Pipe Organs of England - Pipedreams - American Public Media

PAGE 94 TOUR TRAVELER ITINERARY BIOSTraveler BiosGerry Arens I have been on five previous Pipedreams toursinto Germany, Czech Republic, France, Switzerland, Austria andThe Netherlands. I am not an organist, but still enjoy everytour. I have a son and a daughter, four grandchildren, andthree great-grandchildren. My hobbies include fishing on anannual trip to Saskatchewan, Canada, hunting, golf, photography,travel and woodworking. I have a Business Administrationdegree from the University of Minnesota and was employedas a CPA in Minneapolis for eight years and then by a savingsbank in La Crosse, WI. I’ve been retired for 16 years. I became aTexas resident in September 2007 and will spend the summeranywhere but in Dallas.Tim Baker has a degree in Organ Performance from theUniversity of Louisville. He is currently adjunct faculty for BellarmineUniversity teaching organ. Tim is Organist/Asst. Dir. ofMusic at Harvey Browne Memorial Presbyterian Church, Organist/Curatorfor the 1897 Louis Van Dinter Organ in St. Francesof Rome Church, President of the Board for the Wm. BauerFoundation which is restoring the Magnum Opus Pilcher PipeOrgan in Louisville War Memorial Auditorium and a frequentperformer for the Silent Film Festival at the Portage Theater inChicago, Il.Michael Barone, a Pennsylvania native, has been playingkeyboards since age 5 and organ since age 13. He earned a BMin Music History from the Oberlin Conservatory in 1968, wasMusic Director of Minnesota Public Radio from 1968-1993 andcontinues there on staff. He has been a national/internationalpresence with American Public Media’s PIPEDREAMS sinceJanuary 1982. He also enjoys sailing and cats (not necessarilytogether) and accumulates Citroen cars.Jan Bittner I taught elementary school, then raised two sons.For 13 years I owned and managed an office services company,then taught business skills at business schools and communitycolleges. I retired as administrator of the CT Conference ofthe UCC. I have been involved in choral music all my life. Onretirement, Bob and I decided to be professional concertgoersand have been to many wonderful performances of all kinds.We favor pipe organ concerts and have built vacations aroundthem. We are artistic directors of a start-up concert series inour church which is having its first concert (organ and piano)while we are in England! Another retirement adventure hasbeen to visit every one of Connecticut’s 169 towns, and we areabout half done. I maintain a blog for that, but have been busywith other ventures recently. We both also enjoy travel and theocean. I am a passionate knitter, and reader, and trip journaler.Bob Bittner is a retired public school teacher, having taughttechnology education and information processing for 36 years.He has been involved in numerous choirs and choruses sincegrade school and has a strong appreciation of classical music.Though Bob played piano and organ over the years, he continuesto do so for his own pleasure—he is not a public performer.Bob’s interests include woodworking, biking, kayaking, gardening,traveling, and attending an assortment of musical anddance events with a special interest in pipe organ concerts. Boblives with his wife, Jan, in the home they build in northeasternConnecticut.Peter Boysen continues engaged in investment managementalbeit semi-retired. New York has much to offer in the fine andperforming arts, as we all know, both in which I try to be active.Among the several forms of music that hold my interest, pipeorgan music is paramount. Having been on many Pipedreamtours previously, I am looking forward to this tour.Chris Cassell, M.D., born Pittsburgh PA, grew up all over thecountry. BS from Univ of Michigan, MS and MD from WayneState Univ. Practices General Surgery in Macomb County,Michigan. Enjoys his four grandchildren, hunting, gardeningand classical music.Mariana Cassell, born in Detroit MI. Dental Hygiene certificatefrom Univ of Michigan. Homemaker, mother of four grownchildren with four grandchildren. We have been married for 39years and enjoy teaching Sunday school at our church.Costa Constantine is a resident of New York City and has traveledon several past Pipedreams tours.Carol Creasser is a retired builder, (owned a constructioncompany and built houses). Now is Vice President of the BeaverIsland Community Center Events Center and books entertainmentfor the summer season and runs the activities for seniorcitizens and youth. Married to Charlie for 45 years and has 4children and 4 grandchildren. Loves running the communitycenter, traveling, cooking, and Charlie.Charles Creasser is a retired physician (anesthesiologist).Loves woodworking, fishing, traveling, and classical music.Married to Carol for 45 years. Lived in South Bend, IN, for 35years, now lives on an island in Lake Michigan. Fishes all overthe world, and builds beautiful furniture in his workshop whilelistening to classical music (Pipedreams).I am Anna Beth (AB) Culver and I have been on all of thePipedreams tours except Netherlands due to foot surgery. Thefirst trip to Germany was on crutches. My music connectionwas playing piano, baritone horn from 2nd grade through HS,and singing in the choirs as well. I taught band and choir for2 years. I am a native of Belmont, WI, received my BS at UW-Platteville and am a retired UW-La Crosse Anatomy Professor. Itravel to see the countryside and to hear unbelievable soundsin authentic settings. Also traveling with J. Michael is an experiencelike none other.