| Brooklyn Chapter, American Guild of Organists Serving the Largest Borough in New York City Honors Its Persons of the Year |
| The Brooklyn Chapter of the American Guild of Organists has been proud to name a Person (or Persons) of the Year in 2004 and 2005. We expect to continue the tradition in the future. What makes our award unique and, we think, uniquely valuable to our professional field, is that we do not honor an organist with it. Instead, we seek for persons in the community who have supported our work as organists and choral directors. In this way, our Chapter is building bridges between the often isolated and misunderstood world of organ and sacred music and the community we serve. The award was established during the 2003-2004 program year under the leadership of Dean Donald C. Barnum, Jr. |
| 2004 Honoree: Francesca Norsen. Now Francesca Norsen Tate, this Brooklyn journalist has been an enthusiastic and indefatigable supporter of the work of this chapter. She has attended and covered our events with great and evident delight. Her supportive and cheerful spirit, and the professional visibility she has helped us achieve, are of benefit both to the arts community and to the greater Brooklyn community which we serve. |
| 2005 Honorees: Edward and Holly Odell. The Odells are the re-founders of the historic J.H. and C. S. Odell organ firm, long one of New York City's most prominent organ building firms. The Odells' work on their family's historic organ in Brooklyn Heights, opus 178 from 1880 at Saint Charles Borromeo Church, has significantly assisted and advanced our work in Brooklyn. They haved helped us far more than duty or business required in preserving a priceless part of New York's musical heritage. Their constant presence at Chapter functions, their generous spirit, and their advocacy for a great historic organ are all noted with deep appreciation. |