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SAGINAW VALLEY CHAPTER (Michigan) |
| Last updated: August 14, 2009 |
Message from the Dean |
| Dear Friends,
This website will contain the plans and information for the upcoming season as prepared by the Saginaw Valley Chapter AGO's board during the spring and summer months. Now all we need is you! It is no secret that participation in many groups has declined in the past few years. Our chapter is no exception. We have been influenced by an aging membership and the economic climate -- just like everyone else. Your chapter board has been very active over the summer to try to meet the diverse needs of our membership. We have responded to every suggestion that was given to us for programming for the upcoming year. I hope you will find something in the proposed season that will help you in your important work. More importantly, I hope you will decide to be more involved in the chapter by attending the meetings that are planned. We have scheduled a special meeting for January 16, 2010, to discuss the future of our chapter. We have some choices to make. We suggest the following for your consideration and discussion at the January meeting: 1. ought we continue in future seasons by offering a complete slate of chapter programs; 2. ought we discontinue offering any programs except for the annual scholarship auditions in support of new organist education; 3. ought we dissolve the chapter; 4. ought we consider other possibilities. Now on to the 2009-2010 year, which relies on the urgent support of chapter volunteers. Here are some specific ways in which we need help: hosts offering hospitality for meetings; a co-chairperson for our chapter's Scholarship Committee (we have one volunteer already); a Publicity Chairperson; a Membership Chairperson; volunteers for officers for the 2010-2011 season if it is determined the chapter continune. I hope to hear from people interested in the above options. Perhaps we consider the strong message sent [that will certainly influence the January discussion] if the needed volunteers do not come forward. Other items that we have been discussing include two recording projects. We would like to record the organs in our area and make a CD available to our members and to area museums. Proceeds would go to our scholarship fund. We have also discussed a recording for vocal solos for weddings. We need help with both of this ideas. If you are interested please contact me as soon as possible. If you have suggestions for the recordings or if you would like to play for the recording, let us know. Our first meeting is on Friday, September 11, 2009, at First Congregational Church in Saginaw. Carl Angelo will be our host for a reading session of music for the small choir. Every member who attends the meeting will receive a free packet of music. You do need to let us know if you are coming so we have enough copies for the reading session. There is also a dinner option for this meeting. I look forward to hearing from you. Bob |
Local Events |
| Saginaw Valley Chapter AGO Choral Reading Session
(SUGGESTED MEAL DESTINATION) September 11, 2009 – 5:30 p. Savoy Grill 127 S. Franklin Street, Saginaw, Michigan 48607 September 11, 2009 – 7:00 p. First Congregational Church 403 S. Jefferson Avenue, Saginaw, Michigan 48607 Carl Angelo – host, session accompanist Robert Sabourin – reading session leader Last season’s first session focused on Oxford’s Flexible Anthems for Choirs – it was met with much success by chapter members and area conductors. This programming year begins similarly with a new music workshop. Participants will be provided with complimentary scores. --- AGO Movie Night – The Master Series, Marilyn Mason (SUGGESTED MEAL DESTINATION) November 6, 2009 – 5:30 p. Panda House Chinese Restaurant 1010 N. Niagara Street, Saginaw, Michigan 48602 November 6, 2009 – 7:00 p. First Presbyterian Church 121 S. Harrison Street, Saginaw, Michigan 48602 Gregory Largent – host Volume 5 of the AGO’s The Master Series has been released as a resource for individuals and chapters. Enjoy a DVD presentation on First Presbyterian Church’s big screen surveying the methods of Marilyn Mason, longtenured faculty member of University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Popcorn and soda, anyone? --- Kent S. Dennis Memorial Scholarship Recital (SUGGESTED MEAL