Walter Mitby was the winner of the 2025 Frasier scholarship.

His program on February 26 showcased the German Baroque in many forms, and he used the 1993 58-rank Schantz organ to its full capacity. Walter’s playing was clearly articulated, with lively tempos when appropriate, and beautifully shaped phrases. He played and gave verbal program notes incredibly well, like someone twice his age.

About 70 people attended this recital, including many of Walter’s friends and their families.

A lovely reception was hosted by the San Jose Chapter in the church’s Fellowship Hall. Many of the audience stayed for almost an hour to congratulate the young artist and enjoy each other’s company.

Members and visitors enjoyed a Christmas Music Exchange, where several members played their favorite Christmas pieces, followed by an open organ console, an exchange of music, and sandwiches and delicious cookies. Many thanks to Joyce Rhodes for so graciously hosting us.

We took our OrgelKids kit to the Music teachers Association of Calfonnia’s Convention in San Jose. Great fun had by all!

Chapter members elected the slate of chapter officers for the upcoming year, enjoyed each others playing in the open console session, and finished a delicious and varied Pot Luck.

Stephen Price gave an inspiring masterclass on Creative Hymn Playing to a joint meeting of the San Jose and Peninsula chapters. After taking us through about five hymns, giving suggestions for the introduction and how to play each verse, he tutored six “students” with his encouraging and helpful advice and comments.

Jörg Reddin of Arnstadt, Germany, who is the most recent successor as Kantor to the exact same job JS Bach held, delighted the combined Bay Area chapters of the American Guild of Organists and friends in a concert of much early Bach, written in Arnstadt, pieces by Bach's great uncle Heinrich Bach, some Fracobaldi and not one, but two Toccata-Fugue pairs from different eras of Bach's career.

Sisters Ruth (age 25) and Elizabeth (age 16) Kamas are recent winners of the San Jose Chapter AGO's annual Frasier scholarship. They collaborated to present an exciting and varied program on the tonally colorful 1986 3-manual Balcom and Vaughan organ at Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church.