THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 14, 1995 TAG: 9509130158
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 08 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SCOTT McCASKEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 133 lines
HIS FINGERS BRING the massive pipe organ to a full bellow, and the Sunday morning congregation rises to the wall of sound.
On Monday, he trains students in music theory.
Later in the week, he travels to Williamsburg to perform a harpsichord recital.
To say that Allen Shaffer wears many musical hats masterfully is right on key - firmly on a range of keys.
He is a professor of music at Norfolk State University, he's the music director of Christ and St. Luke's Episcopal Church, he's the conductor of the Cantata Chorus, he's co-director of the Norfolk Chamber Consort, he's a traveling recitalist, and he's a former classical music critic for The Virginian-Pilot. Balancing the acts seems to be no problem.
``You just do it,'' said Shaffer, a 55-year-old Ghent resident. ``It's almost a compulsion. Sometimes I worry I'm not doing enough.''
With an acumen for words almost as prodigious as for notes, Shaffer has been teaching music history and theory at Norfolk State for 26 years. Although calling that position his ``full-time job,'' his role at Christ and St. Luke's comes in a close second in hours spent. He is the organist and directs the choir.
``It's rewarding, but some people look down their noses at church musicians,'' Shaffer said. ``They don't realize that it's like preparing a concert every week.''
Shaffer's work, however, is lauded by the church's rector, the Rev. James W.H. Sell.
``He is amazing, a virtuoso,'' Sell said. ``I have always thought that if he were living in the 19th century he would be known throughout the world.''
As music director, Shaffer also is conductor of the Cantata Chorus, founded at the church in 1959 and one of the oldest choruses in the city. He is particularly proud of the group. The 45 singers all are auditioned, and many are professional musicians. Some sing in the Virginia Symphony Chorus and the Virginia Opera Chorus. The Cantata Chorus performs fall and spring concerts at the church.
Shaffer joined the Norfolk Chamber Consort in 1971 as a keyboard player. He has been co-director of the group since 1972 along with fellow Norfolk State music professor Gerard Errante. The consort, comprising small, mixed ensembles, performs four concerts a year in Chandler Hall at Old Dominion University.
Whether with the church choir, the chorus or the consort - playing or conducting - Shaffer's music traverses the centuries. His work moves from Bach, Beethoven and Mozart to 20th century composers such as Igor Stravinsky and Benjamin Britten.
``Our repertoire ranges from the masters to Gregorian chants to present-day organ and choral compositions,'' Shaffer said.
Although his works span the centuries in classical music, this serious musician has no time for today's pop or televised evangelical music.
``I think Madonna and Michael Jackson making tens of millions of dollars is an obscenity,'' Shaffer said. ``Money's important, but it's not the motivation. I resent rock musicians who have a modicum of talent and make millions and put it up their nose. ... Grabbing your crotch and screaming is not music.''
He's a little easier on the Beatles and Elton John, however.
``The Beatles were original, creative and imaginative,'' Shaffer said. ``Elton John is talented and a hell of a good pianist.''
Like many musicians of his caliber, Shaffer started playing tunes on the piano at age 3 or 4. During high school in his hometown of Somerset, Pa., he played piano in virtually every school group. He also played the clarinet and was the drum major for the marching band. In his senior year he was the pianist for the Pennsylvania All-State Chorus.
In college, Shaffer gave up most of his leisure time - including all television - and devoted himself completely to music. He received his bachelor's degree from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Oberlin, Ohio, got his master's at Syracuse University, and his doctorate at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. All degrees were in applied music, meaning performance-oriented.
While at Michigan, Shaffer and his classmate Errante learned of two faculty openings at Norfolk State University, one teaching organ, the other teaching clarinet. They took the respective positions in 1970 and have been at Norfolk State ever since.
``He's quite a fine performer, particularly on the organ,'' Errante said of Shaffer. ``He's also very knowledgeable about early repertoire, in performing and teaching.''
Music runs in the family. Shaffer's wife, Glenis, has taught music in the Norfolk Public Schools system for 30 years. His younger son, Timothy, who plays the trumpet, is finishing his doctorate in music at the University of Texas in Austin. His other son, Matthew, leaves the tunes to the rest of the family, however, and is a math major at California State University in Hayward.
Though Shaffer's instrument of choice traditionally has been the organ, he has turned his fingers to the harpsichord in recent years. He frequently plays with The Governor's Musick, the resident ensemble of Colonial Williamsburg. In the fall of 1996 he will go on a recital tour to Pennsylvania and Michigan with harpsichordist Thomas Marshall.
``It's going to be a busy year,'' said Shaffer, who will be conducting his first opera in May at Christ and St. Luke's. Titled ``Noye's Fludde,'' translated Noah's Flood, the production will feature a chorus of children and teenagers accompanied by amateur adult and professional musicians.
But the sound of music is not all that Shaffer hears or makes time for. He likes the voices of the wilderness and far-off places. He frequently hikes the Appalachian Trail and has trekked into Alaska.
``Music is not my entire life,'' he said. ``I love to hike and love to travel. I've been to Europe three times in the last seven years.''
This versatile musician seems to be right in tune with his station in life, brushing off the workload as many artists do.
``It can be a lot of work, but I feel fortunate,'' Shaffer said. ``A lot of people are uncertain about choosing a career. Music wasn't a career decision for me. I always knew I was going to be a musician.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by BILL TIERNAN
Allen Shaffer, professor of music at Norfolk State, in the sanctuary
at Christ and St. Luke's.
In addition to numerous other musical endeavors, Allen Shaffer is
the music director, the organist and the choir director at Christ
and St. Luke's Episcopal Church.
Shaffer's hands finesse the harpsichord in his Ghent home.
Shaffer, 55, shown playing the harpsichord in the living room of his
Norfolk home, has been teaching music history and theory at Norfolk
State for 26 years. He started playing the piano at age 3 or 4.
Graphic
UPCOMING PERFORMANCES
[For complete graphic, please see microfilm]
KEYWORDS: PROFILE BIOGRAPHY ORGANIST by CNB