please click here.- November 8, 2009 Organ Recital — Peter Edwin Krasinski, Guest Organist.
Peter Edwin Krasinski is a conductor, organist, and music educator whose imaginative performances elevate and inform diverse audiences. He is quickly becoming recognized as the world’s most exciting, accomplished and elegant accompanist of silent film. Well respected in both the secular and sacred genres of his field, he has taught the enchantment of music to both public and private institutions in the greater Boston area for over twenty years. The press has hailed his Bach playing as “sublimely spiritual”, and his improvisations have been critically acclaimed as “stunning”, “seamless”, and “brilliant”. A sought after conducting clinician and recitalist, he was for twelve years the Organist and Music Director at the United Parish in Brookline Massachusetts, the church where E. Power Biggs was organist from 1935 to 1956. He is currently Director of Choral Arts at Beaver Country Day School in Chestnut Hill and Artistic Director of Youth pro Musica, the Greater Boston Youth Chorus. He is organist at First Church of Christ, Scientist in Providence Rhode Island and Beth El Temple Center Synagogue in Belmont Massachusetts. He holds both a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education and Organ Performance, and the Master of Sacred Music degree from Boston University. www.krasinski.org To download a poster of this concert, please click here.- December 13, 2009 Christmas Lesson and Carols Concert — David Touchette, Director; David Langevin, Organist
This will feature the Spirit of St. Anthony Choir as well as a guest performance by the choir of Mater Ecclesiae College from Greenville, Rhode Island. After the concer there will be a complimentary hot chocolate offered by the North End Business Association following the concert. To download a poster of this concert, please click here.- February 28, 2010 Organ Recital — Renea Waligora, Guest Organist
Renea Waligora received the Bachelor of Arts Degree from Carthage College and the Master of Music degree from the University of Michigan. She has studied with pianist Stephen Smith and organists Robert Glasgow, Marilyn Mason, Marilyn Stulken and David Fox. Her conducting and voice coaches have included Martha Dodds, John Windh, Vickie Tobin, Theodore Morrison and Richard Rosenberg. An active recitalist, MS. Waligora has performed at several national conventions of The Organ Historical Society, The International Society of Organ Builders, and the American Theater Organ Society. She has appeared in concert at All Saint’s, Worcester, MA and has been heard in recital throughout the United States. Currently, she is the Minister of Music at First Baptist Church in Lexington, Massachusetts. She is also President and on the faculty of the Community Music School in Nashua, NH. To download a poster of this concert, please click here.- March 21, 2010 Organ Recital — Steven Young, Guest Organist
Dr. Steven Young, Director of Choral Activities, conducts all of the choral ensembles at BSC, having led performances of major works by Bach, Haydn, Mozart, Persichetti, Rheinberger, Rutter, Stravinsky, and others. Under Dr. Young’s direction, the BSC Chamber Singers, a select a cappella choir, has toured throughout Europe and the U.S. as the College’s “singing ambassadors.” Dr. Young’s association with the College began in 1985, when he served as staff accompanist; he has since taught classes in music theory, music history, music appreciation, and piano. Dr. Young holds several degrees in organ performance; his teachers have included Carolyn Day Skelton, Yuko Hayashi, Max Miller, Russell Saunders, and John Ferguson. An active recitalist, Dr. Young has performed throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. Recent performance venues have included the Methuen Memorial Music Hall in Methuen, MA; Trinity Church, Boston; St. Thomas Church, New York; and the Festival d’Orgue in Sens, France. To download a poster of this concert, please click here.- May 2, 2010, Organ and Choral Concert — David Touchette, Director; Richard Hill, Organist
This will feature the Spirit of St. Anthony Choir directed by David Touchette. Complimentary tea and cookies follow the concert.
Directions and information about the church and organ fund are located elsewhere on this website. For more information about the series, please email Fr. Landry or call the parish office at (508) 993-1691.
Our 1912 Casavant Freres Organ
The four manual Casavant organ was inaugurated in recital on September 10, 1912 by Gaston Dethier. In the 1950's the Welte-Whalon Organ Company of Newport moved and repitched some ranks to brighten the sound. After a long period of deterioration, the organ was made fully playable by Daniel Lemieux and his father, Normand and played in a recital of French music by Richard Hill in March, 2005. The Grand Orgue is on four inches wind pressure, the Recit on six inches, the Positiv on four inches and the Solo on eleven inches. The Choeur division of five stops is located off the chancel and can also be played from a one manual console on the opposite side of the chancel.
