David,
I was a friend and acquaintance of Randy Lynn Bangs back in the late 70s early 80s. We were students together at the University of Miami (FL) School of Music. She was working on her Master's and then a DMA in organ performance and I was doing my undergraduate degree in Music Ed/Organ Performance. Our organ professor, Arden Whitacre, had studied with Dupre and Flor Peeters. Joyce Jones was his (famous) pupil (I want to say at Rollins College?) Randy Lynn also studied with Flor Peeters and performed his wonderful Variations on a Flemish Christmas Carol. It was fabulous to hear her perform it! I can remember hearing her perform the other works you mention above.
I have quite fond memories of those days. The Organ Department was very small. We had only one small studio pipe organ for lessons/practice and 10 or less students perhaps at any one time. We would listen to each other practice, turn pages for each other at recitals, and have parties where Arden would smoke huge Cuban cigars while drinking straight gin, and we would talk about geeky, nerdy organ stuff. Sadly, I have completely lost touch with my fellow students from those days. Richard Schneider is a Catholic Church/School musician up in Michigan. Richard and Rebekah Chapman and I had the opportunity to study with Flor Peeters for a few months one summer. We had an amazing experience. I can find no trace of Becky on the internet. Tim Berlew—who was a fabulous organist and eventually became an Episcopal priest—passed away a few years ago, he was quite young. All very fine organists, Arden was an amazing teacher.
Anyways, coming back from Memory Lane—from what I can remember, Randy was from the Detroit area. I want to say she did her undergraduate work at Wayne State University. Not sure how/why she ended up in Miami. I'm guessing it was the Peeters/Whitacre connection. I think that she applied for the organ position at U of M when Arden either retired or passed away. I think she was passed over for the position and there may have been some trouble with the University and a lawsuit. I was long gone from Miami by then.
She was a good friend and I too have been unable to find any trace of her. I have a concert program from her Master's Recital at U of M from April 1981. It is too large to attach here. If you are interested we can connect off list and I can figure out how to send it. Bach F & F in g minor, Bach Chorale Preludes, Franck 3, Vierne Final, Peeters Variations.
~Allan Weberg
