Aria on "Cantique de Noel" - James van den Brink

This is the only piece I've ever composed and thought it worthwhile to share again. While studying for an accounting degree, I also taught organ lessons to a few students. One particularly keen one was Sarah Koppelaar. And so, back in 2006 when she needed some additional music to learn during the Christmas season, I went to work, beginning by improvising at the console and eventually finishing with a laptop and notation software. This is the result: a simple aria of sorts, on the famous Cantique de Noel, sung in English to the famous words, O Holy Night. Enjoy! 🎶🎵🎹
James van den Brink
As an amateur organist, James wishes to share God's gift of music through these simple recordings of the "King of Instruments", the pipe organ, and its music. Beginning his organ studies at the young age of six with his sister Marguerite de Jonge, he further studied with Niagara organist, Lesley Kingham, MMus. James is currently the Music Director for St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada, has been a church organist for nearly 20 years, accompanied a community choir, Musica Sacra Chorus, for over a decade, and was a long standing member (tenor) of Niagara's premier chamber choir, the Avanti Chamber Singers. James also serves as Treasurer for the Niagara Centre of the Royal Canadian College of Organists (RCCO). Additionally, he has a professional career as an accountant (CPA, CMA).
Recording Location:
St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church
323 Simcoe St
Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0
Canada
standrewsniagara.com/
The Organ: Keates-Geissler (2006)
GREAT
Prestant 8' 61 pipes
Hohlflöte 8' 61
Dulciana 8' 61
Octave 4' 61
Super Octave 2' 61
Mixture II-IV 1-1/3' 208
Trumpet 8' 61
Chimes
Great Super
SWELL
Salicional 8' 61 pipes
Voix Celeste 8' 49
Gedeckt 8' 61
Spitzprincipal 4' 61
Koppelflöte 4' 61
Doublette 2' 61
Sesquialter II 2-2/3' 122
Scharf III 1' 183
Hautbois 8' 61
Swell Super
Swell Sub
Tremulant
PEDAL
Bourdon 16' 32 pipes
Gedeckt 16' Double Valve (1-12)
Octavebass 8' 12
Bassflöte 8' 12
Choralbass 4' 32
Rauschpfeife II 2-2/3' 64
Contra Hautbois 16' 12 (half-length)
Oboe 8' (Swell)
Great to Pedal 8' Reversible (thumb, toe)
Great to Pedal 4'
Swell to Pedal 8' Reversible
Swell to Pedal 4'
Swell to Great 16'
Swell to Great 8' Reversible
Swell to Great 4'
OTHER DETAILS
Divisional thumb pistons: Swell, Great, Pedal (6 each)
General toe pistons (6)
Full Organ toe piston
Balanced expression and crescendo shoes
Indicator Light
3/4HP blower
Colonial casework
Pitman chest with universal wells
Electronic switching
Electronic multi memory (8 levels) combination action
2 - 61 note manuals in French Terraced drawknob console with roll top
32 note concaved radiating steel framed pedalboard
Adjustable and lit music rack
27 ranks
24 stops
25 note chimes with electric action
Recording Equipment:
Samsung S22+

[@organman77]

Beautiful! That's so inspiring you wrote this for a student!

[@james.flores]

This is a beautiful composition! Thanks for sharing it with us.

[@jv04jm]

Thanks so much James!

[@jdj4573]

Well done

[@jv04jm]

Thank you kindly!