Bangor Chapter

Last updated: January 19, 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 2009-2010) 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, 2009-2010

September 13: Potluck Meet-and-Greet at home of sub-dean Julia Morris-Myers in Ellsworth

September 27: Member Recital to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Hook and Hastings organ in The Hampden Highlands United Methodist Church

November 2: Anthem reading session by chapter member Deborah Govenor, an editor at Beckenhorst Press: “A Romp Through the Church Year”, at All Souls Congregational Church, Bangor

March 7, 3:00 p.m. Organ repertory session by chapter executive committee members, at The First Congregational Church, Searsport. [Snow date: Mar. 21] Details to appear in the e-newsletter.

May 2, 4:00 p.m. Member recital at Columbia St. Baptist Church, Bangor, followed by Chapter annual meeting (location TBA). Details to appear in the e-newsletter.

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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 awards one or two scholarships to deserving organ students, normally 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.

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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 can also contact:

Brian MacFarland, Chapter Treasurer
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. 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
bambam1948@fairpoint.net

Catherine [Kay] Byther Eames, Secretary
kb10bdwy@aol.com

Alice Mummé, Newsletter Editor
mumme@maine.edu

Mary T. Peters, Member-at-Large
mary.peters@umit.maine.edu

Jane M. Schroeder, Member-at-Large
ladycarlis@roadrunner.com

Kevin F. Birch, Chair, Scholarship Committee
kevinbirch@umitmaine.edu

Travis A. LaCombe, Past Dean
travis@travislacombe.net

Visit the AGO National website