David D. Johnson, 32°

By sharing his musical talent with Masonry and the world, Bro. Joseph von Geczy, 32°,
has been a joy to all.

Music composed and performed by Brother Joseph von Geczy, 32°, Grand Organist, Grand Lodge of California, is best described as extraordinary, powerful, and inspiring. Even before his Grand Lodge appointment in 1999, Bro. von Geczy had a distinguished career in both music and Masonry.

Born in Galanta, Hungary, and, blessed with perfect pitch, Bro. von Geczy began his musical career at age four with the piano. As a teenager, he added his talent to the guitar and played in a rock & roll band traveling about Europe. At age 19, he became the youngest film composer in Hungary and, for four consecutive years, received awards as a songwriter and arranger at the annual Hungarian Pop Festival. His academic experience included a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University in Budapest. This pleased his father (who wanted him to get a “real job”) and provided a basis for a later important change in his career.

In 1969, while still living in Hungary, he was invited to play a concert in Vancouver, Canada, after which he somehow forgot to return to Communist Hungary. For the next 14 years, he resided in Canada and performed live piano on CFRN-FM, Edmonton, composed, and taught music at Grant MacEwan Community College. In collaboration with lyricist David Vincent, Bro. von Geczy composed “The Eyes of the World” which was chosen as the theme song for the 1978 Common-wealth Games held in Canada.

In 1983, he arrived in the United States and soon found himself in San Antonio, Texas, playing piano in a large, well-known hotel. One evening he noticed jazz legend Dave Brubeck in the hotel’s dining room, so Brother von Geczy began a medley of some of Brubeck’s best-known piano pieces. Brubeck soon came over, sat at the piano, and inquired about a certain piece he had recorded but had never published in sheet form. Brother von Geczy had listened to the record and immediately performed the music flawlessly, impressing Brubeck with his ability to reproduce a complicated combination of chord sequences unique to Brubeck’s style.

From 1983 until 1989, Brother von Geczy pursued his career in music. Then, in 1989, after relocating to Los Angeles, he entered the field of Financial Planning where he made good use of his economics degree, and today he continues in this area in a management capacity. His success in that field is certainly enhanced by his strict application of truth, morality, and ethics which are so important in Masonic teachings.

In 1989, Bro. von Geczy’s sister, herself a music conductor, wrote to him from Hungary and reminded him of how so many of the outstanding Hungarian leaders had been Freemasons. She suggested that he look into membership. Bro. von Geczy’s office was a few blocks from the Los Angeles Valley Scottish Rite Temple, and he stopped by to inquire. He was introduced to a very dedicated Brother, Michael M. Marsellos, 33°, a dual member of the Valleys of Los Angeles and Long Beach, a man also steeped in the arts and music. Ill. Marsellos explained the need to become a member of a Blue Lodge before becoming a Scottish Rite Mason, signed his petition, and the rest is history.

Bro. von Geczy was raised in Los Angeles Silver Trowel Lodge #415 in 1989 where he served as Master in 1995 and suggested the consolidation with Los Angeles #42 which retained the name Silver Trowel Lodge. After the consolidation, he served as Lodge Organist for this Lodge and Santa Monica-Palisades Lodge #307 until 1999 when he relocated to San Francisco. A 2004 recipient of the Hiram Award for excellence of service to his Lodge, Bro. von Geczy is a member in good standing of Los Angeles Silver Trowel Lodge #42, The Los Angeles Valley of the Scottish Rite, Grand Organist for the California Grand Lodge, High Twelve, the Southern California Research Lodge, and Honorary member of the Hungarian Grand Lodge (1989) which was reestablished with the assistance of Austria by petition of 11 surviving members of the original Hungarian Grand Lodge forced out by the Communists in 1950.

Bro. von Geczy has performed at many charitable events, and in 2003 he organized and performed at a dinner concert in Santa Monica. The proceeds of the concert, $4,111, were donated to the Hungarian Grand Lodge to help restore some of its physical needs. Sharing his musical talent with the world and, in particular, Freemasonry, Brother Joseph has been a blessing to our Fraternity. Visit his Web site www.gofreemason.com for more information and read a review by Ill. Jim Tresner, Grand Cross, of Brother von Geczy’s CD Victory in this issue. The CD is a fine work of art by a truly dedicated Mason. I am proud to know him.

David D. Johnson is a dual member of the Valleys of Los Angeles and Pasadena, California, as well as a Past Master of Conejo Valley Lodge #807. A Past Grand Sword Bearer (2002-2003), Grand Lodge of California, he is President of the California Memorial Masonic Temple, a Trustee of the California Masonic Foundation, and a member of the York Rite Bodies and Royal Order of Scotland. Contacts: 2878 E. Sierra Dr., Westlake Village, CA 91362; johnson_dave@nlvmail.com