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Reading Chapter |
| Last updated: May 13, 2013 |
Message from the Dean |
| Welcome to the website of the Reading, Pennsylvania, Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. Chapter membership includes organists and others from the Greater Reading area, encompassing Berks and Schuylkill Counties.
Please contact the chapter dean or one of the other chapter officers listed below for assistance with suggestions for organists available for Sunday substitute work or for a list of available organ teachers offering private instruction. |
Local Events |
| Atonement Lutheran Church, 5 Wyomissing Boulevard, Wyomissing, presents the Boston String Quartet in concert on Sunday, May 19, 2013, at 7 p.m. A freewill offering will be received.
St. Andrew's United Church of Christ, 1320 Spruce Street, Reading, PA 19602, presents organist Michael A. Baal in recital on Sunday, June 2, 2013, at 3 p.m. A freewill offering is being received, and a reception with refreshments follows the program. Alsace Lutheran Church is sponsoring a handbell concert by the Raleigh Ringers as part of the Olive Derr Concert Series. The concert will be held at Exeter High School, 201 E. 37th St., Reading, PA 19606, on Saturday, June 22, 2013, at 7 p.m. The cost is $20 per person (no reserved seating). Contact the Alsace Lutheran Church office to reserve tickets or for further information (610) 929-8727. AGO Region III (Mid-Atlantic) Convention will be held in Winchester, Virginia, July 7-10, 2013. Zion Moselem Lutheran Church, 340 Moselem Church Road, Kutztown, presents Dr. Sarah Davies, organist and musicologist, in recital on the church's 1770 Tannenberg organ on Sunday, September 22, 2013, at 3 p.m. Trinity Lutheran Church, 300 W. Arch St., Pottsville, presents the ninth annual Organ Recital/Choral Concert on Reformation Sunday, October 27, 2013, at 3 p.m. Organist Michael Kiehner performs, along with a joint choir composed of five local church choirs gathered under the direction of Catherine Zimmerman. |
Newsletter |
| "From the Editor"
That little controversy surrounding the singer Beyonce's contribution to the Presidential inauguration on January 21, 2013, presented us with a teachable moment. For those who cannot remember: Beyonce was invited to sing the national anthem for the inauguration. After the ceremony, information leaked that her Marine Band accompanists were in fact faking their playing, as the singer was being backed up by a pre-recorded accompaniment. Beyonce explained that because of extremely tight rehearsal schedules and some weather difficulties, it had not been possible for her to practice with the band at the inauguration site, and being such a perfectionist and wanting to do her best for her President and her country, she found it advisable not to risk any performance glitches, when it was such an honor to be able to perform for this singular occasion. What she didn't seem to understand was that the men and women of the Marine Band also wanted to do so, but she denied them the opportunity. Of course, the reason a rehearsal was deemed so essential was because Beyonce, like so many performers today, thought that she needed to "personalize" her rendering of "The Star-Spangled Banner," bringing her unique soulful stylings to the task. What she--and so many others--fail to grasp is that when singing the national anthem solo, one is not singing to those present, but for them (it would have been impossible to keep that crowd on the national mall singing together). As such, a straightforward rendering of the text and tune is what should be offered, and had she chosen to do that, the band could have played live with her--even without a rehearsal in front of the Capitol steps. We whose responsibility it is to lead congregations in singing understand such things, but helping "performers" to understand their role in group activities--like inaugurations or services of worship--is part of our job. Not every solo that is sung is an opportunity for singers to show what they've got: save that stuff for "American Idol." - Michael A. Baal, Editor |
Membership |
| Chapter Treasurer Mrs. Annamae R. Loose coordinates all membership matters for the Reading Chapter. If you are considering joining our AGO Chapter, please contact her by mail: 1024 Mahlon Drive, Leesport, PA 19533-9002; by telephone: (610) 926-4548; or by e-mail: aloose@epix.net
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Placement |
| Reformation Lutheran Church, 3670 Perkiomen Avenue, Reading, PA 19606, seeks a part-time (15-20 hours per week) Director of Music. Interested candidates may submit resumes by e-mail to mail@reformationlutheran.org or call (610) 779-0534 for more information. (Posted May, 2013.)
Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, 421 Windsor Street, Reading, PA 19601, seeks a part-time (15-20 hours per week) Organist/Choir Director. Responsibilities include two Sunday services, adult choir, bell choir, and occasional special services. Instrument is a recently refurbished E. M. Skinner pipe organ; bilingual abilities would be a plus. E-mail resumes to holyspiritrdg@gmail.com or mail to address above. For more information call (610) 376-0825. (Posted May, 2013.) Calvary United Methodist Church, Mohnton, is seeking an Interim Church Organist/Pianist, for six months (March through August). This part-time position includes responsibilities for one weekly Sunday morning worship service plus one weekly choir rehearsal. Competitive rates. E-mail resume to pastor.calvmohn@comcast.net or telephone (610) 777-8441 to apply. (Posted March, 2013.) Incarnation Lutheran Church, 1101 Lancaster Avenue, Reading, needs a supply organist (or organists) to play the weekly 9 a.m. worship services. The congregation uses "Worship," the new ELCA hymnal. There are no choir or soloist rehearsals; the musician is paid after each service. Contact JoAnne Lutz (610) 898-4036 or Linda Rohrbach (610) 777-9431 for more information. (Posted March, 2013.) Bern Reformed United Church of Christ, 3196 Bernville Road, Leesport 19533, is seeking a part-time Director of Music. Responsibilities include playing the organ for all worship services plus directing Senior, Children's, and Bell Choirs. Time requirement is estimated at 10-15 hours per week; salary is negotiable. Resumes can be mailed to the church address above, attention: Music Director Search Committee. For additional information, call (610) 926-4373. (Posted February, 2013.) Christ Little Tulpehocken Church, Bernville 19506, seeks a part-time Organist-Choir Director. For more information call (610) 488-7569 or (610) 488-7259. (Posted January, 2013.) Trinity United Church of Christ, 2449 Cumberland Avenue, Mt. Penn, PA 19606, seeks a part-time Director of Music. Responsibilities include playing one weekly Sunday morning service plus occasional special services, and directing Senior, Children's, and Hand Bell Choirs. Profiency in organ, piano, choir directing, and music administration expected; hand bell experience preferred. For more information contact the church at (610) 779-4030. Resumes can be submitted at church@trinitymtpenn.org. (Posted January, 2013.) First United Church of Christ, 76. S. Third St., Hamburg, is seeking an organist to play one weekly Sunday morning service plus occasional special services. Call (610) 562-2593, or e-mail hamburg1stucc@verizon.net for more information. (Posted December, 2012.) Salem United Church of Christ, 307 Covered Bridge Road, Oley, PA 19547, seeks an Organist - Director of Music. Responsibilities include weekly Sunday morning service, weekly senior choir rehearsal, and twice-per-month early Sunday morning service; salary commensurate with experience. Send letter of interest and resume to church address above. (Posted December, 2012.) Trinity United Church of Christ, Rehrersburg, is seeking an Organist/Choir Director. Call (610) 589-2310 or (610) 207-8203 for more information. (Posted August, 2012.) All Souls Church, worshipping in the chapel at 640 Centre Avenue, Reading, seeks an organist for 1 p.m. Sunday worship services. Information and job description is available from allsouls@ptd.net, by calling (610) 621-1738, or at www.allsoulsecumenical.org. (Posted May, 2012.) Note: these listings reflect the best current information received by the chapter dean about area vacancies. We attempt to keep the list current, but notice of a vacancy being filled is not always reported to us in a timely fashion. Employers and job seekers are invited to post and search listings of available positions on the Guild's National Website. |
Certification |
Contact Us |
| Ms. Joyce Maurer, SPC, Dean - organist@enter.net
Mr. Kevin Kline, Sub-Dean - krkline@comcast.net Mrs. Annamae R. Loose, Treasurer - aloose@epix.net Ms. Christina M. Koch, Secretary - vpsped@comcast.net Mr. Lee Ferrier, Executive Committee - leeferrier@earthlink.net Mrs. Marjorie Fitz, CAGO, Executive Committee - fitzgeo@aol.com Mrs. Teresa Kissling, Executive Committee - tkisslingss@verizon.net Mrs. Elaine Stetser, Executive Committee - ejayes65@comcast.net Rev. Michael A. Baal, D.M.A., AAGO, Newsletter/Website Editor - mb2al@verizon.net |
Links |
| Visit the AGO National website |