 |
The Old Colony Organist Southeastern Massachusetts Chapter |
| Last updated: June 24, 2009 |
Message from the Dean |
| Middleboro Fire Stirs Memories
Richard Hill Central Congregational Church in Middleboro suffered a disastrous fire on Memorial Day but the structure of the church remains sound. The kitchen where the fire originated was underneath the 1925 Hook and Hastings organ which was destroyed. Sandra and I were married at Central Congregational 45 years ago this month. Her family was active in the church life there. I was introduced to the church as a youngster when my mother brought me to a Messiah performance one December. The late George Austin who had played at Central since 1944 conducted and accompanied. I recall the wonderful voices of soprano Barbara Trombley and contralto Peggy Carver. Baritone Francis Hester was a frequent performer. That Messiah became an annual event for us. Later as a student at Bridgewater State, I arranged for the Organ Club to visit Central where George gave a thorough and inspiring demonstration of the organ. The next time I heard the organ was when Richard Chorley began his prelude to our wedding. Ruth Ashley was the soloist and the processional was Andre Campra's "Rigaudon." Dr. George Shepard had been minister there for most of Sandra's life but he had recently retired and Reverend McLeod did our service on a warm June day. Many have fond memories of Dr. Shepard. With a strong theological and archeological knowledge, he could keep a congregation spellbound with his sermons. Right after our son, Tim was born, Sandra's grandfather was hospitalized at St. Luke's in Middleboro and when we went to visit, Dr. Shepard was there. I'll never forget how he stood in the waiting room and took Tim into his arms and said in a reverential voice, "Let us pray." And in that crowded room you could have heard a pin drop. Dr. Shepard blessed Tim, his parents, and all those in the room with his very presence. When I first became organist at Unity Church in North Easton, there were no formal summer services. I was called to substitute at Central Congregational one Sunday when Dr. Shepard was a guest preacher. He was one of the most moving preachers I ever heard. I recall that summer as the time I had determined to learn three of the Mendelssohn organ sonatas. That organ was a perfect vehicle for them. The first organ at Central Congregational was a George Stevens installed in 1871 in the rear gallery. In 1892 when the church was raised six feet to provide room for a basement, the organ was returned to the Cambridge factory, enlarged and equipped with a water motor. It was installed in the front of the church. On December 2, 1923, a disastrous fire damaged the church interior. While the repairs were being made, it was decided to install a new organ. In 1905, Miss Julia Copeland had left in her will a sum of money to be used towards an organ. The new organ was built by Hook and Hastings for $8,100 and dedicated on May 22, 1925 by Alton B. Paull, organist of the Unitarian Memorial Church in Fairhaven and one of the early members of the Southeastern Massachusetts Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. From 1894 to 1902, Paull had been organist at Unity Church in North Easton. His daughter, Dorothea a late loyal member in Fairhaven recalled the Easton church in her distant childhood. The several organists who have served here included William Robinson and Miss Miranda A. Overhiser in the late Nineteenth Century. Raymond Leach served from 1933 to 1942 and George Austin took over in 1944 and remained until 1962. In April, 2000 our spring organ crawl was held at the First Congregational Church, Central Congregational, First Unitarian and Church of Our Saviour in Middleboro. I played the Central Congregational organ in works of John Stanley, Alexandre Luigini, Vincenzo Petrali, and George Whiting. My digital recording of that recital remains. In 2005, David Chalmers performed a recital here for the Annual Convention of the Organ Historical Society in works of Sowerby, Foote, and Gardner Read. I still recall the packed church singing "All Hail the Power of Jesus Name" complete with descant. I often play the recording of that program. It was chosen with a pure empathy for the organ's capability which it thoroughly displayed.. This church has suffered fires before and recovered. It is reported that Central Congregational is still structurally sound. And with all the churches in America that are closing, it seems very likely that an orphaned Hook and Hastings could once again praise the Lord in that sacred space. On Sunday, September 20 the Southeastern Massachusetts Chapter of the American Guild of Organists will perform a member recital at the First Congregational Church in Middleboro to benefit the organ fund at Central Congregational. The organ at First Congregational is an 1887 S. S, Hamill recently restored by Daniel Lemieux, one of the finest young organ technicians to grace this region in years. This will be an opportunity for all who share our fond memories of the musical gifts of Central Congregational Church to love their neighbor. Let us remember Central Congregational in our prayers. We have been blessed by the music of this church. It is time for us to return the favor. |
Local Events |
| Our Annual Meeting was held on Friday evening, May 29 at the Chateau Restaurant on the shore of Lake Winnecunet in Norton. The tresurers report was accepted. The secretary's report singled out Mary Whelan for her service to the chapter in hosting several events at Murray Church in Attleboro. Officers elected are listed at the end of this newsletter. It was suggested that the Member Recital of September 20 be held in Middleboro as a benefit for the organ fund of Central Congregational Church which suffered a fire on Memorial Day. First Congregational is a possible venue with their 1887 S. S. Hamill. The program for next year was announced and a fine meal was served by the excellent staff of Chateau.
