Director of Music Dennis Janzer Returns from Sabbatical
Cathedral Director of Music/Organist Dennis Janzer returned on August 1 from a three-month sabbatical. To the right, he is seen enjoying a visit to the Vanderbilt Botanic Gardens.
A note of thanks to the people at St. Mary’s Cathedral.
I would like to share some of the many wonderful things that I was able to experience these past 3 months of my Sabbatical. Along with some rest and recovery time, I checked several items off my “bucket” list and participated in a number of professional events.
I visited family and friends in Wisconsin, it was so great to spend time with my brothers, sisters, cousins and close friends. There was also a trip to Florida filled with reading and swimming. I had always wanted to visit the Biltmore Estate in Ashville, the opportunity to be on the faculty of a Pipe Organ Encounter (adults) in Chattanooga got me to parts of Tennessee I had not experienced. The adventure allowed me time in Knoxville, then Ashville where I spent several days exploring the vast Biltmore mansion, gardens, winery and hiking the estate-paths. A dinner and visit with Randolph Reeves and Tony Henderson was a highlight! They send regards to all of you and miss being at the cathedral. I spent a few days at a Greenville, TN mountain resort, more hiking up and down steep paths! From there off to Chattanooga for a week of teaching organ, giving workshops and playing an organ recital. A great chance to help others and also to learn a few new things.
A great deal of time was spent in preparation for the American Guild of Organist National Convention that took place in San Francisco. I presented a program that involved playing new compositions from Leupold Editions, 20 volumes total, two of which I composed. Throughout the convention, I was recognized, we all wore name tags, as having composed something that they enjoyed playing and sharing with their congregations. Many young organists first experience was at Pipe Organ Encounters and had played my compositions, as they can be found in many books used to teach organ. There were upwards of 20 concert to attend that week! Additionally, I had time to tour a number of non-church places in San Francisco. The Musée Mécanique was such fun! Everything in the museum was vintage coin-operated items. Pianos, organs, violins!, and all sorts of games, I went through many quarters.
Then off to LA and West Hollywood to visit the Getty Villa and the Getty Center. The villa is on the ocean and modelled after an Italian villa unearthed as Pompeii and Herculaneum were being explored. It is filled with Greek and Roman antiquities. The Getty Center, high up on a cliff with spectacular views, the enormous modern structures and their contents could never be fully explored. Inspiring! I also enjoyed exploring the area, often by public transportation.
During my Wisconsin trip, a fabulous visit to the Sanfilippo Estate in Barrington IL was a highlight. Hundreds of restored Band Organs, Nickelodeons, Orchestrions, Calliopes, and innumerable other self-playing devices are on display. Something was always musically entertaining us as the docents always kept something playing. A Theatre Organ concert and ride on an indoor carousel completed the evening.
The past three months were inspiring, especially in regards to how important it is that I continue to compose and share my music. I have begun a several new composition projects, and will be completing some that have been on the “back-burner” for quite a while.
I thank all at St. Mary’s for this opportunity of rest and personal growth. It is good to be back!
With gratitude,
Dennis Janzer, Director of Music