On Thursday, August 8, members of the Pennsylvania Northeast Chapter, AGO have been invited to participate in a day-long organ tour of four prominent pipe organs in our area with the members of the Binghamton Chapter. An itinerary is included below. The Binghamton Chapter board has been kind enough to let us in on this event of theirs.

If you work during the week, this may be a good reason to take a personal day. You are welcome to visit one, several, or all of the churches as your schedule allows. Everyone will meet for lunch at La Trattoria Restaurant (near the University of Scranton) at 11:30 a.m. If you are interested in attending, please email Mike Sowa, dean, and let him know if you plan on going to the lunch so that an accurate count can be given to the event coordinators.

AGO Organ Crawl Itinerary for Thursday, August 8, 2013

9:00 to 9:45 a.m.

St. Stephen’s Pro Episcopal Cathedral – 35 S. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre, PA

The instrument at St. Stephen’s encompasses 4 manual – 89 ranks, 5,003 pipes and incorporates the work of Austin (1905), Aeolian-Skinner (1954), and later, Allan Van Zoeren.  Berghaus pipe organ builders recently rebuilt the organ.  Canon Mark Laubach, Director of Music at St. Stephen’s Cathedral will be demonstrating each of the instruments for us.  AGO members will have access to the chambers (as much as is practical), and console time to sit down and play.  Be sure to bring your music!

9:45 to 10:30 a.m. – Travel to Scranton

10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.

Hickory Street Presbyterian – 435 Hickory Street, Scranton, PA.  

The organ at Hickory Street Presbyterian was designed by Charles Courboin, an important organist in the early 1900’s who knew Dupre, Nadia Boulanger, and others.  It is a 3-manual, 51 rank Casavant, but built in the Romantic style.

Eugene Hopkins is the Director of Music at Hickory Street Presbyterian and also their longest tenured employee.  His work at Hickory Street Presbyterian began in 1967, soon after he graduated from Westminster Choir College.

11:30 to 1:00 p.m.

Lunch at La Trattoria Restaurant  – 522 Moosic St, Scranton, PA

1:15 to 2:00 p.m.

St. Peter’s Cathedral – 300 Wyoming Avenue, Scranton, PA.

The Cathedral Organ was built in 1979 as Opus 3141 by the Canadian firm Casavant Frères under the direction of Gerhard Brunzma.  This instrument is a tracker organ comprised of 3 manuals, 37 stops, 52 ranks and 2,588 pipes.  The organ is turned to the well-tempered system known as Werkmeister III and constructed to the tonal and mechanical principles of the great classic organs of Europe.

Daniel Marx is the Director of Music at St. Peter’s Cathedral.

2:15 to 3:00 p.m.

Elm Park Church – 712 Linden Street, Scranton, PA. 

Elm Park Church houses a beautiful Reuter organ.  Harold L. Hoover is the Director of Music at Elm Park Church.

Traveling directions from Binghamton to St. Stephen’s, Wilkes-Barre.

Take 81 South to Wilkes-Barre.

Take Exit 170B to Route 309 also known locally as the Cross Valley Expressway.

Stay in the right hand lane on 309 and get off at Exit 3 (South River Street).

Turn left on South River.

In approximately 1 mile, turn left on West Northampton Street.

In one block, turn left on South Franklin Street.  St. Stephen’s will be on your left.

There is a public parking garage across the street from the church.

Traveling directions from Elmira to St. Stephen’s, Wilkes-Barre.

Take 17 East to Exit 60 (Sayre).

Turn right onto Route 220 South all the way to Route 6 East in Towanda.

Stay on Route 6 all the way to Tunkhannock.

Be sure to stay on the “by-pass” route around Tunkhannock!

At the traffic light in Tunkhannock, turn right onto Route 29.

Stay on Route 29.  In approximately 10 miles, Route 29 splits into 29/309.

Keep going straight on Route 309!  This will take you to Dallas, PA.

In Dallas, keep in the left hand lane at the traffic light and stay on 309!

309 is known locally as the Cross Valley Expressway.

Watch for Exit 3 off 309 – (South River Street).

Turn right on South River.

In approximately 1 mile, turn left on West Northampton Street.

In one block, turn left on South Franklin Street.  St. Stephen’s will be on your left.

There is a public parking garage across the street from the church.