AGO logo Summer Update - Cleveland Chapter

American Guild of Organists

June 5, 2014
From the Dean    
Guyer, Paul
Paul Guyer

 

This week's article comes with an invitation. Connection is a big part of belonging to an organization. While face to face interaction will always be the best and most satisfying way to connect, time and distance often make it difficult for that to happen. Within the past decade we've seen the rise of social media technology to help bridge the gap of time and distance, and to help enable interaction that couldn't happen before.

Our AGO chapter has created a Facebook Group where members can post comments, articles, videos, ideas, announcements, and comment on things posted in the group. This is a multi-directional communication tool, a new way for many to connect.

Everyone is invited to join. First, if you don't already have one, create a Facebook account. Then search for Cleveland Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. You'll get two hits for this search, a group and a fan page. The group is the one you'll want to join. If you need more help with this ask any teenager in your church and they'll be glad to walk you through it. And, of course, I'm happy to help too.

It's my hope that we'll be able to share ideas, support, inspiration, and connection; all of which contribute to making us better and happier as organists and as people with a unique and wonderful calling.


He who hears music, feels his solitude peopled at once. ~Robert Browning 

 

WEEKLY UPDATE SUMMER SCHEDULE

These email update messages are being sent irregularly this summer. Subsequent updates will be published on July 3 and August 20. Feel free to send news, conference reports, etc. to newsletter@agocleveland.org.

IN PRAISE OF OUR CLEVELAND CHAPTER SCHOLARSHIPS

To learn that one of your students has won an AGO scholarship is a delight, but to see the change in the student is miraculous. One of my adult students took courage in hand and played the audition for the scholarship, with no direct help from me - only encouragement. She is a very quiet, unassuming woman, with one child in college, another a high school junior preparing for college, and a third in middle school. Funds for her extras are not readily available, and her lessons have been months or many months apart. She plays regularly in a church and is always prepared for the services but has little extra time to learn new skills or polish pieces.

She called for her first scholarship lesson, and my student was radiant! Her first words to me were that others besides me believed she could do this. To have professionals in the field support her was a true shot in the arm to her confidence! She played without apology and then used all she had already learned without questioning every move. Furthermore, she SMILED.

What a gift the AGO has provided her. Thank you for this project, to all who have donated, and to those who give their time and effort to make it happen.

Gratefully,
Peg Limkemann

ONCARD UPDATE

For those who have been wondering, it was reported at the June 2 Executive Board meeting that the Cleveland Chapter has not yet received a date on which our the national AGO organization will start collecting dues for renewals by our members using the new ONCARD system. It is now possible for new members to join our chapter via ONCARD, but not yet renewals. In case you haven't seen it yet, there is an article in the June 2014 issue of The American Organist (p. 44- 47) with detailed instructions about how to use ONCARD. You may want to retain that article for future reference.

THIS WEEK IN MUSICAL INSPIRATION
Joyce DiDonato
Joyce DiDonato
Rather than post a music history link, we offer for you the opportunity to read renowned American mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato's recent commencement address to the graduates of the Juilliard School. Some of the important points she makes include: 
  • You will never make it ... "It" doesn't exist for an artist.
  • The work will never end... It will always be there for you - even if in some moments you lack the will to be there for it. All it asks is that you show up, fully present.
  • It's not about you ... You may not yet realize it, but you haven't signed up for a life of glory and adulation.
  • The world needs you ... We need you to help us understand that which is bigger than ourselves, so that we can stop feeling so small, so isolated, so helpless.
Although Ms. DiDonato was speaking to students embarking on professional music careers, but these points apply equally to those of us who are part-time musicians, and, really, to any profession. Read the entire text. Or if you don't want to read it, you can scroll to the bottom of that page and watch a video of her speech.
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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

 
About These Updates
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:
Have a news item for a future issue? Send to: newsletter@agocleveland.org
The deadline each week is Tuesday at 5 PM for Thursday publication.
Contact Us
American Guild of Organists Cleveland Chapter
21600 Shaker Blvd
Shaker Heights, Ohio 44122
216-751-2320
 
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.