One of my skills, developed over the years (especially the last five) at All Saints, has been guiding, mentoring and encouraging music staff members through the doctoral programs at the USC School of Music. There are many reasons that I chose to stop with a master’s degree, all of which were confirmed through these processes!

One of the four recitals required for the DMA in organ performance is an ensemble performance. Learning and performing the very difficult organ part to the Duruflé Requiem was the perfect option for this ensemble recital. Szymon also played the Prelude and Fugue on the Name ALAIN (prelude and postlude) at the services.

Professor Rhodes worked closely with Szymon on organ registrations and was at the dress rehearsal with her pad of yellow Post-Its! After the dress rehearsal, the three of us went through ALL those Post-Its. Sometimes I vetoed Cherry’s suggestions, but of course, many of her comments were right on and improved the overall performance.

I remember chuckling as Szymon turned the organ off after about and hour in this process. He had to turn the organ back on two minutes later; we weren’t finished!