By Kevin Coughlin
Only family can poke fun at you and get away with it. Presumably, because they love you.
A lot of love was flying around the Presbyterian Parish Hall from Jim Hicks’ extended family yesterday afternoon. Choristers of all ages from all over came to honor Jim on his 25th anniversary as music director of the Morristown Presbyterian Church.
They sang of Jim’s aversion to musical theater (except for Monty Python) and dramatized his fondness for bagpipes and the occasional malt beverage.
Photos by Hal Crosthwaite.
The long-distance champ was composer Fredrik Sixten, who came from Sweden with his daughter Magdalena to premiere Psalm 98, a serious piece that the church commissioned in Jim’s honor.
Here it is, from yesterday morning’s church service:
Psalm 98 by Fredrik Sixten, performed by the Chancel Chorus of the Morristown Presbyterian Church; Virginia Hicks, soprano solo; James Hicks, organ
[audio:https://morristowngreen.com/files/2010/09/Psalm-98-Fredrik-Sixten-commissioned-in-honor-of-James-Hicks-Chancel-Choir-soprano-Virginia-Hicks-organist-James-Hicks.mp3|titles=Psalm 98 – Fredrik Sixten -commissioned in honor of James Hicks -Chancel Choir, soprano Virginia Hicks, organist James Hicks]And here is a Bach duet from the same service, featuring Jim’s daughter, Virginia Hicks, and former youth choir member Elise Figa. They are backed by Marnie Kaller on violoncello. (Thanks to Debbie McComber for her help.)
Movement from Cantata Seventy-Eight – J.S. Bach
[audio:https://morristowngreen.com/files/2010/09/Duet-Movement-from-Cantata-Seventy-Eight-Johann-Sebastian-Bach-Virginia-Hicks-and-Elise-Figa-sopranos-Marnie-Kaller-Violoncello.mp3|titles=Duet – Movement from Cantata Seventy-Eight – Johann Sebastian Bach – Virginia Hicks and Elise Figa, sopranos, Marnie Kaller, Violoncello]Although Fredrik Sixten traveled farthest, Dave Wood wins top honors for going the extra mile.
Shortly before yesterday’s vaudeville show–in which he portrayed Jim in several skits– Dave shaved his head for the role. A bald wig simply would not do. Everyone was amused…except Dave’s five-year-old son.
“He went home crying,” Dave said.
Without getting too weepy ourselves, let me add my voice to the chorus. Over the years I had admired Jim Hicks from a safe distance, on First Night, as he tamed the colossal Austin organ.
After all, how close does one dare venture to somebody who summons thunder from the heavens and sends small creatures scurrying for shelter?
As the video above testifies, however, to know this guy is to love him. This website has given me a front-row seat to Jim’s musical world. It’s been a privilege to march with him in parades, tap his encyclopedic knowledge, and hear him conjure magic from organs, pianos, bagpipes and enough medieval instruments to fill a museum.
Best of all, his enormous artistic gifts are matched by a congenial spirit that makes his many admirers comfortable enough to poke a little fun . . . as only family can do.
Bravo, Jim.
