Hello Falls Church Community! As you likely noticed, I was absent during the last week of June. I joined the thousands of other summer travelers in my trek to the airport, but my travels took me back to Anchorage, Alaska. Alaska is a place where I spent most of my twenties and my formative professional years, a wild and wondrous place that I’ll always find connection to. Perhaps more unusual than my destination was my business being there; a series of organ recitals and engagements. Anchorage is home to five pipe organs, three of which are made by the Irish builder Kenneth Jones. They are small, but mighty. Running between 17-20 ranks each, they pack a punch and are beloved by their patrons. My first stop was St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, a place where I spent five years as music director. I played for a funeral and a Eucharist service on their 17 rank, 2 manual Kenneth Jones instrument. Next was the 20 rank Fritts organ at Anchorage Lutheran Church, where I gave a recital as part of the Anchorage Lutheran Concert Series. After these engagements, my final preparations went into a joint recital that I played with a colleague, Nicholas Stigall, at St Mark Lutheran Church. Home to an 18 rank Kenneth Jones instrument, we enjoyed presenting a program of early and modern music, including the Alaska premier performance of the work of Pamela Decker. Each playing engagement was gratefully and wonderfully received, especially in a place where an organist is hard to come by!
We were inspired by our patrons, and also by the unbelievable landscape surrounding us. Nestled into the valley of the Chugach Mountain Range, we observed bears, moose, and all manner of Alaska wildlife. We embraced the 75 degree weather! We chased the sun, which never completely sets during this time of year. I was stunned by how many people greeted me with “Welcome Home.” And while home is a concept deep with many meanings for me, I’m glad that I can include Alaska as part of its perception.
Molly Patrick
Summer Music Intern
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