The LA AGO Podcast

Remember that moment when you were first captivated by an organ? When the sounds and sensations drew you in and piqued your curiosity? When you saw an organ console up close for the first time and was overwhelmed by its complexity? When you just knew you wanted to learn how to play one? We all have memories like this and stories to tell about them. In each episode of The LA AGO Podcast, host Thompson Howell speaks with a different member of the Los Angeles Chapter, and occasional special guests, about their own love affair with the organ and how that passion informs their particular involvement with the organ world today. It's not just about what you've done; it's about why you do what you do. Whether you’re a church musician, a concert organist, a teacher, an organ builder or technician, a composer who writes for the organ or simply a fan of the organ and its music, you’ll enjoy hearing the stories of people who are passionate about the organ at every level.

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The LA AGO Podcast

Episode 13 (Dr. Frederick Swann: Celebrating 90 Years)

July 30, 2021 • Host: Thompson Howell • Season 2 • Episode 10

RIP: July 30, 1931 - November 13, 2022

July 30, 2021 is the 90th birthday of American organ icon Dr. Frederick Swann who joined the American Guild of Organists at age 15 and was its president from 2002-2008.

This year marks not only Fred's 90th birthday but his 80th year of being a church organist and his 20th year as Artist-in-Residence at St. Margaret's Episcopal Church in Palm Desert, California.

Not one to seek the limelight or draw attention to himself, Fred spent most of his career in several very high profile positions that he says he never even applied for. He was simply in the right place at the right time.

Fred graciously took the time to speak with host Thompson Howell about a range of topics including why his plans to retire at age 70 didn't exactly work out; his enthusiasm for the younger generation of organists and his optimism about the future of the organ; the positive impact that newer concert hall organs have had on building the increasing popularity of the organ among the general public; the great influence of the radio program Pipedreams and its host, Michael Barone, in further showcasing and promoting the organ; the necessity of any successful organist to be a good "faker"; an update on when the final work on the restoration of the Hazel Wright Organ at Christ Cathedral (formerly Crystal Cathedral) in Garden Grove, California will be able to be completed; the physical challenges he deals with as he gets older that place limitations on his playing abilities; the gratitude he feels for having been blessed with a wonderful career and supportive friends and colleagues; and much more.

Listen at LAAGO.org or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

LINKS:

Fred's Wikipedia page
Pipedreams episode "Swann Song" (2003)
July 25, 2021 Weekend Service from St. Margaret's
Fred's June 23, 2021 interview for the Oral History Program of the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM)
The LA AGO Facebook page
The LA AGO YouTube channel

The AGO Masters Series, Volume 3 featuring Fred Swann:

Articles:

August 5, 1998, The Los Angeles Times
October 22, 2000, The New York Times
November 3, 2014, "A Conversation with Frederick Swann" in The Diapason
March 21, 2017, "Frederick Swann on the Value of the Pipe Organ to the Worshipping Church," Ponder Anew blog
June 26, 2018, The Diapason
May, 2020 feature on the Hazel Wright Organ at Christ Cathedral, The American Organist