Artist: James Dale Title: Bach to Sousa Label: Pines Recordings PRCD-101 Format: Full length compact disc Disc condition: Brand New Container condition: Sealed UPC: N/A Comments: James Dale performs selcted works on the Austin Organ of St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Hanvover, Pennsylvania. Biography: James Dale (1948-1996) of Arnold and later Annapolis, Maryland was the Naval Academy Chapel organist and the academy's assistant director of musical activities; principal oboist with the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra; and in recent years, a member of the symphony's board of directors and personnel manager. Born in Wellsboro, Pa., he began his distinguished career as a church organist at age 13 at St. Paul's Church in Wellsboro. As a high school senior, he was a finalist in solo competition at Mansfield State University, where he graduated in 1969 with majors in organ and oboe. In 1970 he enlisted in the Navy and was an oboist with the Naval Academy Band. He volunteered his services as an organist, assisting Professor Donald Gilley with chapel services and as an accompanist for the academy's Glee Club. Following Mr. Gilley's retirement in 1972, Mr. Dale became the academy organist where he played literally for thousands of chapel services, weddings and funerals. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1974. He completed his master's degree in performance in 1973 at Catholic University, having studied organ with Albert Russell in Washington and coaching with Virgil Fox. Mr. Dale played recitals in many of America's most prominent churches, cathedrals and concert halls, including the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York, the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Baltimore, Woolsey Hall at Yale University and the Naval Academy Chapel. He was a featured organ soloist with the Rochester and the Annapolis Symphony orchestras, where he also soloed in oboe. In 1985 he was one of five finalists in the Diane Bish international organ competition in Fort Lauderdale, a competition that seeks to recognize the world's most prominent organists. He was dean of the Annapolis and Washington chapters of the American Guild of Organists. His playing was recorded and broadcast in a variety of production, including the academy's annual Messiah concerts on Maryland Public Television and recorded by Richardson Recordings. He appeared in his regular capacity of chapel organist in the television mini-series "Winds of War" and most recently in the televised"Weddings of a Lifetime." Mr. Dale was conductor of several local choral groups. He was the founding director of the Annapolis Chorale and director of various Naval Academy choirs. In addition, he also was on the faculty at Anne Arundel Community College and adjudicated at choral festivals. In the late 1970s he substantially redesigned the Naval Academy or gan, eventually producing an instrument that is recognized as one of the finest products of the Moeller Organ Company and capable of playing the entire organ repertoire. For the past 25 years Mr. Dale was a prominent and influential figure in the development of the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra. He was principal oboist for many years and served on the two search committees that appointed Giselle BenDor and her predecessor, Peter Bay, as conductors. His volunteer work led to his serving on the board of directors, and he subsequently resigned that position to become personnel manager.