Greetings!

** OrganFocus News:
New Links added.

* The Southeastern Historical Keyboard Society
Organization committed to the promotion of interest in and the study
of early keyboard instruments, principally harpsichord, clavichord,
fortepiano, and organ prior to 1860, and the music intended for these
instruments.
http://www.sehks.org

* Greater Hartford (CT) American Guild of Organists
Organ and choral concerts, master classes and special events of
interest to church musicians in the Greater Hartford, CT area.
http://hartfordago.blogspot.com/
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** Your opinion matters!
I am wondering whether it is time to open up organfocus-newsletter for
discussion and postings by list members. In the poll announcement
which will follow soon, you will have an opportunity to vote. The poll
will be open for two weeks.

Currently our group is an announcement-only list. This allows open
membership and anonymity since the members; email addresses are hidden
from view. If we become a discussion group, the member email addresses
will be visible to other members.

If the "yes" vote prevails, I am envisioning several changes. First,
the membership will no longer be open to discourage spammers. New
members will need to be approved by me. Second, while I hope the
discussion will stay centered on the material of the newsletters and
general organist news, I will not have the time to moderate this
group. If I see that inappropriate postings or flame wars start
appearing, I reserve the right to revert the group to an
announcement-only list.

Thank you! I am looking forward to hearing your opinions on this matter.
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** Brazilian organist Domitila Ballesteros was very kind to send me her book,
"Jeanne Demessieux's Six Éudes and the Piano Technique". Within the
framework of Jeanne Demessieux's Etudes and the organ scene in France,
this work explores the larger picture of the relationship between the
piano and the organ from the modern organists' point of view. Included
are many examples of printed music to illustrate Ms. Ballesteros's
points. Despite some unfortunate choices of words on the part of the
translators, such as "organ tubes", the book is interesting and
recommended reading for organists and pianists.
You can learn more about the book and its author, Domitila Ballesteros, here:
http://www.ballesteros.mus.br/livroindex.html
http://www.ballesteros.mus.br/

Domitila Ballesteros is also active as a performer. Her organ recital
information is listed at OrganFocus.com here:
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?keywords=Ballesteros
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** Mail from readers:

Colleen Hart writes:

Any organ builders out there who might be interested in a high standard of
living and lots of sunshine? Consider joining the oldest organbuilding firm
in South Africa, 'The Organ Builders' previously 'Cooper, Gill and Tomkins'
. Contact Colleen Hart at edgyhart@... if you are interested.
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** Web News:

* Philly's pipe dream comes true with new organ
"This baby can crank up the volume to bone-tingling effect."

An article about Kimmel Center's new Dobson organ that highlights the
activities surrounding the inauguration, including a novel way to
raise money and interest by allowing people to "pay to play": $25 for
one minute of tickling the pipes, $75 for five minutes, for everyone
who wished.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/music/bal-ae.kimmel21may21,0,6469988.s\
tory?coll=bal-artslife-music
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* Pipe organ saved from technology

"A 100-year-old pipe organ will undergo a £12,000 restoration after
the congregation of an Anglesey chapel decided to reject a modern
alternative. "
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/north_west/4755481.stm
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* Grant to restore organ

Mudgee, Australia: "St John's Anglican Church has received a heritage
grant of $50,000 to restore its 1881 Brindley and Forster pipe organ
and to continue conservation work on the church. "
http://mudgee.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?class=news&subclass=general&story_id=4\
84899&category=General&m=6&y=2006
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* Interlochen teacher sells students on playing the forgotten pipe organ

"In the four years since becoming an organ instructor at Interlochen,
a prestigious boarding school and summer music camp in northern
Michigan, [Tom] Bara has taken on another role: salesman. Like many
professional organists, he is worried about the long-term prospects
for the organ."
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060514/NEWS06/605140696/1008
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** Discussion:
While browsing the Web I found Soundboard Records, a recording company
created by Colin Booth, harpsichordist and harpsichord maker in the
UK. Among listings of his CDs, (those look very intriguing and I think
I'll purchase one, "Dark Harpsichord Music") he has two articles which
I think will be of interest to my readers. "Is 'Early Music'
Emotional"? explores the question whether harpsichord music is for the
mind or can it move the soul. "Is the Harpsichord a politically
correct instrument?" is the saga of Colin Booth's attempts to
influence BBC programming to include more works performed on
harpsichord. As it stands right now, their programming is mostly of
symphonic music. I think this question is deeply relevant to organists
as well.
http://www.soundboard-records.co.uk/
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Today's Organ Stop is:

Nonenkornett
http://www.organstops.org/n/Nonenkornett.html

Cheers,
Lana
P.S. Don't forget to vote!