Acclaimed Organist to Play at Emma Willard School

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Gail Archer

TROY, NY (09/09/2008)(readMedia)--

Internationally acclaimed concert organist Gail Archer will perform a recital on Saturday, September 27, at 4 p.m. at Emma Willard School, 285 Pawling Ave., Troy. Ms. Archer will play on the recently refurbished Noack pipe organ in the Alumnae Chapel on the school’s campus.

Built in 1970 by Fritz Noack, the organ is modeled on a typical North German pipe organ of the 18th century. With specifications drawn up by the builder and by Russell Locke, Emma Willard music faculty emeritus, it was the first modern baroque-style tracker organ to be built in the Capital Region and is one of very few such instruments in upstate New York. Through the generosity of several alumnae, Mr. Noack and his firm restored the organ this spring, reversing the cumulative effects associated with nearly forty years of use.

We invite you to join us on Saturday afternoon for a recital showcasing this treasure, featuring Ms. Archer, an international concert organist, lecturer, and recording artist. Among the areas of expertise upon which Ms. Archer is frequently invited to lecture and perform are early fingering and organ registration in the Dutch and North German School; the Leipzig “Great Eighteen” chorale preludes and Clavierubung III; and mixed programs drawn from the full spectrum of the principal composers: Sweelinck, Scheidemann, Strunck, Scheidt, Böhm, Buxtehude, and Bach.

Ms. Archer holds a DMA in organ performance from the Manhattan School of Music, where she studied with McNeil Robinson; she also earned an artist diploma from the Boston Conservatory, where she studied with James David Christie and Jon Gillock. She performs regularly at festivals worldwide, including the Spoleto Festival in South Carolina and the Bach Festival at Rollins College in Florida .

Ms. Archer lives in New York City, where she serves as chair of the music department at Barnard College, Columbia University; director of the Young Artist Series at Central Synagogue; artistic director of the Lunchtime Organ Recitals at historic Central Synagogue; and most recently, she was appointed professor of organ at Manhattan School of Music.

Seating for this event is limited and available on a first-come, first served basis. RSVP to Jill Smith at (518) 833-1787 or email jsmith@emmawillard.org.