THE ANN STOOKEY FUND FOR MUSICAT SAINT PAUL’S CHURCH

Report 2012 - 2014

Ann Stookey Memorial Events

In 2013-14 two solo organ recitals drew appreciative audiences to Saint Paul’s. A performance by Christopher Jennings, then Associate Organist at Saint James’ Church, Madison Avenue in New York, featured the heroic Storm King Symphony by Clarence Dickinson. Saint Paul’s Director of Music, Zach Fritsch-Hemenway, presented a program of music designed to showcase the variety of different textures and voices for which the organ is noted.

The 2014-15 season is dedicated to presenting talented young organ scholars from music conservatories around the country. Ten short recitals are being offered in the form of extended preludes to the Sunday evening service of Choral Evensong at Saint Paul’s. For information about the remaining recitals in 2015, see www.stpaulschestnuthill.org/music.

Future plans include the possibility of a juried Organ Competition and the performance of a major sacred choral work with organ and orchestra.

We have reached our goal!

Thanks to the response of many generous individuals, we are thrilled to announce that we have successfully met the challenge presented by founding donor Joe Waz in establishing the Ann Stookey Fund for Music at Saint Paul’s.

Thus far, 142 individuals and families have contributed and pledged gifts ranging from $5 to $27,000 since the Fund was established in 2012. Their names are listed in this report, and we are deeply grateful to them. These gifts, together with the donation of $250,000 that established the Fund, brings its value to the goal of $500,000, thereby providing an endowment to support the maintenance and enhancement of our notable Aeolian-Skinner Organ. The Fund will grow and be sustained through future gifts and careful management by the Music Guild and Vestry of Saint Paul’s.

We have been greatly touched by the outpouring of affection for Ann Stookey and the desire to celebrate her life (1952-2012), as well as the expressions of support for the future of the music program at Saint Paul’s, of which the Organ is the centerpiece.

The Pedal division of Saint Paul’s Organ

Joe Waz (left), pictured with three generations of Saint Paul’s Organists: Zach Fritsch-Hemenway,

Joseph Russell, and Richard Alexander

About the Ann Stookey Fund for Music at Saint Paul’s

A committed member of the Saint Paul’s choir, Ann Stookey held Saint Paul’s Aeolian-Skinner Organ in high regard, and this instrument played a major role in her musical experience that she valued greatly. Upon her death in 2012, Ann’s family and friends set up a fund in her memory to secure the future condition of the instrument, enabling others to enjoy the instrument as much as she did. The Ann Stookey Music Fund supports the ongoing maintenance of the instrument, as well as provides funding for projects that further the enjoyment and role of the instrument at Saint Paul’s and in the wider Philadelphia community.

Work Completed and Future Challenges

Though the instrument is in working condition and performs its duties adequately on a weekly basis, Saint Paul’s historic Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ is showing undeniable signs of age and wear. Many parts of the instrument are in need of cleaning and repair. In addition, several ranks of pipes are incomplete. Some of the needed work and materials can be easily addressed and done as a single project. Other issues are more complicated and require long-term coordination and planning.

In its inaugural year, the Ann Stookey Fund for Music at Saint Paul’s Church contributed $10,305 to the maintenance and improvement of Saint Paul’s historic Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ. In addition to the regular tunings and repairs needed to keep the instrument in working condition, we were able to secure three sets of missing pipework as described below.

The 16’ Serpent StopOriginal to the historic 1956 portion of the instrument, this stop was removed from the organ and sold to the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Center City decades ago. Through the fund, we were able to secure the return of this one missing stop in the organ’s orignal specification. Once installed, the 1956 portion of the organ will again be complete and largely unaltered.

Completion of two stops in the Grand Choeur DivisionWhen installed in 1991, two of the stops in this division were installed with 49 pipes, instead of the normal 61. This means that the lowest twelve notes were borrowed from other stops in the organ. Though not the ideal solution, this was done as a cost and space saving measure. Since these two stops are very

important to the ensemble of the organ, it is a priority to see them completed. When installed, the result be will greater tonal integrity that adds richness and fullness (not volume) to the sound of the organ. The missing 24 pipes were purchased in December and will be installed in the near future.

Planned cleaning and refurbishmentOver the past 60 years, a significant amount of dirt and mold has accumulated on the chests and pipework. Plaster has fallen from the ceiling onto the chests and pipes. In addition, several ranks are in need of new rackings and tuning slides. If left unattended to, these issues will result in permanent damage to pipework that is irreplaceable. Finally, some of the leather on the underside of the chests

Fallen plaster, dirt, and mold on the pipework and chest inside the swell division.

Mold growing inside the organ.

Plaster from the ceiling on a windchest.

Ann Stookey

(installed 58 years ago) has begun to deteriorate, and will need replacing. Currently, the Director of Music is developing a plan in consultation with Saint Paul’s Music Guild to address these issues within the next five years. A project of this nature would require removal of a portion of the instrument while structural issues are addressed and a thorough cleaning of all pipework and other mechanisim. The Ann Stookey Fund for Music at Saint Paul’s will make this work possible, ensuring that the instrument Ann loved so dearly will continue to inspire others into the future.

The 16’ Bombarde of the pedal division with accumulated dirt on the pipework and damaged/corroded scrolls. Note also how the pipes are bowing downward due to broken racking.

The Adopt a Stop Campaign

Contributors to the Ann Stookey Fund for Music of $1,000 or more are eligible to “adopt” one of the stops on this historic organ. We are deeply grateful to the individuals listed below who have adopted a stop.   These names will be acknowledged on a plaque to be erected near the organ console in the sanctuary of Saint Paul’s. A temporary plaque will be on display in the church until the Adopt a Stop Campaign closes in December 2015. Though not listed here, you may visit www.stpaulschestnuthill.org/music to see which stops these donors have adopted.

