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Merrimack Valley Chapter |
| Last updated: November 20, 2009 |
Message from the Dean |
| Thank you for visiting the web page of the Merrimack Valley Chapter of northeastern Massachusetts! Our region is defined by the majestic Merrimack River (110 miles), shared by southeastern New Hampshire and northeastern Massachusetts. With a river and the Harold Parker State Forest in our backyard, biking, camping, hiking, fishing, canoeing and sailing are popular. Once the world’s textile manufacturing center, now the area’s economy has shifted to biotech and other tech-based businesses.
Whether you’re here for business or for outdoor activities, we invite you to explore our vibrant cultural scene. We are privileged to be home to the eminent Methuen Memorial Music Hall, which houses the first concert organ in the United States and hosts exquisite summer organ recitals. The Shanklin Music Hall, home of the Mighty Wurlitzer theater organ, is another place that provides unforgettable musical experiences. The Andover Organ Company and the Noack Organ Company are both located here. Phillips Academy, one of the country’s most prominent private high schools, is home to the Addison Gallery of American Art and the Peabody Museum. The Buttonwoods Museum-Haverhill Historical Society narrates the history of the Merrimack Valley from Native America settlement to the present. Indian Hill Music School and the Orchestra of Indian Hill provide community-based music education and performance opportunities. The Rodgers Center for the Arts at Merrimack College is home to the Merrimack Valley Philharmonic. Other musical groups in the area include: the Treble Chorus of New England, the Andover Choral Society and the Young Opera Company of New England. Among the area’s notable artists, conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein was born in Lawrence; Ann Bradstreet, the nation's first poet, Samuel F. Smith, author of the song "America," poet Robert Frost, comedian Jay Leno and singer Robert Goulet have also called this area home. Founded in 1958 by Robert J. Reich, the Merrimack Valley AGO chapter—currently about 60 members— serves all parties interested in organ and choral music. While most of our members are organists and choral directors, we are open to people from all walks of life. We are delighted to have new faces and new ideas at our meetings. The chapter sponsors programs such as recitals, organ crawls, “Pedals, Pipes and Pizza,” choral and organ workshops, and lessons in Alexander Technique, to name a few. These events, often accompanied by food and drink, happen every month except during summer. We normally conclude each year with a members’ recital and potluck dinner. We also have an annual Mini-Convention every February in which we cover activities ranging from anthem reading to workshops on performance practice. In continuing our commitment to education, our scholarship fund helps young people in the area interested in continuing organ or choral music study. We also post jobs and announcements on our website and in our monthly newsletter, "Swell 2 Great." Please visit www.merrimackago.com for more information. Just a few miles north of Boston, it is easy to get here via interstates I-93 and I-495 and by train. Our chapter is known for its hospitality. If you would like to join us, attend events, or simply see some organs in the area, we look forward to meeting you. Welcome! Patrick Kabanda, Dean |
Local Events |
| 2009-2010 Program Calendar*
Saturday, September 26 – 7:00 PM Phillips Academy, Andover (Cochran Chapel) Organ recital – Larry Schupull performs organ works of Bach and Mendelssohn in the second in a series of three recitals celebrating the 200th anniversary of Mendelssohn's birth. The program will include two sonatas and a prelude & fugue by Mendelssohn, as well as Bach works that Mendelssohn played in his famous 1840 organ concert at St. Thomas Church, Leipzig. Reception to follow Saturday, October 31 – 10:00AM – mid-afternoon Organ Crawl Chelmsford/West Concord/Littleton Starts at Central Congregational Church in Chelmsford Sunday, November 15 – 2:00 PM Alexander Technique Workshop First Parish UU Church, Chelmsford Workshop will last approximately 2 hours Sunday, January 10 12th night party – 5:00 Home of Maggie Marshall Chelmsford Saturday, February 27 Mini-convention First Calvary Baptist, North Andover April – TBD At Trinity Haverhill Sunday, May 16 – afternoon/evening Members recital and pot luck Pinewood Lutheran Church, Burlington *Please contact our Sub-Dean and Program Chair for details. Cyndi Bliss, 978-640-9680 cabliss1 [at] verizon [dot] net |
Newsletter |
| Our newsletter, "Swell 2 Great" is published monthly except for the months of June, July, and August.
