| JONATHAN HALL NAMED FELLOW OF TRINITY COLLEGE, LONDON |
| On August 7, 2003, Jonathan Hall got word from London (via Mr. Davis of the Queens Village, NY, examination centre) that he has been named a Fellow of Trinity College, London. This diploma is coveted and respected throughout the world, especially in England and the British Commonwealth; its popularity in the US has been growing steadily as well. This diploma was awarded on the basis of a juried recital; Hall was formally excused from the other extensive requirements on the basis of his previous achievements. He played this program on June 20 at the Church of the Epiphany, NYC, the church where he serves as Organist and Choirmaster. The Board of Examiners visits the US from London to hear recitals at various Grade levels as well as for the diplomas of Licentiate, Associate and Fellow. The highest distinction is that of Fellow. Hall's success in this project was noted in The American Organist. The privileges of a Fellow include the right to affix the initials FTCL after one's name, and to wear distinctive academic regalia. The Fellow's hood is of doctoral cut, purple lined with mauve (hence the colors of this page, sort of!) The gown is the Oxford bachelor's gown. In the Commonwealth, this diploma is regarded as a post-baccalaureate professional certification. Hall played the following massive program on June 20: Prelude and Fugue in D major J. S. Bach Nun lasst uns Gott dem Herrn Vincent Lubeck Combat de la Mort et la Vie Olivier Messiaen cantabile and final, from Symphony no. 2 in e minor Louis Vierne Hall is a strong believer in certification and examination programs for organists. A very successful master's and doctoral student himself, he recognizes that these programs, for all their excellence, do not cover all possible bases for an organist; we need to look to the AGO, RCO, RCCO, and examining bodies like Trinity for the highly specialized certifications that truly test us to the limit. His other specific intention in this project was to honor the British examination system, as it is historically so successful in certifying organists. Is this his last exam? Probably not! |
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