St. Michael’s Episcopal Church (Colonie, NY) and Emerson Fang receive 2025 Brittenback-Meezan Award

Emerson Fang (Photo Credit: Peter Krasinski)

The Association of Anglican Musicians is pleased to award the 2025 Brittenback-Meezan Presidential Award to St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, Colonie, NY and their organist and pianist, Emerson Fang. Intended as a resource for small- and mid-sized congregations in the Episcopal Church, the Brittenback-Meezan Presidential Award is an annual grant which demonstrates the value of continuing education as a means of enlivening worship and deepening Christian understanding through music.

In addition to attending the Annual Conference of the Association of Anglican Musicians in Cincinnati (June 15–19), Mr. Fang plans to broaden his breadth, facility, and depth of knowledge in organ/keyboard music and performance and develop greater knowledge in accompanying and potentially conducting vocal groups and congregations. He writes, “Receiving the Brittenback-Meezen Presidential Award from the Association of Anglican Musicians is a tremendous honor, and I’m grateful for the opportunity it provides to grow both artistically and liturgically. With experience in violin across orchestral and small ensemble settings, as well as piano, choral singing, and several years of organ study, I’ve recently become more regularly involved in leading music for worship. This grant will support continued organ lessons and offer the chance to explore conducting, voice, and composition. I’m especially excited by the possibility of composing a simple mass that reflects the character and needs of the congregation I accompany each week.”

This annual award is made possible by W. Michael Brittenback, in honor of his late husband, Bill Meezan. Michael writes, “I wanted to honor Bill for his unwavering support of me that allowed me, in midlife, to become a full-time Organist/Choirmaster. He encouraged me to give lessons to help musicians who were committed to learning how to play the organ for their small congregations, only asking them for what they could afford. This award is my way of thanking him for this.”