In recent months, Westwood Presbyterian has suffered three losses close to its musical heart — my mentor, a spiritual guide, and a long-time colleague.
In 1974 Dr. Thomas Somerville, then Director of Music at WPC, hires me as Organist. And a nine-year odyssey of astonishing musical, personal and spiritual growth begins, spanning my college and grad school years, from age 17 to 26. Dr. Somerville died on February 25, 2020. Read my tribute
Central to that growth was the ministry of Charles Orr, the Senior Pastor of Westwood Presbyterian for nearly forty years, from 1970 to 2009. The Rev. Orr passed on March 20, 2020, at the age of 86. Obituary
Charles was an important influence on my life, opening windows to theological questions, accepting the ambiguity of not having “answers,” supporting me as my boss, and encouraging both my career and my growth as a human being.
A brilliant organist and valued colleague, Namhee Han, was Resident Organist at Westwood Presbyterian for the past 21 years. She was a sought-after, enthusiastic piano and organ teacher, keenly interested in contributing to the music community in southern California, and regularly collaborated with instrumentalists, orchestras, and choral groups.
Tragically, Namhee died at 49 years old on March 27, 2020, after unexpected complications following a two-year battle with cancer. Her premature death is a great loss for members of Westwood Presbyterian and the organ world.
Moving Forward Toward Healing and Renewal
At a time of enormous loss and transition for this wonderful church community, I find myself sharing enriching conversations with Christine Chakoian, WPC Pastor/Head of Staff. I’m drawn to these interim positions — whether short- or long-term — where the need is musical excellence and a healing presence in the midst of change, leading to renewal and ultimately the successful process in hiring their next Organist.
After 37+ years, I return now to Westwood Presbyterian Church to serve in this capacity, with gratitude and expectant joy.
New Ways of Worship at Westwood
As with most churches during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sunday worship is “virtual.” Westwood Presbyterian had already begun worshiping that way in March 2020.
Now with the installation of cameras and a new sound system, WPC will pre-record services in the lovely sanctuary and return to using the organ (as well as piano and other instruments). Live streaming will likely follow until such time as the community can once again gather on Sunday mornings for worship together in the sanctuary.
Namhee Han Obituary
Died on March 27, 2020, after unexpected complications following a two-year-long battle with cancer.
A native of South Korea, Namhee began piano studies at age eight. After earning a bachelor of arts in English education from Seoul National University, she came to the U.S. to pursue graduate studies in linguistics. She first encountered the organ here and became immediately fascinated with its “limitless tonal and expressive possibilities.”
Her organ study began in 1999 with Thomas Harmon and Namhee completed MMus and DMA degrees in organ performance at UCLA, studying with Christoph Bull. In addition, she earned MA and PhD degrees in applied linguistics from UCLA.
Han continued to hone her technically robust organ playing with coaching from Marie-Claire Alain, Luigi Ferdinando Tagliavini, Jean Guillou, Guy Bovet, and Louis Robilliard. She participated in masterclasses with organists David Craighead, Frederick Swann, Marilyn Keiser, Christopher Herrick, Paul Jacobs, Todd Wilson, Kimberly Marshall and Sophie-Veronique Cauchefer-Choplin.
In 2019, Han served on the Los Angeles AGO Chapter executive committee, and was active on several chapter committees. She often played at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels and was featured during the AGO national convention in San Francisco at Oakland’s Cathedral of Christ the Light. She played concerts around the world, most recently in New York City’s Cathedral of St. John the Divine and in the cathedrals of Sydney and Melbourne, Australia.
Han was the resident organist at Westwood Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles for the last 20 years and associate organist at the Wilshire Boulevard Temple for the last seven. She was a sought-after, enthusiastic piano and organ teacher, keenly interested in contributing to the music community in southern California. A versatile keyboardist, Han performed with L.A. Master Chorale, the Pacific Symphony and Colburn orchestras, Southwest Chamber Music, and Musica Angelica, and collaborated with conductors Esa-Pekka Salonen, Martin Haselböck, Grant Gershon, Donald Neuen, and Carl St. Clair. Her creative grace, technical virtuosity, and imaginative attention to detail endeared her to ever-growing audiences.
Han is survived by her fiancé, Xavier Quintana of Los Angeles, and two sisters and a brother in South Korea. Her premature death is a great loss to the organ world.
What a joy to read that you have moved full circle and will again be playing the organ at Westwood Presbyterian Church. What memories flood my head as I read your loving tributes, Jim. It was deeply humbling and an honor to try to fill your shoes as organist at that wonderful church after you moved on to other positions.