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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
 | | Fern Jennings |
A few years ago my church's national association published a hymn supplement with "updated" selections for congregations. I lamented on a musicians list serve that there were only, maybe, two four-part hymns in the whole book. I was informed by a musician from one of our larger churches that four part hymn singing was dead. Well, I wish I had replied that I certainly hope not, because where will we get our choir singers if people no longer sing in four parts? Furthermore, I would lay money on the likelihood of the endurance of the four part settings of J.S. Bach, Martin Luther, Isaac Watts, etc. up against the majority of the "new" songs published in the book lasting into the future.
Do you remember when shape note singing was "rediscovered" a few years ago? Imagine a time in the future when someone "discovers" this old form of singing music in four parts! Societies would form to bring back the tradition. But why wait for the tradition to die? Our upcoming Hymn Festival with John Ferguson gives us an opportunity to gather en mass to part sing! So gather up your choir members and join in the singing. Even if you are not going to the rehearsal on Saturday of course the hymn sing on Sunday afternoon, November 11, is open to all. Read the details below and mark your calendar!
Fern
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Upcoming Cleveland Chapter Events
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NOVEMBER CHAPTER EVENT
HYMN FESTIVAL WEEKEND led by John Ferguson - November 10-12
 | | John Ferguson |
This is a wonderful opportunity for Cleveland and Lorain County AGO members to sing, listen and learn with one of our great hymn improvisation performers and arrangers. Do get these dates on your calendar and look for more information on Updates each week. Contact our Sub-Dean, Barbara MacGregor , macmus@roadrunner.com if you have questions about the weekend.
Saturday, November 10th
9:30 am - 12:30 pm Morning choir rehearsals.
12:30 pm "Lunch with Ferg". Conversation on church music. Cost is $8. Menu: Cyclones Pita wraps, salad, hummus & veggies, cookies, coffee, tea. Email lunch reservations to David Gooding (dvdgooding@aol.com)
Sunday, November 11
4 pm Hymn Festival Concert at Messiah Lutheran Church, 21487 Lorain Rd. Fairview Pk.
Free parking in the adjacent church lots and across the street. We have over 100 choir members singing. Half of the group will be in the Balcony with the Schlicker pipe organ and half in the Chancel with bells and percussion instruments. You can download a flyer to print and post. Invite your congregation to join in a truly inspirational afternoon of song.
Monday, November 12
7 -9 pm Hymn Playing Class at Prince of Peace Lutheran, 28455 Center Ridge Rd. Westlake.
This free class is sponsored by Prince of Peace Lutheran Church for all area organists. It is being offered in response to requests that the AGO hold occasional programs using electronic instruments. The organ is a 3-manual Rodgers. Contact Don Jackson for further information or if you would like to play a hymn in the class.
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EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
The next meeting of the Executive Committee is on Monday, October 29 from 1:30-3:00pm at the First Unitarian Church of Cleveland, 21600 Shaker Boulevard, Shaker Heights.
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MEMBER NEWS
Mary Helen Wegmann is currently living in assisted living in Paducah, Kentucky. Mary Helen joined the Cleveland AGO in 1956 and was secretary for several years during the time the chapter hosted the National Convention. Mary Helen is over 90 and has suffered a couple of falls and broken hips. She would appreciate cards or letters at PO Box 805, Paducah, KY 42002-0805.
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ORGAN CALENDAR
 | | Organs of Vermont |
This Calendar of the organs of Vermont would make a great Christmas gift for your favorite organ lover.
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FEATURED CONCERT
 | | Kevin Bowyer |
Friday, October 26, 8:00 pm International artist Kevin Bowyer will perform "Brilliance! Bach and Beyond" at Trinity Lutheran Church Bowyer combines profound musicality with a sense of humor and the ability to play anything. He has planned a fabulous program to showcase Trinity's newly restored Beckerath pipe organ. The Beckerath is magnificently suited to the music of J.S. Bach, and Bowyer will devote the first half of his program to Bach's Toccata, Adagio and Fugue in C major and to Bach's Prelude and Fugue in D major. To showcase the Beckerath's versatility, The second half of his program will feature more recent music that is equally brilliant - guaranteed to surprise and delight. Kevin Bowyer is Organist to the University of Glasgow. Tickets are $15 in advance at www.ClevelandBeckerath.org and at Trinity on Wednesdays. Tickets at the door will be $25. For more details, visit www.ClevelandBeckerath.org for details. Trinity is located at 2031 West 30, just south of Lorain Avenue. Free parking on West 29 and West 30 and nearby parking lots.
