Scott Kumer and Thomas Weisflog Duo Organists and Transcribers

Thomas D. Weisflog Email: tom@4rex.com Tom is Director of Music and Organist at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, Rockefeller Memorial Chapel Organist at the University of Chicago, and Accompanist at Temple K.A.M. Isaiah Israel Congregation. Tom studied with Gavin Williamson and Edward Mondello in Chicago, and with Norman Peterson at the Eastman School of Music. He has appeared with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra on many occasions, most notably in Mahler's Eighth Symphony conducted by Christoph Eschenbach (1996), and as soloist in Janácek's Glagolithic Mass under the baton of Michael Tilson Thomas (1987). In the European arena, Tom made his debut at the 1986 Aldeburgh Festival and concertized in Berlin at the Evangelische Kirchengemeinde (1992). In addition, he performed a Haydn organ concerto with Italy's Orchestra Sinfonica Haydn di Bolzano e Trento under the direction of Barry Faldner (1994). Excitable and never bashful about voicing his opinions, Tom is an object of fear and frolic especially among members of church committees. When his viewpoint on various musical and liturgical issues is challenged, he often exclaims, "Well, they'll just have to get over it!" Johann Sebastian 'Bark' Weisflog, Tom's gimpy but faithful (and spiritually perceptive) Bearded Collie of sixteen years, sadly departed this world not long ago. J.S. Bark's ashen remains have since been judiciously divided and deposited in two decorative urns. Eileen, Tom's friend and Sebastian's loving human "Tante," fondly possesses one urn; Tom, in touching tribute, has interred the other between the cast-iron frame and soundboard of his grand piano. May this latter remnant of Tom's canine companion perpetually resound with the Harmony of the Spheres. Scott A. Kumer Email: scott@4rex.com Scott received his B.Mus. summa cum laude from Wittenberg University in 1992, and his M.Mus. with highest honors from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor in 1994. A member of Phi Beta Kappa, he studied piano with Anton Nel, Robert Wynne, Janet Mianowski, and Denise Zechman, and organ with Ronald Prowse, Donald Busarow, and Trudy Faber. For eight years, Scott enjoyed playing lead trombone in jazz bands, but has since retired the 'bone to its case indefinitely - and to the relief of his neighbors! Scott is the Director of Music at Chicago Sinai Congregation and the Assistant Organist at the Church of St. Thomas the Apostle. He has several times been invited to appear with the William Ferris Chorale, and has served as accompanist to the University of Chicago's Rockefeller Chapel Choir, Motet Choir, and University Chorus. Perhaps one of Scott's greater claims to fame is that he has never had a cavity, and therefore thinks regular dental X-rays are not only a complete waste of time and money, but unjustifiably dangerous. "Why should I risk a brain tumor to find out, yet again, that I do not have any cavities? If I'm in pain, then you can irradiate me," he has repeatedly advised the D.D.S. His dentist, a draconian perfectionist who unfairly accords Scott's pearly whites a status only one level above unexceptional, has never concurred and anxiously awaits the results of X-rays in the vain hope of discovering a lapse in his impeccable oral hygiene.

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