Wednesday, June 24 12:15 PM Unity Church 13 Main Street, North Easton: Richard Hill, Organist in "Midsummer Melodies" Vivaldi, Ryder, Elgar, Thomas, Shelley; Donations for Church Music Fund Wednesday, July 22, 12:15 PM Unity Church 13 Main Street, North Easton Richard Hill, Organist "A Summer Serenade" Suppe, MacDowell, Lemare, Kinder, Frysinger, Friml, Sousa Donations for Church Music Fund Thursday, July 23, 7:30 PM Unity Church 13 Main Street North Easton: Unity Church Handbells "Ringing Summer Songs" Donations for Church General Fund |
Newsletter |
| Program for 2009-2010
Sunday, September 20, 2009 3:00 PM Annual Member Recital First Congregational Church Route 105 Middleboro on the recently restored two manual 12 rank 1887 S. S, Hamill organ. This will be a benefit concert for the Organ Fund of Central Congregational in Middleboro which burned on Memorial Day. All those wishing to contribute by performing in this reictal should contact Dick Hill at smhill42ne@earthlink.net Saturday, October 24 A Van Trip to Methuen and tour of Andover Organ Company and some historic organs. Sunday, November 8, 2009 3:00 Peter Krasinski, Organist at St. Anthony's Church 1359 Acushnet Avenue, New Bedford Friday, January 8, 2010 6:30 Annual Twelfth Night Party TBA Friday, February 12, 2010 7:00 PM Christ Congregational Church, 1350 Pleasant Street, Brockton: Organ & Piano Duet Night Saturday, March 6, 2010 Choral Concert with Choirs of Guild Members : Bridgewater State College Saturday, April 24, 2010 Annual Spring Organ Crawl in Weymouth and Hingham Friday, May 21,2010 Annual Meeting and Member Recital, Plymouth 2009 REGIONAL CONVENTION FOR REGION I (NEW ENGLAND) and REGION II (NEW YORK & NEW JERSEY)www.agoboston2009.com We begin on Wednesday morning, July 1, and conclude on Friday night, July 3, 2009. This leaves Saturday, July 4, open for you to stay in the area and take the optional mid-day excursion to hear the famous Methuen Memorial Music Hall Organ, to settle on the famous Charles River Esplanade for the annual Boston Pops Concert with fireworks, or to head home to celebrate Independence Day your own way. We have planned a Green Convention: most venues are within walking distance of the hotel, and your registration will include a pass for unlimited travel on all modes of public transportation for seven days. We will offer the option of a bus transportation package for an additional fee (minus the cost of a mass-transit pass) but convention participants are strongly encouraged to help us keep Boston as clean and free of idling buses as possible. Boston is a city of landmarks: historical, political, architectural, and musical. As organists, how would we trace the development of our craft without the landmark American organs, churches, and halls of greater Boston? Think of Aeolian-Skinner at Symphony Hall, The Christian Science Mother Church, and The Church of the Advent; Charles Fisk at Old West Church; Ernest M. Skinner at Old South and Trinity Churches. There are new landmarks of our craft here, too: Richards & Fowkes at First Lutheran Church; Shoenstein at Christ Church, Cambridge; and the lovingly restored Welte at Church of the Covenant. It is good to visit and revisit the landmarks of our identity and even better to do it together! Among the artists matched up with our landmark venues are Christa Rakich, David Briggs, Hatsumi Miura, Peter Sykes, and Diane Meredith Belcher. The New Philharmonia Orchestra will perform with James David Christie at Symphony Hall, two brass ensembles will join organist Barbara Bruns for an evening of polychoral splendor at Trinity Church, and Peter Krasinski will improvise accompaniment to a silent movie on the ultra-orchestral Skinner in Old South Church. Pre-convention events include the AGO/Quimby Regions I and II Competitions for Young Organists on Tuesday, June 30, and a concert that evening by Stuart Forster on the new Schoenstein organ in Christ Church, Cambridge – the post once held by E. Power Biggs. Please see the convention website where you can register online with PayPal: www.agoboston2009.com. Our hotel is the Back Bay Hilton, located in the heart of Boston. And the room rate is unbeatable! How often can you stay in the heart of Boston on the Fourth of July for just $189 per night? To reserve your room, follow the link on the convention website or call 1-800-HILTONS. The local hotel number is: 617-236-1100. |
Membership |
| e mail Richard Hill: smhill42ne@earthlink.net for membership form.
