The Old Colony Organist Southeastern Massachusetts Chapter

Last updated: February 3, 2010

Message from the Dean

In Memoriam: Richard Lahaise

We regret to report the passing of Richard Lahaise on Sunday, January 3. Dick's funeral was on January 7 at St. Theresa's West Roxbury, MA.

Dick was a giant in the world of organ maintenance and restoration in the
greater Boston area. Such masterpieces as the Hooks at Immaculate
Conception and Holy Cross Cathedral survive largely through his efforts. Dick and his brother, Bob continued a long family tradition of organ building.
Their father, grandfather, great and great, great grandfathers had worked with the Hook and Hastings Company.

Robert Lahaise died of cancer in 1985 and Dick continued with the firm throughout his life. His work has been unknowingly witnessed by hundreds of millions. Last fall the Hutchings organ at Mission Church in Roxbury which was rebuilt by the Lahaise brothers in 1968 was played by James David Christe for the funeral of Senator Edward M. Kennedy. Dick and his crew worked throughout the previous day putting the organ into shape for the service. He was also a major factor in the ongoing restoration of the 1875 Hook & Hastings at Holy Cross Cathedral in Boston.

I first met Dick at an Organ Historical Society Convention in Portland, Maine in 1963. Later, Dick and his brother, Bob accomplished a seven stage refurbishment of our 1875 Hook and Hastings at Unity Church. Just last year, he moved our 2700 pound 1923 Spencer organ blower in order to make room for our new heating system. A few weeks ago, we chatted after he did our annual Christmas tuning. He was telling about the many church closings and the related silencing of many organs.

I am deeply saddened with the loss of Dick. He was a good friend and a
master craftsman who knew his trade inside and out. But he was also a warm, jovial human being who will be sorely missed.

Richard Hill

On Sunday afternoon, February 14 at 2:00 PM several organists will perform a memorial concert in honor of Dick Lahaise at Holy Cross Cathedral in Boston
on the 1875 E. & GG Hook & Hastings organ.

Local Events

Friday, February 12, 2010 7:00 PM
Christ Congregational Church Pleasant St. Brockton
Southeastern Massachusetts American Guild of Organists
Duet Night with 1992 Austin Organ and Piano
Admission Free, Handicapped Accessible

Sunday, February 14, 2010 2:00 PM
Holy Cross Cathedral 1400 Washington St. Boston
Organ Recital in Memory of Richard Lahaise
1875 E. & G.G.Hook & Hastings Opus 801 3-70

February 17th at 12 noon. Ash Wednesday Organ Concert
Church of the Transfiguration at Rock Harbor, Orleans, MA
Works by J.S. Bach, Brahms, Near and others will be played on the E.M. Skinner organ in the splendid acoustic of the, on Wednesday, $25.00, $20 seniors, 18 and under FREE. For tickets call 508 240 2400

Wednesday, February 24, 2010 12:15 PM
Unity Church 13 Main Street, North Easton
Richard Hill, Organist in “A Handel Sampler”
Works of George Frederick Handel, born on this day in 1685
Free Admission, Handicapped Accessible
Donations to Haitian Relief

Sunday, February 28, 2010 3:00 PM Renea Waligora, Organist
St. Anthony's Church 1359 Acushnet Avenue, New Bedford
Donations to Organ Restoration Fund

Saturday, March 6, 2010 3:00 PM
First Lutheran Church 900 Main Street Brockton
Haitian Relief Organ Concert on the 1968 Schantz Organ
Organists:
Hope Mehaffey, First Lutheran, Brockton
Richard Hill, Unity Church, N. Easton
Natsumi Sakaguchi, Church of Our Saviour, Brookline
William Harris, Holy trinity Lutheran, N. Easton
Philip Jones, Christ Congregational, Brockton

Saturday, March 13 2:00-4:00 PM Horace Mann Auditorium, School Street, Bridgewater
A Choral Festival
2:00 Choral Readings
3:00 Performance Directed by Steven Young
Invite Your Choir and Join in.

Sunday, March 14, 2010 3:00 PM
Unity Church 13 Main Street, North Easton
“Strings and Songs”
Laura Balboni, Viola; Susan Maffa, Soprano
Richard Hill, piano, harpsichord, organ

Sunday, March 21, 2010 3:00 PM St. Anthony's Church 1359 Acushnet Avenue, New Bedford: Steven Young, Organist on the 1912 Casavant Donations to Organ Restoration Fund

Wednesday, March 24, 2010 12:15 PM Unity Church 13 Main Street, North Easton Richard Hill, Organist in Bach Birthday Bash
Donations to Haitian Relief Fund

Saturday, April 24, 2010 Annual Spring Organ Crawl in Weymouth and Hingham

Friday, May 21 6:00 PM Annual Meeting and Election of Officers at Christ Congregational Church, Brockton with Member Recital and Dinner at Noceras

Organ Concerts at Holy Cross College Chapel, Worcester MA 2009/10
Heinrich Christensen - Sun. Feb. 7 3pm (from King's Chapel, Boston)

James David Christie - Sun. March 21 3pm (25th Anniversary of the Organ & of Christie's time at Holy Cross College, Worcester)

Jacob Street - Sun. April 11 3pm (Senior Organ Scholar at HC-winner of AGO
Region I Young Organ Competition 2009)

Philippe Lefebvre - Sun. April 25 3pm ( Notre Dame, Paris)
All concerts are free.

