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Portland Maine Chapter |
| Last updated: September 11, 2009 |
Message from the Dean |
| FALL MEETING
September 19, 2009 11:00 AM First, Parish Church, Brunswick. Join us for a service of readings, hymns, organ music, anthems, prayers. The convocation is a very old academic practice, a beginning, a time when people are called (vocare) together (con), usually at the beginning of the school year, to rededicate themselves to the pursuit of learning. As an education association, it is really appropriate that we do this. It reinforces our commonality, our shared purpose and mission, our passion for music and especially for the organ. And it can also be a lot of fun. There are a number of us playing, singing, reading, sharing at this event--some old faces and some new. It will include an address from our chaplain, David Bellville, and there will be time for informal sharing and fellowship afterwards. I don’t want to give away all the surprises, but there is at least one hymn that is new to me, and several that are old favorites. Inspiring organ preludes, a solo anthem, and an anthem for all of us to do as an impromptu choir. So come and bring a friend--bring your clergy person, your choir, your family. . Directions: If you take Route 1 into Brunswick, follow the signs for Maine Street, and turn right on Maine. First Parish is on the left at the end of the green. If you need more specifics, feel free to call me (282-0271) MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN...John Sullivan Dear Friends It’s hard to believe, and probably even harder to accept, that summer is truly drawing to a close, and it will soon be time to begin choir rehearsals, plan for Christmas music, start thinking about concerts, and on and on. Some years ago, Russell Baker wrote a piece in his Sunday Observer column titled “The Cruelest Month,” September, in which he regaled readers with a hilarious account of his disastrous experience in high school physics, ending with the observation that his “progress in ignorance was recorded in a quagmire of ‘F’s,” and that the world of physics still awaits a successor to Einstein. I guess that I remember this piece so well after these many years because I’ve had that kind of experience. I believe I also remember it because that experience is relatively rare, and while September can, like any other beginning, seem intimidating, it can also be a time of wonderful new opportunities. As Ginny Latts (Longy School) likes to say: The scary thing about improvisation is that you don’t know what is going to happen; the exciting thing about improvisation is that you don’t know what is going to happen. I sincerely hope that this coming season will be one of excitement and discovery for all of us, even those of us who have done this many times before. And in that spirit, I invite and urge you to be involved as much as possible for you, in our chapter programs this year. We are here to support, encourage and share experiences of growth in this musical community, and each of us has something unique to offer. Let’s not let opportunities slip by and end up in one of Mr. Baker’s frustrating quagmires. Specifically, let me tell you of our first few events which your program committee has been working on really hard to bring together. 1. September 19, 11:00 AM. Chapter Convocation at First Parish Brunswick. Join us for a service of readings, hymns,organ music, anthems, prayers. David Bellville, our chaplain, will deliver the address, and many members will lead us in song. And please plan to remain afterwards to have lunch (hopefully) on the green--either bring a brown bag or pick something up from a vendor. 2. October 17, 7:30 PM. “Organisms: Six Hands, Six Feet” Cathedral Church of Saint Luke, State St. Portland. A program of organ duets and solos, (sorry, no trios) presented by Albert Melton, Randy Mullin, and John Sullivan. Admission is free to members of the chapter. 3. November 14, A lecture by Barbara Owen on New England composers and the organs for which they wrote. Time and location TBA. 4. Also in November, and also time and date TBA, at least one pedals pipes and pizza program. This is a great introduction to the organ for young piano students. If you would like to be involved in it, please give me a call. [207-282- 0271 OR jtcsul@earthlink.net. Likewise, please feel free to call if you need directions or more information on any of our events. Hope to see you and have the opportunity to speak with all of you very soon. Sincerely, John Portland Chapter Programs 2009-2010 September 19, 2009 Convocation at First Parish Church, Brunswick, ME, 11:00 a.m. October 17, 2009 “Organisms: Six Hands, Six Feet” St. Luke’s Cathedral, Portland, 7:30 PM. A program of organ duets, solos and possibly trios, including works by Denis Bedard, Charles Callahan, Gustav Merkel, Robert Schumann. Organists: Albert Melton, Randy Mullin, John Sullivan. Cosponsored by the Cathedral and the AGO Portland Chapter. Admission is free to AGO members. October 31, 2009 Pedals, Pipes and Pizza: An introduction to the pipe organ for piano students: an interactive program. Woodfords Congregational Church, 10:00 AM More informationto follow. November 7, 2009 “Organs of New England” Lecture by Barbara Owen. Time and place TBA March 20, 2010 Trip to Harpswell to see Andover Organ Company instrument and organ crawl. April 12, 2010 Master Class with Sophie Veronique. (NOT CONFIRMED) May 22, 2010 Members’ Recital and Annual Meeting. Details to follow. |
Local Events |
| Friends of the Kotzschmar Organ
