Reception for Dr. Douglas Leightenheimer and Our Other School of Music Graduates

Dr. Douglas Leightenheimer with Alan Schultz. Photo by KCH.

St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, 602 N. Wilmot Road at 5th St., will congratulate its Director of Music, Douglas Blair Leightenheimer, with a Festive Brunch on Sunday, May 22 in the Smith Parish Center, after the 10:15 AM High Mass. On May 12, 2016, he officially became Dr. Leightenheimer, obtaining his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Arizona's Fred Fox School of Music. He presented his doctoral lecture recital, “From Couperin to Vierne: Liturgical and Stylistic Connections between the French Baroque and French Romantic Organ Mass,” at the University of Arizona on January 15.

The reception is also in honor of the three graduating seniors in the St. Michael and All Angels Choir: longtime choir member Jeffrey John Simpson, Janis Lynn Hedin, and Sandy Delozier. All graduated from the Fred Fox School of Music.

Jeff Simpson was a featured performer of Alan Schultz's Oratorio at Christmas.

Douglas Leightenheimer is a native of Portsmouth, Ohio, and a 1982 graduate of the University of Kentucky in Lexington. He earned the Master of Music degree in church music from Westminster Choir College in 1984. Before arriving in Arizona, Leightenheimer served as director of music ministries for Venice Presbyterian Church in Venice, FL. for more than 12 years, and then as director of music at First Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, NC for 15 years. At First Presbyterian he had extensive experience playing a 1928 E. M. Skinner pipe organ (Op. 713), an earlier version of St. Michael’s glorious 1959 Æolian-Skinner organ. In 2012, he left Wilmington to pursue his doctorate at UA.

Upon the retirement of the previous choir director at St. Michael's, Jane Haman, in the fall of 2012, two parishioners recommended UA doctoral student Leightenheimer to fill the position. After an audition process, St. Michael’s was delighted to welcome Leightenheimer as its new music director, choir director and organist.

Doug at the organ, August 2015. Photo by KFB.

A board member of the Southern Arizona chapter of the American Guild of Organists, Douglas Leightenheimer has also served on the executive boards of the Sarasota-Manatee (Florida) and Wilmington (North Carolina) chapters of the same organization, including two terms as dean for each group. He is also a published composer and recitalist. In April 2013 and April 2014, he performed the Mildred Flood Mahoney Memorial Organ Series Concert at the University of Arizona. Recent solo performances include the 2015 summer series at Catalina United Methodist Church in Tucson. During UA's 2016 spring semester, he served as an assistant conductor with the University Community Chorus.

For more information please contact the church office at 520-886-7292, or see the church website at http://smallangelstucson.org/arts-and-culture/music/.

Doctor Douglas Leightenheimer!

Congratulations are in order for our Director of Music, Douglas Blair Leightenheimer. As of May 12, 2016, he officially becomes Dr. Doug Leightenheimer, obtaining his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Arizona's Fred Fox School of Music. On January 15th, 2016 he presented his doctoral lecture recital, “From Couperin to Vierne: Liturgical and Stylistic Connections between the French Baroque and French Romantic Organ Mass,” at the University of Arizona.

There will be a reception in his honor on Sunday, May 22nd in the Smith Parish Center, after the morning masses.

Dr. Douglas Leightenheimer and Alan Schultz. 

Photos by Ke Chiang Hsieh.

Fox Sextet Jazz Concert - April 3rd, 2016

Please save the date, Sunday, April 3 at 2:00 PM., for the second of St. Michael’s “Music for Tucson” concerts.. The University of Arizona’s jazz band, the Fox Sextet, will perform for our enjoyment and to benefit Youth On Their Own.

Youth On Their Own is a local organization that helps homeless youth finish high school. Arizona is the fifth worst state for child homelessness. There are over 60,000 displaced and unaccompanied youth in the state. There are many causes for youth homelessness. Among them are death, poverty, abuse, and abandonment. These young people are facing great challenges through no fault of their own.

