A Summer Morning

Today, June 20th, is the first day of summer!

I always try to do "something special" on the first day of the new season, so, this is my Welcome Summer Piece!

Ralph Kinder (1876-1952) was born in Manchester, England. At the age of 5 his family moved to Bristol, Rhode Island, and became a chorister at Trinity Church, Bristol. He was a student of Hamilton C. Macdougall, and in 1890 became organist of Trinity Church. He returned to England in 1897, and was a student of Charles William Pearce, Edwin H. Lemare, and Dr. Edward Hart Turpin.

After his return to Rhode Island, he became organist and choirmaster of Grace Church in Providence, and later of Holy Trinity Church, Rittenhouse Square in Philadeplhia, both of which are prime positions. During his time in Philadelphia, he performed over 1,000 recitals.

In 1901 he returned to England to study with Edward d'Evry, and upon returning to America was married, and opened his "Kinder Organ School" in the fall of 1915. He became organist and choirmaster of St. Thomas Church, Whitemarsh, Pa. and in 1941, organist at Trinity Memorial Church in Philadelphia.

His compostions are quite numerous, colorful, and often, as in this case, border on the "theater organ style."

"Summer Morning" was published by J. Fischer and Bro. in 1922. It is dedicated "To my friend, William Klaiss, Stanley Theatre, Philadelphia." The work is light-hearted and "sunny" with a very active pedal part. In order to play the notes, you will need to play ALL (almost!) the pedal part with the left foot alone, since the right will be constantly busy on the swell pedal!

In the central section, Kinder calls for an "8' Flute" on the Choir, but I used the harp! He also rings the chimes, as you'll hear!

Sounds like it's time to wake up and greet the season. :-)

The score is attached below, as well as a photo of Ralph Kinder, and a few of the old Stanley Theatre.

I WISH EVERYONE A VERY HAPPY SUMMER!