Our chapter covers the 53 towns and cities south of Boston, north of Cape Cod and east of Rhode Island. It includes the cities of Brockton, Taunton, Attleboro, Fall River and New Bedford along wth several small towns, many with historic pipe organs. The oldest continually active E & GG Hook pipe organ in the United States, an 1834 installation is in the Berkley Congregational Church. Our programs are held throughout the region and celebrate organs and organ music throughout the year. |
Placement |
| 2009 Salary Guide
AMERICAN GUILD OF ORGANISTS SALARY GUIDE FOR MUSICIANS EMPLOYED BY RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS OTHER FEES * The range of fees are for musicians with degrees in organ or church music or AGO certification. * Fees vary regionally. The lowest figures reflect smaller, rural areas of the country. * Fees will also vary based on training, experience, availability, responsibility, and dates required. SUBSTITUTE MUSICIANS * Single service (organist only or director only, no separate rehearsal), $100-$225 * Additional services (organist or director only) not requiring additional preparation, $50-$125 * Single service (organist-director combination, no separate rehearsal), $150-$275 * Additional services (organist-director combination) not requiring additional preparation, $75-$175 * Rehearsal fees range from $25-$100/hour, depending on whether the substitute is organist only, director only, or organist-director combination and the preparation required * Mileage of 32.5 cents/mile is charged if visits to church for practice, rehearsal, and service exceed 20 miles per round trip. * The charge for contracting singers/instrumentalists is $15-$35/person hired. WEDDINGS * Service fees are $100-$350 (service only) * Wedding rehearsal with bridal party is $50-$100/hour. * Additional rehearsals are $30-$50/hour. * Mileage of 32.5 cents/mile is charged if visits to church for practice, rehearsal, and service exceed 20 miles per round trip. * The charge for contracting singers/instrumentalists is $15-$35/person hired. FUNERALS * Service fees are $100-$225 (service only) * Rehearsals $25-$100/hour, depending on the difficulty of the music and the participation of choirs, soloists, or instrumentalists. * Mileage of 32.5 cents/mile is charged if visits to church for practice, rehearsal, and service exceed 20 miles per round trip. * The charge for contracting singers/instrumentalists is $15-$35/person hired. NOTE: Occasionally churches or synagogues will hire musicians as independent contractors instead of employees. According to the IRS, workers are generally considered employees if they: * Must comply with the employer's instructions about the work. * Receive training from or at the direction of the employer. * Provide services that are integrated into the business. * Provide services that must be rendered personally. * Are aided by assistants who are hired, supervised, and paid by the employer. * Have a continuing working relationship with the employer. * Must follow set hours of work. * Work full-time for an employer. * Do their work on the employer's premises. * Must do their work in a sequence set by the employer. * Must submit regular reports to the employer. * Receive payments of regular amounts at set intervals. * Receive payments for business travel expenses. * Rely on the employer to furnish tools and materials. * Lack a major investment in the facilities or equipment used to perform the services. * Cannot make a profit or suffer a loss from their services. * Work for one employer at a time. * Do not offer their services to the general public. * Can be fired by the employer. * May quit work at any time without incurring liability. According to these guidelines, the majority of church and synagogue musicians are employees. Positions Available Allen's Neck Friends Meeting House 739 Horseneck Road, Dartmouth, MA seeks organist to play two or three hymns and introductory music Sunday mornings between 9 and 10 o'clock. Call Jean Bird 273 Jordan Road South