DESTINATION) November 15, 2009 – 5:30 p. Grand Traverse Pie Company 2600 N. Saginaw Road, Midland, Michigan 48640 November 15, 2009 – 7:00 p. The Bertha E. R. Strosacker Memorial Presbyterian Church 1310 Ashman Street, Midland, Michigan 48640 Nicholas Schmelter – recitalist Adrienne Wiley – host Organist Nicholas Schmelter performs this inaugural recital on the chancel organ at Bertha E. R. Strosacker Memorial Presbyterian Church. A free-will offering will be taken – donations will benefit the Kent S. Dennis Scholarship Fund and the chapter’s continued support of new organist education. --- Open Bench Day – Holy Family Catholic Church April 16, 2010 – 10:00 a. - 12:00 p., 1:30 p. - 4:00 p. Holy Family Catholic Church 1525 S. Washington Avenue, Saginaw, Michigan 48607 David Hammond – host Have the opportunity to see, hear, and play the renovated three-manual pipe organ at Holy Family Catholic Church: do so when your schedule allows, too. A variety of orchestral stops dating to the early decades of last century team well with the architecturally stunning, acoustically splendid church. --- AGO Movie Night – Around the Wanamaker Organ in 80 Minutes (SUGGESTED MEAL DESTINATION) April 23, 2010 – 5:30 p. Boulevard Lounge 316 S. Saginaw Road, Midland, Michigan 48640 April 23, 2010 – 7:00 p. Trinity Lutheran Church 3701 Jefferson Avenue, Midland, Michigan 48640 Patti Bowen – host Explore the 461-rank Wanamaker organ through this DVD presentation – tours and history lessons given by Peter Richard Conte, Keith Chapman, and Virgil Fox will certainly spark your interest in this king of kings of the king of instruments. --- Evening Service and Dinner May 7, 2010 – 6:30 p. Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church 501 South Catherine Street, Bay City, Michigan 48706 Norma Roenicke – host (SUGGESTED MEAL DESTINATION) May 7, 2010 – 7:30 p. Tommy V’s Café and Pizzeria 310 E. Midland Road, Bay City, Michigan 48706 The Saginaw Valley Chapter AGO’s tradition of holding an end-of-season worship service on alternating years continues with the possibility of installing a new slate of chapter officers. We will meet at Bay City’s Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church for an evening service and will repair to Tommy V’s for dinner. |
Newsletter |
| Contact J. Hill to receive the most updated SVCAGO Newsletter. |
Membership |
| Please visit the AGO national website at www.agohq.org for detailed membership information.
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Placement |
| Employers and job seekers are invited to post and search listings of available positions on the Guild's National Website. |
Certification |
Contact Us |
| Officers of SVCAGO [2009 – 2010]
Robert Sabourin – Dean Organist, Director of Music, Trinity Episcopal Church, Bay City [sabourinrobert@sbcglobal.net] Nicholas Schmelter - Sub Dean [schmelternick@hotmail.com] Jim Hill - Secretary and Newsletter Editor Organist, First United Church Of Christ, Bay City [jkh1942@charter.net] Robert Van Nostrand – Treasurer Organist, Kawkawlin Community Church, Kawkawlin [robert.vannostrand@ahpplc.com] Patti Bowen – Board Member Organist, Trinity Lutheran Church, Midland [pmbowen830@gmail.com] Mary Lou Nowicki – Board Member Organist, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Mt. Pleasant [nowicki.marylou@gmail.com] Ruth Wondrasch – Board Member Mair Alsgaard – Scholarship Committee Chairperson Organist, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Midland [emalsgaard2@chartermi.net] |
Links |
| www.rcco.ca
The prestigious Royal Canadian College of Organists. www.rco.org.uk England's own Royal College of Organists. www.organsociety.org The official website of the Organ Historical Society. www.organstops.org An indispensable, comprehensive site for anyone with a penchant for organ stop trivia. www.cyberhymnal.org Scores and midi files for an impressive collection of hymns. www.geocities.com/organtour A "virtual" trek through the great organ locations of Britain. www.ondamar.demon.co.uk/organs.htm One man's obsession with organ trivia and his own collection of "dream organs." www.casavant.ca The Web home of renowned Canadian organ builder Casavant Freres. www.acchos.org Visit this page and support the preservation of the world's largest organ - the 1930 Midmer-Losh in Atlantic City's Convention Hall. |
| Visit the AGO National website |