Archive for the ‘Oysterville Summer Music Vespers’ Category

Two Barbaras, One Larry and…

Tuesday, June 13th, 2017

Barbara Poulshock- Cate Gable Photo

…a new roof in progress!  All that and more (as they say) at this Sunday’s Music Vespers service at the Oysterville Church!  As always, Father’s Day marks the first of the twelve summer vesper programs at the historic church.  In addition, it will herald the beginning of our fortieth vesper season here in Oysterville!

Forty years!  “Quite a many!” as my mother, Dale Espy Little, would have said.  I wonder if she realized, when she and dad first conceived the vespers idea, that those services would become synonymous with summer Sunday afternoons in the village.

Dr. Barbara Bate – Sydney Stevens Photo

That vespers keep the ecumenical use of the church alive; that vespers would bring in a good portion of the money needed to maintain the old building; that musicians and audiences would be overjoyed at the acoustics in the little structure – all these things were what mom and dad hoped for.  They would be so pleased that their vision has continued all this time.

I think they would also be pleased about the new roof in progress.  Never mind that it probably won’t be completed by Sunday!  Just the fact that the Oysterville Restoration Foundation was awarded a $15,000 grant by the Kinsman Foundation of Oregon would delight them.  And I have no doubt that they would already be planning a fundraiser to make up for the $5,000 shortfall that seems likely!

Larry Freshley, c. 1951

Meanwhile, I know for a fact that Sunday’s ‘headliners’ – composer and renowned piano and voice teacher Barbara Poulshock, interdenominational minister, author and pianist Barbara Bate, and Oysterville School alumnus Larry Freshley – would more than “fill the bill” for the opening service in the eyes of my folks. And, they would heartily approve of the mysterious (yet, for Barbara Poulshock ‘traditional’) program note, “Barbara and Friends,” that tempts speculation right up until the service begins.

Roof Progress as of 6/11/17

Most of all, how pleased they would be that the entire vespers idea and its yearly planning has taken on a life of its own.  This marks year three that Carol Wachsmuth (bless her!) is doing all the scheduling.  The Espy family is finally out of the church loop – “as God intended” say I!  Vespers at the beginning of its 40th year has definitely come of age.  It has taken a village… and will continue to do so!   On behalf of R.H. Espy — who had the church built back in 1892 — and on behalf of all his descendants who kept it going, I for one couldn’t be happier!

Seventy-Plus at the Seventy-Fifth and… that’s not all!

Monday, September 5th, 2016
"IECHEYD DA!"

“IECHEYD DA!”

In most parts of the world (or at least the United States), yesterday was Labor Day Sunday.  But here on the Peninsula it was the Williams Clan Annual Picnic – the 75th to occur (as far as is known) every Labor Day Weekend Sunday since 1941!  That’s quite-a-many!

And, too, there were quite-a-many in attendance at this year’s location, the Tim Williams residence in Ocean Park!  “More than 70” said hostess Marni Williams.  “I’m not sure it’s an accurate count because they wouldn’t stop moving!”  Especially the little kids and there was a raft of them!  “Enough to ensure seventy five more years of reunions,” remarked Clan Elder, Mike Williams.

Clan Elder Mike Williams

Clan Elder Mike Williams

Though Mike wore a cap announcing his “Clan Elder” status and took on the role of emcee, he paid homage to the two absentee older elders –his brother Tom (at 90 ½) and his cousin Warner (at 96).  “They probably won’t be making it to future reunions either,” Mike said, “so it’s up to Kris (Kristina Williams Jones) and me” — both young whipper-snappers in their mid-seventies.  Kuzzin Kris joined him, front and center, to lead the crowd in singing “God Bless America” and a few other old Williams’ favorites.

At that point Nyel and I had to beat feet back to Oysterville for the final Music Vespers Service of the year.  We were in time to get a seat in the quickly filling church.  Starla and Cate Gable drew a standing-room-only crowd – a crowd who expressed their appreciation with generous contributions to the collection baskets.  The Oysterville Restoration Treasurer later reported that the amount topped all other vesper services as far back as remembered!  Wow!

Starla and Cate Gable

Starla and Cate Gable

And what a memorable service it was!  There were the sweet harmonies of the Gable sisters, sing-alongs and audience responses to the musical question “What would you do if you were brave.”  Pastor DeWayne LaPointe spoke about the peace he feels when he just “sets a while” in the old Oysterville church and suggested that we all take time now and then to do the same.  Tucker told about last week’s Great Scavenger Hunt and how his favorite Oysterville Moment is that vision of a string of kids running gleefully down Territory Road in search of the next clue!