For the latest issue; add or check events and job openings; check for calendar conflicts; submit an article for publication, please contact our Newsletter Editor, Ruth H. Bowers. (978-922-8137, Ruth.Bowers [at] comcast [dot] net) |
Membership |
| MERRIMACK VALLEY CHAPTER AGO DUES INFORMATION
Please join us or renew your membership! The form below is important for two reasons: it gives the treasurer the information he needs and it also provides up-to-date information for a membership list. The sooner we recieve this information, the sooner we can be in touch with you. A brief description of the types of membership and dues follows: REGULAR VOTING MEMBER: A person who is interested in the organ and choral music fields and who supports the purposes of the American Guild of Organists. $92.00 SPECIAL VOTING MEMBER: A person under 21, over 65, or disabled is eligible for this category of membership at a reduced rate. $67.00 STUDENT MEMBER: Full time students are eligible for this category. $37.00 PARTNER MEMBER: A second member from a household is eligible for this category $67.00 and will pay a reduced rate so that only one copy of “The American Organist” magazine will go to that household. DUAL MEMBER: Members in good standing of another AGO Chapter may, by $36.00 payment of the dues set for this category, become a full member of this chapter. CHAPTER SUBSCRIBER: A person who is not a professional organist or choir $25.00 director may become a subscribing member by payment of the dues set for this category of membership. That person will receive the chapter newsletter, membership list and is entitled to participated in Guild meetings. ��- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Please send CHECK or MONEY ORDER payable to the MERRIMACK VALLEY CHAPTER AGO to Paulette Grundeen, 37 Foxhill Road, ANDOVER, MA 01810. MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION: NAME:__________________________________________________________ AGO Degree:________ ADDRESS: (street)____________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS: (city, state, zip)______________________________________________________________ PHONE: (______)________________________ E-MAIL:______________________________________ CHURCH NAME and TOWN:_____________________________________________________________ POSITION:___________________________________________________________________________ Plase indicate the type of membership: Regular_______ Special_______ Student_______ Partner______ Dual ______ Subscribing______ $92.00 $67.00 $37.00 $67.00 $36.00 $25.00 Dual Member’s Primary Chapter:_____________________________ If a student, enter the name of your school here:______________________________________________ �� I have read the AGO Code of Ethics printed on the reverse side of this form and agree to abide by it. |
Placement |
| Please contact our chapter's placement coordinator for information about current job openings in our area.
Norma Reich, 978-688-1778 AGONorma [at] aol [dot] com Employers and job seekers are invited to post and search listings of available positions on the Guild's National Website. |
Certification |
| Please peruse this Link: http://www.agohq.org/education/pcertify.html |
Contact Us |
| Chapter Officers for 2009-2010
Dean Patrick Kabanda, 978-749-4132 pkabanda [at] musikaba [dot] net Sub Dean/Program Chair Cyndi Bliss, 978-640-9680 cabliss1 [at] verizon [dot] net Secretary Jodi Templer, 978-657-8697 josephaj [at] comcast [dot] net Treasurer Craig Seaman, 978-640-0101 CraigSeaman [at] world.oberlind [dot] edu Registrar Paulette Grundeen, 978-623-7031 neednurg [at] hotmail [dot] com Auditor/Organ Restoration Chair Robert J. Reich, 978-688-1778 RJREICH [at] aol [dot] com Executive Committee Frances Burmeister, (3 years) 978-372-0606 FBurmeister [at] hotmail [dot] com Leonard Harris (2 years) 978-374-5674 PianoLen [at] aol [dot] com Carolyn Skelton (1 year) 978-475-3143 Carolyn_Skelton [at] yahoo [dot] com Immediate Past Dean Maggie Marshall, 978-251-1296 Maggie [at] ccc [dot] com Chaplain Reverend Tom Barrington, 978-256-5673 asctom [at] gis [dot] net Web Master David Baker, 617-367-4260 dgb137 [at] mac [dot] com Placement Norma Reich, 978-688-1778 AGONorma [at] aol [dot] com Education/Scholarship Chair John Skelton, 978-475-3143 JohnBSkelton [at] yahoo [dot] com Newsletter Editor Ruth H. Bowers, 978-922-8137 Ruth.Bowers [at] comcast [dot] net |
Links |
| Methuen Memorial Music Hall
www.mmmh.org Shanklin Music Hall www.emcatos.com Indian Hill Music www.indianhillmusic.org Merrimack Valley Philharmonic Society www.mvpomusic.org Andover Choral Society www.andoverchoral.org The Treble Chorus of New England www.treblechorus.com The Young Opera Company of New England www.youngoperacompany.org Addison Gallery of American Art www.addisongallery.org The Peabody Museum www.andover.edu/museums/museumofarchaeology The Buttonwoods Museum-Haverhill Historical Society www.haverhillhistory.org Massachusetts Cultural Council www.massculturalcouncil.org |
| Visit the AGO National website |