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THIS DATE IN MUSICAL HISTORY
 On this date in 1564 German composer Hans Leo Hassler was born in Nuremberg. Here is a link to a free download of "Cantate Domino" an accessible piece by Hassler for church choirs. There are many performances of this piece which is a favorite of school and church choir on You-Tube. Here is a link to a fun video of The King's Singers singing another piece by Hassler: "Danzen und Springen" |
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Concerts of Interest
Some of our concert listings have been gleaned from ClevelandClassical. For a complete list of concerts plus previews, reviews and more from Cleveland's classical music scene click the link www.clevelandclassical.com.
Friday, October 26 7:00 pm - Tom Trenney, organ & Silent Film. Nosferatu, The Vampire. E.M. Skinner organ. Stambaugh Auditorium, 1000 5th Avenue, Youngstown. Free.
Friday, October 26 8:00 pm - Kevin Bowyer, organ. All-J.S. Bach including the Prelude & Fugue in D & Toccata, Adagio & Fugue in C. Beckerath organ. Trinity Lutheran Church, W. 30th & Lorain, Cleveland. $15. Order online.
Friday, October 26 7:00 p.m. Stambaugh Auditorium, 1000 5th Avenue, Youngstown, OH. Family Halloween Concert. Silent Film: "Nosferatu, the Vampire." Tom Trenney, organist. Free Admission.
Saturday, October 27 7:00 p.m. St. Sebastian Church, 500 Mull Avenue, Akron, Ohio 44320. Akron Regional Chamber Orchestra. Benjamin Beals, Director.
Sunday, October 28, 11:00 am Hymn Festival: The Church's One Foundation. Fairmount Presbyterian Church, 2757 Fairmount Boulevard, Cleveland Heights. Fairmount celebrates Reformation Sunday with a brass quartet and great hymns of faith, plus a bagpiper to reflect the Presbyterian Church's Scottish heritage.
Sunday, October 28 3:00 p.m. Catholic parish of Mary Queen of Peace, 4423 Pearl Road, Cleveland, OH 44109. Ashley Close, Soprano. Ashley Close holds the Master of Music in voice performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music and is a resident soprano at Mary Queen of Peace. Admission is free. Free will offering will be taken. Part of the "Great Music in a Great Space" concert series.
Mon., October 29 9:00 pm - Telecast: Cleveland Orchestra in Performance, Franz Welser-Möst, conducting. Bruckner's Symphony No. 4 recorded in 2012 at the Abbey of St. Florian in Austria where the composer served as organist, and where he is buried. Video direction by Brian Large. WVIZ/PBS Ideastream.
Tues. October 30 8:00 pm - Oberlin Guest Recital by Nathan Laube, organ. Widor Allegro vivace (Symphonie op. 42, no. 5), Mendelssohn Variations Serieuses, op. 54, Jongen Sonata Eroica, op. 94, & Duruflé Suite, op. 5. Fisk organ. Finney Chapel, Oberlin College, 90 N. Professor St. Free.
Wed., October 31 12:10 pm Saints and Sinners Trinity Cathedral, 2230 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115. Michael Parry (bass-baritone) and Patrick Wickliffe (piano) bring to life a wide variety of good guys and bad guys from opera, oratorio and Broadway.
Friday, November 2 Midnight - Friday Night Organ Pump, a performance of organ repertory by Oberlin Conservatory Organ Majors. Performers to be announced. Fisk organ. Finney Chapel, Oberlin College, 90 N. Professor St. Free.
Sunday, November 4 at 5:00 p.m. Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1250 W. Exchange Street, Akron, Ohio, 44313. Choral/Orchestra Zadok the Priest and Bach Magnificat.
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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
21600 Shaker Blvd
Shaker Heights, Ohio 44122
216-751-2320
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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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