Dear Friends of Dr. Richard Cushman: Please join Calliope: East Bay Music & Arts and St. Alban's Episcopal Church, Richard's longtime musical home, for a concert in celebration of his life.
Dr. Richard Cushman, a gifted organist and musician, a beloved teacher, mentor, and friend, as well as a noted scholar of literature, died in late December following a tragic accident. The concert will conclude with a chance to share a memory or appreciation of his life, with a reception to follow.
Featuring a number of his former students, including Arthur Omura, Brett Wheeler, Leon Chou, Judah Lampkin and Joshua Feltman - with additional offerings from Amy Kessler and Christine Staples - and more musicians yet to come - works will include pieces by Handel and George Thalben-Ball.
In honor of his lifelong dedication to the continuation of organ music as an art form through his mentorship of countless organ students, Calliope: East Bay Music & Arts, the nonprofit arts organization housed at St. Alban's, has established an organ scholarship fund in his honor.
The fund will pay for organ instruction from Richard's former student, Arthur Omura, and practice time on the St. Alban's celebrated 1914 Hooks & Hastings instrument. Students will be expected to play the organ at St. Alban's when they are ready.
All donations are tax deductible to the full extent allowed under the law. Donations can be made via Calliope's PayPal account, by check (mailed to Calliope at 1501 Washington Avenue, Albany CA 94706), via the ticketing page, or in person at the concert.
We would be so very grateful for your support of this scholarship program! At the time of his death, Richard was working with two young emerging organists; we would love to continue their education in the art form!
