Providence of God Lithuanian National Catholic Church, Scranton, is looking for an organist. Sunday Mass is offered at 9:00 a.m. Christmas Eve Mass is at 9:00 p.m. and Christmas Day is at 9:00 a.m. Stipend is $75 per Mass. The church is home to a two manual pipe organ and a small choir. For more information, please contact Janet Kelly by email at jankel3093@gmail.com.
Performances of the Complete Major Organ Works of César Franck in Wilkes-Barre next month
Happy 200th Birthday, César Franck!
Performances of the Complete Major Organ Works
Friday, November 4 — Sunday, November 13 — Sunday, November 20, 2022
Canon Mark Laubach, Organist
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 35 S. Franklin Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701
Phone: (570) 825-6653 / Website: http://www.ststephenswb.org
César-Auguste Franck was born in Liège, Belgium on December 10, 1822 and died in Paris, France on November 8, 1890. In 1836, he and his family moved to Paris, where he spent the rest of his life. As such, he would come to be regarded as one of the truly great nineteenth-century composers in France. While he composed for a wide variety of musical genres, ensembles, and solo instruments, he was most widely known as a virtuoso pianist and organist. He composed well over 100 organ works, but he is primarily regarded among organists for his twelve major organ compositions, the Six Pièces (Six Pieces) composed between 1856 and 1863, the Trois Pièces (Three Pieces) composed in 1878, and the Trois Chorals (Three Chorals), composed in the last months of his life in 1890. Among organists he is widely regarded as perhaps the most important composer of organ music after Johann Sebastian Bach.
In celebration of the 200th anniversary of Franck’s birth, Canon Mark Laubach, Organist and Choirmaster of Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, will perform the complete major organ works in a series of three recitals at Saint Stephen’s in November 2022. Each recital will be between 60 and 70 minutes long with a very brief intermission. Here follows a list of the dates and times of each recital, and the pieces that will be performed in each program.
FRANCK 200 RECITAL I — Friday, November 4 at 7:30 pm
Choral No. 1 in E Major
Prelude, Fugue et Variation, Op. 18 (from Six Pièces) Cantabile (from Trois Pièces)
Pastorale, Op. 19 (from Six Pièces)
Final, Op. 21 (from Six Pièces)
FRANCK 200 RECITAL II — Sunday, November 13 at 4:00 pm
Fantaisie in A (from Trois Pièces)
Choral No. 2 in B Minor
Grande Pièce Symphonique, Op. 17 (from Six Pièces)
FRANCK 200 RECITAL III — Sunday, November 20 at 4:00 pm
Pièce Héroïque (from Trois Pièces) Fantaisie in C, Op. 16 (from Six Pièces) Prière (Prayer), Op. 20 (from Six Pièces) Choral No. 3 in A Minor
There is no admission charge for attending these recitals, although free-will offerings will be gratefully received in support of Music from Saint Stephen’s and the Outreach Ministries (Food Pantry and Clothes Closets) of Saint Stephen’s Church. Canon Laubach is dedicating these recitals to the glory of God and in loving memory of Dr. Donald Gordon McDonald (February 22, 1925 – August 6, 2022), his organ professor at Westminster Choir College from 1979 to 1982.
Job Opportunity: Christ Episcopal Church, Stroudsburg
For more information about Christ Church, please visit their website at www.christchurchstroudsburg.net.
250th Anniversary Concert at First Presbyterian Church, Wilkes-Barre
First Presbyterian Church, 97 South Franklin Street, Wilkes-Barre will host a special concert in partnership with the Northeastern Pennsylvania Chamber Music Society in celebration of its 250th anniversary on Friday, October 7 at 7:00 p.m. This exciting program will include the monumental Mendelssohn Octet and Poulenc Organ Concerto featuring organist, Mark Laubach.
The program will include:
Elgar Serenade for String Orchestra in E Minor, Op. 20
Poulenc Concerto for Organ, Timpani, and Strings in G Minor, FP 93, Mark Laubach, organ
Featuring members of the NEPA Philharmonic and NEPACMS
Bach Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G Major, BWV 1048
Mendelssohn String Octet in E-flat Major, Op. 20
Greg Zelek to perform in Pittston October 21
St. John the Evangelist Church, 35 William Street, Pittston, will host a recital by organist Greg Zelek on Friday, October 21 at 7:00 p.m. Greg is a recent graduate of The Juilliard School and serves as Principal Organist of the Madison Symphony Orchestra in Wisconsin. This will certainly be an enjoyable and inspiring performance given by an exceptional young man. A free-will offering will be accepted.
