Organs I've Played: St Stephen's, Durham

When I was in high school we lived in Durham, NC. By that point I was very interested in playing piano and organ. I was taking piano lessons with one teacher, but really wishing I could study organ too. She suggested I move on to another teacher for organ. I did and was hooked. By the time I graduated high school Duke Chapel had installed its Flentrop organ in the rear gallery. Also about that time St Stephen's Episcopal Church installed a smaller but no less impressive Flentrop in their west end gallery.

It was remarkable for its French classical inflection Dutch builder for an American congregation). By this point my organ instructor was Kathy Cain whose husband was on the faculty at Duke. Through Kathy I met husband Bob Parkins, and through him others in organ culture in Durham. Ultimately I was introduced to Joe Kitchen at St Stephen's. I managed to score an invite to play the Flentrop there. It's remarkable too for the placement of drawknobs above the keydesk, at the player's head.

When Eli was traveling back and forth to Durham for glaucoma treatment this year, I knew I wanted to get back to see the organ anew. These picture are from that cloudy day visit in October.I also saw Dr Kitchen, who had no idea who I was from 30 years ago or so. But I really enjoyed seeing the instrument, even if (to Eli's frustration) I didn't play a single note!