St. Anthony's has had some distinguished organists. Oscar Fontaine was born in St-Hyacinthe, Que, 4 in 1878, The son of a superior-court judge in Richelieu County, Fontaine studied piano in St-Hyacinthe with Léon Ringuet, then in Nicolet, Que, with Octave Chatillon. In Montreal he worked with R.-O. Pelletier (piano and organ) and Guillaume Couture (theory). He was assistant organist at St-Hyacinthe Cathedral and organist 1904-10 at Notre Dame Church in Fall River, Mass, then at St Anthony's Church in New Bedford until his death in 1950. He devoted his later years to private teaching. His many pieces for piano or piano duet were published in Boston by Thompson, in London by Leonard, in Montreal in the journal La Lyre, and in Philadelphia in the internationally circulated magazine The Etude (Presser). Fontaine also wrote several masses, motets, other choral pieces, and songs, reaching Opus.184 by 1942. Few Canadian-born composers of piano music have had as wide an exposure.
Michel Labens was organist from 1954 to 1999. Born in 1921 in France, he lost the sight of one eye as an infant. Although doctors saved the sight of his other eye, he was legally blind. His family moved to Brussels when he was eight and enrolled him in the Royal Institute for the Blind from which he graduated with high honors at age 22. In 1944, he was appointed organist at St. Anne's Church in Brussels and in 1953, he moved with his wife and two children to New Bedford where he became organist at St. Anthony's Church where he served for 44 years.
Perhaps the longevity of St. Anthony's organists has been related to the 58 steps they must climb to the organ loft which is in the second balcony. From the organ bench, the view of the stunning nave is straight down. You see the tops of heads and at the altar, the amazing relief of the "Vision of St. Anthony."
Highlights from the 2008-2009 Music at St. Anthony's Series
October 5, 2008 Organ Recital — Richard Hill, Guest Organist.
Richard W. Hill has been Music Director and Organist at Unity Church, (Unitarian Universalist) in North Easton,MA where he directs the vocal and handbell choirs. Past Dean of the Southeastern Massachusetts American Guild of Organists, and Chair of the Organ Advisory Committee of the Boston Chapter, AGO for the last 15 years, he specializes in organ music of the “Forgotten Generation” of composers from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He can be heard on CD’s of “Historic Organs of Connecticut,” and “Historic Organs of Boston.” He also hosts at Unity Church Annual Mother’s Day Eve Benefit Concerts for the local shelter for battered women and children, “Womansplace.” In 2005, he co-chaired the Organ Historical Society’s 50th convention. To download a poster of this concert, please click here.
November 9, 2008 Organ Recital — Ross Wood, Guest Organist.
Ross Wood is Organist at Church of the Advent in Boston. He received his doctorate in organ from Eastman School of Music in the studio of Russell Saunders. From 1985 to 2001 he served as Associate Organist at Trinity Church, Copley Square. A sought-after recitalist, Mr.Wood has performed at NewYork’s St. Thomas Church, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, St. Michael’s Church, the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, and Trinity Church, Wall Street. In France he has appeared at Notre-Dame Cathedral, the American Cathedral in Paris, and at festivals in Bourges and Carcassonne. His recitals have been broadcast on NPR and the BBC. He also appears as accompanist on four compact discs with the Trinity Choir and performed with them in concert at Westminster Abbey and at Evensong in St. Paul’s Cathedral, London. To download a poster of this concert, please click here.
December 14, 2008 Christmas Lesson and Carols Concert — David Touchette, Director; David Langevin, Organist,
To download a poster of this concert, please click here.
March 8, 2009 Organ Recital — James Jordan, Guest Organist
James Jordan has performed as an organ accompanist and soloist throughout the United States, Eastern and Western Europe, and was one of the first American organists to concertize in Siberia. Jordan is currently Artist-in-Residence for the Gloriæ Dei Artes Foundation, and frequently performs and records with the choir. Jordan earned his Bachelor of Music Degree from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, studying with Robert Anderson and acting as accompanist for the University Choir. Jordan has published in the American Choral Review and was a contributing author to American Sacred Choral Music-An Overview and Handbook (Paraclete Press, 2001). Jordan is a past Dean of The Cape Cod Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, and holds membership in the musical fraternities Pi Kappa Lambda (National Honorary Music Fraternity) and Mu Phi Epsilon (International Professional Music Fraternity). He resides in Orleans, Massachusetts with his wife and two children. To download a poster of this concert, please click here.
