September 2025

When the new facility was built for Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church in Brookhaven, Georgia, it was planned that a pipe organ would be installed. Knowing that they wanted a pipe organ, they included space in the building design for an instrument. Unfortunately, due to budgetary constraints this dream would be shelved and unrealized for over twenty-five years.

In late 2024 I was able to catch up with Amanda Mole, one of The Diapason’s 20 under 30 Class of 2016, when she came to the Chicago area to present a recital and lead a masterclass. It was a pleasure to learn the details of how Amanda’s desire to become a musician developed, the challenges of competitions, and how to deal with pressure.

Life is an extraordinary journey of twists and turns, success and disappointment, joy, sadness, uncertainty, and surprise. When I was six years old, I would often find myself fascinated by the organ of the village church in Warsash, Hampshire, UK, as I sat beside my grandfather who was playing for weddings. I can still remember the musty smell of the church, but although it was only a one-manual organ, there was no doubt in my mind that this was something special.

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Karen Elizabeth Holtkamp

Karen Elizabeth Holtkamp, 83, died June 3 in Cleveland, Ohio. Known professionally as Karen McFarlane, she was born January 2, 1942, in St. Louis, Missouri, and spent her childhood in Crystal City and Webster Groves, Missouri. She graduated from Lindenwood College, St. Charles, Missouri, and had a short career as a public school music teacher before moving to New York City to pursue other opportunities in music.