Music & Concerts

Organized musings

Out recitalist Christopher Houlihan shares tricks of the trade

Published

9 years ago

April 29, 2016

Christopher Houlihan, gay news, Washington Blade

Christopher Houlihan at Wilson College in Chambersburg, Pa., on March 6, 2016. (Washington Blade photo by Joey DiGuglielmo)

Christopher Houlihan

Organ recital

Presented by the National Symphony Orchestra

Kennedy Center Concert Hall

Wednesday, May 4

8 p.m.

$15

Organist Christopher Houlihan took a few minutes with us by phone from Hartford, Conn., where he was playing at his alma mater Trinity College (where he’s artist in residence) in advance of his Washington recital next week. He plays the Kennedy Center on Wednesday, May 4. His comments have been slightly edited for length.

WASHINGTON BLADE: Does organ music translate well to iPods?

CHRISTOPHER HOULIHAN: I think it can. … Some pieces work better than others. I don’t tend to listen to it if I just want to have some music playing because if it’s organ music, I tend to focus on it too much. If you want the best experience possible, there’s nothing more exciting than a live organ shaking the room.

BLADE: Recording organ is hard with all the outside noise that can happen. Can engineers take out sirens and that sort of thing?

HOULIHAN: In my experience, we haven’t been able to do that. We’ve had to do another take. But yes, recording in a big city is really tough. You usually have to do it in the middle of the night. But then sometimes if it rains, you lose a whole night.

BLADE: Do you plan to keep recording and releasing CDs?

HOULIHAN: I would definitely like to do more. I have a Bach CD that’s in the works to be released. … I hope in time over what I hope is a long career that I’ll have several recordings released.

BLADE: Can you tell which stops are pipe or digital on a hybrid organ?

HOULIHAN: When they’re done well, I think they can be very effective. … It’s a tough question to answer. I can tell, but I’ve played lots of hybrid organs and completely digital organs and what matters most is if you can make music on them and you absolutely can.

BLADE: What is the consensus among elite organists about the Kennedy Center’s new Casavant organ?

HOULIHAN: It has a good reputation. I haven’t heard it myself yet but I’m excited. I’ve played lots of Casavants and some of their more recent instruments and I have nothing but good things to say. I’m sure the Kennedy Center’s is equally stunning.

BLADE: How much of a consideration is audience familiarity with certain pieces when you’re programming a recital? Are some works perhaps too much to digest?

HOULIHAN: It’s somewhat a consideration. I think a program needs to have balance so I think playing something they’re familiar with helps but I also find people like to be a little challenged and there are things they’ll like and find interesting whether they’re familiar with them or not. Most people aren’t familiar with a whole lot beyond the Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, so it’s hard to give that too much weight.

BLADE: You played at First Baptist Church in Washington in 2013. How was it for you?

HOULIHAN: I had a great time. It’s a great space for organ music. The Austin organ there is enormous and has a great variety of colors and beautiful sounds.

BLADE: You don’t seem to post much on Facebook. How do you stay focused?

HOULIHAN: I guess I’m on Facebook as much as anybody. I don’t post a lot, but when it comes time to work, I put my phone aside and focus on practicing. Then I take a break when it’s time to take a break. … I’m much more interested in reaping the benefits of practicing. It’s not especially hard once you get yourself to the organ bench.

BLADE: (Your former teacher) Paul Jacobs was here last month at the Kennedy Center. What was your biggest overall lesson from your time with him?

HOULIHAN: I think one of the things all of Paul’s students would say is the level of commitment and discipline he brings to what he does. It’s inspiring and he expects no less from his students. That’s something that’s stuck with me for sure. To get a good result, you have to put in a lot of effort. He is very demanding of that and it pays off.

BLADE: On average about how long do you spend on a major work from first read until you perform it in recital?

HOULIHAN: I have no idea. I should calculate it someday. I tend to learn slowly. I’d rather take more time learning something before I bring it on the road. That works best for me but as for a specific amount of time, I don’t really know.

BLADE: Where were you when you heard about the Supreme Court marriage ruling last year? How did you feel?

HOULIHAN: I was thrilled. My mom was visiting New York City and we went out for pizza to celebrate.

BLADE: Is that an issue you followed very closely?

HOULIHAN: It was something I’d hoped for as a gay persons and I’m thrilled it’s the law of the land. But it’s also important to me now that we continue to fight, especially for trans people.

BLADE: Has being out ever been a professional hindrance in any perceptible way?

HOULIHAN: Not that I can think of. I suppose if a church didn’t want to invite me to play because of that, I’d never know about it. My church in New York, Church of the Holy Apostles, is incredibly gay friendly.

BLADE: Do the technical challenges of playing lighten at a certain level of proficiency or are they always there?

HOULIHAN: There are always technical obstacles there for anyone who really wants to grow and challenge themselves. But they’re exciting to work on and over time you learn how to practice and how to work on those challenges. It doesn’t get easier, but you learn how to tackle them.

BLADE: You seem genuinely nice. Do people prey on that?

HOULIHAN: I certainly know how to stand up for myself when that’s required.

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Kylie brings ‘Tension’ tour to D.C.

Performance on Tuesday at Capital One Arena

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2 weeks ago

April 5, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

Kylie Minogue visits D.C. on Tuesday.

Aussie pop icon Kylie Minogue brings her acclaimed “Tension” world tour to D.C. next Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Capital One Arena. Tickets are still available at Ticketmaster.

The show features songs spanning her long career, from 1987 debut single, “The Loco-Motion,” to “Padam, Padam” from her album, “Tension.”

Music & Concerts

Busy season for live music in D.C.

