All Saints' Organ Concert on the landmark E.M. Skinner Organ Surround-sound design like no other in the world

CONTACT: Sharon Tingley
508-255-4685, ext. 310
774-722-9569
sharont@gdaf.org
www.churchofthetransfiguration.com/organ

All Saints’ Organ Concert on the landmark E.M. Skinner Organ Surround-sound design like no other in the world

All Saints’ Organ Concert on the “overwhelmingly breathtaking” E.M. Skinner Organ at the Church of the Transfiguration, features uplifting works by Bach, Fauré, and Walton. This powerful instrument is comprised of seventeen different E.M. Skinner Organs, and is the only one in the world with its particular surround-sound configuration. The joyous fall concert points heavenward looking towards All Saints’ Day, and will be performed by Dr. SharonRose Pfeiffer, Dr. James Jordan, and Dr. David Chalmers, artists-in-residence at the Church of the Transfiguration.

The concert will be held on Sunday, October 18, 3:30pm at the Church of the Transfiguration located at The Community of Jesus, Orleans, MA. Tickets are $25 ($20 for Seniors, FREE for students and ages 18 and under). Call 508-240-2400 or purchase online at www.gdaf.org . Weekly organ demonstrations are offered on Fridays at 3:30pm, immediately following the 3:00 church tour.

“The E.M. Skinner organ at the Church of the Transfiguration is a masterpiece of balance of harmonics, voicing, scale and color that is just overwhelmingly breathtaking.” -Organ Historical Society

The E.M. Skinner Organ at the Church of the Transfiguration

Built by Nelson Barden & Associates of Boston, MA, the E.M. Skinner organ at the Church of the Transfiguration is a restoration and expansion of components from seventeen twentieth-century organs of the E.M. Skinner Organ Company.

When completed, it will include 150 ranks and over 12,000 pipes, which are suspended in mahogany cases over the two side aisles.

The organ’s unique location allows its sounds to be specifically directed so as to accompany the various liturgical actions taking place on the floor, as well as giving tremendous flexibility in concert. Consistent with the artwork in the Church, the rich variety of sounds and voices it can create give it the ability to “speak” a multitude of musical languages in prayer and praise to God.
www.churchofthetransfiguration.org/organ

The Church of the Transfiguration

The Church of the Transfiguration (“An architectural wonder” –Cape Cod Travel Guide) is a contemporary expression of an ancient fourth-century style of architectural heritage shared by all Christians. Designed by William Rawn Associates of Boston, and constructed of Minnesota limestone the color of Cape Cod sand, the church features a long rectangular nave, a rounded apse at the east end, narrow side aisles, a peaked timber roof, and interior columns and arches along the side aisles. The art program for the church combines fresco, mosaics, stone and bronze sculpture and stained glass to present a cohesive narrative based on biblical history and church tradition. www.churchofthetransfiguration.org

About the Artists

SharonRose Pfeiffer has concertized extensively throughout the United States and Europe, including organ solos, recitals and radio broadcasts in New York City, at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC, at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey, Wheaton College in Illinois, and also in France. The winner of a Fulbright scholarship, Dr. Pfeiffer spent a year in Toulouse, coaching with the late composer and organist Xavier Darasse, and researching organ restorations in southern France. During that year, she won first prize in the prestigious Concours Internationale des Arts Renaissance. On a concert tour of southern France, one reviewer described her playing as “exuberant…profoundly sensitive.” (La Dépêche)

A native of Ridgefield, New Jersey, Dr. Pfeiffer began her career as a church musician at the age of 13. She has served as organist/choirmaster for several major churches, implementing and developing extensive choir programs. Currently, she is an Artist-in-Residence for Gloriæ Dei Artes Foundation, and Director of the Children’s Choirs program for the Church of the Transfiguration. Dr. Pfeiffer received her Bachelor of Music degree from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey, summa cum laude. She earned her Masters Degree and Doctorate in organ performance at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, where she was teaching assistant to David Craighead in organ and to Arthur Haas in harpsichord. During her time in Rochester, she was also Instructor of Organ and Harpsichord at Nazareth College, and Music Consultant for the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester.
Dr. Pfeiffer is featured on the organ recording Olivier Messiaen: The Mystical Colors of Christ and on her first solo recording, Illuminations, featuring the surround-sound E.M. Skinner organ at the Church of the Transfiguration.

James Jordan has performed as an organ accompanist and soloist throughout the United States and Eastern and Western Europe. Cited as performing both “authoritatively and sensitively” by the Boston Globe, and as a “superb performer” by American Record Guide, Jordan earned his Bachelor of Music Degree from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, studying with Robert Anderson. As a student of David Craighead, he received his Masters Degree, Doctorate and Performer’s Certificate from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York.

He has published in the American Choral Review and was contributing author to American Sacred Choral Music – An Overview and Handbook (Paraclete Press, 2001).

Dr. Jordan has done extensive work in Gregorian Chant as a member of the Gloriæ Dei Cantores Schola, studying under the late Dr. Mary Berry. He has also been featured on numerous Gloriæ Dei Cantores recordings as well as solo organ recordings, including Olivier Messiaen: The Mystical Colors of Christ, with David Chalmers and SharonRose Pfeiffer.

David Chalmers, a performer of wide-ranging interests and experience, has given numerous organ concerts in the United States and abroad, including engagements in New York, Pittsburgh, Nashville, West Point, many American Guild of Organists Chapters throughout the country, the Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, SC, Princeton University, and most recently at Trinity Church in Boston, MA, and Washington National Cathedral. His foreign appearances have included such notable venues as St. Sulpice in Paris, Conservatory Hall and Tchaikovsky Hall in Moscow, and St. John’s College Chapel, Cambridge, at the invitation of the late George Guest.

A native of Newark, Deleware, Dr. Chalmers began organ studies with Lee Dettra, and received his Bachelor of Music degree from Westminster Choir College where he studied with George Markey. He received the master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from the Eastman School of Music where he studied with David Craighead. The winner of a Fulbright Fellowship, Dr. Chalmers spent two years studying in Paris with Daniel Roth, specializing in French organ music of the 19th century.

Dr. Chalmers has been featured the Gloriæ Dei Cantores recordings Leo Sowerby: American Master of Sacred Song and Peace Be With You (J.S. Bach). He also collaborated with James Jordan and SharonRose Pfeiffer on the recording Olivier Messiaen: The Mystical Colors of Christ. He is a contributing author to American Sacred Music – An Overview and Handbook (Paraclete Press, 2001).