March 29, 2009 Organ Recital — Robin Dinda, Guest Organist
Robin Dinda began playing the organ and composing at age and, after some piano lessons from his grandmother, Emma Dinda, was mostly self-taught. Dinda played his first European recitals at age sixteen, performing organ concerts in Germany that included his own compositions. Since then he has performed across the United States, at many national and regional conventions, and in duo-concerts with his wife, Renea Waligora. Robin Dinda is Professor of Humanities (Music) at Fitchburg State College in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. He is also Director of Music at The First Parish (Unitarian -Universalist) in Fitchburg. To download a poster of this concert, please click here.
May 3, 2009, Organ and Choral Concert
Highlights from the 2007-2008 Music at St. Anthony's Series
September 9, 2007 — Dan & Mary Clark
Mary Colarusso, a coloratura soprano, is a graduate of the Boston Conservatory of Music holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Vocal Performance. Since graduation she has been the lead soprano for both the Lowell Opera and Boston Bel Canto Opera companies. In the fall of 2005 Mary and her husband performed for former President and First Lady George and Barbara Bush. Sgt. Daniel M. Clark, known as “The Singing Trooper” has performed in uniform while representing the Commonwealth of Massachusetts since his entrance into the Academy in 1985. During this tenure he performed at more than 2,500 events. In July 2005 Sgt Clark retired from the Massachusetts State Police to pursue a professional singing career. Now in 2007, Clark travels the country spreading the Patriotism that is the United States of America! ($15 admission-fundraiser for church roof project)
October 7, 2007 — Judith Conrad
Judith Conrad, is music director at St. Peter's in Buzzards Bay. She is also director of the Delight Consort which plays largely music of the Renaissance and Early Baroque. She has played concerts at SEHKS and MHKS, the Boston Early Music Festival and the Magnano, Italy, International Clavichord Symposium; she also gave the first ever harpsichord recital in Fall River, MA, government center in 2003 for the 200th anniversary of the city's founding. A graduate of Harvard University, she studied piano with Theodore Lettvin; she was also a student of Freeman Koberstein at Oberlin Conservatory. She is a member of both the Hymn Society of America and the Internationale Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Hymnologie, and she has a page on her website entitled "Clavichordists for World Peace". She directs an amateur recorder ensemble, the Fall River Fipple Fluters, and plays second trombone in a community band.
November 4, 2007 — Brian Jones
Brian Jones is Organist Emeritus at Trinity Church, Boston and interim organist at Old South Church, Boston. He holds degrees from Oberlin College and Boston University. He performs widely with several organ dedications, OHS, AGO, AAM, ACDA, and RSCM Conventions. He teaches at numerous conferences, guest conducts, church/cathedral choirs, and has recorded for London-Polygram. Dorian, Gothic, AFKA, and Arkay. He grew up in Duxbury and while in high school was organist of the Church of the Pilgrimage, Plymouth. His preferred mode of travel is in “Lydia,” his 1933 Chrysler Royal Eight Coup.
December 16, 2007 — Christmas Concert and Carolling
David Langevin Choir and Organ concert featuring the Spirit of St. Anthony Choir directed by David Touchette. Complimentary hot chocolate offered by the North End Business Association following the concert.
February 10, 2008 — Renea Waligora
Renea Waligora received her BA from Carthage College and her MM from the University of Michigan. She studied with Stephen Smith, Robert Glasgow, Marilyn Mason, Marilyn Sulken and David Fox. Her conducting and voice coaches included Martha Dodds, John Windh, Vickie Tobin, Theodore Morrison, and Richard Rosenberg. An active recitalist throughout the United States, she has performed at Organ Historical Society Conventions, The International Society of Organ Builders, and the American Theater Organ Society. She is currently Organist and Music Director at the United Church of Christ in Keene, NH and on the faculty of the Community Music School in Nashua. She performed at St. Anne's Church in New Bedford at the 2005 OHS Convention.”
