I had the opportunity of a lifetime to study for one week with Gerre and Judith Hancock(also a true master!) at the 2007 Sewanee Church Music Conference. As an icon I knew of and admired from college days and since, the experience of conducting in a choral master class with those two leading and accompanying was at first terrifying, but ultimately an incredibly positive experience. That week was way too short, but I learned a lot about improvisation, nuances of Anglican chant, etc., but above all, learned that one can be a great, inspiring musician and do so with the utmost in kindness and grace. I still remember sitting 6' away from him as he played our final hymn, "Come Labor On" - and of course, the stunning improvised postlude following. It was hard to sing at times... a taste of heaven on earth.
I had the great honour of working with Dr. Hancock at St. Thomas for many years. It was an education that I take with me and use throughout my musical life.
Gerre was THEEE recognized authority on improvisation. He gave workshops on the craft and everyone loved and adored him! The consummate church musician.
As usual, BRILLIANT! How I miss 'Uncle' Gerre. Every time I hear it, this organ sounds wonderful and shouldn't be discarded. At least allow Thompson-Allen to restore it or consider a Schoenstein, Fisk or Casavant. So what it only has one enclosed division, Gerre made it work for him for 30+ years, and work well for him too! R.I.P. Gilbert F. Adams 1932-2015
@@keithsy75 I agree Keith, but I wouldn't have dared tampered with the stops revoiced or added by Gilbert Adams as few could touch him in terms of voicing. He partially rebuilt and revoiced our local Cathedral organ and it sounds magnificent especially with those fiery French (C.C.) inspired reeds of his. This organ suffered from mechanical issues, NOT voicing issues.
This makes an agnostic bow down in amazement. I heard one of Dr. Hancock's composed pieces a few years ago at Trinity Church in Boston - but clearly, he was also a master of making it up on the fly! Is there also a trombone quartet in this service? It sounds as though there might be, in addition to choir and organ.
If there were to be a musical "explanation" of the phrase, "Lead, follow, or get out of the way," I should think this would be a good candidate for it. In some churches, when the hymn is going along, particularly the Offertory hymn, the congregation complacently sings its part, and the final stanza - one would think - follows the prior one. But if things weren't quite ready yet for that final stanza, in Gerre's estimation alone, he would utterly rip the steering wheel out of the hands of the congregation and let it be known that HE was driving here, and he would determine when it was time for that final verse. I often gasped at those moments, as I did here with the beginning of the Voluntary (and at other points as well). Totally blows me away.
I had the opportunity of a lifetime to study for one week with Gerre and Judith Hancock(also a true master!) at the 2007 Sewanee Church Music Conference. As an icon I knew of and admired from college days and since, the experience of conducting in a choral master class with those two leading and accompanying was at first terrifying, but ultimately an incredibly positive experience. That week was way too short, but I learned a lot about improvisation, nuances of Anglican chant, etc., but above all, learned that one can be a great, inspiring musician and do so with the utmost in kindness and grace. I still remember sitting 6' away from him as he played our final hymn, "Come Labor On" - and of course, the stunning improvised postlude following. It was hard to sing at times... a taste of heaven on earth.
I miss Gerre so much sometimes. His warmth, his blazing talent. How grateful we all are!
I had the great honour of working with Dr. Hancock at St. Thomas for many years. It was an education that I take with me and use throughout my musical life.
Gerre was THEEE recognized authority on improvisation. He gave workshops on the craft and everyone loved and adored him! The consummate church musician.
I for very try beautifyl
I like the improvisations by Gerre Hancock and this improvisation especially 🎹
Yes, not only was he a brilliant musician, he was one of the kindest people I've ever known ❤.
Masterful.... a towering improvisteur 🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🙏🏻
I'm never tempted to FF on anything played by the master Dr. Hancock! This is great.
I love Gerre's playing, and the T&B gallery organ sounds wonderful! Brian, you really make that thing sing!
I never knew the TB had such capability. It is the man behind the console. You guys are fortunate to have a true trade.
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He and Mr. Harlow are stroking this hymn slowly, not rushed.
A warm brilliant man I miss dearly.
Thanks you for sharing so we can learn from the master.
As usual, BRILLIANT! How I miss 'Uncle' Gerre. Every time I hear it, this organ sounds wonderful and shouldn't be discarded. At least allow Thompson-Allen to restore it or consider a Schoenstein, Fisk or Casavant. So what it only has one enclosed division, Gerre made it work for him for 30+ years, and work well for him too!
R.I.P. Gilbert F. Adams 1932-2015
I agree. I'd have it rebuilt, revised with all-new pipes and solid-state. The parts went to good use elsewhere.
@@keithsy75
I agree Keith, but I wouldn't have dared tampered with the stops revoiced or added by Gilbert Adams as few could touch him in terms of voicing. He partially rebuilt and revoiced our local Cathedral organ and it sounds magnificent especially with those fiery French (C.C.) inspired reeds of his. This organ suffered from mechanical issues, NOT voicing issues.
@@bhigdaddymark leave the stops alone. Just phase in microprocessors. to them.
Thanks, Brian :)
This makes an agnostic bow down in amazement. I heard one of Dr. Hancock's composed pieces a few years ago at Trinity Church in Boston - but clearly, he was also a master of making it up on the fly! Is there also a trombone quartet in this service? It sounds as though there might be, in addition to choir and organ.
Dr. Hancock was one of a kind.
Sublime improvisation.
Dr. Judy was loyal and intrepid and took no mess on and off the bench. This was his favorite hymn.
Rock n Roll!
If there were to be a musical "explanation" of the phrase, "Lead, follow, or get out of the way," I should think this would be a good candidate for it. In some churches, when the hymn is going along, particularly the Offertory hymn, the congregation complacently sings its part, and the final stanza - one would think - follows the prior one. But if things weren't quite ready yet for that final stanza, in Gerre's estimation alone, he would utterly rip the steering wheel out of the hands of the congregation and let it be known that HE was driving here, and he would determine when it was time for that final verse. I often gasped at those moments, as I did here with the beginning of the Voluntary (and at other points as well). Totally blows me away.
Perfection! Pure genius!