I’m excited to announce a milestone in my organ building career. After serving as Tonal Director at Schoenstein, I’ll now be adding the duties of President upon the retirement of Louis Patterson. Organ building continues to inspire me, and it’s an honor to lead the company forward. The official press release is copied below.
Bryan Dunnewald has been appointed President and Tonal Director of Schoenstein & Co., continuing the company’s tradition of placing leadership in the hands of musicians. He now oversees all aspects of the company with a focus on its musical direction. Dunnewald began his association with Schoenstein ten years ago and served most recently as Tonal Director. In addition to his work in organ building, he is an active performer and composer, with appearances at major venues across the country, and holds degrees in orchestral conducting and organ performance.
I’m looking forward to giving a recital to celebrate the recent work done on the Hook and Hastings organ at First Congregational Church in Colorado Springs. A beautiful building in every respect, the setting will be wonderful for an evening of music! I hope you’ll join me on Friday.
Friday, September 22, 2023; 7:00pm. First Congregational Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Bryan will present an evening concert to celebrate the completed renovation of the organ at First Congregational. The program will feature a variety of works to demonstrate the renewed organ’s ability. The beautiful, historic church will serve as an ideal setting for an evening of great music. The program will last approximately one hour with no intermission. Details are found here and a program is here.
Schoenstein & Co. has announced a series of big promotions in the company to ensure the firm’s long-term future. As part of these leadership changes, I’ve been named Tonal Director, working with Jack Bethards (who becomes Chairman and Tonal Advisor) to shape and implement the musical direction of the company.
Bryan Dunnewald, Jack Bethards, and Louis Patterson
Work at Schoenstein continues to be engaging and fun with lots of variety. We are finishing a large French-style organ in Silverado, California that is shaping up to be a special instrument for us and a big success musically. I’m looking forward to a long, bright future ahead for Schoenstein!
With work in full swing at Schoenstein and Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church, I don’t get to play as many solo recitals as I used to. When an opportunity to play a fantastic organ like the one at Trinity and St. Peter’s comes up, however, I’d be foolish to turn it down! This magnificent organ by E.M. Skinner is in its original tonal state, full of the myriad colors found in Skinner’s best symphonic organs. The church gives the organ a warm, reverberant space in which to sing, resulting in one of the best places to make music on an organ in San Francisco. I am excited to get to know this instrument and play some of my favorite pieces on it!
Details of the recital can be found below. I hope you’ll join me for the recital!
Sunday, 7 May 2023; 5:00pm; Trinity and St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, San Francisco, CA. Bryan will present a concert on the magnificent E. M. Skinner organ following Evensong at Trinity and St. Peter’s. This instrument, meticulously maintained in original condition, is one of the finest examples of Skinner’s work on the west coast. The church offers a marvelous acoustic for organ music, the pairing sure to inspire any listener. Details are here and a program is here.
As the new year begins, I’m looking forward to giving a recital this Sunday at Saint Mark’s Church, Berkeley. The beautiful Flentrop organ sits in a warm acoustic, singing effortlessly down the nave. It will be a treat to play such great pieces in this ideal environment. The recital will follow 3:00pm Evensong in the church and will last about 45 minutes. Details are below:
Sunday, 8 January 2023; 3:30pm; Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church, Berkeley, CA. Bryan will give a recital on the beautiful Flentrop organ at Saint Mark’s. The 45-minute program will highlight the beautiful colors contained in this modest-sized instrument. Details are here and a program is here.
I hope you’ll join me this weekend to celebrate a new year!