You may visit Youth On Their Own’s website, yoto.org, to read some of their stories. You will be as moved as I was.

Admission to the concert is by donation to Youth On Their Own. I hope we will fill the church.

- Joel Williams

Upcoming Events at St. Michael's

MAY 16, SATURDAY ~ 6 PM - PARISH CENTER - GUATEMALA PROJECT TEAM (AND FR. SMITH AND TERRI) SENDOFF. Meal, meet volunteers and the Guatemala Consul, short program, Yoeme (Yaqui) Deer Dance and Blessing songs to conclude.  FREE, though we will ask for donations, any amount.  Think "Goodbye (literally 'God be with you!, Tucson. Hello, Guatemala" (thanks Beatles). Want to help?  Call Ila.*

MAY 17, SUNDAY ~ 3 PM ~ ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH - ARIZONA BAROQUE "MUSIC IN THE SPANISH COURT" CONCERT ~ A fund-rising concert for Arizona Baroque tour to Zaragoza, Spain in August, 2015. (see below)

MAY 19, TUESDAY - 6:45 PM - IN CHURCH - TAIZÉ

MAY 20, WEDNESDAY - 10:30 AM - W.M. - ECW MEETING - SPEAKER FROM PRIMAVERA - ALL LADIES OF THE PARISH ARE INVITED AND URGED TO ATTEND.


MAY 21, THURSDAY - POZ CAFÉ- WE ARE COLLECTING: BANDAGES, BODY LOTION TO TAKE TO THE CAFE THAT DAY.  We need your help at the Poz Café Luncheon from 8:30 to 2:30 pm (or any time you can give) Sign up sheets in back of church or call Diane Gunderson-Skates.*

*Phone numbers are available from the church office or the parish directory.

Fred Fox Graduate Wind Quintet Concert - the Flyer

Concert at St. Michael's - April 25th!

The Fred Fox Graduate Wind Quintet, the University of Arizona’s Fred Fox School of Music’s premier student chamber ensemble, will perform a concert at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church on Saturday, April 25. The event begins at 2:00 p.m. and will benefit Youth on Their Own.

The Fred Fox Graduate Wind Quintet features performers from some of the world’s leading music schools. The group has won numerous awards since their formation in 2013 including the Arizona State and Southwest Division, Collegiate Chamber Music.

Suggested donation is $10 per person.

The beneficiary of the concert, Youth on Their Own (YOTO), supports the high school graduation of homeless, abandoned youth in grades 6-12.  To date
they have helped over 14,000 youth to stay in school.

St. Michael and All Angels is located at 602 N. Wilmot Rd (at 5th Street).

Douglas Leightenheimer Concert on the Radio!

Dear Friends--        

Almost a year later, Arizona Public Media will broadcast the Mahoney Memorial Organ Concert that also doubled as my doctoral minor recital.  The information is below.        

Please feel free and encouraged to share this with anyone you feel might be interested.

Here's how to get the livestream:

Go to azpm.org (Arizona Public Media).  On the right side of the page there is a block that says "NOW ON CLASSICAL 90.5."  At the bottom of the block, click the orange button that says "livestream."

Thanks!

Doug



Upcoming Radio Broadcast:

The Mildred Flood Mahoney Memorial Organ Series concert, featuring organist Douglas Leightenheimer, presented by the School of Music at the University of Arizona

Recorded live in Crowder Hall on Sunday, April 27 , 2014

Broadcast dates:
Sunday, March 15, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. (6:00 p.m. on the east coast)
Thursday, March 19, 2015 at 9:00 p.m. (midnight on the east coast)

Arizona Public Media - Classical 90.5
Community Concerts Series – Andy Bade, host
Tune to 90.5/89.7 FM - or online streaming at  azpm.org/classical

Program
William Walond: Voluntary No. 5 in G Major
James Biery: Elegy
J. S. Bach: Prelude and Fugue in E Minor, BWV 548
Emma Lou Diemer: Prelude on Ellers
Felix Mendelssohm: Sonata in B Flat Major Op. 65 No. 4
George Thalben-Ball: Elegy
Marcel Dupre: Prelude and Fugue in G Minor, Op. 7 No. 3


The UA Fred Fox School of Music presented the annual Mildred Flood Mahoney Memorial Organ Concert, featuring organist Douglas Leightenheimer on Sunday, April 27, 2014 in Holsclaw Hall.

