Weekly UpdateAmerican Guild of Organists Cleveland Chapter
March 14, 2013
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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.

 

IN THIS ISSUE
From the Sub-Dean
Upcoming Cleveland Events
Non-profit Status
Member News
Pipe Corrosion
Regional Convention
Today in Music History
Upcoming Concerts
About Job Postings
From the Sub-Dean    

 

 

Jennings, MacGregor
Barbara MacGregor, Fern Jennings, Sr. Marie Cecile, Ursuline organist

 

CHURCH MUSIC WORKSHOP AT URSULINE LAST SATURDAY

36 Cleveland AGO and NPM members attended our workshop at the Ursuline Educational Center in Pepper Pike last Saturday.  The day began with sunshine and continued through an excellent time of learning and fellowship.  We are fortunate to have so many knowledgeable and skillful leaders in both groups.  All served without fee to present resources for the needs of today's church musicians.
 
Thanks to all of our presenters: Cliff Hill conducted singable and useable Choral Anthems and provided an excellent display of music available for purchase,  Fern Jennings played fine organ accompaniments, I provided examples of organ repertory for the Easter season,  Chris Toth and Dave Powers demonstrated new digital tools for organists, Tim Robson, Bob Soeder and Fern Jennings discussed creating professional résumés and Guild and  NPM Certification, Dan Bergen and Dave Powers shared information about music licensing and copyright requirements. The following led our worship service of scripture and song for Lent:   Jason Lewis - Prayer leader, Ruth Novak-cantor, Finley Lanier, Sr. Mary Joan Grisez, Charlene McElwee, and Carol Neff - readers;  Meg Matuska, violinist, and Patrick Wickliffe, organist.
 
Special thanks to the Workshop Steering Committee -Ruth Novak, Dave Powers, and  Bob Soeder - who worked with me in putting all aspects of the day together and to the Ursuline Sisters for the use of their lovely Chapel and other rooms, good and plentiful food, and exceptional hospitality. Some Sisters sat in on our sessions and joined us for closing worship.  The service was also videoed to the rooms of Ursuline Sisters who were unable to attend.

-Barbara MacGregor

                 COMMENTS FROM SOME OF OUR MEMBERS WHO ATTENDED THE WORKSHOP

       I attended the Church Music Workshop this past Saturday which was co-sponsored by the Cleveland Chapter, AGO and the National Association of Pastoral Musicians. The choral reading
Hill, Cliff Music
Cliff Hill Music
session presented by Cliff Hill offered eight anthems, all very doable for any church choir.  Barbara MacGregor's presentation on "Music for the Easter Season" was a highlight for me.   I am always interested in other organists' repertoire suggestions.  For the afternoon session I chose Electronic Technology with Dave Powers and Chris Toth. It was nice to gather with organ colleagues and to meet other musicians both from the guild and from NPM.  Everyone who attended had a good time learning and making new friends.  I enjoyed the day.  Carmen Massaro                                                  

     The workshop was a deeply refreshing opportunity to meet with colleagues while being fed in body, mind, and spirit. I came away with new ideas for registrations, handouts about licensing to discuss with my choir director, and several new books of accessible postludes. It was a very good day.      Jan Jones

     The day of workshops at Ursuline was quite enjoyable.  Cliff Hill presented wonderful anthems beautifully accompanied by Fern Jennings on the Chapel Rodgers organ.  We then listened to a wide variety of terrific music for the Easter season presented and played by Barbara MacGregor.

A delicious lunch was followed by presentations given by Chris Toth on using new music software on an I-Pad and using the organ with praise bands.  Dave Powers discussed some of the special features of new digital organs. A lovely, inspiring worship service concluded the day with scriptures and hymns appropriate for the season of Lent. I'm so glad that I went!  Carol Neff

 

 

Upcoming Cleveland Chapter Events
 
AGO Competition for Young Organists- March 23, 1:30 pm 
Fairmount Prestyterian Church
2757 Fairmount Blvd., Cleveland Heights 
 

Friday, April 19 7:30 pm
Guest Artist Recital: Christopher Houlihan, organ

Fairmount Presbyterian Church
2757 Fairmount Blvd., Cleveland Heights

Houlihand, Christopher HAVE YOU HEARD HOULI?
Concert Organist Christopher Houlihan is widely acknowledged as one of the brightest stars in the new generation of American organists. His Summer 2012 tour in which he played Louis Vierne's complete symphonies in 6 cities through-out North America was acclaimed by several major media outlets including the New York and Los Angeles
Times.

Program:
Symphony III - Louis Vierne 

                Fantasy and Fugue on the chorale, "Ad nos, ad salutarem undam" - Franz Liszt.

Guests are welcome to attend the concert and reception.

A free-will offering will go toward the concert expenses.

NEXT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

Monday, April 29: Location TBA

NON-PROFIT STATUS

We regret to inform you that due to filing errors the Cleveland Chapter has lost its tax exempt status. Donations made since May 15, 2012 and until further notice are not tax deductible. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. Please be assured that all donations are appreciated and are being used for the work of the chapter. We are filing for a new tax exempt status and will notify our members when that status is approved.


