Help Wanted - Church Organist in Paris! - Sunday, 2 October

 

For decades my favorite Sunday morning activity has been to head over to The American Church in Paris for their 11:00 service.  Decent preaching, quasi-formal liturgy, FANTASTIC music (organ, instrumental, choir, handbells, visiting ensembles, etc.), the most racially and nationally diverse congregation I’ve ever seen, great post-service coffee hour, practical publications, and astonishing service programs for the whole community.  One of the big plusses has been their organist and music director, Fred Gramann, who also directed their very fine choir and the whole program.

Well, when I went to their website today I saw no mention of Fred.  EEK!  Had to do a bit of digging, and I found that he just retired.  As a matter of fact, last Sunday was his last service at the church and his big sendoff.  Darn it; I just missed him.  I know that they have many other gifted musicians in their congregation, but Fred was such a wonderful constant presence and obviously an inspiring leader.  https://www.acparis.org/spire-online-2022-09#art05

So hey, are any of my organist buddies looking for a job in Paris?!?  It’s a spectacular Beckerath organ.  I wrote about it in a few blog posts, but here’s info about a concert honoring the 20th anniversary of its installation:  https://mariellen-musing.blogspot.com/2008/09/little-glimpse-of-heaven-sunday-28-sept.html   Info about the organ here:  https://www.acparis.org/instruments/173-beckerath-organ