Music In Our Sanctuary

John Atwood – 19th Century Vermont Pipe Organs

Filmed on Oct 6, 2024

Organ historian and musician and friend, John Atwood, spoke at the Bridgewater Historical Society a few weeks ago, discussing various organs and their history. What a fascinating program!

"John Atwood discusses how pipe organs have developed in Vermont from 1814 to 1900, and working with them makes the nineteenth century real, often in unexpected ways. The presentation also includes the difference between the pipe organ and a reed organ. The program is based on John Atwood’s personal experience with A. David Moore and the research of E. A. Boadway." https://bridgewaterhistory.org/john-atwood-19th-century-vermont-pipe-organs/

Whitney Organ Recital Series at North Chapel

After a lapse of 10 years The S. B. Whitney Organ Recital Series resumed this year on Sunday the 4th August, at 3:00 pm at the North Universalist Chapel Society! Pentangle Arts was proud to promote this first recital of a new annual series, performed by the Talented Jonathan Denham.

Thanks to North Chapel organist John Atwood for brining the series back and organizing this recital.

Jonathan is Music Director and Organist at the First Congregational Church of Woodstock, VT where he leads services, a worship team, and has revived the Revere Handbell Choir. Come to North Chapel on the 4th to hear music of Bach, Handel, Mendelssohn, and The Piano Guys.

More about the organist:

Originally from upstate New York, Jonathan studied with Dr. Judy Congdon at Houghton University, and holds a Bachelor of Music in Organ Performance. After graduating in 2019, he learned of the open music position at FCCW, and moved to Woodstock in 2020. At the church, Jonathan leads services, a worship team, and recently, a revival of the Revere Handbell Choir.

Along with music duties, Jonathan serves as Property Manager and Custodian for the church. He, his wife Anne, and daughter Joy love the outdoor activities in Vermont and New Hampshire and look forward to continuing exploring, hiking, swimming, and skiing in the area.

Jonathan has given various recitals around New York, including at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Buffalo with its 1877 Hook and Hastings organ, and at other churches in Jamestown, Binghamton, and Albany. In 2018, he was awarded the Undergraduate Scholar Award by the Presser Foundation for his work at Houghton University. Over the years, he has served in a variety of churches, including Faith Crossroads in Schenectady, Cuba UMC in Cuba, NY, The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany, and The Union Church of Lima, Peru. Of all the aspects of his musical work, he most enjoys leading exciting congregational singing and sharing the beauty and awe given us in the great organ works.

The Series:

The series title, The S. B. Whitney Organ Recital Series commemorates Samuel Brenton Whitney who grew up in Woodstock, became one of the founders of the American Guild of Organists and became the music director at the Church of the Advent in Boston, Massachusetts. The organ at the North Universalist Chapel Society made in 1875 by the Hutchings-Plaisted Company once served in the studio of Boston organist Eugene Thayer. It came to Woodstock in 1881 through Whitney’s efforts. The organ was recorded in 1959 by E. Power Biggs who debuted Variations on America by a slightly rebellious 16-year-old composer Charles Ives.

Read more about our organ in an article, written by North Chapel organist John Atwood, on our website here: https://www.northchapelvt.org/music-1/thayer-organ