Eric Pickford wins competition
One of our Young Organist Members, ERIC PICKFORD, a senior at the College of Charleston studying under Julia Harlow, was recently selected as one of four recipient groups for the AGO Student Commissioning Project Grants. The grants are “awarded to four collaborative composer-and-organist pairs for the composition and performance of new works for the organ.” Eric Pickford applied as composer and is collaborating with Carson Hayes, a graduate organist at UNC. Together, they will be composing and premiering a new composition for organ inspired by the narrative of the Nine Lessons and Carols.
Chris Walchesky assumes new duties
CHRIS WALCHESKY has been appointed Organist/Choirmaster at St. Philip's Church, taking over from Pat Gould who has recently retired. Chris has been Pat's assistant since autumn of 2020.
A native of Pittsburgh, Christ has served as a parish musician for over 16 years. He studied at Grove City College and the Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University. He has served the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina since 2013 as Organist and Choirmaster at Old St. Andrew’s (2013-2016) and Saint James, James Island (2016-2020). He and his wife, Jessica, have a two-year-old daughter, Cecilia, and live off the Stono in West Ashley. Most weekends he can be found enjoying a beer from Charles Towne Fermentory, Westbrook, or Fam's Brewing Co. on his boat.
A native of Pittsburgh, Christ has served as a parish musician for over 16 years. He studied at Grove City College and the Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University. He has served the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina since 2013 as Organist and Choirmaster at Old St. Andrew’s (2013-2016) and Saint James, James Island (2016-2020). He and his wife, Jessica, have a two-year-old daughter, Cecilia, and live off the Stono in West Ashley. Most weekends he can be found enjoying a beer from Charles Towne Fermentory, Westbrook, or Fam's Brewing Co. on his boat.
AGO Charleston welcomes . . .
The Charleston Chapter welcomes to its ranks three Young Organists: MADELEINE McENTIRE of Spartanburg, SC, VERONICA HANEY of Los Angeles, CA, and REED KURTZ, a student of Julia Harlow’s at the College of Charleston.
We also welcome a newcomer to Charleston, PAUL REESE (pictured left), the new Director of Music at St. Michael's Church. Paul comes to us from Pennsylvania. He has a Master of Music in Organ Performance from Westminster Choir College, and Baccalaureates in Organ and Bible from Philadelphia Biblical University. Not only an organist, he has also regularly performed as a violinist and as a baritone. Coming with him to Charleston is his wife Trisha and son Paul Frederick.
We also welcome a newcomer to Charleston, PAUL REESE (pictured left), the new Director of Music at St. Michael's Church. Paul comes to us from Pennsylvania. He has a Master of Music in Organ Performance from Westminster Choir College, and Baccalaureates in Organ and Bible from Philadelphia Biblical University. Not only an organist, he has also regularly performed as a violinist and as a baritone. Coming with him to Charleston is his wife Trisha and son Paul Frederick.
Charles Lippy, December 2
Chad Martin, December 9
James Miller, December 11
Elise Pickford, December 22
George Hubbard, December 24
Thomas Bailey, December 24
William Trexler, December 25
Chad Martin, December 9
James Miller, December 11
Elise Pickford, December 22
George Hubbard, December 24
Thomas Bailey, December 24
William Trexler, December 25
