Harpsichord Notes….

My love for the harpsichord began in 1981 while I was a graduate student at West Virginia University, majoring in Organ Performance.  I was fascinated by the William Dowd instrument at WVU and because Dr. Barton Hudson was teaching harpsichord,  I just could not pass up the opportunity to learn from him since he had recently studied with Gustav Leonhardt.  What was intended to have been an “extra credit” course quickly became my “passion” and I just could not stay away from the Dowd double manual Flemish harpsichord!  Shortly after the first semester I asked to be allowed to “double major” in both organ and harpsichord.  Permission was granted, which meant, of course, a double load in terms of preparing programs.  Later on I became acquainted with William Dowd and his wife, Peggy.  That friendship inspired an even greater love of the harpsichord and many more performance opportunities.   Below is a bit of information about my various harpsichord performances…..

1981 – Full Recital for the degree of Master of Music at West Virginia University

1981 – Harpsichord Concert at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Geneva, Illinois

1984 – Harpsichord Concert at St. James Episcopal Cathedral, Chicago, Illinois

1987 – Harpsichord Concert at Northfield Community Church, Northfield, Illinois

1993 – Harpsichord Concert at Northern Virginia Community College, Manassas, VA

1993 – Harpsichord Concert at Grace Episcopal Church, The Plains, Virginia

1994 – Harpsichord Concert for the Creative Arts Network, The Plains, Virginia

1998 – Harpsichord Continuo at the Kennedy Center, Washington, DC: Latin-Caribbean Festival, accompanying the Western Wind ensemble

1995 – 2009: Harpsichord Continuo roles for various performances throughout the Washington DC metropolitan area with these groups:  Washington Chamber Symphony; Fairfax Symphony; Prince William Symphony; National Philharmonic Orchestra; Fairfax Choral Society.

2009 – Conductor and Harpsichordist for Vivaldi “Gloria” performance at Covenant Presbyterian Church, Fort Myers, Florida

2010 – Conductor and Harpsichordist for Handel “Messiah” performance at Covenant Presbyterian Church, Fort Myers, Florida