The day left us feeling totally contented with just the right mix of nostalgia and anticipation.  From family reunions to gatherings at the Oysterville Church, the sweetest things of life are family and friends.  We feel blessed to have shared yesterday with plenty of both and look forward to many more to come.

The Heavenly Ladies of Lyrica

Sunday, August 28th, 2016
Lyrica Ladies Choral Ensemble of Pugent Sound - Oysterville 2014

Lyrica Ladies Choral Ensemble of Pugent Sound – Oysterville 2014

In July 2011, I wrote: The Lyrica Ladies Choral Ensemble of Puget Sound will sing at the Oysterville Music Vespers service Sunday, July 17, from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. …
According to Lyrica’s director, LeeAnne Campos, the group has been together for ten years and has performed in Oysterville “seven or eight times.”
Based in Tacoma, the group’s connection to the peninsula can be traced back to LeeAnne’s student days at Pacific Lutheran University when she studied voice with local pianist/composer Barbara Poulshock who was then part of the voice faculty at PLU.  

Change the dates and numbers a bit and I could write the same thing today.  Vespers on this August afternoon features the Lyrica Ladies!  I don’t think they have missed a single summer at the Oysterville Music Vespers in all the years since 2011 which puts them well into the double digit category of Vespers participation.

Inside the Oysterville Church

Inside the Oysterville Church

Over the years, the Ensemble has increased in numbers to the point that the dais in the little Oysterville Church can no longer accommodate them.  A few years ago LeeAnne told me that she had considered just having a part of the group sing – much like our local Bayside Singers have had to do.  “But,” LeeAnne said later, “all of the ladies wanted to be included; none wanted to stay behind.”

So they found another way to distribute themselves in the little church so they could all participate in making their marvelous music.  They lined themselves up in the aisles and sang from there, giving the audience a ‘surround sound’ experience.  Wow!  Talk about feeling like you’d  ‘died and gone to heaven’!

I’m not sure what their plan is today but, no matter what, the music will be exactly perfect for in its historic setting – a choir of angels right here in Oysterville.  Officiating at the service will be Pastor Tom Elkins of the Ocean Park Methodist Church.  Sandra Nielsen will play the organ and, for the only time this summer, the ‘Oysterville Moment” will be mine.  See you there!

There’s a whole passel of ’em!

Saturday, August 13th, 2016
Casey and Monte

Casey and Monte

There’s a whole lot of singers in the Killingsworth Family.  There’s (K.C. aka Casey} who we remember as Postmaster in Oysterville, Long Beach, and Astoria – though not all at the same time.  Then, there’s brother Monte who is a teacher (maybe now retired) and author of books for young people.  Next, comes the other brother, Sean-the-drummer.  Maya (Monte’s daughter) and Josh and Meagan (Casey’s kids) all sing, too.

Oh.  And did I say there’s a whole lot of the Killingsworth Family?  Period. Those named above are only the Singing Killingsworths – or at least as far as we know.  They are all planning to be at the Oysterville Music Vespers on Sunday and, after twenty years or so, we know that there are always surprises in store! Other family members will be in their entourage and there will probably be a whole lot of hugging going on!

Josh and Casey

Josh and Casey

The way Casey tells it, he and his brothers grew up singing and playing musical instruments – guitars for Casey and Monte.  Maybe for Sean, too.  I’m not clear about that.  Their folks and their neighbors hosted hootenannies every week or so (and if you don’t know what a hootenanny is, you must be younger-than-springtime!  Look it up!)  Around getting-out-of-school-age, the three of them formed a band, “the Killingsworth Brothers” and hit the road.

Casey

Casey

Gradually ‘real life’ began to get in the way of fame and fortune.  Wives.  Children. Jobs with steady incomes.  That sort of thing.  So the band broke up – if there is such a thing when the members are all brothers.  I don’t know how often they do real gigs other than the Oysterville one but we consider ourselves extremely fortunate.  We’ve watched their kids grow up and join them on stage and now there’s a third generation in the wings!   We feel honored that they come from so far away (The Gorge, Medford, Wolf Creek…) just for Vespers!  Come join the fun on Sunday – 3:00 P.M., at the Oysterville Church!

