J. Melvin Butler, Canon Musician of St. Mark's Cathedral, Seattle, was the featured guest recitalist at a concert held at the Lutheran Church of Honolulu. His program included: Prelude and Fugue in D major (J. S. Bach), Concerto del Sign. Torelli (J. G. Walther), In quiet joy (Mark Winges), Hymnus on Veni Creator (deGrigny), Missa Brevis (Britten) and Final from Symphony I (Vierne).
Mel Butler was joined by the trebles of the Lutheran Church of Honolulu in Britten's haunting "Missa Brevis," conducted by AGO member Carl Crosier.
J. Melvin Butler has taught organ improvisation and church music at the University of Washington. Also a professional violist, he performs regularly with the Onyx Chamber Players in Seattle. Prior to arriving in Seattle in 1991, he was for many years Organist/Choirmaster of the Downtown Presbyterian Church in Rochester, NY. During that time he was also Associate Professor of Church Music at the Eastman School of Music, a violist with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, and Music Director and Conductor of the Rochester Bach Festival Chorus. During the Vietnam era, he served his country as violist in the U. S. Navy String Quartet.