Dartmouth, MA 02748-1303 at 508 636 4450 St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church, Marion, Massachusetts 508-748-1507 stgabrielsepiscopal@verizon.net Part-time Junior Choir Director Submit resume and contact information for two or three professional references by email to stgabrielsepiscopal@verizon.net, or by mail to St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 545, 124 Front Street, Marion, MA 02738. AN APPLICANT MAY ELECT TO APPLY FOR BOTH THE ORGANIST’S AND THE JUNIOR CHOIR DIRECTOR’S POSITIONS. First Christian Congregational Church Route 6 and Maple Avenue Swansea 1113 GAR Highway, Swansea, MA 02777 Seeks organist: E & GG Hook 1868 1-8 restored by Andover Organ Company 1963 (was featured in 2005 OHS Convention) the Unitarian Congregation of Mendon and Uxbridge is looking for an organist/choir director starting in September. about $8000 per yr. Sept. through mid June One service per week, choir rehearsal (12+ membersa) before the service. About 1/4 time. Salary $8,000-$10,000 Unitarian Congregation of Mendon and Uxbridge P.O. Box 392 13 Maple Street, Mendon, MA 01756 Telephone: 508.473.8681 www.uumendonuxbridge.org/ Office coverage will be provided on a flexible schedule. Telephone and email messages are checked on a regular basis, so please call or write and somene will be in touch soon. Office Manager hours: Fridays from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM Rev. Ralph T. Clarke 978.808.3770 tel. DIRECTOR OF MUSIC MEMORIAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, Taunton, MA 1923 Moller/1956 James Winter 2-12 The Director of Music will oversee all aspects of music in the church that will include but not be limited to a chancel choir and a children’s choir. The Director of Music will be the church musician and have both organ and piano experience. Salary: $10,000-$12,000 or negotiable. Resumes should be sent to: Memorial United Methodist Church 176 Somerset Avenue Taunton, MA 02780 Attention: Mrs. Beverly Procknik David Rubio, 1974 French double after Taskin. 8 8 4 buff, transposing FF-g, 63 notes. Dark blue case with cream lid and flap interior. Gold bands and moldings throughout. Reverse keyboard with ivory topped sharps, graceful turned stand and brass hinges. Includes music rack, padded cover. Rarely seen in the US, from a legendary English builder. Very few of these instruments were produced. This one has been professionally owned and maintained, and is in extraordinary condition. Superb sound and action. #2753 HCH offered at $35,000. This instrument possesses a light action and very full sound. Although the case is in excellent condition, the soundboard has suffered thru a few hastily done repairs that a new owner may want attended to. We expect to be updating the voicing and regulation during March 2008. - Harpsichord Clearing House 9 Chestnut Street Rehoboth, MA 02769 -USA +508-252-4304 ~~~ +800-252-4304 +508-252-4397 fax ~~ www.harpsichord.com St. Paul's Episcopal Church in North Andover, MA, founded in the late 19th century by Bishop Phillips Brooks. We seek a quarter-time organist and choir director as soon as we can find and hire a suitable candidate. Although this is by no means a complete position description, we hope to find an individual with a warm, patient, personable style who would be comfortable with a children�s choir as well as the adult choir. We are a close-knit mid-size family church, not �high church� as to style. As soon as we have a more polished description, I will send it to all of you. We are in the beginning stages of our search, having just called a new rector with whom we�re very happy. We are studying the current AGO Guidelines, particularly as to recommended salary levels. We have about six resumes thus far but would love to know of additional candidates. You may contact me at this, my work address, or at home: 9 Carisbrooke Street, Andover, MA 01810 (978) 470-4808, AndoverZim@aol.com. Substitute List Fred Brewer 508 586 9527 Ron Brown 508 643 9062 (All) $125. minimum Claire