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Event
Four Boston Organists at Methuen Memorial Music Hall
METHUEN MEMORIAL MUSIC HALL
FOUR BOSTON ORGANISTS
LEO ABBOTT, RICHARD CLARK,
MARK DWYER, ROSS WOOD
COMMEMORATING THE 1947 REDEDICATION CONCERT
Wednesday, June 29th at 7:30 P.M.
Sponsored by Frederick MacArthur
Works by Jongen, Peters, Clark, Widor and Sowerby
Leo Abbott is a graduate of the St. Paul Choir School, Cambridge, and the Chaloff School of Music, Boston. His teachers include Theodore Marier, George Faxon, Clarence Watters and Flor Peeters, in organ; Naji Hakim in improvisation, and Julius Chaloff in piano. He holds the Fellowship and ChoirMaster Certificates of the American Guild of Organists, has won first prize in several international and national competitions, and was a finalist at the "Grand Prix de Chartres" in 1984. In 1986 he was appointed Music Director and Organist of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Boston. After nearly 33 years, Mr. Abbott retired from the Cathedral, and was given the title of Music Director and Organist Emeritus. Mr. Abbott has performed for conventions of the American Guild of Organists and the Organ Historical Society, and in France, Belgium, Great Britain, Ireland, and across the United States. He is an active member of the American Guild of Organists, and the Organ Historical Society.
Richard J. Clark has served as Archdiocesan and Cathedral Director of Music & Organist since 2018 after serving for nearly twenty-nine years at St. Cecilia Parish in Boston. He also served Boston College and the Jesuit Community for sixteen years (2004-2020) as Organist and Cantor at St. Marys Chapel.
His compositions have been performed worldwide and are published with Lorenz/The Sacred Music Press, WLP/GIA Publications, Saint Michael Hymnal (Fifth Edition - 2021), Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal (Sophia Institute Press 2019), CanticaNOVA Publications, and others. As performer and composer his eclectic appearances range from the Celebrity Series of Boston, St. Patricks Cathedral (NY), Saint-Eustache (Paris), the Boston Philharmonic to Jive Records (Sony BMG) and Fenway Park. Clarks compositions have also been heard under the batons of Fernando Malvar-Ruiz (The American Boychoir) and John Robinson, (St. Pauls Choir School) as well as on radio and television including EWTN and SiriusXM Radios Sounds from the Spires. Clarks Te Teum for soloists, chorus, and orchestra was premiered in Paris and Levallois, France in 2022.
Notably, Clarks Ascent to Freedom received its Russian Federation première in 2013 in the cities of Kislovodsk () and Yessentuki () by virtuoso organist Mark Husey of Los Angeles.
Born in Greenwich Village, New York City, he grew up on Long Island, and lives with his wife and four children in Milton, Massachusetts.
Well-known as one of the most gifted organists of his generation, Mark Dwyer has held the position of Organist and Choirmaster of The Church of the Advent, Boston since 2007, where he worked for, and later succeeded his mentor, Edith Ho, who was Arthur Howes prize pupil. He has held similar positions at St. Paul's Church, K Street in Washington, DC and The Cathedral of All Saints in Albany, New York. Dr Dwyer is active as an organ recitalist, having presented programs throughout the United States and in England. He conducts The Advent Choir, an all-professional ensemble of 18 singers. During his tenure, The Advent Choir has become known not only for their stylish performances of Renaissance polyphony, but also for their impassioned readings of 20th and 21st century works. His work as conductor, accompanist and recitalist may be heard on the JAV, Arsis, and AFKA recording labels.
Mark Dwyer is a graduate of the New England Conservatory; in 2012, Nashotah House Seminary awarded him the degree, Doctor of Music, honoris causa, in recognition of his contributions to the field of sacred music. Dwyers teachers in include Yuko Hayashi and Charles Krigbaum, himself a protégé of Carl Weinrich. During his college years, Dr Dwyer was associated with St Georges Church, Bridgeport, CT, Ernest Whites final church position.
Praised for his exquisite playing (Journal of the Association of Anglican Musicians), Ross Wood has been Associate Organist at the Parish of All Saints, Ashmont, since 2018, having previously served at Bostons Church of the Advent (2001-2016) and Trinity Church (1985-2001). He received his doctorate from Eastman School of Music in the studio of Russell Saunders after undergraduate study at Southern Methodist University with Robert Anderson. Balancing music with librarianship at Wellesley College for many years, he has recently held interim positions at Church of the Redeemer, Chestnut Hill, and Emmanuel Church, Boston.
Among Mr. Woods recital appearances are the National Cathedral in Washington, St. Philips Cathedral in Atlanta, New Yorks St. Patricks Cathedral, St. Thomas Church, Church of St. Mary the Virgin, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, and Trinity Church, Wall Street. In France he has appeared at Notre-Dame de Paris, the American Cathedral in Paris, and festivals in Bourges and Carcassonne.
Equally appreciated as an accompanist, Mr. Woods four CDs with the Trinity Choir garnered critical acclaim. He accompanied the choir on tour at Westminster Abbey and St. Pauls Cathedral as well as Ely and Chichester cathedrals. He has appeared before conventions of the AGO, the American Choral Directors Association, and the Association of Anglican Musicians. His recitals have been broadcast on NPR and the BBC. With orchestra he has appeared as soloist with the Dallas Symphony under Leonard Slatkin and in the BSO under James Levine and the Boston Pops under Keith Lockhart.
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LocationMethuen Memorial Music Hall (View)
192 Broadway
Methuen, MA 01844
United States
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| Kid Friendly: Yes! |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! |
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