King's Chapel Tuesday Series

Corner of School and Tremont Streets in Boston. 64 Beacon St. Boston, MA 02108
These recitals last 30 to 40 minutes and take place every Tuesday at 12:15 p.m. at King's Chapel. They feature a wide variety of performers and repertoire, ranging from local students to touring professional artists and presenting jazz and folk music of many ethnicities as well as classical music from medieval times to the present. A suggested donation of $3 is requested at the door. These programs are supported by individual donations.

You may receive notification of Tuesday Recitals by surface mail or by email. Please send your name, street address, city, state and ZIP code to King's Chapel House, 64 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108, or email your request.

If you are interested in performing for the Tuesday Recitals series, contact Heinrich Christensen.

Fridays at Trinity Church, Copley Square, Boston

From September through June, come enjoy this weekly series of midday organ concerts featuring innovative programs by recitalists from throughout the United States and from abroad. There is no charge for admission, but we invite a donation of $5. Wheelchair accessible. For more information, contact Music Coordinator Katie Vogele, 617-536-0944.
Fridays at 12:15 pm in the Church, September through June

2009–2010 recitals schedule:

January 29: Jacob Street, North Reading, MA

February 5: George Sargeant, Sudbury, MA
February 12: Woo-sug Kan, Auckland, New Zealand
February 19: Bálint Karosi, Boston, MA
February 26: Harry Huff, Boston, MA

March 5: Steve Patchel, Boston, MA
March 12: Ray Nagem, New Haven, CT
March 19: Amanda Mole, Holden, MA
March 26: Luca Massaglia, Torina, Italy

April 2: No Recital (Good Friday)
April 9: Christian Lane, Cambridge, MA
April 16: Kristian Schneider, Linz, Austria
April 23: Andrew Sheranian, Rye, NY
April 30: Bryan Ashley, Boston, MA

May 7: Rosalind Mohnsen, Malden, MA
May 14: Heinrich Christensen, Boston MA
May 21: Ray Cornils, Portland, ME
May 28: Brian Jones, Boston, MA

Harvard’s series to celebrate the historic Fisk Organ, Op. 46,
co-sponsored by the BAGO, continues this spring. An important
component of these events are afternoon master classes with the
artists.

I welcome your participation in these master classes and am grateful
to the Boston AGO for its support of our series. And, even if you
don’t wish to play, I invite you to attend these free events!

Please do let me know if you would like to play in any of the upcoming classes:

Harry Huff: Feb 2
Christa Rakich: Mar 2
Nancy Granert: Apr 6
Christian Lane: May 3

Master Classes are at 12:15 pm; the evening recitals are at 7:30 pm.

I encourage you take advantage of these opportunities and hope to see
you at Harvard this spring!

Please contact me with any questions.
Chris Lane

Meet Our New Member, Paula King

I am a woman who is always up to something. After a semi-hiatus from the music world (I've always kept my foot in the door) I have returned to pursue Master level studies in Pastoral Ministry at Boston College School of Theology and Ministry, with a concentration in liturgical music. In the past I graduated from Wheaton College with a BA in Music and Studio Art, then attended the School of the Museum of Fine Arts. I received a Master Teacher's Certification from the Archdiocese of Boston in Liturgy and Music.
My major instrument was piano. I began playing organ at my local church and decided to study under Rev. David Gallagher. Later I became music director at St. Anne RC church in Readville and later St. James the Great Church in Wellesley. I became a mom to my lovely daughter and also adopted a son from Guatemala. That's when I became part-time in the music field, occasionally subbing for other churches and leading music for a Children's Liturgy of the Word program.

I am also interested in Celtic music, playing tin whistle and harp and writing Irish tunes. My husband and I play together and with others at Irish Sessiuns.
I am interested in becoming more actively involved in researching the organ again and furthering my skills.
I can't wait to meet the other music lovers of the AGO.

Paula

Program for 2009-2010

Sunday, September 20, 2009 3:00 PM Annual Member Recital
First Congregational Church (Route 105) 6 Plympton Street Middleboro on the recently restored two manual 12 rank 1887 S. S. Hamill organ. A benefit concert for the Organ Fund of Central Congregational in Middleboro which burned on Memorial Day. The concert was a huge success with over a thousand dollars collected.

