Message from the Dean

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Our annual end-of-year dinner on Sunday, May 17, attracted half of our membership at Ela Curry & Cocktails in Palm Beach Gardens. A wonderful evening of conversation and delicious food was one of our regular highlights.

Our annual Member Recital on Sunday, February 22, attracted a large audience. Eight organists played the 106-rank Austin organ at Royal Poinciana Chapel  in Palm Beach: Adam Brakel, Mark Lohmeyer, Hal Pysher, Daniel Bayless, Jan Fulford, Evie Campbell, Stuart Forster, and Robert Littlefield. There was a delightful reception in the Parish Hall afterwards. Included in the concert were the world premieres of the three winning pieces from our recent Composition Competition. Videos below.

Our annual Hymn Festival on Sunday, November 9, was a great success. Six organists played the 115-rank organ at Bethesda-by-the-Sea in Palm Beach: Daniel Bayless, Adam Brakel, Michael Murray, Stuart Forster, Hal Pysher, and Jan Fulford. There was a beautiful reception in the Parish Hall afterwards. A nice-sized audience joined in hearty singing of eight hymns and then heard a piece of organ music based on the hymn just sung. Each organist spoke briefly about their selection(s). 

The Palm Beach County chapter held a Repertoire Sharing Event at Cason United Methodist Church in Delray Beach on Saturday, October 11. Jan Fulford introduced pieces that were new to the group. Thanks to Jan Fulford and Patricia Holland for organizing, and to Ed Krynicki for hosting.

Our program year kicked off on Sunday, September 28, with our annual Meet & Greet, with Music Swap, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and School in Palm Beach Gardens. Daniel Bayless hosted; Jan Fulford, Michael Murray, and Stuart Forster arranged the necessities (pizza, wine, soda, setup, cleanup, etc.), and everyone contributed to an array of delicious treats. There were several boxes of free organ music available, and even some recordings.

We wrapped up our program year with dinner at Grato in West Palm Beach on May 18, 2025. Elizabeth George, National Membership Officer, installed the new Board. Almost half of our members attended. Thanks to Michael Murray for organizing.

Our Organ Crawl in Miami on January 13, 2025,  included 2 instruments less than a year old and 2 more familiar instruments. Seventeen members visited organs by Aeolian-Skinner, Casavant, Schoenstein, and Schantz. Lunch together was a wonderful opportunity to catch up with friends and to meet new friends with common interests. Thanks to Jan Fulford and Joanne Schulte for organizing. More photos below.

One recent event was the annual Hymn Festival at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Palm Beach Gardens on Sunday, November 17, 2024. Thanks to Daniel Bayless for hosting.

We opened our season with our annual Meet & Greet on Sunday, September 29, 2024 in the Parish Hall at the Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea in Palm Beach. Thanks to Stuart Forster for hosting.