Houston Chamber Choir

Sundays at 4:00 p.m.

What do we say about what we play? How do we share the mystery, the excitement, the playfulness, the pathos of our music? How do we communicate our relationship with our instrument and its music to the listeners on whom we depend so much? We must present the organ and its music so as to raise the appreciation, awareness, and understanding of our audiences, and encourage their proselytizing.

Bradley Hunter Welch, currently organist of Highland Park Presbyterian Church in Dallas, won first place in the third Dallas International Organ Competition on March 18. Conducted by Lawrence Loh, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra provided expert collaboration with Welch and the other two finalists. Sarah Baldock, assistant director of music at Winchester Cathedral, England took second place; Jeremy Bruns, organist and master of choristers for the Parish of All Saints-Ashmont, Dorchester, New York, placed third.

The Conference of Roman Catholic Cathedral Musicians (CRCCM) met in Washington, D.C., January 6–9 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (National Shrine) for its 31st annual gathering. Members of the National Shrine’s music staff—Peter Latona, director of music; Richard Fitzgerald, associate director of music; and Benjamin LaPrairie, assistant director of music—designed and directed the conference gathering with help from the National Shrine’s support staff.