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 16 (Tyrone Whiting)

January 03, 2022 • Host: Thompson Howell • Season 3 • Episode 3

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: Due to the severe outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in the Los Angeles area, the leadership of the LA AGO and our guest artist have mutually decided to postpone our January, 2022 events featuring Mr. Tyrone Whiting. This decision has been made to ensure the safety of our guest artist and attendees. Mr. Whiting has been rescheduled to present a masterclass on October 15th and a recital on October 17th of this year. A virtual event is being developed for January. Details will be emailed to all members as soon as they become available. You may also follow the LA AGO Facebook page for the latest information and event details.

We're back for 2022 as we continue with our season of LA AGO events!

Our next event comes up on Monday, January 17th at 8pm. Tyrone Whiting - London born organist, conductor, pianist, and educator - will be in recital at Herrick Chapel on the campus of Occidental College in the Eagle Rock area of Los Angeles. The recital will be preceded by a Masterclass taught by Mr. Whiting on Saturday, January 15th, also at Herrick Chapel. Details on both events can be found at LAAGO.org and in the Chapter's e-newsletter, The LA Pipeline.

In this episode, Tyrone shares with host Thompson Howell his goals as Director of Music & Organist at historic St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; discusses his non-traditional route into the world of organ and choral music; emphasizes the importance he places on teaching (and learning!); how the principles of Performance Science affect us all; and how obsessing over "perfection" in performance can actually result in more mistakes; and more!

Thompson also wonders if Bach would have written different music if he'd had access to orchestral organs like those built by renowned French builder Aristide Cavaillé-Coll, and Tyrone stresses the contextual need to recognize that composers were human beings with life experiences that helped shape their bodies of work.

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

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