Gail Archer to present recital of Polish organ literature in Scranton
A very special event will take place on the evening of Saturday, October 22nd at 7:30 p.m., when the international concert organist, Gail Archer will perform at the Saint Stanislaus Cathedral, 529 E. Locust Street, Scranton, PA 18505. The concert culminates the festivities for the celebration of the 125th Anniversary of the Polish National Catholic Church. Ms. Archer will play rarely heard works by Polish composers including Nowowiejski, Bacewicz, Gorecki, and Paciorkiewicz, to name a few. The concert will be performed on the Cathe- dral’s Austin organ that consists of 3 manuals, 41 ranks, 45 stops and 2,327 pipes.
A highly acclaimed artist, Ms. Archer’s 2019 European tour took her to the Brit- ish Isles, Italy, Spain, Ukraine, Poland, Russia and Malta, and she is dedicated to shedding a light on Slavic organ music in this country and the world. Her new CD of Polish organ music CD, Cantius, was released in March of 2022. One of the pieces we will hear that evening is Improvisation on a Polish Hymn (Kto sie opieke, Blessed Is He) by Mieczyslaw Surszynski. We hope you will come and experience a world class artist performing this unique repertoire. There is no charge for the concert. Bring your family and friends!
For more information about the artist go to www.gailarcher.com.
Job Opportunity: Church of the Epiphany, Glenburn
Church of the Epiphany, an Episcopal congregation, is searching for an organist to play Sunday mornings at 11:00 am and rehearse with the adult choir on Thursday evenings. There are also services on holy days: Christmas, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, etc. The church is home to a nine foot Sohmer & Co. grand piano and an organ built by Carl Wilhelm in 1989. For more information, contact Mo. Lou Divis at 570-878-4670 or Karen Voigt (Senior Warden) at kkvoigt@yahoo.com.
Job Opportunity: Friedens Lutheran Church, Oley
Friedens Lutheran Church, Oley PA is seeking a Director of Music/Organist/Accompanist. Part-time staff position (15-25 hrs. per week) responsible for enhancing and supporting worship and music in this faith community. Although the Lutheran tradition is the primary guide for the liturgy and hymns we encourage a variety of traditions and styles in vocal and instrumental music. There is potential for a variety of vocal and instrumental ensembles of all ages. The Director of Music reports to the pastor and develops goals in coordination with congregational ministry goals. Compensation is negotiable based on experience and responsibilities of the job. The position may be split between Organist/Pianist and Director of Music. Please contact Pastor Donna M House (O) 610-987-6021 or dhouse@friedenslutheran.org
Job Opportunity: St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Montrose
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Montrose, PA is looking for an organist for weekly Eucharist, major Holy Days, and extra services when required as available. The incumbent will play a prelude and postlude, hymns as well as service music. We use hymnals approved by General Convention for services. Music is selected by the Priest in Charge. We have interest in reinstituting our choir when our numbers increase. Organist has access to church for practice purposes. Standard compensation rate. Start date September 4, 2022. Please send cover letter and resume to Mother Liz Grohowski at erdaliz@hotmail.com.
Celebrate America: Music for Independence Day
First Presbyterian Church of Wilkes-Barre, 97 South Franklin Street, Wilkes-Barre in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Northeast Chapter, American Guild of Organists, will present Celebrate America: Music for Independence Day on Sunday, July 3 at 3:00 p.m.
The program will feature organ music performed by Canon Mark Laubach in addition to prayers, readings, congregational hymns, music for brass and percussion, and a combined choir under the direction of John Vaida and accompanied by organist Carl Ruck. Repertoire will include Mack Wilberg’s stirring “Anthem of Peace” and Ron Jeffer’s setting of a Native American text by Chief Seattle titled “This We Know.”
“Celebrate America” is presented as part of the 250th anniversary celebration of The First Presbyterian Church of Wilkes-Barre. The concert is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Raphael Micca at rdmicca@agopane.org or 570-301-9253.
Job Opportunity: Clarks Green United Methodist Church, Clarks Green
Clarks Green United Methodist Church, Clarks Green is seeking a Worship Music Director/Organist. For more information, or to apply, please contact the Rev. Kevin St. Martin, Pastor at pastorkevin@clarksgreenumc.org or call the church office at 570-586-8946. A detailed job description follows.