Vespers today: Bays Family Irish Band

Sunday, July 10th, 2016
Today - 3:00 in Oysterville

Today – 3:00 in Oysterville

It’s hard for me to admit – even to myself – that I have missed the first three Music Vespers services of the season at the Oysterville Church.  Actually… the part that’s difficult to own up to is that I have felt entirely guilt-free about it!

Not that I haven’t missed seeing friends and enjoying the music and the messages and the wonderful, old-fashioned feel of the church!  I have, indeed!  And, besides that, it doesn’t even seem like summer has started yet.  What I have not missed is the feeling of responsibility and obligation that that goes with being ‘in charge.’  And, besides, for the first time in more than twenty-some years, we were actually able to be out of town for three summer Sundays in a row!

Carol Wachsmuth

Carol Wachsmuth

Which brings me to Carol Wachsmuth, the new Vespers Organizer/Scheduler/Problem Solver!  She is a wonder!  Soft spoken, low key, quietly keeping watch from the back pew, Carol is the best-ever replacement anyone could wish for!  She makes it all look easy… and I am here to testify that it isn’t.  Not a bit!

Take the plan for today, for instance.  The four members of the Bays Family were scheduled to arrive several days ago… all things being equal.  They are long-time friends and stay with us when they are in town, usually combining ‘business’ (Vespers) with pleasure (the beach.)  But in the busy family of musicians that includes two teen-aged boys as well as Susan’s elderly father… things do not always go smoothly.  On Thursday we learned that grandpa was ailing.  If he could be left on his own, the family would arrive Friday evening.  Or maybe not.  Owen, concertina player extraordinaire had come home from summer camp with a bit of fever.

Willie, Susan. Owen, Randal

Willie, Susan. Owen, Randal – 2015

On Friday we learned that plans had changed once again.  Everyone was tentatively better, but…  Maybe only Randal and Willie would come.  No problems at this end, we said.  We’re ready for whoever, whenever.   Finally, on Saturday Randal, Susan, Willie and Owen arrived – right in time for a late dinner and a lot of beach time and a bit of rest before today’s performance.

Ordinarily, I would have been a basket case.  Will they make it?  How many of them?  What if they all catch Owen’s dread disease?  But, amazingly, I was worry free!  Carol will think of something if need be… not my problem, thought I.  And, of course, it has all turned out fine.  Vespers will be as planned – the four Irish Musicians of the Bays Family Band.  Three o’clock at the Oysterville Church.  Come on over and tap your toes along with the rest of us.

No one but Casey would… at Vespers!

Monday, July 13th, 2015
Casey Killingsworth, July 12, 2015

Casey Killingsworth, July 12, 2015

Who else besides Casey would play a Bach cello suite on the banjo? Who besides Casey would give prizes (a toy paddle ball, for one) to those who could identify the first few bars of a 1970s A-side tune? Who besides Casey would take a 9,000-mile trip with son Josh for their 100th birthday (Casey, 60; Josh, 40) and tell about it through music?

All those things and much, much more happened at Vespers yesterday and none of us who know Casey Killingsworth were surprised in the least. Only delighted! It was Casey’s twenty-third Vespers performance and, whether he is accompanied by other family members or is on his own, as he was yesterday, he never fails to amaze and amuse and make us think. What a special guy he is and how lucky we are to have him back year after year.

Casey was our postmaster here in the nineties. He embraced Oysterville and vice-versa. He was married in the Oysterville Church. He found grant money to restore the Oysterville Schoolhouse. He hand-delivered mail to the old folks who could no longer get to the post office. And he always made us laugh.

Casey's Book

Casey’s Book

Like the time when we had quite a bit of snow and someone rode to the store on their horse and tied it up out in front of the post office. I happened to be picking up my mail about then and Casey asked if I’d do him a favor. He came outside, posed by the horse’s flank, and had me take a picture of them. “I’m going to use it as my Christmas card,” he laughed. “It’s going to say, ‘Guess which one is the horse’s ass?’” Only Casey!

I came home and re-read A Handbook for Water, Casey’s book of poetry published in 1996. As my uncle Willard Espy said in the book’s introduction, “He has created a remarkable community of poems and songs – at once joyous and sad, exhilarating and heart-breaking.  Tears and laughter become one here, and music is everywhere.” Just like yesterday at Vespers!  No one but Casey!

