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Bangor Chapter |
| Last updated: August 1, 2010 |
Message from the Dean |
| Welcome to the website of the Bangor (Maine) Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. We are pleased to have you visit, and hope that our website will help you learn more about us and our activities.
The American Guild of Organists is an organization that serves anyone interested in the organ and in sacred choral music. Founded in 1896 as both an educational and a service organization, the AGO seeks to set and maintain high musical standards and to promote understanding and appreciation of all aspects of organ and choral music. The mission of the Guild 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 its members. The Guild currently serves over 20,000 members in 343 chapters throughout the United States and abroad. Since 1928 our chapter has been serving organists, choral directors and organ enthusiasts in eastern and northern Maine. Benefits of membership include sharing with other church musicians -- through informal discussions, repertory sessions, symposia, workshops, organ tours, group recitals, etc. -- and a subscription to the official Guild journal, The American Organist, a superb monthly resource. Everyone is welcome at any of the various happenings on our calendar. These are listed below (for Fall 2010) under “Local Events”; note, however, that not all of our events occur in Bangor. If you love organs as we do but are not currently an AGO member, do consider joining us. For further information, contact a chapter member (see e-mail addresses below). With best wishes, Carlton T. Russell Dean |
Local Events |
| Bangor Chapter Events, Fall 2010
September 12, 5:00 p.m.: Potluck Meet-and-Greet at the home of Brian MacFarland and Ian Bockus in Prospect October 5-8: A HOOK HOLIDAY IN MIDCOAST MAINE A celebration of the 150th anniversary of Maine’s largest 19th-Century tracker-action pipe organ, E. and G. G. Hook’s Opus 288 at St. John’s Roman Catholic Church in Bangor, and five other historic area instruments built between 1847 and 1909 by E. and G. G. Hook, Hook and Hastings, and George Stevens The Bangor Chapter AGO and the Organ Historical Society are contibuting sponsors of this festival tour, which is a benefit for the St. John’s Organ Society. Featured will be recitals, demonstrations, lectures, and panel discussions, plus a festival choir conducted by Chapter secretary Kay Byther Eames, AAGO, and accompanied by past Chapter sub-dean and festival recitalist Kevin Birch, DMA. For registration information and a complete list of events, visit the website of the St. John's Organ Society: www.hookopus288.org. November 8, 7:00 p.m.: A gathering at the United Methodist Church in Orono to watch and discuss The Master Series, Vol 3 DVD of Fred Swann explaining and demonstrating accompaniment at the organ. _____________________________________________________________________ |
Newsletter |
| Other Chapter Features
Lending Library Our chapter has a lending library. It is located at St. John's Episcopal Church (234 French Street, Bangor), contains a large collection of organ music, organ-related books, etc., and is open to chapter members and the general public. The church office (and hence the lending library) is open from 9 am to 1 pm Monday-Friday, or at other times by appointment: call (207) 947-0156. Scholarships Each year the Bangor Chapter normally awards one or two scholarships to deserving organ students, traditionally those studying with a Chapter member. Newsletter Our Newsletter is produced and delivered in electronic format (e-mail) as needed. To post an event or job opening, to consult an up-to-date substitute list, or to be added to the mailing list, please contact: Alice Mummé, Newsletter Editor mumme@maine.edu We're Here for You Do you have professional concerns? Are you looking for educational resources? Do you want to involve the chapter in an event or special service? Do you wish to learn more about organ playing and literature? The chapter, like the Guild as a whole, is here to help you. To reach us, see “Contact” section below. _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ |
Membership |
| All individuals interested in the organ and choral music fields are invited to join the American Guild of Organists. Membership is open to everyone, regardless of denominational affiliation, musical training, or ability.
For more information and membership materials, visit: www.agohq.org/membership You are also encouraged to contact: Brian MacFarland, Chapter Treasurer/Registrar bambam1948@fairpoint.net |
Placement |
| Our newsletter routinely and immediately advertises organ and/or choral openings in eastern and northern Maine. Please send as specific information as possible to Alice Mummé at mumme@maine.edu
Employers are also invited to post notices of available positions in The American Organist, free of charge, in the next available issue. Send e-mail listings to jobs@agohq.org, using the format below. The deadline is the 15th of the second preceding month (July issue closes May 15th). The position announcement will run in one issue and include the following information: Name of church, business, or institution; full postal address; website address; position title (Ex: “Full-time organist/choir director”); contact (name, phone number, fax, e-mail address). Employers and job seekers are invited to post and search listings of available positions on the Guild's National Website. |
Certification |
| The American Guild of Organists was chartered in 1896 by the Board of Regents, University of the State of New York, to administer a comprehensive series of examinations for professional certification. Through the Professional Certification Committee the Guild offers the following certificates:
Service Playing Certificate (SPC) Colleague (CAGO) Choir Master (ChM) Associateship (AAGO) Fellowship (FAGO) For more information on certification, visit: www.agohq.org/education |
Contact Us |
| The Rev. Carlton T. Russell, Dean
crussell@wheatonma.edu Julia Morris-Myers, Sub-Dean jmorrismyers@myfairpoint.net Brian A. MacFarland, Treasurer and Registrar bambam1948@fairpoint.net Catherine [Kay] Byther Eames, Secretary kb10bdwy@aol.com Alice Mummé, Newsletter Editor and Senior Advisor mumme@maine.edu Jane M. Schroeder, Member-at-Large janeschroeder@roadrunner.com Barbara Smith, Member-at-Large barb36ham@juno.com Dr. Kevin F. Birch, Chair, Scholarship Committee kevinbirch@umitmaine.edu Travis A. LaCombe, Past Dean travis@travislacombe.net |
Links |
| The St. John's Organ Society (Bangor)
www.hookopus288.org Portland (Maine) Chapter, AGO www.agohq.org/chapter/portland Friends of the Kotzschmar Organ (Portland) www.foko.org The Organ Historical Society www.organsociety.org The Royal School of Church Music www.rscmamerica.org |
| Visit the AGO National website |