Sigma Alpha Iota

sAI-NATIONAL.ORg FALL 2014 PAN PIPES 11 C arl B. Staplin, PhD, was initiated as a National Arts Associate of Sigma Alpha Iota in 2003. His influence in the world of church music and composition created a strong impact on organists everywhere, and his more than 300 organ students occupy leading positions in churches, academic universities throughout the U.S. What creates such a dynamic teacher and mentor? Here we look at Dr. Staplin's early studies and accomplishments Carl's love of music began as a choirboy and acolyte at St. Paul's Cathedral in Buffalo, New York. He graduated from Amherst High School and received organ training with Dr. Roberta Bitgood (1908- 2007). is was followed by four years of study under Dr. Arthur A. Poister at Syracuse University (Syracuse, NY). His private composition study was with Ernst Bacon (1898 – 1990). Following military service with the US Army as the Chaplain's Assistant in Frankfurt, Germany, Carl furthered his musical studies at the Yale University School of Music (New Haven, CT), where his performance studies were under the guidance of Charles Krigbaum (1930) and Finn Viderø (1906 – 1987). Private composition study was pursued with Richard Donovan (1891 – 1970). While at the Yale School of Music, Carl was awarded several prizes as an outstanding organist and graduate student prior to earning his Masters degree in 1963. Appointed to the Music Faculty at the University of Evansville, Carl enjoyed collaborating with the other music faculty, fostered his first undergraduate organ majors and organized the installment of several Holkamp organs on campus. Taking a leave of absence to further his scholarly pursuits, in 1965, Carl returned to graduate studies at Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, where he received an appointment as a Graduate Research Fellow and received Phi Beta Kappa Honors while earning his PhD in performance. Special postdoctoral studies in organ performance and musicology were pursued under Dr. Howard Kelsey (1911- 2001) and Dr. Paul A. Pisk (1893 – 1990), with additional study under Anton Heiller (1923 – 1979). Carl received coaching in improvisation in Paris, France during a 1984 sabbatical with Jean Guillou (1930) and he premiered Guillou's La Chapelle des Abîmes His 1997 recording of Bach's masterwork, Clavierübung III (the "German Organ Mass") was performed with the Chancel Choir of Faith Lutheran Church (Eric Knapp, conductor) and was released by Calcante Recordings Ltd. on a Dobson Tracker (Op. 61). An earlier recording of other Bach works (1975) was done on a Holkamp tracker instrument (First United Methodist, Perry, IA), and selections from both recordings have been heard on Pipe Dreams National Public Radio's (NPR) weekly broadcast. Dr. Staplin was an Associate of the American Guild of Organists and was Professor Emeritus of Organ and Church Music and former Chair for the Keyboard Music Department at Drake University, in Des Moines, Iowa. He was also Minister of Music and Organist Emeritus at First Christian Church Carl was a prolific scholar while on University sabbaticals. On a 1972 sabbatical, he resided in Paris, France where he studied with Dr. Marie-Claire Alain (1926 – 2013) and André Marchal (1894 – 1980), studying French organ literature. While working in the Washington University library as part of his 1991 sabbatical research, Carl located a previously unidentified manuscript composed by J.S. Bach, a thrilling discovery. In 1999, he was coached by Harold Vogel (1941) while surveying Baroque-era German instruments. While in Europe he traveled extensively and recorded more than 35 organs in seven countries. He studied the English choir tradition in a number of English cathedrals, and completed a series of five recitals devoted to Bach's organ masterpieces: a total of 44 works. Carl's doctoral dissertation on the chorale preludes of J.S. Bach was published in its entirety in a national organists' journal. Other publications included more than 20 organ, choral, and instrumental compositions released by eight national publishing firms. As a recitalist and guest clinician, Carl presented over 200 concerts and workshops throughout the United States and Europe. ese included engagements in New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Chicago, and Minneapolis, as well as Yale University and the University of Colorado. Carl was the first American organist to be invited to perform on the famed Marcussen & Søns Organ in the Grote of Sint-Laurenskerk (Translated: St. Lawrence Church) in Rotterdam (e Netherlands). He concertized under Phyllis Stringham Concert Management. From 1984 to 1988 he was regional chairman for Region 6 of the AGO, comprising 10 Midwestern States. In 1997 he began a three-year term as director for the National Committee on Professional Education (COPE) for the AGO. e 1998 and 2000 National AGO Organ Pedagogy Conferences held at Colorado State University and Seattle were under Carl's leadership. He was also a touring artist for the Iowa Arts Council. European engagements included recitals in Germany, e Netherlands, Russia, Sweden, and Switzerland. Carl also served for four years as National Collegiate Organ Chairman for the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), and was a member of the national editorial board for the American Music Teacher. He also consulted for organ installations in numerous churches and institutions, and he served as organist for the Des Moines Symphony directed by Joseph Giunta and Yuri Krasnapolsky (1967 – 2012). Carl was a member of the Iowa Composers Forum and recent performances of his works were done at Drake University, Iowa State University, Coe College, the University of Northern Iowa and the Iowa Composers Forum Festival. His choral works have been heard around the world; Carl's composition, O Clap Your Hands, was sung by the Drake University Choir under the direction of Dr. Aimee Beckman-Collier and the Luther College Nordic Choir, under the direction of Dr. Weston Noble in several concerts and both national and international tours. Carl's compositions have also been broadcast over WOI-FM at Iowa State University on numerous occasions and he wrote a textbook entitled Make A Joyful Noise! 500 Years of Sacred Music. Also a member of the SAI Composers Bureau, he and his wife, Phyllis, a Patroness member of SAI, delighted in presenting his GraCe notes National Arts Associate Dr. Carl Staplin SAI Composer Leaves Legacy of Historical Performances STAPLIN continued on page 13

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