Introduction
The position of the Worship Music Director/Organist is an essential ministry of the Clarks Green United Methodist Church. The Worship Music Director will develop and lead the worship music ministry for Clarks Green United Methodist Church, in consultation with the Pastor, in a way that is consistent with our mission, vision, values and theology. The Worship Music Director will help choose, lead, and play music that guides the congregation in worship.
Responsibility
The Worship Music Director/Organist is directly responsible to the pastor. Changes, additions, deletions, and/or interpretations of this document can be made by the pastor and when necessary, in consultation with and approval of the Leadership Team.
The Worship Music Director/Organist’s responsibilities currently are:
• Practice weekly with the worship music team.
• Lead and play the music during regularly scheduled worship.
• Lead and play the music for special worship services which may include but are not limited to, twice on Christmas Eve, additional Easter Sunday Services, Ash Wednesday, Holy Thursday, and Good Friday.
The Worship Music Director/Organist’s responsibilities may include if the opportunity arises:
• Direct and Accompany an Adult vocal choir
• Accompany soloists as needed
• Direct and Accompany a Children’s vocal choir
The duties include but are not limited to:
• Work with the pastor and other relevant teams to choose music for the worship services.
• Choosing music that is thematic with the worship and suitable for the choirs to sing when they exist.
• Operate office equipment as is needed for the worship music ministry.
• Work with the appropriate personnel to provide for the proper maintenance of all equipment used for the worship music ministry including instruments.
• Work with the pastor and other relevant teams to purchase all necessary music and music supplies within bounds of the budget for the worship music ministry.
• Consult with guest organists or recitalists who shall not play without said consultation.
Expected Services not included in the salary but for which additional enumeration will be provided include but are not limited to:
• Weddings
• Funerals
• Hymn Sings
Salary
TBD
Benefits
Two week’s paid vacation (which includes two Sunday)
Notice of Termination
60 days’ notice is required in advance of termination of employment. Whether that termination be at the request of the director or the congregation.
Job Opportunity: St. Mark’s and St. John’s Episcopal Church, Jim Thorpe
St. Mark’s and St. John’s Episcopal Church in Jim Thorpe, PA is seeking an organist/pianist with strong choir direction skills. Part-time position, year round. Choir in session from Sept-June. One 9:30am service with rehearsals scheduled accordingly, plus some Holy Days. Knowledge of Episcopal hymnody/liturgy desired. We are a spiritually joyful, welcoming community, seeking candidates who feel called to musically enhance and strengthen our worship. Send resumé and letter of interest to markjhn1@ptd.net Subject: Music Minister Applicant or call the parish office for more information: 570-325-2241
Job Opportunity: Friedens Lutheran Church, Friedens
IMMEDIATE NEED
Part-time Church Organist/Choir Accompanist Friedens Lutheran Church
Duties:
• Play for two hour-long Sunday morning services (8:00 and 10:30) at least
26 weeks each year
• Accompany adult choir for Wednesday evening practice and Sunday
morning anthem
• Play for special services, including Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday,
Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday
Requirements:
• Proficiency playing pipe organ and/or piano
• Experience playing traditional Lutheran liturgical service music is a plus
Pay is negotiable and will be commensurate with experience, on a “per service” basis.
Please submit letter of interest and resume to Beth Pile, Director of Music, digitally to Elizabeth.pile@yahoo.com or via U.S. mail to Director of Music, Friedens Lutheran Church, 131 South Main St., Friedens, PA, 15541.
Tuning and Temperament: An Organ Workshop
Maria Zengion will be leading an interesting presentation on organ tuning and the various temperaments that have been historically used. You might have heard, and not necessarily understood or remembered, some of the various tuning systems that have been implemented over the past few centuries. This presentation will provide you with the background to better understand the implications and challenges of playing various organ literature, as well as the tuning intricacies that can affect tonality/pitch matching for choirs and instrumentalists.
The presentation will begin at St. Luke’s Episcopal in downtown Scranton and then travel across the street to St. Peter’s Cathedral. Please plan to attend this exciting event on Tuesday, September 28, 2021 at 7:00 PM. The favor of a reply is appreciated so we can plan for the appropriate number of attendees. Thank you!
Job Opportunity: Lutheran Church of Our Savior, Mount Pocono
The Lutheran Church of Our Savior, Mount Pocono, is seeking an organist, and possible choir director, to assist in worship on Sundays and on other days in worship. For more information or to apply, please contact Rev. Peter Richert, Pastor, at 570-807-1185.
Pennsylvania Northeast Chapter 