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| Weekly Update | American Guild of Organists Cleveland Chapter |
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Dear AGO Cleveland Colleague,
Welcome to the Weekly Update from the Cleveland Chapter of the American Guild of Organists! Each week on Thursday, we publish this email newsletter to help you stay informed about activities and programs of the Cleveland AGO Chapter. Questions or comments? Please let us know: admin@agocleveland.org Have a news item for a future issue? Send to: newsletter@agocleveland.org. The deadline each week is Wednesday at noon for Thursday publication.
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From the Dean
 | | Jim Riggs |
This will be my last communication with you as Dean. Tomorrow, June 1, the newly elected officers will take their positions. The emails dean@agocleveland.org and subdean@agocleveland.org can still be used, but will now go to Fern Jennings and Barbara MacGregor. For contacting other elected people visit the chapter website at www.agocleveland.org The new leadership was present at the May Executive Committee meeting and they are already at work on the next season.
We can be proud of the work we have done these past two years. I remain proud of our conversion to this weekly email format, the first-ever Cleveland Organ Weekend, supporting PipeDreams, and the hosting of the semi-final round of NYACOP (read a review in the NYACOP Corner of this email). There remain many opportunities for this chapter to embrace. In the words of Winston Churchill, "The journey has been enjoyable and well worth making-once." Thank you for this opportunity and I send my best wishes to the chapter for a bright future.
With gratitude,
Jim Riggs
[soon to be] Past-Dean
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From the Dean-elect
 | | Fern Jennings |
Last week in Cleveland we organists experienced a kind of mini-convention. Throughout the week the chapter played hosts to the competitors and national committee of the NYOCOP. On Wednesday Todd Wilson and Elizabeth Lenti played organ concertos with an excellent chamber orchestra conducted by Horst Bucholtz at the final brown bag concert at Trinity Cathedral. I returned later in the afternoon for an inspirational Evensong at the Cathedral. Then Friday was the full day of the competition. I heard six of the seven competitors, all of whom played fabulously. They are all winners in my book. Three of them advanced to the final competition which will be held at the convention in Nashville in July.
Speaking of convention, our own Todd Wilson will be a featured performer. Are you attending convention? Please let me know if you are and make sure to attend the annual meeting where you will vote on important changes to the structure of the AGO. Carol Neff, for one, is attending and will be sharing reports when she returns.
It was gratifying to see so many of you at the Art Museum. We were told that this was the largest audience ever for a NYOCOP semi-final. I cannot say enough in gratitude and congratulations to Jim Riggs and Barbara MacGregor for the organization of this event. Many months of planning went into the preparation for this event. Thank you to Jim for his vision and leadership as Dean over the past two years! Barbara, in addition to the many duties of the NYACOP, has been planning events for the upcoming year in her role as the new Sub-Dean and program chair of the Chapter. Let's all support Barbara and her committee in the coming year! Next Wednesday the new Executive Committee will meet for an organizational meeting. We will approve next year's program calendar and adopt a budget. We hope you will join us at many of the planned programs.
Fern
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Upcoming Cleveland Chapter Events
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Next Chapter Executive Committee Meeting
Wednesday, June 6
7:30-9:00 pm
First Unitarian Church of Cleveland
21600 Shaker Boulevard, Shaker Heights.
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SUMMER WEEKLY UPDATE SCHEDULE
These weekly email updates will be published on a reduced schedule for the summer. We will continue weekly through June 14, then there will be monthly updates on July 12 and August 23. We
will resume weekly updates on September 6. The deadlines will continue to be the Wednesday before the Thursday publication dates. Be sure to send news and calendar updates to newsletter@agocleveland.org before the deadlines.
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NYACOP Corner
We asked and you responded! Thank you for supporting NYACOP. The attendance at this event averaged 40+ for each competitor-a record attendance for NYACOP in the last decade. Chapter member, Tim Robson was there the entire day on behalf of ClevelandClassical.com and wrote a review of the event. Here is the link to that review http://www.clevelandclassical.com/052912NYACOPRev John Brock from the National NYACOP Committee had the following to say, "Let me say 'Thanks' once again for all your good work in hosting the NYACOP semifinals. All of the plans were well worked out and executed, and I think things went as smoothly as they could possibly have gone. We all felt very well cared for, and I'm sure the competitors did, too. This event should be counted as a large feather in the Cleveland Chapter's hat. I hope you'll pass along the thanks of the NYACOP committee to the entire chapter." A big thank you to all the drivers, hosts, and folks who did various tasks for this event. This is a big "win" for our chapter. The three winners from this semi-final round will compete in Nashville in July at the National Convention. The Cleveland NYACOP Committee Jim Riggs and Barbara MacGregor, co-chairs, Fern Jennings, Paul Jones, and Peg Limkemann
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EXCITING AGO NEWS
May 25, 2012
Dear AGO Member,
I am writing you because of your membership in the Guild and your passion for its mission! I know you care a great deal about this organization, and I want to share some exciting news with you.
Over the last several years the National Council has focused on long-range planning: a national survey, summary of its results, Council discussions, and small groups advising on appropriate next steps. At its meeting in April, the Council endorsed a plan that will allow the Guild to operate in a way that is more focused, more streamlined, and which allows the best possible stewardship of our resources.