This program included “Prelude and Fugue in E Minor (BWV 548)” by Johann Sebastian Bach, “Sonata Op. 65 No. 4 in B-flat Major” by Felix Mendelssohn, “Prelude and Fugue in G Minor, Op. 7 No. 3” by Marcel Dupré and works by Walond, Biery and Blair

Douglas Blair Leightenheimer is a doctoral student at the University of Arizona where he is a conducting student of Dr. Bruce Chamberlain and an organ student of Dr. Pamela Decker. He also serves as organist and director of music for St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Tucson.

Prior to arriving in Arizona, Mr. Leightenheimer served for fifteen years as director of music (organist/director) for First Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) in Wilmington, North Carolina, the last three of which he also served as music director for the Schola Cantorum of the Episcopal Diocese of East Carolina. Prior to his appointment in Wilmington, he served for over twelve years as director of music ministries for Venice Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) in Venice, Florida.

Mr. Leightenheimer is a member of the Southern Arizona chapter of the American Guild of Organists and has served on the executive boards of the Sarasota-Manatee (Florida) and Wilmington (North Carolina) chapters, including two terms as dean for both organizations. He is a published composer and recitalist, having concertized primarily on the East Coast and in the Midwest. In 2008 he was featured with the Wilmington (North Carolina) Symphony Orchestra performing "Symphony No. 3" of Camille Saint-Saëns and "Symphonie Concertante" of Joseph Jongen on First Presbyterian's historic 1928 E. M. Skinner pipe organ (Op. 713). Other recent solo performances include the After Noon Concert Series at Princeton University Chapel in Princeton, New Jersey.

Mr. Leightenheimer is a native of Portsmouth, Ohio, and a 1982 graduate of the University of Kentucky in Lexington where he was an organ student of Arnold Blackburn. He earned the Master of Music degree in church music from Westminster Choir College in 1984 where he was a conducting student of Allen Crowell and Joseph Flummerfelt and an organ student of Joan Lippincott.

###

Douglas Leightenheimer in Concert!

American Guild of Organists Showcase Concert

Sunday, November 16, 7:00 PM

Catalina United Methodist Church

2700 E. Speedway Boulevard

Our own Douglas Leightenheimer and Will Thomas will perform music by Mendelssohn, Vierne, Sowerby, and others on Catalina’s new four-manual Quimby organ. 

Rex Woods with guests Sara Fraker, Jerry Kirkbride, Daniel Katzen, and William Dietz will perform Mozart’s Quintet for Piano and Winds, K. 452. 

Suggested donation is $10. Reception follows.

Reminder: Maya Textile Sale and Exhibition is This Weekend!

Maya Textile Sale / Exhibition, with a Silent Auction 
(items from local businesses)

Exceptional and daily use textiles from 
Indigena Imports of Austin

St. Michael and All Angels
602 N. Wilmot (at 5th St.), Parish Center

Friday, Nov. 7, 5 to 8 p.m.: Opening reception and sale. Hor d’oeuvre gala. Charles King, solo guitar. $10 suggested donation (to help cover costs) will be applied in full to your first purchase from Indigena Imports). Guatemalans, volunteers, and special guests gratis, of course.

