Where's Dana?
Week 3
September 21
As is my routine, I started the day with practice. To change the routine a bit, I introduced a new piece to my regime, the "Concerto for Organ, Strings and Timpani" of Francis Poulenc, which I hope to present upon my to return to Omaha. My major event for the day was to attend the opening concert of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. 
I had spent no time in Lincoln Center (Upper West Side) area on this trip, so I took off to get my ticket and find a light lunch. After getting my ticket and finding lunch in a nice restaurant in the lobby of Alice Tully Hall, I wandered around the neighborhood, enjoying the sites and sounds. (http://www.chambermusicsociety.org/)
I returned to my apartment to change into more suitable (I'm still kind of old-fashioned) concert attire. I returned to the Lincoln Center area and decided upon Fiorello's for a quick appetizer and glass 
of wine before the concert. How wonderful to sit at a sidewalk table across the street from Lincoln Center and watch the traffic on Broadway. Alice Tully Hall has recently undergone a cosmetic and acoustical renovation. Visually the concert hall is striking and with the first notes of the opening piece, it was evident that the acoustical adjustments had born fruit. The concert of Haydn, Dohnanyi and Brahms was most enjoyable as I'm sure most of the capacity audience would attest. (http://new.lincolncenter.org/live/)
September 20
The time is flying by so quickly. I started by practicing briefly at First Presbyterian and then going to meet Bill Entriken at Old St. Patrick's where he was finishing up a lesson. We went from there to Brooklyn Heights to visit Grace Church, its Organist-Choirmaster, Paul Olson, and its beautiful organ. Mr. Olsen and Dr. Entriken have a wonderful collegial relationship and before long the three of us were engaged in a wide-ranging conversation about issues universally common 
to church musicians and even a bit of gossip about people that we all know. (http://www.gracebrooklyn.org/worship.html#music). Following lunch at a Polish restaurant around the corner from the church, we took a few minutes to walk along the Brooklyn Promenade with its spectacular vistas of Manhattan and then through the adjacent neighborhood with its beautiful homes and town homes. The weather has been spectacular here. I understand that it hasn't been in Omaha.
One of my neighbors in the bass section of the First Pres choir invited me to join him and his wife for an Italian dinner at a place 
just down the street from my apartment, and then to observe the rehearsal of the community choir that they sing in which rehearsed here in the neighborhood at the Turtle Bay Music School. The dinner and conversation were excellent, and the rehearsal of the Bach "Christmas Oratorio" was informative to watch. (http://www.stceciliachorus.org/)
September 19
Sunday was a lovely day at First Presbyterian Church. In addition to a Homecoming Picnic following worship, several infants were baptized during the service, 
and the Senior Pastor was in the pulpit for the first time during my visit. I got to church well before the 9:30 choir rehearsal because I was playing the prelude (a difficult prelude of Bach) and I was feeling less than totally confident. I played well and the choir was very complimentary of my playing. I was also delighted to find that I was able to sing on Sunday morning. I had been fighting a slight cold all week and I was uncertain as to how my voice would cooperate.
Later in the afternoon, I went St. Thomas Church at 53rd and 5th Avenue. In addition to the three mid-week Evensongs that the choir sings, they also sing a Sunday afternoon service of Festival Evensong followed by an organ recital. These services have become a staple of my schedule here. They provide a quiet time for meditation and reflection that can be so elusive in an otherwise busy life. The organ recital was one of the best that I have heard in many years. The Organist-Director of Music at St. Thomas, John Scott played the program, dividing the program between early music played on the instrument in the rear of the church, and more modern, traditional organ music played on the very large chancel organ. For more on the instruments: http://www.saintthomaschurch.org/music/overview
September 18
Saturday was a short, easy day. 
I had been pushing a bit and was happy to take it bit easier. I took a late morning train to New Jersey to spend the day with Entrikens. They took me to a place called Liberty Hall ( http://www.kean.edu/libertyhall/ ). Liberty Hall is located on the campus of Kean (prounouced Cane) University, just a short walk from the train station that I pass through in Union, NJ. Liberty Hall was the family home of the Kean family dating from before the Revolutionary War, and was in the ownership of the family throughout the entire American history until it was recently donated to a private foundation and the University which continue to operate it.
We had a private tour with a knowledgable and passionate guide who took us through the house. It was like watching the entire spectrum of American history 
unfold in this one house and the life of the family which occupied it. Highlights for me included learning that George and Martha Washington spent the night before his inauguration as guests in the home, and that Martha stayed at the house and did not attend the inauguration ceremonies in New York. The new president returned to the house later the same day and picked up Martha to return to Mount Vernon. Also, the young Alexander Hamilton lived in this house with the Keans.
September 17
Friday started slowly for me. Bill Entriken was teaching early at the church today, so I got some things done around the apartment before going downtown to the Village and the church to practice. The session went well and I feel good about my preparations for Sunday morning. I was also able to spend time talking with Bill about choral literature. I think that we are learning from each other. It's great to have a colleague like this.
One of my favorite places in the city, and one which I had not visited yet, is the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This 5th Avenue landmark is one of the great museums of the world and no trip to New York City is complete without a visit. The collection and the building which house it are so vast that it is virtually impossible to see it all in one day. My day was spent in the European Art section, which comprises one floor of one wing. I was there for 3 hours before my feet signalled time to hang it up. I suspect that I'll have to go back. One part of the museum which I had not visited was the roof top garden. The views of Central Park and the buildings surrounding it are unparalleled and not to be missed! http://www.metmuseum.org/
September 16
Thursdays seem to be becoming New Jersey days. If you recall, last Thursday, we went to Princeton for a tour of its myriad educational institutions. This Thursday, we did NOT go to Princeton. We went to Atlantic City. The two places are about as different as different can be. (And, yes, I did spend the 10 minutes in Trump's Taj Mahal that it took me to lose $5). The great joy of the day was walking up and down the boardwalk with the shops, restaurants, hotels and casinos on one side and the beach and the ocean on the other. It was a beautiful day, The ocean breeze was strong and the smell and taste of salt was in the air. What a day. The old Atlantic City Convention Hall (now called Boardwalk Hall) on the Boardwalk is home to the world's largest organ. We were not allowed into the hall to see this giant instrument, consisting of a 7 (yes 7!) manual console, a second 5 manual console, over 33,000 pipes, and 23 percussion instruments. The 5 manual console has been disconnected from the organ and is on display in the lobby. A very helpful security guard invited to go back and see the "little" organ (his words not mine). This console alone was taller than I am and would easily cover the same floor area as a concert grand piano. (http://acchos.org/)
Between Atlantic City and the Entriken's home, lies a 19th century religious campground, community called Ocean Grove. 
It has evolved beyond but left behind it original roots and is a charming oceanside community with many Victorian buildings to see. At the center of the community is the Great Auditorium where the religious meetings are held. It was closed by the time we got there, but I'm told that there is a large permament organ installation in the non-weatherized building that is enclosed in a separate concrete structure to preserve it from the elements. (http://www.oceangrovenj.com/html/about.html) And, speaking of the elements, you may or may not be aware that the weather turned quite bad Thursday evening, culminating in a tornado hitting a section of Queens. A tornado is a very rare event in New York. We missed the worst of it and finished the day with dinner in Sandy Hook overlooking the mouth of New York Harbor. Well, the day wasn't completely over.
The weather played schedule havoc with the trains around the city, and my train was late leaving NJ. I was amazed though that within an hour of leaving New Jersey, transferring trains and walking to a subway, I was in my apartment. You really can move around the city well.