Erivo, Kylie, Sivan, and more headed our way this spring

Published

1 month ago

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Joe Reberkenny

Cynthia Erivo plays WorldPride in D.C. on June 7. (Photo courtesy of World Pride)

One sure sign of spring’s arrival is the fresh wave of live music coming to Washington. With more than 10 venues and a diverse lineup of artists, the city offers no shortage of live performances for the new season.

In addition to this impressive list, don’t forget the many artists coming to town for WorldPride, May 17-June 8. In addition to headliner Cynthia Erivo performing on Saturday, June 7 at the two-day street festival and concert, many other performers will be in town. Jennifer Lopez, Troye Sivan, and RuPaul are among the featured performers at the WorldPride Music Festival at the RFK Festival Grounds, June 6-7. Visit WorldPrideDC.org for a list of other performers.

MARCH

Grammy and Emmy Award-winning Mary J. Blige will take the stage at Capital One Arena on March 26 for her For My Fans tour. Two days later, on March 28, J Balvin will also perform at Capital One Arena for his Back to the Rayo tour.

The Lincoln Theatre will host the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington for three performances—one on March 15 and two on March 16.

If dance parties are more your vibe, you’re in luck. DC9 is hosting a series of themed dance parties this month, starting with Poker Face: 2000s + Dance Party on March 14, the ever-popular Peach Pit ’90s dance party on March 15, H.O.T.S.: A Sapphic Dance Party on March 22, and RageRiot!—a burlesque and drag revue featuring a lineup of local drag kings, queens, and everything in between on March 29.

APRIL

Australian queen of pop Kylie Minogue will bring her Tension tour to Capital One Arena on April 8, with British dance artist Romy as her special guest.

Indie singer-songwriter mxmtoon will stop in D.C. for their Liminal Space tour on April 4 at the 9:30 club, followed by indie rock band Gossip on April 5. The 9:30 club will also host two dance parties in April: Gimme Gimme Disco – a dance party inspired by ABBA on April 11 and Broadway Rave on April 18.

The Atlantis will feature Brooklyn-based indie rock band Pom Pom Squad on April 2.

Comedy duo Two Dykes and a Mic will bring their Going Hog Wild tour to the Howard Theatre on April 19.

DC9 has two dance parties lined up this month: Bimbo Night on April 4, hosted by Baltimore’s “premier red-tattooed Filipina diva” Beth Amphetamine, and Aqua Girls: A QTBIPOC Dance Party on April 5, celebrating “queer transcendence through music, movement, and community.”

The Anthem will welcome a lineup of big names in April, starting with Alessia Cara on April 8. Lucy Dacus will take the stage on April 18 and 19 for her Forever Is a Feeling tour, while funky pop artist Remi Wolf will headline on April 27, joined by special guests Dana and Alden.

MAY

Indie-pop artist Miya Folick will bring her Erotica Veronica tour to The Atlantis on May 1, followed by multi-genre musician SASAMI on May 2. Pop artist Snow Wife will close out the month at The Atlantis on May 31 as part of an official WorldPride 2025 event.

Queer rock band Lambrini Girls will perform at the Howard Theatre on May 4, while rock trio L.A. Witch will take the stage at DC9 on May 12.

Union Stage will feature Rachel Platten on May 3 for her Set Me Free tour, followed by Femme Fatale: A Queer Dance Party later that night.

The popular DJ festival Project Glow will return to RFK Stadium grounds on May 31 and June 1.

JUNE

Pride month kicks off with “RuPaul’s Drag Race” star Trixie Mattel, who will perform at Echostage on June 3 as part of a series of official WorldPride 2025 events.

Queer icons Grace Jones & Janelle Monáe will take over The Anthem on June 5 for a WorldPride 2025 event performance.

Perfume Genius will bring his signature sound to the 9:30 club on June 7 as part of WorldPride 2025 festivities. Later in the month, Blondshell will hit the 9:30 club for her If You Asked for a Tour on June 24.

Music & Concerts

Pride concert to take place at Strathmore after Kennedy Center rescinds invitation

International Pride Orchestra ‘heartbroken’ event ‘would no longer be welcome’ at DC venue

Published

2 months ago

February 27, 2025

Jaylon Curry-Hagler

The Kennedy Center (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The International Pride Orchestra has announced its Pride concert will take place at the Strathmore Music Center on June 5 after the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts disinvited the group.

Since President Donald Trump took over the Kennedy Center during his first month in office, LGBTQ events and performances have been banned with community allies withdrawing in solidarity.

The Kennedy Center has cancelled “A Peacock Among Pigeons: Celebrating 50 Years of Pride,” a May 21 concert that was to feature the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, D.C. The International Pride Orchestra on Monday said its concert will now take place at the Strathmore.

“We were heartbroken when we learned that our concert would no longer be welcome at the Kennedy Center,” said International Pride Orchestra Founding Artistic Director Michael Roest in a statement released by the orchestra’s media page. “The Kennedy Center has long been a symbol of artistic excellence, inclusivity, and freedom of expression. However, we are profoundly grateful to the Strathmore Music Center for opening their doors to us. Their willingness to host our Pride Celebration Concert ensures that our message of love, pride, and resilience will be heard on the doorstep of the nation’s capital.”

The Pride concert is among the events that have faced uncertainty since the Trump-Vance administration took office on Jan. 20. Many, however, are fighting back and looking for ways to push back against the bans and cancellations.

“We aim to create a powerful and positive representation of the queer community through music,” said Roest. “We want to show the world who we are, celebrate our queer identities, and amplify the work of organizations that support the LGBTQ+ community.”

WorldPride is scheduled to take place in D.C. from May 17-June 8.