Saturday, Nov 8, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Sale, Exhibit and Silent Auction continues. Morning coffee.  Fry bread and Indian tacos on sale after 11:30 AM (Maria Garcia, indigenous form Michoacan and owner of La Indita Restaurant, will step across traditions to feed us well).  No requested donation.

Sunday, Nov 9, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Same as Saturday, including food.

Who benefits? St. Michael’s Guatemala Project, The Castaneda Museum of Ethnic Costume, Maya women who continue the weaving tradition, and you.  This is a unique opportunity to celebrate and explore.  Please come, whether you intend to make a purchase or not.

What else to look for? Castaneda Museum’s exhibit of some of their 4000 textiles and other artifacts from around the world; Guatemala Project’s recent acquisitions from rural communities on sale (many quite inexpensive).

Maya women leaders in Guatemala frequently say they will build a just society the way they weave, one thread at a time. We’ll add that they do so with consummate artistry, skill, patience, and resilience. As CPR-Sierra leader Berta reminded us in Guatemala last summer, even in the darkest years of the war, culture and tradition sustained them, as did moments of cheer and laughter. We have much to learn from these sisters (and brothers) who have persisted in the face of great adversity.

-- Ila, Coordinator, Guatemala Project

A Concert in Honor of Alan F. Schultz

The Episcopal Parish of
St. Michael and All Angels
cordially invites you to a concert
of thanksgiving in honor of
Alan F. Schultz
The concert will feature renowned trumpeter,
Mary Elizabeth Bowden
and noted organist
Douglas Leightenheimer.
Saturday April 26th at 2:30 PM
St. Michael and All Angels Church Sanctuary
602 North Wilmot Road, Tucson, AZ

Easter Week will culminate in a special concert with Trumpeter Mary Elizabeth Bowden and organist Doug Leightenheimer, in celebration of the naming of the A. F. Schultz Organ. Bring your friends and neighbors!

The free concert will be in thanksgiving to God for enabling us to retire the loan for our Æolian-Skinner organ and establish an endowment for its upkeep in the name of Alan F. Schultz. May it be known as the “Schultz Organ” in gratitude for Alan’s ministry of teaching in our parish school and his talented musicianship at St. Michael’s, St. Mark’s, and throughout Tucson! Alan has also be involved with Tucson Civic Chorus (now the Tucson Masterworks Chorale) and the Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra.

A member of the Richmond Symphony Orchestra, trumpeter Mary Elizabeth Bowden has performed with the Baltimore Symphony, Fairfax Symphony, Naples Philharmonic Orchestra, New World Symphony, Virginia Symphony and Santa Fe Opera, and at Colorado’s Breckenridge Music Festival. The First Prize winner of the 2012 International Women’s Brass Conference Trumpet Competition, she is co-founder of Florida’s Chrysalis Chamber Players, a recipient of a Yale Alumni Grant, and has collaborated in chamber music programs at the Marlboro Music Festival, The Banff Centre and at the Sydney Opera House.

In addition to being the music director and organist at St. Michael’s, Douglas Blair Leightenheimer is a second year doctoral student at the University of Arizona music department. For fifteen years he was director of music for First Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, NC, also serving as music director for the Schola Cantorum of the Episcopal Diocese of East Carolina. He was recently heard on KUAT radio as it broadcast his April 2013 recital, the Mildred Flood Mahoney Memorial Organ Series Concert at the University of Arizona.

Donations to the Schultz Organ Fund and Endowment are gratefully accepted. Free will offerings will also be accepted at the concert. More information can be found on our Schultz Organ page. Thank you for your generosity!

Announcements - and Video!

 Video from Christmas Eve:

This video features the Christmas Eve Family Mass, followed by a few snippets from the 10 PM High Mass. Apologies for the amateur quality!


Announcements

Epiphany Gifts for Primavera - During the first 6 weeks of Epiphany, please fill the treasure chest in the back of the Church with new socks and underwear, toiletries, and new or gently used gloves, hats or caps, sweatshirts, jackets, and sweaters, for distribution to Tucson’s homeless population by Primavera shelter and other programs. Hold the frankincense and myrrh. Primavera Foundation will be happy to accept your gold at any time.