Bottom line: we propose to reduce the size of the Council (from 17 down to 7), merge some committees (and discontinue a couple), and reduce the number of regions from nine to seven. We also recommend a new Mission Statement for the Guild and the phasing out of the Grievance Procedures, with a new system to be put in its place. In the June issue of THE AMERICAN ORGANIST, the President's and Executive Director's columns carry more details of these proposals. A substantial amount of additional information about these proposals appears online. These proposals were supported by a unanimous vote of the National Council on April 21.
Guild members will be asked to vote on these changes at the AGO Annual Meeting on Wednesday, July 4, at 10:30 a.m., at the Nashville Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn. Our overall goal for the Guild is to focus on program initiatives that further our mission, doing what we are uniquely qualified to do, and doing those things as well as possible. We want to position ourselves so that we use people's time and our financial resources to fulfill these goals.
I encourage you to review the reorganization proposals and initiatives, and invite you to submit feedback using our online survey. I hope you will share this excitement, and I look forward to seeing you in Nashville!
With thanks again for your involvement in the work of the Guild, and all best wishes,
Eileen Guenther
President
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Concerts
Wednesdays: Music Near the Market at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2031 West 30th St., Cleveland. CONTACT: Florence Mustric: 216.321.1393. Featuring the world-famous von Beckerath organ. FREE concerts AT NOON on Wednesdays.
Sunday, June 3 at 3:00 p.m.: Trinity Lutheran Church, 2031 West 30, at Lorain Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio. David Tidyman, organist, in concert. Coeli Ingold soprano; Sean Gabriel flute; Mark DeMio bassoon; David Tidyman organ. Delalande Cantemus Domino, Purcell Harmonia Sacra: An Evening Hymn, Lord, what is man? J.S. Bach: Toccata & Fugue in d minor S. 565, Fugue in g minor S. 578, Villa-Lobos: Bachianas Brasileiras No. 6.
Wednesday, June 6 at 7:00 p.m.: St. Paul's United Church of Christ, 7507 York Rd., Parma, OH 44130. Dedication Recital of the new Johannus Organ. Joseph Ripka, Internationally Renowned Organist, Guest Performer. www.josephripka.com
Sunday, June 10 at 2:00 p.m.: The Cleveland Institute of Music, 11021 East Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44106. Tri-Lithuanian Choir Concert. Three Lithuanian Choirs, Dainava from Chicago, Exultate from St. Casimirs Parish in Cleveland, and Volunge from Toronto will be joining forces to perform a concert as an ensemble of 120 singers on June 10, 2012, at 2 p.m. at the Cleveland Institute of Music, 11021 East Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44106 in University Circle. The program, Ancestral Psalms, will consist of 2 parts, the first, traditional Lithuanian folk songs as well as pieces by contemporary Lithuanian composers , some written specifically for this concert, and the second, a performance of the Saint Cecilia Mass by Charles Gounod accompanied by a 22 piece orchestra and 3 soloists. All three of the choirs are well-established in their respective cities, have toured extensively in the USA and Canada, and each recorded several CDs. The 3 choir directors, Rita Cyvas-Kliorys (Exultate) Dalia Skrinskas- Viskontas (Volunge), and Darius Polikaitis (Dainava ) have distinguished themselves in the field of Lithuanian music and have all had the honor of conducting at the Lithuanian Folksong Festival in Vilnius, Lithuania. The choirs have dedicated the last 2 years to preparing for this concert and last performed in Cleveland together 12 years ago. It is truly an event not to be missed. Tickets for the concert are $20 and $30 and can be purchased by contacting Rauda Gelazis at 440-358-1785 or by e-mail at raudagelazis@hotmail.com
Sunday, June 10 at 3:00 p.m.: Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 12021 Mayfield Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44106. 216.421.2995. A Special Concert: "DAWNING." A rare and joyous combination. Classical meets Folk Music in a multilingual setting! Beautiful tunes, solo and choral songs in Irish, Estonian and English in novel and original arrangements. Shanua & Friends. Featuring Ülle Laido and Dermot Somerville. Vocals, harp. organ, keyboard, guitars flute, and whistle with Special Guests. Julie Andrijeski, violin, viola; Becca Rhoades, violin; Paul Dreisbach, oboe; Tracy Mortimore, double bass; Members of the Holy Rosary Coro. Freewill donation to benefit the Cleveland Foodbank.
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Click on the image to get much more information about the 2012 AGO National Convention
 | | REGISTER NOW FOR THE 2012 AGO NATIONAL CONVENTION |
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About Us
The purpose of the American Guild of Organists is to promote the organ in its historic and evolving roles, to encourage excellence in the performance of organ and choral music, and to provide a forum for mutual support, inspiration, education, and certification of Guild members.
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Contact Us
American Guild of Organists Cleveland Chapter
2860 Coventry Road
Shaker Heights, Ohio 44120
216-921-3510
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A Note About Job Postings
Gerry Mass, our Cleveland Chapter Placement Officer collects and updates job openings in the area. Although they are not listed in the weekly updates, there is a link in the "Quick Links" section every week that will take you to the updated list on the chapter website. Questions or need help finding a position? Email: placement@agocleveland.org
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