Visiting Artist Annie Laver will present a program of Bach, Mendelssohn, Widor, and Sweelinck entitled "Music for Reflection" at St. Paul's on the mighty Stuart mechanical action organ March 8 at 4:00pm. Ms. Laver is a very talented young woman and this promises to be a very exciting afternoon. Invite a friend and come along! A reception will follow in the chapter room.

Annie Laver, a native of Woodstock, Connecticut, is pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree as a student of Hans Davidsson at the Eastman School of Music. She completed her bachelor’s degree in international relations and music at Brown University, where she was an organ student of Mark Steinbach. Upon graduation, she spent a year studying with Jacques van Oortmerssen at the Conservatory of Amsterdam while living in nearby Leiden. In addition to her time in the Netherlands, Ms. Laver has given performances as part of institutes in Sweden and France and has taught English and music in Germany.

Annie Laver has enjoyed working as a church musician throughout her time as a student. She has served as organist for Brown University chapel services, the Maranatha Church, Leiden, and most recently First English Lutheran Church in Appleton, Wisconsin. Ms. Laver is currently conducting research for a doctoral essay on organ exhibits and concerts shown at the 1893 Worlds’ Columbian Exposition in Chicago. In July 2008, she received an Alan Laufman Research Grant from the Organ Historical Society to help fund this project.

It is not too late to join the parish choir for the Feast of the Resurrection and Holy Week. We will be singing the ethereal Kodaly Missa Brevis and selections from Handel's Messiah, among others. The children's and youth choirs are also gearing up for Easter at the ONC, so see Rozanne or Nancy or simply have your child show up at 10:00am on Sunday for rehearsal. The youth choir is also prepping for their annual state-wide Evensong which will take place April 24 in East Greenwich this year. What a wonderful opportunity to meet other youth from the Diocese and share the ministry of song!

Thanks to all of you who give so freely of your time, talents, and selves. SDG- Soli Deo Gloria. ("to God be the glory" - Bach signed all of his musical manuscripts with this epithet.)