Northeastern Wisconsin




Last updated: January 9, 2012

Message from the Dean

Welcome to the web-site of the Northeastern Wisconsin Chapter
of the American Guild of Organists

The Northeastern Wisconsin Chapter of the American Guild of Organists is made up of approximately seventy members from an area bounded on the north and south by Marinette and Fond du Lac and on the east and west by Sheboygan and Berlin. The NEW Chapter sponsors lectures, workshops, recitals and other educational programs of interest to church and synagogue musicians. It also sponsors a scholarship program for organ study which is designed to encourage skilled pianists not presently involved with sacred music to use their talents in the sacred music profession. This program operates under the acronym OROCO (Outreach Opportunity for Church Organists) and makes annual searches for qualified candidates. (See certification below for more information.)


Local Events

Chapter Programs 2011-12



February 12
A Program of Wedding Music
First Congregational UCC
724 E. South River, Appleton


Saturday a.m., March 3
Workshop with David Cherwien
Faith Lutheran, Appleton
Sunday afternoon, March 4
Hymn festival

Sunday, May 6
Annual Banquet
Oshkosh
Tim Riley, guest speaker

Sunday, May 13 7:30 p.m.
Recital by Lawrence organ students
Lawrence Memorial Chapel



Other Programs



St. Norbert Abbey Organ Concerts
1016 N. Broadway, De Pere, Wisconsin

- Saturday, March 10, 2012, 2 p.m., Nathan Laube
- Saturday, April 14, 2012, 2 p.m., Jonathan Dimmock

for more information, including photos and bios of the performers, see the website:
http://www.norbertines.org/abbey_music_canon_john_bruce.html




LUNCHTIME ORGAN RECITAL SERIES - SUMMER 2012


Newsletter

The Praludium is the monthly newsletter for the Northeastern Wisconsin Chapter of the AGO. Its editor is Paul Heiser. The deadline for articles, job openings, events, photos and all other submissions is two weeks before the next chapter program.

Praludium Information
Phone: 920.435.5525 (Faith Lutheran Church)
E-mail: pheiser@new.rr.com

Membership

To join the chapter please contact our membership coordinator, Elizabeth Mazurak, at 920-779-0759 or mazurak@athenet.net.


Officers 2010-11:

Frank Rippl, dean
920-734-3762
frippl@athenet.net

Joanne Peterson, sub-dean
920-233-0385
joanne@oshkoshpiano.com

Marillyn Freeman, Treasurer
920-725-6466
rmfreem805@aol.com

Jeffrey Verkuilen, Education Coordinator
920-434-1603
jeffverkuilen@new.rr.com


Board Members:

Ray Thompson, 2011 term
920-338-0070
Raymt@new.rr.com

Michael Meyer, 2012 term
920-734-9311
mlmeyer@sbcglobal.net

Michael Stefanek, 2013 term
920-632-7586
michael.stefanek@hotmail.com

Blake Doss, 2013 term
920-915-6373
dossblake2yahoo.com

Elizabeth Mazurak, membership coordinator
920-779-0759
mazurak@athenet.net

Paul Heiser, Newsletter Editor/Webmaster
920-435-5524
pheiser@new.rr.com

Placement

The First United Methodist Church in Green Bay is looking for a highly-skilled organist to accompany our worship and sanctuary choir. The position is part-time, 7-10 hours per week. Salary is $12,240.00 per year. Qualifications: Experience leading music in worship; demonstrated proficiency in organ and piano; ability to improvise, sight read and accompany both small and large groups; willing and able to work as part of a team.

Our organ was built by the Schlicker Organ Company of Buffalo, New York in 1994. The organ is comprised of 29 ranks, with 1802 individual pipes. The three manual (keyboard) and pedal console are movable.

Please submit a cover letter and resume to First United Methodist Church, 501 Howe St., Green Bay, WI 54301. Contact Leah Gaworek, Chair of the Staff Parish Relations Committee at (920) 265-8385 for further details.


Music Coordinator, Holy Cross Catholic, Kaukauna
This parish of 1700 families is looking for an energetic individual to coordinate our music ministry. The position is part-time, 28-30 hours per week. Candidates should
demonstrate the following qualities:
- Strong musical ability with emphasis on organ and piano. Bachelors Degree preferred.
- Knowledge of Catholic liturgy.
- Good interpersonal and organizational skills.
- The ability to successfully lead and expand a team of dedicated individuals who serve our Music Ministry in various ways.
- Experience leading Music Ministry in a Catholic parish is preferred.
Our organ is a double-console, two manual, twenty-five rank Wangerin/Taylor pipe organ refurbished in 2003. We also have a Yamaha grand and an Everett upright piano in our Church.

Please direct inquiries to: Fr. Tom Pomeroy, Pastor
Holy Cross Parish
309 Desnoyer Street
Kaukauna, WI 54130


Assistant Organist - Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Chilton
Qualified applicant(s) to accompany cantor or choir at assigned weekend Masses (4pm and 7:30pm Saturdays and 8am and 10am on Sundays) and possibly other Masses as needed. Advanced keyboard students welcomed. Please
contact Pat Wettstein, Director of Music at 920-849-9363, for details and audition.

Employers and job seekers are invited to post and search listings of available positions on the Guild's National Website.

Certification

Organ Study Scholarships Available
Outreach Opportunity For Church Organists (OROCO)

This program is for training in traditional church music. Other styles of organ music cannot be accommodated. Awards will be made on the basis of one's potential for becoming a church or synagogue organist and without regard for race, gender or religious affiliation.

1. Scholarships will provide for one year of organ study. Scholarships may be renewed for a second year upon recommendation of the teacher.

2. Study will be with a degree-holding teacher of organ, certified by the AGO-NEW Chapter. Lessons will be given as near to the student's geographic location as possible.

3. The scholarship monies will be sent directly to the teacher, who will report to the chapter when the lessons have been completed.

4. Costs for transportation to the lessons and purchase of necessary materials will be borne by the student, although the home congregation of the student may be invited to assist with such costs.

5. Adequate arrangements for an organ on which to practice should be made by the student. It is necessary to have an organ with a full pedalboard of at least 30 notes. The chapter may be able to assist with this requirement.

6. Applicants must have had sufficient previous piano instruction to have mastered the basic fundamentals of music, including fluency in reading bass clef and accuracy of rhythm.

7. Applicants should be at least 14 years old, although exceptions for slightly younger students might be made. Older persons with considerable piano study are particularly encouraged to apply.

8. The most promising applicants will be interviewed. Candidates selected for the interview process should be prepared to play one solo piano piece. They may be asked to sightread several other items, including a hymn, at the piano.

9. The scholarship award also will include a one-year membership in the American Guild of Organists at both the national and chapter levels.

For more information, please contact
Marillyn Freeman
920-725-6466
rmfreem805@aol.com

Contact Us

Please send questions, comments and contributions for the NEW-AGO web-site to:

Paul Heiser
pheiser@new.rr.com

Links

http://www.lunchtimeorganrecital.org

http://www.norbertines.org/abbey_music_canon_john_bruce.html

Packerland Theatre Organ Society |
http://packerlandtos.tripod.com/packerlandchapterofatos/index.html

http://www.agomilwaukee.org

http://www.portalwisconsin.org

AOB Organ Consultants Inc. | http://www.eminent-organs.com

Visit the AGO National website