Our Singing Postmaster

Friday, July 10th, 2015

 

Casey Killingsworth

Casey Killingsworth

Casey Killingsworth will be presenting “Bach and the B Sides” at Vespers Sunday.   It will be the first time in twenty-some years that “The Killingsworth Family,” as the special music is billed on the Oysterville Music Vespers Schedule, will consist of Casey.   Period.   And, as usual when our former ‘Singing Postmaster’ is coming to town, I can’t wait.

Usually, there are two or three other members of the Killingsworth Family along. Sometines it has been  Sean and Monte with whom Casey performed back in the day. They called themselves as “The Killingsworth Brothers” but gave up their wandering minstrel lifestyle when marriages and families and that all-intrusive necessity, ‘work,’ began to interfere. (Casey was working for the USPS by then and eventually, in the 90s, became our postmaster here in Oysterville; after that he was in Astoria and then Long Beach.)

The Killingsworth Family, 2013

The Killingsworth Family, 2013

Some years at vespers the Killingsworth group involved Casey and his musical kids, Meagan and Josh. On one or two memorable occasions, the whole family came and performed – Jerry and Jackie (grandpa and grandma) plus several generations of siblings, kids, nieces and nephews – the little stage at the church was absolutely full of Killingsworths!

The Killingsworth Family, 1966

The Killingsworth Family, 1966

Each year is a new surprise. This year Casey says,”I’d like to play a couple of the Bach Cello Suites and then consider some ‘B sides,’ songs that weren’t as popular as either the other side of the record or, with my own songs, ones that we never performed.”

Three o’clock, Sunday July 12th, Oysterville Church – Our Singing Postmaster! As I said, I can’t wait.

The Pump Organ Blues Here in Oysterville

Tuesday, June 16th, 2015

 

First 2015 Vesper Service: Sunday, June 21st

First 2015 Vesper Service: Sunday, June 21st

The 38th Annual Music Vespers season begins Sunday and, so far, it looks as if this will be known in the inner circles as “The Year of the Organ.” We seem to be on some brink at every turn. (I should say from the onset that it is a vespers tradition to use the old-fashioned pump organ as accompaniment for the congregational singing. It’s not ‘necessary’; we have a piano available. But ‘necessary’ is not the operable word here. ‘Tradition’ is what’s important in a historic church.)

Our first cause for alarm was when one of our main organists moved away. Finding someone to step into her shoes has not been easy. In fact, it has been impossible so far. Plus, it’s a busy summer for our other three stalwart organists and they are hard-pressed to take up the slack. I do hope the congregation feels okay with a cappella hymn singing on a couple of Sundays. Or maybe another miracle will happen…

Oysterville's Stalwart Old Pump Organ

Oysterville’s Stalwart Old Pump Organ

And then there is the matter of the organ, itself. For some years the little parlor organ has been a bit cranky and our volunteer organists have had to baby it along. We have been on the search for an organ repairman and have actually been recommended to several but, alas, they deal with pipe, not pump, organs – a different animal altogether.

Then, last year we were given a ‘new’ organ of similar vintage and style. It seemed to be the answer to our prayers, at least for a few Sundays, and then it, too, got cranky. (Both organs are about my own age and I know the feeling. Some days it’s just difficult to have all of one’s parts moving smoothly.)

Bonnie Masson, Organist

Bonnie Masson, Organist

We continued looking for an organ repair expert and, last winter our our first miracle occurred! Through a friend of a friend we managed to get in touch with a remarkable man who knows all about the inner workings of organs. He finally came to Oysterville in April, took our old organ completely apart, pronounced it in “amazingly good” condition and returned to Portland to order a few replacement parts. The organ is not quite back together now, awaiting new felts. Try as we might, we’ve been unable to get a commitment for a return date from our organ repair master.

As I see it, we have the next three days and that’s it. On Friday there’s a wedding at the church, on Saturday a memorial service and then, Sunday… Vespers! We’ll just have to hope that the back-up organ is all rested up since last summer and feels young and frisky. Like me… on a good day. Meanwhile, we are praying for that second miracle.

Where the Music Comes From

Tuesday, March 31st, 2015
The Cabinet Sans Innards

The Cabinet Sans Innards

After being on the search for more than a decade, we finally have found Robert Spies (pronounced Speesh), Parlor Organ Repairman Extraordinaire! You would never know that from his business card, though. It simply says “Technical Consultant” and lists his Portland address. But, come to find out, he belongs to an organization called the Organ Historical Society and has worked on organs of all kinds all over the United States and, even more interesting, has ‘visited’ organs all over the world. Organs, however, are mostly an avocation, not his main line of work which has to do with all things technical like making sound recordings and building or repairing linear accelerators!

