Invocation

The name of Richard Vernon Ross (29 October 1914 — 7 February 1954) will mean absolutely nothing to almost every organist in the world. Only a very few will "recognize" him, or the contribution to "organ education" that he made.

Richard Ross was an organist in Baltimore, Maryland. He either attended and/or taught at the Peabody Institute. I know nothing else about him, but I had often heard that he had a "published organ work." Well, here it is!

"Invocation" was issued by H. W. Gray in 1958 as No. 845 in their well-known "St. Cecilia Series."

I received both bachelor's and master's degrees from Peabody, and was twice recipient of the only organ award that the school conferred upon a "graduating student" - the "Richard Ross Memorial Prize".

I always intended to play his "published piece" if I could find it, and yesterday, I did.

"Invocation" is very atmospheric. It could be "helped" by a few seconds of echo, but since the music needs the "full American" keyboards and pedalboard, the Mt. Carmel Skinner was really my only choice.

I won't say at what church in Baltimore that Richard Ross was organist, since I'm not sure. However, I THINK the church that he played at had (and still has) a fine, large E. M. Skinner organ, so, the "association" with this sample set isn't really too bad a thing.

When I fist played through this, I thought it was awful. Now, I'm not so sure. I think I even LIKE IT, so, give it 2 or 3 listens - it's short enough!

THANK YOU Richard Vernon Ross for your gift to encourage excellence in organ students. It was my privilege to have the been the recipient of your award, and I hope I've done your piece the way you would have liked it!

The score is attached below.