Donations may be made to
Central Congregational Church of Middleboro Fire Fund
30 South Main Street Middleboro, MA 02346

Saturday, October 24 A Van Trip to Methuen Organs

Sunday, November 8, 2009 3:00 Peter Krasinski, Organist at St. Anthony's Church 1359 Acushnet Avenue, New Bedford

Friday, February 12, 2010 7:00 PM Christ Congregational Church 1350 Pleasant Street, Brockton SE Mass AGO Duet Night

Saturday, March 13, 2010 2:00-4:00 PM Bridgewater State College SE Mass AGO Choral Choral Reading and Concert

Saturday, April 24, 2010 9:30AM-3:00PM Annual SE Masss AGO Organ Crawl in Weymouth

Friday, May 21, 2010 Member Recital and Annual Meeting 6:00 PM Christ Congregational Church, Supper at Noceras

Some February Birthdays
3 Felix Mendelssohn 1809
Jehan Alain 1911
6 Andre Machal 1894
7 James H. Rogers 1857
15 Jean Langlais 1907
18 Johann Christian Rinck 1770
21 Charles Marie Widor 1844
23 George Frederick Handel 1685
24 Samuel Wesley 1766
26 Frank Bridge 1879
27 C. Hubert Parry 1848
29 Gioacchino Rossini 1792

Membership

e mail Richard Hill: smhill42ne@earthlink.net for membership form.

Our chapter covers the 53 towns and cities south of Boston, north of Cape Cod and east of Rhode Island. It includes the cities of Brockton, Taunton, Attleboro, Fall River and New Bedford along wth several small towns, many with historic pipe organs. The oldest continually active E & GG Hook pipe organ in the United States, an 1834 installation is in the Berkley Congregational Church. Our programs are held throughout the region and celebrate organs and organ music throughout the year.

Placement

2010 Salary Guide

AMERICAN GUILD OF ORGANISTS
SALARY GUIDE FOR MUSICIANS
EMPLOYED BY RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS

OTHER FEES

* The range of fees are for musicians with degrees in organ or church music or AGO certification.
* Fees vary regionally. The lowest figures reflect smaller, rural areas of the country.
* Fees will also vary based on training, experience, availability, responsibility, and dates required.

SUBSTITUTE MUSICIANS

* Single service (organist only or director only, no separate rehearsal), $100-$225
* Additional services (organist or director only) not requiring additional preparation, $50-$125
* Single service (organist-director combination, no separate rehearsal), $150-$275
* Additional services (organist-director combination) not requiring additional preparation, $75-$175
* Rehearsal fees range from $25-$100/hour, depending on whether the substitute is organist only, director only, or organist-director combination and the preparation required
* Mileage of 32.5 cents/mile is charged if visits to church for practice, rehearsal, and service exceed 20 miles per round trip.
* The charge for contracting singers/instrumentalists is $15-$35/person hired.

WEDDINGS

* Service fees are $100-$350 (service only)
* Wedding rehearsal with bridal party is $50-$100/hour.
* Additional rehearsals are $30-$50/hour.
* Mileage of 32.5 cents/mile is charged if visits to church for practice, rehearsal, and service exceed 20 miles per round trip.
* The charge for contracting singers/instrumentalists is $15-$35/person hired.

FUNERALS

* Service fees are $100-$225 (service only)
* Rehearsals $25-$100/hour, depending on the difficulty of the music and the participation of choirs, soloists, or instrumentalists.
* Mileage of 32.5 cents/mile is charged if visits to church for practice, rehearsal, and service exceed 20 miles per round trip.
* The charge for contracting singers/instrumentalists is $15-$35/person hired.

NOTE: Occasionally churches or synagogues will hire musicians as independent contractors instead of employees. According to the IRS, workers are generally considered employees if they:

* Must comply with the employer's instructions about the work.
* Receive training from or at the direction of the employer.
* Provide services that are integrated into the business.
* Provide services that must be rendered personally.
* Are aided by assistants who are hired, supervised, and paid by the employer.
* Have a continuing working relationship with the employer.
* Must follow set hours of work.
* Work full-time for an employer.
* Do their work on the employer's premises.
* Must do their work in a sequence set by the employer.
* Must submit regular reports to the employer.
* Receive payments of regular amounts at set intervals.
* Receive payments for business travel expenses.
* Rely on the employer to furnish tools and materials.
* Lack a major investment in the facilities or equipment used to perform the services.
* Cannot make a profit or suffer a loss from their services.
* Work for one employer at a time.
* Do not offer their services to the general public.
* Can be fired by the employer.
* May quit work at any time without incurring liability.

According to these guidelines, the majority of church and synagogue musicians are employees.

