Bangor Chapter

Last updated: January 5, 2013

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 -- revised in 2012 -- is to enrich lives through organ and choral music. To achieve this, the AGO seeks to 1) encourage excellence in the performance of organ and choral music; 2) inspire, educate, and offer certification for organists and choral conductors; 3) provide networking, fellowship,and mutual support; 4)nurture future generations of organists; 5) promote the organ in its historic and evolving roles; and 6) engage wider audiences with organ and choral music. 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. Those so far planned are listed below (for Spring 2013) 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 for Spring 2013

Saturday, April 27 (exact time and location TBA): Clergy/musician luncheon. Guest speaker will be The Rev. Victora Sirota, D.M.A., Canon Pastor & Vicar of the Congregation of St. Saviour at The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in New York City, and former national chaplain of the AGO.

Sunday, June 9 at 4:00 p.m. at St. John's Catholic Church,
207 York St., Bangor: Recital by Abraham Ross, followed by Chapter Annual Meeting (location TBA)

(Other events will be added when details are finalized.)

Other Chapter Features

Lending Library

Our chapter has a lending library. It is located in the Parish House of 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

The chapter offers scholarship aid to one or more qualified organ students annually; for more information and application procedure, contact the Scholarship Committee chair, Dr. Kevin Birch (207) 942-6941.

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 are also encouraged to contact:

Brian MacFarland, Chapter Treasurer/Registrar
bmacfarland1948@gmail.com

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
bmacfarland1948@gmail.com

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

Alice Mummé, Newsletter Editor and Senior Advisor
mumme@maine.edu

Catherine J. (Cathy) Bruno, Member-at-Large, Exec. Comm.
cathy.bruno@gmail.com

Barbara Smith, Member-at-Large, Exec. Comm.
barb36ham@juno.com

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

Visit the AGO National website