MEMBER NEWS

Apologies to new member Joela Jones, whose name was misspelled in last week's update.

Maggie Scharf fell on March 1. She has had surgery for a hip fracture and is at Southwest General, 18697 Bagley Rd. in Middleburg Hts. She would enjoy a cheerful card while she is recuperating. 
PD ARTICLE ON PIPE CORROSION

In case you missed it, here is a link to an article and video from the Plain Dealer about the work of Oberlin college chemistry professor, Catherine Oertel on pipe corrosion: http://www.cleveland.com/science/index.ssf/2013/03/oberlin_college_researcher_hel.html.  The article, in the March 9 newspaper,  included an excellent graphic depiction of how a pipe organ works. Plain Dealer Science Writer John Mangels wrote this fine article.
REGIONAL CONVENTION
 
Great Lakes / Swell Organs --
The time is NOW
The decision is YOURS

Early Registration ends February 28.
One fee covers it all -- the convention, three meals, the choral academy, all transportation.

A roster of Region V royalty awaits.

Renew! Refresh! Reconnect with the music and the instruments you love.

www.agokalamazoo.org


 

TODAY IN CLASSICAL MUSIC HISTORY

In 1681 on this date German composer Georg Phillip TELEMANN was born in Magdeburg. Almost completely self-taught he became a musician against his family's wishes. He turned down the post of cantor at the Leipzig St. Thomas School that eventually was given to J. S. Bach. He was godfather to CPE Bach, his namesake. Here is a link to his Fantasia in D Major for organ:
G.P. Telemann (1681-1767) - Fantasy in D Major, organ
G.P. Telemann (1681-1767) - Fantasy in D Major, organ

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, March 15 7:30 pm - Hope College Chapel Choir, Brad Richmond, conducting. Program includes Eric Whitacre's Lux Arumque, Kirk Mechem's Cantate Domino, Elizabeth Atkinson's Fruits of the Selfless Heart, Ernani Aguiar's Salmo 150, William Mathias's O clap your hands, Joseph Byrd's For you there is no song, Z. Randall Stroope's Amor de mi alma, Shirley McRae's Love's music, Alan Bullard's Tread softly, Jussi Chydenius's Autumn and songs and spirituals arranged by Kodaly, Edwin Childs & Alice Parker. Trinity Cathedral, 2230 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. Freewill offering.

 


Friday, March 15 8:00 pm - Janette Fishell & Colin Andrews, duo-organ. Program to be announced. Holy Trinity Organ Series. Berghaus organ. Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 50 N. Prospect St., Akron. Freewill offering.

Saturday, March 16 Daniel Hathaway will perform an organ recital on the historically restored Holtkamp church pipe organ of St. Vitus Church. The organ recital will  immediately follow the 4:00PM Saturday Vigil Mass in St. Vitus Church 6019 Lausche Ave., Cleveland
 
Sunday, March 17 12:30-5:00 pm Organ Marathon. Cleveland organists play non-stop for 5 hours using both the Chancel Skinner Pipe Organ and the new Gallery tracker
Covenant Marathon 2013organ. Free- come and go as you please. Church of the Covenant. 11205 Euclid Ave. Cleveland

Sunday, March 17, 4 pm A Festival of Hymns Organists: Robert Butler, Daniel Fortune, and Gary Pinter assisted by the Falls River Brass. Led by Carolyn Curtis Co-sponsored by AKRON AGO - PARISH ARTS CONCERT . Fairlawn Lutheran Church, 3415 W. Market Street, Akron.

Monday, March 18 7:30 pm - Westminster Schola Cantorum, James Jordan, conductor. Program includes music by Duruflé, Tavener, Britten & MacMillan. Christ Episcopal Church, 3445 Warrensville Center Rd., Shaker Heights. Suggested donation $10, $5 students.

Tuesday, March 19 12:05pm St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 317 East Liberty Street, Medina. Brown Bag Concert Medina High School Concert Choir directed by Tyler Skidmore James Whitbourn's "Son of God Mass" (a 23 minute work for SATB choir, organ and soprano saxophone), "How Can I Keep from Singing" by Gweneth Walker, "Exult ate Justi" by Viadana.. You can order a five dollar brown bag lunch by calling the office at 330-725-4131 at least 24 hours prior to the concert. Concert is free and open to the public. Donations are gladly accepted.
 
Wednesday, March 20 12:10 pm - Jake Swanson & Sarah Marchitelli, saxophones. Music by Lanci, Parker, Bausch & J.S. Bach. Brownbag Concert Series. Lunches welcome or purchase one for $5. Trinity Cathedral, 2230 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. Freewill offering.
Wednesday March 20 12:15 pm - Robert Myers, organ. "Music for Holy Week" by J.S. Bach, Marpurg, Brahms, Pepping & Walcha. Music Near the Market Series. Beckerath organ. Trinity Lutheran Church, W. 30th & Lorain, Cleveland. Freewill offering.

  


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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. 

 

Contact Us
American Guild of Organists Cleveland Chapter
21600 Shaker Blvd
Shaker Heights, Ohio 44122
216-751-2320
 
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