DeCusati decusati@verizon.net 781-582-8722 Ann Davis 508 543 5245 Joan Nahigian No Sundays September-June pinkltink@comcast.net (781) 383-2240 Sarah Hostetter 781-740-1283 sarahhostetter@verizon.net 303 Linden Ponds Way, Apt. T-20 Hingham, MA 02043 Robert Johnson 508 226 8991 maxinejohnson@comcast.net Pat Potter 508-226-2277 weekdays and Saturdays prpotter@aol.com Maria Rivera 774 222-3352 mdlarw@aol.com BM Eastman MM Juilliard Jim Russell jimrussell52_@yahoo.com Ronald P. Shepard: organsub@gmail.com 413 783 4280 860 243 7424 Richard Turk seaside088@aol.com Tel 508-269-4802 Mary Whelan mwhelan@wheatonma.edu 508 222 5762 weekdays and Saturdays Employers and job seekers are invited to post and search listings of available positions on the Guild's National Website. |
Certification |
| The AGO PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION PROGRAM dates from 1896, when the Guild received its charter from the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York to administer a comprehensive series of examinations for professional certification. The following certificates are offered under the auspices of the AGO Committee on Professional Certification: Service Playing Certificate (SPC), Colleague (CAGO), Choir Master (ChM), Associateship (AAGO), and Fellowship (FAGO). While the lower-level Guild examinations (CAGO and SPC) test competence in a number of skills that an organist uses regularly, such as hymn playing, accompanying, and sight-reading, the more advanced examinations also test the candidate's literacy and musicianship at a higher level. For example, tests in writing counterpoint, accompanying from a figured bass, and essay questions in music history are included in the upper-level exams.
"An AGO certificate benefits the member, contributing to professional advancement and to an increase in confidence in performance, and it strengthens the Guild in its mission to maintain standards in organ playing, choral conducting, and worship music," notes Philip Gehring, PhD, FAGO, immediate past director of the AGO Committee on Professional Certification. "A Guild with a large number of certified members sends a message to the public that we are serious about quality in the practice of our profession." Approximately 10% of the AGO membership is certificated. Of those, 39% hold the Service Playing Certificate; 29% hold the Colleague; 7% hold the Choir Master; 18% hold the Associateship, and 7% hold the Fellowship. |
Contact Us |
| Officers for 2009-20010
Dean - Dr Steven Young, AAGO 508 823 0504 68 Briarwood Drive Taunton, MA 02780-3754 s1young@bridgew.edu Old South Union Congregational, Weymouth Sub-Dean - Philip Jones FRCO 508 583 3022 pjones345@comcast.net 127 Tilton Avenue, Brockton, MA 02301-3029 Christ Congregational Church UCC Brockton Treasurer/Registrar/Membership - Jim Moore 508 223 9646 61 Oak Street, Norton MA 02766-1103 jimm88@comcast.net Pilgrim Congregational Church, Taunton Secretary/Newsletter/Webmaster - Richard Hill 508 238-6081 18 Main Street North Easton, MA 02356 1430 Unity Church of North Easton (Unitarian Universalist) Education Coordinator - Fred Brewer 508 586 9527 40 Ellen Road Brockton, MA 02302=2527 Professional Development Coordinator - Philip Jones Director - Dennis Ferguson 508 528 6292 41 Prospect Street Franklin MA 02038-3401 Murray Unitarian Universalist, Attleboro |
Links |
| www.agohq.org
http://www.agohq.org http://www.organsociety.org/ www.unity-church.com http://www.uua.org/index.html http://www.catholiclinks.org/parichesmassachusetts.htm www.elsenerorganworks.com http://www.ucc.org/ http://www.pipedreams.org/ http://www.pldi.net/~murrows/organ.html BOSTONCHAPTER-AGO http://www.pldi.net/~murrows/organ.html the-Insight.com - religion RobertI. Coulter� Organbuilder 2233 Faulkner Rd Atlanta, Georgia30324 404-931-3103 http://coulterorgans. Richard S. Hedgebeth Stuart Organ Company 44 Saint John Avenue Binghamton, New York 13905 607 237-0125 (voice and fax) inquiries@stuartorgan.com www.stuartorgan.com |
| Visit the AGO National website |