Mark your calendar for St. Michael’s Annual Parish Meeting which will take place at the 9:00 AM Mass on Sunday, January 19th. Please note there will be ONE Mass on this day. A brunch will follow the Mass and meeting in the Parish Center. This is a very important parish function with Vestry election and various parish reports. We need your input and support.

Sign up in the back of the Church for our Jan. 25 Scripture Workshop. Detail is on the insert in the bulletin. Why sign up? So we can plan lunch.

The Feast of the Epiphany is Monday, January 6th. The celebration begina with Holy Eucharist at 5:30 PM, followed by a “Pot Luck” Dinner. The “Epiphany Cake” is featured! ALL ARE INVITED!

Arizona Baroque on Michaelmas Eve!

Arizona Baroque, the University of Arizona's baroque ensemble, will perform a concert at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church on Saturday, September 28. The free-admission event begins at 7:00 p.m.

Collaborating with St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church as part of the 2013 Michaelmas Patronal Feast, Arizona Baroque will present a beautiful program of Latin American vocal and instrumental music from the 17th and 18th centuries.

The concert will be followed by a reception with the Rt. Reverend Armando Guerra Soria, Episcopal Bishop of Guatemala and Primate (Presiding Bishop) of the Anglican Region of Central America. The reception features Latin American foods from Mision San Miguel and Tucson’s Guatemalan community, as well as "Baroque" light fare from concert organizers.

St. Michael and all Angels parishioners sponsor the concert as part of Michaelmas (Feast of St. Michael) events celebrating sixty years of prayer, service, and advocacy since the founding of the church in 1953.

Announcements through September 14

Doug Leightenheimer’s organ recital at the U of A last April will be broadcast on 90.5 classical radio on this Sunday, September 8 at 3 PM and Thursday, September 12, at 9 PM (not AM as previously posted). If you missed the recital, here is a chance to hear Doug at his best.

Women’s Bible Study begins on Wednesday, September 11th at 6:30 PM in the Parish Center. This year we will study one of the most courageous women in the Bible: Esther. We will explore the history and see how this can apply to us today. Books can be purchased ahead of time in the Parish Office at a cost of $15. If you cannot afford the book, but still want to come, please do. The cost will be covered. Sign-up Sheets are located in the back of church.

You are invited to join us for Bible Study each Wednesday morning, beginning September 4th at 10 am in the Womble Library. The Bible Study will be facilitated by Peter Schmidt. Come with your ideas, suggestions and what you would like to learn so we can tailor-make this informal class best suited to everyone. Join us and bring a friend. All are welcome.

Were you here in the early days of St. Michael's, or even in the middle years as the church was expanded and the current organ was first purchased? Karen Blocher would love to include your St. Michael's memories in our special 60th Anniversary issue of The Messenger, coming out later this month. If you have a special memory to share, write it out (a single paragraph is fine) and either email it to Karen at mavarin2@gmail.com or drop it off in the church office. Or if you have one to share and don't want to write it yourself, tell your story to Karen at Coffee Hour today after the 10:15 AM Mass. Let's make this 60th Anniversary Michaelmas a great celebration of this wonderful place! Old photos and other documents from the early days are also welcome, to add to the church archive.

We are updating the church website and putting together a booklet with all the different ministries here at St. Michael's, from Altar Guild and Godly Play to Deacon's Shoebox and the Meals program, from Taize to POZ Cafe. If you are involved in any of these groups, please note that we need a brief description of each, when it meets and what you do. THANK YOU!

Choir Rehearsal Time!

St. Michael’s Choir rehearsal begins tomorrow, Thursday evening at 7:00 PM in church! We invite you to join us in this special ministry here at St. Michael’s.