There is still time to adopt a stop! Your gift of $1,000 or more, payable now or in installments through December 2015, will add your name to this list. See over for information about making a gift.

Adopt a Stop Donors as of December 31, 2014Richard AlexanderDouglas Anderson, in loving memory of Cynthia L. AndersonHenry J. Ballerstedt James Bondelid, in memory of Almira Bondelid Anne and Wilson Brown The Brueckner Family Mr. and Mrs. T. E. Butler, Jr. Stephen and Cynthia Clowery Jeanette Cord The Rev. and Mrs. E. Clifford Cutler Edith R. Dixon Mark Duckett Dean Ennis and James Robertson Janice Fiore Frank and Mary Fritsch Wm. Stewart Graham John and Janna GriggerSusan Hansen Penelope Harris Sarah S. Heckscher and Charles A. Carter, III Stephen B. Heimann and Monika Hemmers Stephen and Zach Fritsch-HemenwayArneita and Dale Hinds

Joyce and Jeff HydeMrs. R. S. Lippincott Barbie and John Kimberly Michael and Lorraine Knudson Charisse R. Lillie Dr. Mary W. Loveland Timothy Martin and Paula Brown Anonymous, In memory of Dante Mattioni The Rev. Emmanuel and Monique MercerLyn and David Montgomery Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Nathan Thomas and Judith O’Rourke Arabella and James Pope Peter and Posey RandallThe Reinhard-Prior Family Karen Richter and Robert BusserJohn and Theresa Rollins The Sorrentino Family, in memory of Yung and Marie LeeLouise and William Thompson Frederick L. and Patricia V. Voigt Joe Waz Caroline West and Jonathan SpragueAnonymous, In memory of Ernest Willoughby, Organist

We do our best to ensure that all donor lists are up to date and correct, but sincerely apologize for any errors or omissions. Please send any corrections to music@stpaulschestnuthill.org

Saint Paul’s Organ Console, built by the Austin Organ Company.

Donors to the FundIn addition to the individuals listed on the previous page, the following have made contributions to The Ann Stookey Fund for Music at Saint Paul’s. For their gifts, we are most grateful.

Donors to the Fund as of December 31, 2014Alicia Björnsdotter AbramsStephen and Jennifer ArmsNicole BaidaRon and Cathy BaidaThomas Barrett, Jr. and Mary Ellen HornikNancy D. and Justin M. BaxterCharlotte BetancourtCharlotte H. BiddleDorothy and David BinswangerElizabeth BrooksStephen Camp-LandisRandi CarrJames L. CasserlyAiden CavendishCeisler Media and Issue AdvocacyMaryalice Cheney and Scott GoldmanJames R. ColtharptComo QuestersWendy ConcannonJeanette Cord in honor of Susan and Steve SchindlerSkip CorsonGirard S. and Sharon R. ClothierNick and Jasmine CloudPatricia de Kraft Lewis in memory of Jean S. de Kraft (1910-2012)Sandra L. DillonHenry and Mickey DisstonMary DisstonRalph and Lee DotySharon and George EastburnHelen EatonJames L. EidamWilliam and Jane FarranJoan M. Fischer

Kevin Fitzpatrick and Tina PidgeonMr. and Mrs. Samuel M. Freeman, IILibby GlatfelterJane GraySandy GreenwoodLaura Pratt GreggPatrick GusmanFrank and Mary A. HerronJohn and Lisa HorriganAlexandra JonesCatherine KeimTim Kiser and Gil HahnDiane and Richard KolbJohn and Sarah Komisin in memory of Edward and Carolyn McGeheeEllen LandisDavid and Kim LeachGerard LewisChesley Lightsey and Sherri HamiltonJason and Katherine Z. LivingoodLocal Arts LiveDale and Chuck LowerJoel and Nancy MalinaWallace S. Martindale, IIIAnne MartinezDaniel MatsukawaBonnie McCauslandJean A. McConnellChris and Pam Metcalf in honor of Stephen and Cynthia CloweryAnn R. MeyerLisa MillerHildy Montaigne and Jamie EvansDiana MoroJulie NguyenJudith A. Parker

Kristine Schwenzer ParsonsSteve and Betsy PearsonHolly and Robin PeirceKatherine G. PhillipsTracy and Adam PiatkowskiChristopher PinhoThe Rev. and Mrs. James C. Ransom in honor of the birth of Francesca PopeGeorge and Ann ReathCharlotte L. RogenmuserGordon and Karen RoseSusan T. SchindlerJames and Lesley ShepardCarl and Carroll SheppardTamara SmithKaren M. SmolensAnn and Karl SpaethGeorge and Ann SpaethDavid and Anne SternAnn M. StevensValerie Stevens and Richard D. Kagen, MDStephen StoneFred H. and Bethea H. Straub, IIIMr. and Mrs. Newbold StrongRalph SwansonThomas and Beverly TaukeMargaret TobeyPamela D. TriminghamS. H. VerinderDennis A. WazJoseph W., Sr., and Rose M. WazKeven and Johanna WerbachJ. Randolph and Nancy WilliamsRenee WolcottClarence and Patricia Wurtz

Donate to the Ann Stookey FundAs the expense of the major projects described in this report begins to outstrip the normal growth of the endowment, the Fund will require replenishment. Gifts of any size, including bequests, will be most gratefully received. For further information please contact the Director of Music at music@stpaulschestnuthill.org or 215-242-2055. Checks, made out to St. Paul's Church and clearly marked "Ann Stookey Fund" may be sent to the address below.