The Pipes are Silent Today

Phil Hahn was our music director in the 1980s and is well remembered and loved by many members and friends of First Presbyterian Church Palo Alto. A Memorial Service was held at 1:00 PM on Sunday, May 4th at St. John's Episcopal Church, Lagunitas at Shady Lane, Ross.

If you would like to share a memory of Phil on this page, please click here to e-mail the webmaster.

Please click here to read an article from the San Francisco Chronicle about Phil.

Please click here to read about Phil's life and work at the American Guild of Organist's web site.

Sharon Wagner wrote: Phil came to First Pres, wanting to return to music full time. As part of the job description he was asked to teach music to the church school children. I do not think that he had had much experience with children, but he said "yes," and taught the children with warmth (and even started a choir although that was not part of his initial job description). Some of the more rambunctious boys gave him pause.

I experienced Phil's outstanding musical gifts as a listener of his organ playing and as the wife of a choir member. He and Norman gave the choir wonderful parties and did all the cooking (having owned and run a restaurant, Phil prepared food that was divine and mainly French). From my perspective Phil selected music that the voices in the choir could sing well and he introduced the congregation to many new composers, including John Rutter. At the same time he encouraged the choir to reach new heights and had the experience, understanding, and guidance to help it do so.

Phil's command of the organ and his touch was unparalleled in my experience. I have had several epiphanies, listening to others play the organ in various venues and saying to myself, "but s/he is not Phil." I treasure having heard a world class organist play for us often.

We were blessed to have had his love, affection, musical guidance, playing, generosity, and warmth. He will be missed.

Bill Jones wrote: Phil was destined for the wonderful life he lived and legacy he left. I went to high school with Phil and also attended The First Methodist
Church in Sturgis, MI where his father was the minister. He was a
wonderful and talented musician then. I feel honored to have known him.