The Vermont / New York slate valley’s Welsh heritage fellowship non-profit is pleased to introduce Vaughn L. Watson, of Addison, Vermont, organ accompanist for its August 6th Gymanfa Ganu to be held in Fair Haven, Vermont. Jay G. Williams, III, from Oneida County, New York, pastor of Augusta Presbyterian Church, conductor of cymanfoedd across the country and practicing attorney, will conduct.
More information about this event on the Poultney Area St. David Society Facebook page.
Mr. Watson serves three Catholic parishes of the Diocese of Ogdensburg, New York. He is organist of All Saints Church in Mineville; organist/choir director of St. Mary’s Church in Ticonderoga, where he also teaches music in St. Mary’s School; and organist/choir director of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Schroon Lake. Since January 2013, he has been the accompanist of the Champlain Valley Chorale in Ticonderoga. Previously, he served as Music Director/Organist at Maria Regina R.C. Church in Seaford and at Abiding Presence Lutheran Church in Fort Salonga, Long Island.
Mr. Watson has performed recitals at St. Peter’s Church, Grace Church, Park Avenue Methodist Church, St. Thomas Church, St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, all in New York City. In March of 2011, he performed in the annual Festival of Organists at Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church in Plainfield, New Jersey. Mr. Watson has also performed recitals at National Conventions of the Organ Historical Society in 2015 and 2003. In 2017, the Vermont Chapter of the A.G.O. named him, Performer of the Year. Since relocating to the North Country, Mr. Watson has given recitals in the Community Church of Essex, New York, the Helen Hughes Memorial Chapel at Silver Bay, the Bradford Congregational Church in Bradford, the First Congregational Church of St. Albans, and Our Lady of Seven Dolors in Fair Haven, Vermont. He is active in the Organ Historical Society, and the American Guild of Organists, having served as Dean, from 2016 to 2018.
A native of Staten Island, New York, Mr. Watson began piano study at an early age with his mother, and later the organ. He graduated from Fordham University in 1983. From 1983 until 2002, Mr. Watson studied organ with Dr. William Entriken in New York City. He has also studied church music at Shenandoah Conservatory of Music and conducting at Westminster Choir College. Further organ study was with Dr. Walter Hilse from 2005 to 2011. In June of 2009, Mr. Watson attained the Certificate of C.A.G.O. from the American Guild of Organists.
All who love to sing are invited to come hear and meet Jay Williams, III and Mr. Watson and to sing with others the traditional beautiful four-part harmony of the Welsh hymns during this non-denominational event. Hymns will be sung in both the Welsh and English languages. Te Bach (tea social) will follow the sing in the fellowship hall.
Hosted by First Baptist Church and sponsored by Poultney Area St. David’s Society, this is a charity event. FREE WILL OFFERING for the building restoration fund will be collected. Pre-event sponsors are appreciated and will be noticed. Questions: please contact the St. David’s Society, (802)-287-5744 (a message phone); or email: pasds1988@gmail.com .
Fair Haven, Rutland County, Vermont, where slate quarrying in this region first began.