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Reading Chapter |
| Last updated: May 15, 2012 |
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 |
| Trinity Episcopal Church, 200 S. Second St., Pottsville, presents the woodwind quintet "Fyve" in concert on Sunday, May 20, 2012, at 4 p.m. A freewill offering will be received, and a reception follows the performance.
Immanuel United Church of Christ, 99 South Waverly Street, Shillington, presents Parts 2 & 3, of George Frideric Handel's Messiah performed by the church's Senior Choir and Orchestra on Sunday, May 20, 2012, at 7 p.m. A freewill offering will be received in support of the church's July, 2012, mission trip to Guatemala. St. Andrew's United Church of Christ, 1320 Spruce Street, Reading, presents organist Michael A. Baal in recital on Sunday, June 3, 2012, at 3 p.m. A freewill offering will be received, and a time of fellowship with refreshments will follow the performance. The National Convention of the American Guild of Organists will be held in Nashville, Tennessee, from July 1 through July 6, 2012. |
Newsletter |
| "Chapter Election News"
The Executive Committee of the Reading Chapter has received the slate of candidates proposed by a Nominating Committee consisting of Chapter Chaplain Rev. Michael Baal, Chapter Member Sharon Francis, and Dean Marjorie Fitz (ex-officio). The Executive Committee is pleased to present the slate to the Chapter Members. They are Dean - Joyce A. Maurer, SPC; Sub-Dean - Kevin R. Kline; Secretary - Christina M. Koch; Treasurer - Annamae R. Loose: all for two-year terms commencing July 1, 2012. Also Marjorie R. Fitz, CAGO, and Teresa A. Kissling as members-at-large of the Executive Committee for four-year terms commencing July 1, 2012. No additional candidates were nominated by petition by the April 1, 2012, deadline. Voting materials have been provided to all eligible members; returned ballots must be postmarked by May 31, 2012, in order to be counted. "From the Editor" The Rev. Robert G. Van Gorder was the pastor of First Congregational Church (United Church of Christ) in Westbrook, Connecticut, during my tenure as organist - choir director there, and his favorite hymn was "Forward through the ages." We all knew this because that hymn was sung for worship services far more frequently than any other of the four hundred ninety-six selections contained in the Pilgrim Hymnal. It's a fine hymn, and it is paired with the tune ST. GERTRUDE, a solid melody not sung as often as in the past, as many congregations in recent years have shied away from the militaristic imagery of "Onward, Christian soldiers." It was also customary for the congregation in Westbrook to sing the first stanza of "God be with you till we meet again" at the conclusion of every Lord's Day service. Mrs. Joan Matz, the chair of the church's music committee, loathed the gospel song tune by William G. Tomer that was used. She had prevailed on the church leaders to agree, twice a year in spring and fall, to have the choir instead offer this selection as a choral benediction, using the other tune provided in the hymnal, RANDOLPH, a fine setting by Ralph Vaughan Williams. In my years as a church pastor, the ultimate responsibility for selecting the hymns to be sung in the worship service has been mine. My congregants have learned that I have an intense dislike for "O Jesus, I have promised." It's not that there is anything wrong with the text--it's a good one. For me, it's the music: I find the tune ANGEL'S STORY to be absolutely insipid. People are still sometimes surprised to hear me complaining about a hymn that we have sung in worship (especially when it's that one!). They seem to assume that the person in charge of choosing the hymns would naturally avoid selecting anything that displeased the chooser. Whoever bears responsibility for selecting the hymns and the other music employed in the service of worship, along with anyone else whose opinion influences those selections, it is important to bear in mind that there are a number of factors to be considered. It does seem to me that the hymn text is the primary consideration. How do the words to be sung fit into the theme of the worship service? Do they relate to one of the assigned scripture readings for the day, or are they reflective of the liturgical season? And something else to consider these days: is the text in line with the theological outlook of the church? In the United Church of Christ, for example, language that is inclusive in its reflection both of the wholeness of God and the variegated richness of all God's people, and language that emphasizes that we stand together before God, have been the norm. Yet in our rush to embrace the popular praise music of our day, we are incongruously again describing God exclusively with masculine pronouns and addressing our "Lord and Master," in the first person singular. As to musical considerations, when we plan the array of hymns to be sung, there should be some balance between the familiar, well-loved tunes, and some others. It is probably also advisable to incorporate a variety of musical style periods--not all gospel songs, or for that matter, English cathedral tunes--in any one service. It's not so easy being responsible, is it? - 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 |
| 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.)
St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church, 1188 Ben Franklin Highway, Douglassville, seeks an accomplished organist and choir director to serve part-time as Organist/Choirmaster, working 10-12 hours per week. Familiarity with Episcopal liturgy a plus. The Organist/Choirmaster plans and coordinates service music with the church rector; the successful candidate will work with a volunteer choir and will be sensitive and responsive to the capabilities, needs, and interests of the parish family. Annual salary range is $15,000 - $16,000. Interested applicants may submit resumes to office@stgabriels.us (Posted April, 2012.) First United Church of Christ, 611 Washington Street, Reading, seeks candidates for Director of Music. Responsibilities of this half-time position include two traditional Sunday worship services (1941 Evangelical and Reformed Church hymnal with a blend of traditional and contemporary music); adult choir, handbells, children's music ministry, concert series; proficiency playing recently renovated 80-rank pipe organ expected. Position is available January 1, 2013; deadline to submit application materials is May 31, 2012. Contact firstchurch@frontier.net or First United Church of Christ, 611 Washington St., P. O. Box 402, Reading, PA 19603-0402. (Posted April, 2012.) St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Birdsboro, is seeking to fill a 1/4-time Minister of Music position, beginning July 1, 2012. Job description and application information can be found at www.stpaulsbirdsboro.org. (Posted April, 2012.) New Hanover Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2941 Lutheran Road, Gilbertsville,PA 19525, seeks candidate or candidates (depending on skills/experience of applicants) to lead their music program. More information is available at www.newhanoverlutheran.org. Inquiries and resumes can be directed to nhelc@comcast.net or via U.S. mail to attention of the Music Program Task Force at the church address above. (Posted March, 2012.) St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 6251 Morgantown Rd., P. O. Box 97, Morgantown, PA 19543, is seeking an Organist to play their new Rodgers digital organ for service music, hymns, and selected organ literature at one weekly Sunday morning worship service (10:30 a.m.) plus holidays and other occasional services. Interested persons can contact the church at the address above, by calling (610) 286-9547, or e-mail the church at stthomas@dejazzd.com. Deadline for applications is June 1, 2012. (Posted March, 2012.) Nativity Lutheran Church, 1501 N. 13th Street, Reading, is seeking a part-time Organist-Choir Director, 10-12 hours per week. Responsibilities include one weekly Sunday service, adult and youth choirs, adult bell choir and youth tone chimes. Organ and piano proficiency expected. Job description at www.nativityreading.org or call (610) 374-3230 for more information. (Posted January, 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 |
| Mrs. Marjorie Fitz, CAGO, Dean - fitzgeo@aol.com
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 Dr. Keith Kull, Executive Committee - kkull@earthlink.net Ms. Joyce Maurer, SPC, Executive Committee - organist@enter.net Mrs. Elaine Stetser, Executive Committee - ejayes65@comcast.net Rev. Michael A. Baal, D.M.A., AAGO, Chaplain and Newsletter/Website Editor - mb2al@verizon.net |
Links |
| Visit the AGO National website |