2009 has gotten off to a strong start for your host. After several years of devoted
and creative service to a church and a synagogue in Bergen County, New Jersey,
Jonathan is back in New York...city and state.
Jonathan concluded five years of work as Temple Beth Or's beloved organist and
pianist (and occasional choir director) at the end of the program year in June. He
remains in touch with many friends in that congregation and wishes them well.
In November, he had the delightful and unexpected opportunity to become the
Organist and Choirmaster of Saint John's Episcopal Church, Cornwall, NY, and left
his parish in Rutherford, NJ to pursue this fine opportunity. He has also secured a
wonderful appointment at Union Temple of Brooklyn, becoming its new Music
Director. (He continues to serve as Dean of the Brooklyn AGO chapter, and
maintains close ties with the Borough.)
The year 2008 ended with Jonathan overseeing major concert and liturgical
programs at an energetic and highly musical parish near West Point, and an
historic and active synagogue in a glorious neighborhood in Brooklyn. The
creative opportunities for the future are boundless, and Jonathan welcomes them.
In other news, Jonathan remains active in his many fields of interest. Look for his
scholarly piece on Bach for the American Bach Society. Titled "The Quest for the
Esoteric Jesus," it is a close look at two of Bach's baptismal chorales.
Look for an upcoming piece in the April, 2009 issue of the Tracker, the journal of
the Organ Historical Society. Pieces are forthcoming in a number of smaller
genealogical magazines as well; these will be listed as they appear.
Finally, let's hope that 2009 is the year when Jonathan's long-awaited book on
Calvin Hampton is released! The economy has been tough on us all, including
publishers. This book will be well worth waiting for. Stay tuned!
and creative service to a church and a synagogue in Bergen County, New Jersey,
Jonathan is back in New York...city and state.
Jonathan concluded five years of work as Temple Beth Or's beloved organist and
pianist (and occasional choir director) at the end of the program year in June. He
remains in touch with many friends in that congregation and wishes them well.
In November, he had the delightful and unexpected opportunity to become the
Organist and Choirmaster of Saint John's Episcopal Church, Cornwall, NY, and left
his parish in Rutherford, NJ to pursue this fine opportunity. He has also secured a
wonderful appointment at Union Temple of Brooklyn, becoming its new Music
Director. (He continues to serve as Dean of the Brooklyn AGO chapter, and
maintains close ties with the Borough.)
The year 2008 ended with Jonathan overseeing major concert and liturgical
programs at an energetic and highly musical parish near West Point, and an
historic and active synagogue in a glorious neighborhood in Brooklyn. The
creative opportunities for the future are boundless, and Jonathan welcomes them.
In other news, Jonathan remains active in his many fields of interest. Look for his
scholarly piece on Bach for the American Bach Society. Titled "The Quest for the
Esoteric Jesus," it is a close look at two of Bach's baptismal chorales.
Look for an upcoming piece in the April, 2009 issue of the Tracker, the journal of
the Organ Historical Society. Pieces are forthcoming in a number of smaller
genealogical magazines as well; these will be listed as they appear.
Finally, let's hope that 2009 is the year when Jonathan's long-awaited book on
Calvin Hampton is released! The economy has been tough on us all, including
publishers. This book will be well worth waiting for. Stay tuned!
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