March 9, 2008 — David Chalmers
David Chalmers has given numerous recitals in the United States and abroad including Methuen Memorial Music Hall, St. Thomas Church, New York, Washington Cathedral, and the Piccolo Spoleto Festival. His foreign appearances have included St. Sulpice in Paris and St. John’s College, Cambridge. In 1994, Dr. Chalmers toured England giving recitals at Westminster Abbey, King’s College, and Oxford Town Hall. Most recently, he performed for the Savannah, GA Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and at the 2005 convention of the Organ Historical Society. A native of Newark, Delaware, Dr. Chalmers began organ studies with Lee Dettra and received his Bachelor of Music degree from Westminster Choir College where he studied with the late George Markey. He received his Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Eastman School of Music where he studied with David Craighead. The winner of a Fulbright fellowship, Dr. Chalmers spent two years studying 19th century organ music with Daniel Roth. Dr. Chalmers won second place in the AGO National Young Artists Competition in Organ Performance and has been a finalist in the Grand Prix de Chartres International Organ Competition. Dr. Chalmers is currently an organist at the Church of the Transfiguration in Orleans, MA and Artist-in-Residence with the Gloriae Dei Artes Foundation.
April 13, 2008 — Timothy Smith
Cape Cod native Timothy Edward Smith is Minister of Music at First Congregational Church in Columbus, Ohio, where he is fortunate to play the 1931 IV/66 Kimball and the 1972 III/73 von Beckerath organs. A graduate of Wheaton College, Northwestern University and the Boston Conservatory of Music, he continues to coach with James David Christie. Tim has played for OHS conventions since 1984, and served the Society as a National Councilor and chair of Organ Citations. He was the featured organist for the 2004 Old Colony Convention at St. Anthony Church, voted best of show by conventioneers. Tim currently lives in Columbus, Ohio.
May 4, 2008 — Concert and Tea
Choir and Organ concert featuring the Spirit of St. Anthony Choir directed by David Touchette. Richard Hill and the Unity Church Handbell Ringers guest performers. Complimentary tea and cookies following the concert.
Highlights from the 2006-2007 Music at St. Anthony's Series
St. Anthony of Padua Church held a new organ recital series entitled "Music at St. Anthony's" featuring four concerts in two series during the fall and spring.
The first guest organist on September 10, 2006 was Philip Jones. He performed works of Meyerbeer, Bach, Buxtehude, Stanley, William Walton, Hovhaness, Ashdown, Dupre and Peeters. Born in Preston, England, in 1948, Mr. Jones trained at the Royal Manchester College of Music and worked as a high school teacher from 1972 to 1989. Following emigration to the US, he worked as an organist in both Texas and Massachusetts. He has held the position of director of music and organist at Christ Congregational Church in Brockton since 1996.
On October 8, 2006, Richard Hill was the second guest organist. He performed compositions of Buck, Silas, Widor, Rheinberger, Vierne, Dethier (who dedicated this organ in 1912), Friml, and H.M. Dunham. The fourth performance at St. Anthony's for Mr. Hill, his recital in March 2005 was the initial musical event in the renovation effort to return St. Anthony's huge pipe organ to full functioning in time to be featured in the July 2005 convention of the American Guild of Organists and the National Organ Historical Society. The organ was voted "best of show."
On November 5, the third recitalist was Rosalind Mohnsen, who is director of music and organist at Immaculate Conception Church of Malden and Medford. She performed works of Guilmant, Cochereau, Francaix, Dubois, Widor, Peloquin, Purvis, Myron Roberts, and Richard Keys Biggs. Ms. Mohnsen has studied in the United States and abroad in Paris with Jean Langlais. She has performed throughout the country and in Latvia and Sweden and has sung with Sharing a New Song Chorus on the group's tours of Cuba and Russia.
The Spirit of Saint Anthony Choir assembled for a Christmas Concert and caroling sing-along on December 17. St. Anthony's organist, Thomas Sargent, joined forces with choir director, David Touchette, to offer a memorable family holiday event, to be followed with complimentary hot chocolate.
In the spring, the schedule for the second series featured additional recitalists.
On February 11, 2007, the organist will be Kevin Birch of Bangor Maine;
On March 11, 2007, Peter Krasinski of Boston;
On April 1, 2007, Peter Lea-Cox will return from England for a second featured performance.
These recitals were followed by a Choir and Organ Concert & Tea on April 29, 2007.