Merrill Auditorium , Portland City Hall 389 Congress Street, Portland, Maine The Kotzschmar Organ Fall 2010 Concerts: Concerts are preceded by a pre-concert talk . Admission is a suggested $15.00; 21 and under, free For more information about the Kotzschmar, the guest organists and the season, visit www.foko.org or contact Kathleen Grammer, the executive director of Friends of the Kotzschmar Organ, at info@foko.org. STATE/REGIONAL NEWS CHURCH MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP In 2010 the Charlotte Hoyt Bagnall Scholarship for Church Musicians will hold a competition for high school musicians. The scholarship will grant awards of $300 to $2500 for the study of religions music and liturgy. High school students studying organ with an interest in church music are eligible to apply. The scholarship can be used for a variety of music studies including: · Organ lessons · High school and college level studies related to organ or religious music · Participation in organ festivals, seminars, music camps Information and applications can be obtained by visiting the scholarship website http://www.chbscholarship.com, or by writing “The Charlotte H. Bagnall Scholarship” at 17 Beaverbrook Rd., West Simsbury, CT 06092. Applications are due by December 31, 2009. COMING SOON.. Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy 200th Birthday Celebration The complete Organ Works played by Jay Harold Zoller in three recitals played at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church Glidden Street - Newcastle, Maine Sunday, October 4th, 2009, at 4 PM Donations for the Damariscotta Steeple Fund Sunday, October 18th, 2009 at 4PM Donations for St. Andrew’s Commnity Outreach Sunday, November 8, 2009, at 4 PM Donations for Skidompha Library |
Newsletter |
| THE VOX HUMANA
The newsletter of the Portland, Maine Chapter of the American Guild of Organists website: www.agohq.org/chapter/portland blog: www.agonewengland.blogspot.com How can I help? How often do we say to someone who is going through a difficult time, “Let me know if there’s anything I can do.”? As a matter of fact, I said that yesterday to a friend who is beginning a divorce process. Whether my friend will take me up on the offer is of course another matter. As far as the Guild is concerned, however, please be assured that any offer of help will be readily accepted. Perhaps you feel you have nothing to offer. Wrong. You do. A short list follows of what may seem like little inconsequential things, but please know, it really does take a village........ Let any board member know if you are able to help. Be a member of the phone tree Help with the refreshments at an event Share some area of expertise--a second instrument that you play, a teaching technique, an area of music history... Attend a chapter event Let your board know what events you’d like to see happen nvite a friend who is not a member to an event (The convocation would be an excellent non-threatening one) Write an article about yourself--what you are working on, what your choir is presenting, a little known composer that you like Raise issues that are on your mind--they are definitely on other folks’ minds as well Just let us know that you are available...an email or phone call is always welcome There are probably many paths of involvement that haven’t crossed my mind, so feel free to add to this list. I believe in a ny fellowship it is crucial to remind oneself that this is not an ‘us and them’ situation. This is our chapter. Yours and mine. Not the boards, not ‘theirs.’ As I have learned from personal experience, it is truly wonderful and sustaining when we are able to be there for each other, both on a professional and personal level. |
Membership |
| Looking for a 2009-10 Membership in AGO Portland Chapter?
Categories of membership and dues are those of the AGO National Organization. To receive the new 2009-10 membership form, please contact Paul Schnell, Registrar. Completed membership forms can be mailed directly to: Stephen Garvin, Treasurer, 1378 W. Shore Drive, Acton, Maine 04001-6401 |
Placement |
| Employers and job seekers are invited search listings of available positions on the Guild's National Website. To be included on the local substitute list, or to inquire of an employment opportunity,
Contact Seth Hurd. AGO Placement Coordinator. PO Box 424 Sanford, Maine 04073 lamont@metrocast.net Employers and job seekers are invited to post and search listings of available positions on the Guild's National Website. |
Certification |
| The Portland Maine Chapter encourages certification by helping members prepare, and, then, proctoring the examination according to the National guidelines and schedules. For further information log onto the National A.G.O website at: www.agohq.org and click through to the information you need.
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Contact Us |
| Portland Maine AGO Chapter
Portland AGO Executive Board Officers 2009-2010 Dean: John Sullivan 282-0271, jtcsul@earthlink.net Subdean: Terrie Harmann 603-436-4762, th@tharman.net Secretary : Ed Larson 685-9023, larson1024@gwi.net Treasurer: Stephen Garvin 636 3329 sjgarvin@metrocast.net Directors: 2006-2009 Stewart Shuster, 934-9594, sshuster@maine.rr.com 2007-2010 Jay Zoller 622-0552 zllrorgl@roadrunner.com 2008-2011 Shirley Curry, 883-2320 Registrar: Paul Schnell 727-6562 prschnell@securespeed.us Placement: Seth Hurd 636 1916, lamont@metrocast.net Professional Concerns: Ray Cornils 443-9700 Newsletter Editor: Nancy Wines-DeWan 846-6058 newd3@maine.rr.com Hospitality : Nancy Landsman 934-7158 Programs: Terrie Harmann 603-436-4762 th@tharman.net Chaplain: David Bellville, PhD Past Dean: Sally Reynolds 767-4317, svreyn@aol.com |
Links |
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| Visit the AGO National website |