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San Joaquin Valley Chapter, Central California |
| Last updated: June 4, 2009 |
Message from the Dean |
| As I complete five years as Dean of our AGO Chapter, I am deeply indebted to those who have served faithfully on the board with me. It has been a pleasure and honor to work with each of you. Friendships have been made that I will always treasure. Together we have tried to bring the organ and organ music to the public.
This past year has been the International Year of the Organ when all around the world programs and events were held to promote "The King of Instruments." Locally, our San Joaquin Valley Chapter presented a memorable concert at Warnors Theater. Many have encouraged us to make this an annual event. One of our chapter's strongest educational outreach program is the annual AGO Pipe Organ Encounter. These week-long summer institutes for students ages 13-18 provide private and group instruction, opportunities for ecumenical worship, and a chance for young musicians to meet others with similar interests. They are held in various regions throughout the nation. San Diego is hosting our region's Encounter in August, and we have four students enrolled. We have one student attending the Encounter in New Hempshire, and one student attending the Advanced Pipe Organ Encounter in Evansville, Indiana. We provide tuition scholarships for each of these students -- this year totaling $2,575. As a lead-in to these programs, our chapter annually sponsors a "Mini" Pipe Organ Encounter at CSUF. In recent years this has attracted 20 to 30 children who are primarily piano students, giving them an opportunity to experience "The King of the Instruments," its variety of sounds and awesome technology. The annual Central California Youth Performance Awards Competition (CCYPAC): Organ Division, co-sponsored with the Philip Lorenz Memorial Concert series, took place on May 10th in the Concert Hall at CSUF. Five students competed in the Pre-Collegiate Division and two in the Collegiate Division. In the pre-Collegiate Division, Tyrell McKenzie, the first place winner, received the $300 Ardelle Bakkegard Memorial Prize. It was especially meaningful to have Dr. Bakkegard in the audiendce. Tyrell has been studying with Ed Wagner. James Tasy, the second place winner, received the $150 Elizabeth Lyles Memorial Prize. James is a student of Richard Cencibaugh. In the Collegiate Division, Meredith Wing, the first place winner, received the $500 Aran Vartanian Memorial Prize. Meredith began her studies with Jacqueline Johnson and is currently a student of Laurell Huber at Fresno Pacific University. Celestine Thoren, the second place winner, received the $300 Richard D. Galloway Memorial Prize. Celestine, formerly a piano student of Helga Medd, now studies organ with Laurell Huber at CSUF. You will have the opportunity to hear these young organists in concert at our annual Guild Sunday, as advertised on the enclosed sheet. It is with pleasure and excitement that we invite you and urge you to attend this concert on Sunday, June 7th, 3:00 p.m., at Palm Avenue Community Church. We offer our congratulations to all of the participants, a fine groug of young organists, and hope they will continue their muscial studies. We look forward to hearing them again. We also thank the AGO members and friends who, over the years, have generously supported these programs through monetary gifts. A toal of $1,250 in prize money was awarded this year. Combining prizes and tuition scholarships, we have expended nearly $5,000 this year from our Scholarship Fund. The offering taken at the concert will be added to the Scholarship Fund as we seek to expand this program. You are encouraged to make tax deductible donations in the form of checks payable to the SJV/AGO Scholarship Fund. You may also choose to honor someone with your gift. If so, make note of this on your check. If you are unable to attend the concert in person, you may still make donations by mailing them to our treasurer, Lee Todd. His address is 46041 Road 415, #45 Coarsegold, CA 93614-8975. Phoenix Rising; Region IX Festival 2009 on June 22nd-25th promises to be an exciting event. Cathy Walker and Lyle Peters will be attending. We look forward to hearing all about it in fall. |
Local Events |
| Sunday, June 7 at 3 p.m.
Organ Guild Sunday Palm Avenue Community Church 222 E. Fountain Way, Fresno |
Newsletter |
| We solicit your input for articles and information to be included in the newsletter. Please forward them via E-Mail to Richard Cencibaugh - roccen@sbcglobal.net.
Monday, March 23 at 7:30 p.m. FPU Concert Choir performs at the San Francisco Choral Festival Showcase Concert with Chanticleer Grace Cathedral 1100 California Street, San Francisco. Free Wednesday, April at 8 p.m. Community Wind Ensemble performance Carnegie Hall, New York City, $20 Tickets available through the Carnegie Hall box office. |
Membership |
Placement |
| Employers and job seekers are invited to post and search listings of available positions on the Guild's National Website. |
Certification |
| If you are interested in the Certification Process please contact Richard Cencibaugh (roccen@sbcglobal.net), Education Coordinator, Region IX |
Contact Us |
| Ruth Andersen, Chapter Dean - rthelaina@aol.com
Faye De Long, Sub Dean - fdelong@telis.org Catherine Walker, Recording Secretary Dorothea Wadewitz, Corresponding Secretary - Dean's E- Mail Lee Todd, Treasurer - losarboles@sti.net Richard Cencibaugh, Education Coordinator/Newsletter Editor - roccen@sbcglobal.net Zella Woods, a member at large - zmawoods@yahoo.com |
Links |
| Visit the AGO National website |