Worship & Music - Chapel Organ Inaugural Concert Recital Series

From September 2007 through May 2008, St. David's had an Inaugural Concert Recital Series to dedicate our new Opus 84 Organ and to celebrate God through music. The dedication of the organ, designed and built by Dobson Pipe Organ Builders, completes our recently constructed chapel. 

Recitals and organists are listed below.


September 23, 2007, 3:00 p.m., Chapel
David Higgs, Chair of the Organ Department at the Eastman School of Music

An impressive, varied program which runs the gamut from the darkest dramatic narrative of Cesar Frank to the light-hearted repertoire of William Bolcom, which will make you smile. David will finish with “The Suite”, by Maurice Durufle, on of the most difficult and interesting works ever composed for the organ. Its final “Toccata” is particularly demonic and sounds downright treacherous.

A New York City native and colorful personality, David held his first position as a church organist at age 10. As a teenager, he divided his time between studying classical music and performing in rock/ gospel/ soul groups. He has sometimes been dubbed “a rock star for organ.” His performances are laced with clever and interesting repartee. He earned Bachelor and Master degrees at the Manhattan School of Music, plus a Performer’s Certificate from the Eastern Music School. He appears frequently at major national and international organ festivals. Recent such engagements include the festivals of Calgary, Naples, Redlands, San Anselmo, and, in England, Oundle and St. Albans. Performances with ensembles were the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Chanticleer, and San Francisco Symphony. David is not only much in demand as a teacher and lecturer, but has recorded for International , Pro Organo, and Gothic records.

November 18, 2007, 3:00 p.m., Chapel
Clair Rozier, Director of Music, St. David’s Church

A concert which spans four centuries of colorful organ repertoire from three countries and will certainly demonstrate the versatility of the wonderful new organ. The line-up includes selections of Bach, Mendelssohn, Frank, Vierne, and Albright. In his “Scherzo”, which means “joke” or surprise, Albright shows his sense of humor. There is a pedal solo, a “jig for the feet.” The program will close with Louis Vierne’s grand  and uplifting “Final” from his “First Organ Symphony.”

Clair is not only an exceptional musician, but also a natural performer. She endeavors to leave her audiences “wanting more.” Her programs are colored by a subtle sense of humor which she admits can, at times, border on irreverent. She was first inspired by organ and church music at the National Cathedral School for Girls, which led to advanced study at Goucher College and a doctorate from Eastman School of Music. She later earned the Prix d’ Excellence for the Conservatoire National of Pueil-Malmaison in France. She has presented organ recitals in London, Paris, throughout the USA  and for the American Guild of Organists. In 1993, she was a semi-finalist in the Bach International Competition, the 1990 Grand Prix de Chartres, and the 1985 St. Albans Organ Competition. Under her accomplished direction, the St. Davids Adult Choir has been selected by audition to perform in England at Wells Cathedral and at the National Cathedral in Washington, D. C.  


March 9, 2008, 3:00 p.m., Chapel
Robert Gallagher, Assoc. Director of Music, St. David’s Church
"Not for a Sunday Morning"

Bob Gallagher's recital will feature organ music that we would not ordinarily hear on a Sunday morning at St. David's. What kind of music would that be? Too secular, too frivolous, maybe even too serious.

Bob’s program will include Mozart’s dramatic “Fantasy in F minor,” K. 608, which was originally written for a mechanical organ. It has been transcribed to show off the grandeur and variety of the modern pipe organ.The program will also include the world premiere of Curt Cacioppo’s “Nel mezzo del cammin,” newly composed for this recital and dedicated to the performer. Other works include impressionist sketches by Karg-Elert and Vierne and Marcel Dupré’s Variations on a Noël. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear Bob as he employs the full tonal resources of our magnificent organ.

Bob’s colleagues describe him as “spontaneous, a definite lover of people, even Peripatetic in a way.” These traits will be evident in his performance on the organ and from his lively comments during the recital. His commitment to a ministry through music is demonstrated by the fact he has served as a church organist for 28 years, starting at age 16. At graduation from the Manhattan School of Music, he was given the Bronson Ragen Award for Excellence in Organ Performance and also holds diplomas and prizes from a period of study in France. He has performed as organist, conductor, harpsichordist, and accompanist throughout the USA and Europe, with such stellar groups as the Washington Bach Consort, Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, and National Association of Pastoral Musicians. He has taught at the Catholic University of America and served for eight years as organist of St. Matthews Cathedral in Washington, D. C.

May 18, 2008 3:00 p.m., Chapel
Ann Elise Smoot
Director of the St. Giles Junior Organ Conservatoire

An afternoon leading from sacred to sprightly and back again. Bach, Elgar, Widor, and Buxtehude will be well represented, as well as short dances from the revered English Fitzwilliam Virginal Book and a small piece from the Robertsbridge Codex. The program will culminate with Oliver Messians’  highly individual “Alleluias Sereins,” a unique organ masterpiece.

Ann Elise currently resides, performs, and teaches in the U.K., but will be “coming home” to St. Davids for this recital where she had her first childhood musical experiences. Her international career was launched in the late 1900’s when she won first prize in the American Guild of Organists National Young Artists competition and third prize in St. Albans. After completing two honors degrees at Yale,  she traveled to England to continue studies at the Royal Academy of Music. She is personally passionate about bringing organ music to a wider audience and infusing new ideas into the organ world at large. As a sought-after teacher, she facilitates master classes on both sides of the Atlantic and is a director of the St. Giles Organ Conservatoire, a highly successful program for teenage organists. Ann Elise has performed three times at the renowned Oundle International Festival.