And here he is in Oysterville – working on the Oysterville Restoration Foundation’s little 1930s organ and, last night, entertaining us at dinner with fascinating stories about things we can barely understand! I try to remember to call him Robert, as requested, but even though he is two years my junior, I can’t help but think of him as “Mr. Spies, pronounced Speesh.” Every time he shares a new bit of information, I feel humbled and honored at the same time. What an amazing man!

The Keyboard

The Keyboard

He arrived yesterday afternoon and after a half-hour or so of getting acquainted in our library, proceeded to the church for an introduction to the little-pump-organ-that-needs-help. Within an hour or so, he had its innards laid out on a table Nyel had prepared from sawhorses and plywood. Wonder of wonders, the reeds (which are made of brass and here I thought they were made of some organic material that would look like bamboo! Duh!) are in good shape. The various felts and burlaps, though a bit worn and dusty, are also “in remarkably fine shape considering the age of the instrument,” according to Mr. Spies.

Now that he has assessed the situation and made an inventory of what is needed to bring things up to snuff (cleaning all the parts, replacing the felts, mainly), he will put the organ back together today. The plan is that he will return in a few weeks, well before our Music Vesper season begins, to finish the upgrade which, with a little luck and care should last another sixty or seventy years.

And how did we find this wonderful, knowledgeable man? Networking! Our friend Maggie brought her friend Geri (an organist in Portland) to a Friday Night Gathering here and Geri happened to meet Mr. Spies at a gig in Portland that he was recording for the musicians, one of whom was Geri’s nephew… Got that?

The Innards

The Innards

Also, I should mention that we contacted our “head organist” Suzanne Knutzen who came over to meet Mr. Spies yesterday and give him a bit of background about the difficulties she’s experienced with the instrument in recent years.   She stayed for awhile listening to explanations about the inner workings of that familiar old organ and said, “I feel just like I’ve attended a pump organ workshop!  I had no idea!” We heartily concur.

And, meanwhile, Larry Murante has been hanging out waiting for his truck to be repaired and entertaining us all with his mandolin.  So, there you have it! Another Great Oysterville Experience in  progress and it’s all about people… as usual!

Tomorrow: Trudell and O’Connor! Here!

Saturday, August 9th, 2014
Tom Trudell

Tom Trudell

Tom Trudell and Brian O’Connor will share the musical limelight at Vespers tomorrow – Tom on piano, Brian on acoustic guitar. Of course, I don’t need to say that last part for local readers. Both men are favorites here on the Peninsula and on the other side of the river, as well. Both have had regular gigs at the Shelburne Inn for years – Brian on most Thursday nights in the pub; Brian on most Friday nights in the ‘Piano Room’ between pub and restaurant.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O’Connor

Tom’s forte is jazz piano; Brian’s is an eclectic mix of original songs and jazz. I’m pretty sure they have teamed up before but, though I’ve enjoyed both individually, I’ve not had the pleasure of hearing them together. Plus, I’m not exactly sure what “together” means in their case. Some musicians sharing the stage take turns. Some come together to do shows and actually play the same songs at the same time.

(Which always reminds me of my son Charlie’s three-year-old response to the nursery school teacher’s question, “What do you call it when two people sing the same song at the same time?”   Charlie: “a coincidence.”)

The Reverend Don Maddux

The Reverend Don Maddux

Whether coincidence or careful rehearsal will be the back-story of tomorrow’s Vesper performance, it will be a not-to-be-missed opportunity to see and hear these fine musicians in the best acoustical venue in the county (or so musicians have told me.) Also front and center and playing the organ will be Jeanne Bellinger who is no stranger to jazz vocalizations in in her own right. And another creative local, artist Jean Stamper, will be presenting the Oysterville Moment ‘at the top of the show.’

Presiding over all this talent and providing the main focus of the service will be Father Don Maddux, Associate Priest of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Olympia. But, lest you think Father Maddux is not a local… think again. He and his wife Carolyn have owned a cabin in Long Beach for years and years and Don has been officiating at Vespers almost as long as I can remember. It is always one of those ‘old home week’ things when they roll into town.

“So, come on up to Oysterville tomorrow,” say I. “Bring your friends and loved ones. It’s going to be a fine afternoon!”