I’m sure you already know that “He who sings……..prays twice!” Hope to see you!

Thanks to the members of the St. Michael’s Choir who have continued to provide musical leadership through the summer months!  Weeknight rehearsals resumed on Thursday, August 29, and we hope many new faces (and voices) will join us!

The weekly rehearsal schedule is Thursday evening from 7 -  8:30 PM in the church, and Sunday mornings at 9:30 in the Parish Center. If you are interested in joining this important ministry of the church, please speak with our Music Director, Doug Leightenheimer.

Photo: Alan Schultz and the "summer choir" gather at the piano at a mass this past June. Photo by KFB.

Michaelmas 2013 - Our 60th Anniversary!

Michaelmas Patronal Feast 2013

St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church

602 N. Wilmot Rd (at 5th Street)

Please help us celebrate

• 60 years of prayer, service, and advocacy –  from the dedication of the Church on Michaelmas, 1953 (when Wilmot was still a dirt road on the outskirts of Tucson), to the future.

• 20 years in solidarity with Mayan Indigenous in rural Guatemala.

 And welcome honored guests –

The Rt. Rev. Armando Guerra Soria, Episcopal Bishop of Guatemala and Primate (Presiding Bishop) of the Anglican Province of Central America, representing 6 countries. 

The Rt. Rev. Kirk Smith, Episcopal Bishop of Arizona.

Sat. September 28, 7 PM 

Michaelmas Eve Concert – Arizona Baroque:  a new  University of Arizona ensemble, performs baroque music and song of 17th and 18th century Latin America, using early instruments.

Reception with Presiding Bishop Guerra of Guatemala follows the concert.  Bishop Guerra visits Arizona to

• celebrate St. Michael’s Guatemala Project work   
• explore Arizona border realities 
• talk about migration from the perspective of conditions in sending countries.

The first Guatemala-born Episcopal Bishop and the first to ordain women in Guatemala, on August 11 Bishop Guerra was host to the Archbishop of Canterbury, symbolic head of almost 82-million faithful of the worldwide Anglican Communion, at Guatemala City’s modest Episcopal Cathedral.

Sun. September 29, 9:30 AM

Festal High Mass with confirmations and special music.

Brunch follows.

All activities FREE. Donations accepted.

For more information:

886-7292  (Church office) 

623-3063  (Bp. Guerra’s schedule)

http://www.smallangelstucson.org 

Photo: Bishop Guerra with Ila Abernathy, Coordinator of St. Michael's Guatemala Project.

Announcements through August 31st

Thanks to the members of the St. Michael’s Choir who have continued to provide musical leadership through the summer months! Weeknight rehearsals resume on Thursday, August 29, and we hope many new faces (and voices) will join us! The weekly rehearsal schedule is Thursday evening from 7 - 8:30 pm in the church, and Sunday mornings at 9:30 in the Parish Center. If you are interested in joining this important ministry of the church, please speak with our Music Director, Doug Leightenheimer.

Parish Life is Growing! We invite you to meet us at the Nimbus Bistro on Tanque Verde at 6:30 pm on Thursday, August 29th. Join us for good food and lively conversation. It’s just another way to get to know friends from St. Michael’s. Who knows, you just might make a new friend or meet someone you haven’t seen in a long time. Join us…..we’ll be waiting. Sign-up sheets are in the back of church.

The Arizona Diamondbacks invite all members of the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona along with family and friends to an exciting game of baseball as the D-backs take on the Nationals on Friday, September 27, 2013 at 6:30 pm. A portion of every ticket purchased is donated to support the outreach ministry project “Clean Water Springs Hope” (water filters for the South Sundanese). Seating is limited. Purchase tickets on line at: www.azdiocese.org/baseball.html or complete and mail order blanks found in the back of church. Car pooling may be available.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE!
The Funeral Mass for Rick Noble will take place at 9AM, Saturday, August 31. A reception will follow in the Parish Center. †