A gentleman in New Bedford is giving away a two manual Hammond Organ. AKA FREE. Home model, not draw bars.
Contact Information:
Harold Morrell
219 Church Street
New Bedford, MA
508-996-8943

Positions Available

Minister of Music Position

Organist/pianist/choir director for Lutheran church. 2 Sunday services: one traditional, one blended. One adult choir, Sunday School music with quarterly children's performance in worship. Coordination of various volunteer musicians. Some administrative duties.

Please send cover letter, resume, and references to The Rev. Edward Saling, Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 24 Berwick Street, Norwood, MA 02062 or to HYPERLINK "mailto:pastah@norwoodlight.com" pastah@norwoodlight.com.

Additional information is available at www.Emmanuel-Norwood.org.

The First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, of Stoughton, MA, seeks a qualified Organist/Choir Director to accompany weekly worship services and direct our music programs, beginning in January, 2010. Along with strong skills and experience in both organ and piano, applicants should have prior conducting experience and a basic understanding of church liturgy. Knowledge of and willingness to explore a wide variety of music styles is preferred, both for choral anthems and regular worship.

We are a vibrant and growing congregation with an active membership of 185, an adult choir of 6-10 and a seasonal childrenâ€™s choir of 12-16. It is hoped that a new director will have the energy and creativity to expand both of these groups. We have a custom, three manual Allen Organ, installed in 1968, that incorporates 20 chimes. We also have two Baldwin pianos and three octaves each of Schulmerich handbells and Suzuki tone chimes.

This part time position requires 8-10 hours per week, with midweek or Sunday morning choir rehearsals and one Sunday service. Salary is paid monthly in a range of $8,000 - $10,000 annually.

Interested applicants are invited to submit a current resume, along with an introductory message and an addendum of related accomplishments, via email to: music@uccstoughton.org. You are also welcome to visit our web site at www.uccstoughton.org

Substitute List

David Baker
Email dgb137@mac.com or call 617-367-4260.

Fred Brewer 508 586 9527

Ron Brown 508 226 1565 (All) $125. minimum
bachfanbrown@comcast.net

Claire DeCusati
decusati@verizon.net
781-582-8722

Ann Davis 508 543 5245

Jim Moore also available some Sundays
61 Oak Street
Norton, MA 02766-1103
jimm88@comcast.net

Joan Nahigian No Sundays September-June
81 King Philips Pathe
Marshfield, MA 02050
pinkltink@verizon.net
(781) 834-4105

Sarah Hostetter 781-740-1283
sarahhostetter@verizon.net
303 Linden Ponds Way, Apt. T-20
Hingham, MA 02043

Robert Johnson 508 226 8991 maxinejohnson@comcast.net

Pat Potter 508-226-2277 weekdays and Saturdays
prpotter@aol.com

Maria Rivera 774 222-3352 mdlarw@aol.com
BM Eastman MM Juilliard

Jim Russell jimrussell52_@yahoo.com

Ronald P. Shepard: organsub@gmail.com 413 783 4280
860 243 7424

Mary Whelan mwhelan@wheatonma.edu 508 222 5762
weekdays and Saturdays

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

Certification

The AGO PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION PROGRAM dates from 1896, when the Guild received its charter from the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York to administer a comprehensive series of examinations for professional certification. The following certificates are offered under the auspices of the AGO Committee on Professional Certification: Service Playing Certificate (SPC), Colleague (CAGO), Choir Master (ChM), Associateship (AAGO), and Fellowship (FAGO). While the lower-level Guild examinations (CAGO and SPC) test competence in a number of skills that an organist uses regularly, such as hymn playing, accompanying, and sight-reading, the more advanced examinations also test the candidate's literacy and musicianship at a higher level. For example, tests in writing counterpoint, accompanying from a figured bass, and essay questions in music history are included in the upper-level exams.
"An AGO certificate benefits the member, contributing to professional advancement and to an increase in confidence in performance, and it strengthens the Guild in its mission to maintain standards in organ playing, choral conducting, and worship music," notes Philip Gehring, PhD, FAGO, immediate past director of the AGO Committee on Professional Certification. "A Guild with a large number of certified members sends a message to the public that we are serious about quality in the practice of our profession." Approximately 10% of the AGO membership is certificated. Of those, 39% hold the Service Playing Certificate; 29% hold the Colleague; 7% hold the Choir Master; 18% hold the Associateship, and 7% hold the Fellowship.

Contact Us

Officers for 2009-2010

Dean - Dr Steven Young, AAGO 508 823 0504
68 Briarwood Drive Taunton, MA 02780-3754 s1young@bridgew.edu
Old South Union Congregational, Weymouth

Sub-Dean - Philip Jones FRCO 508 583 3022 pjones345@comcast.net
127 Tilton Avenue, Brockton, MA
02301-3029 Christ Congregational Church UCC Brockton

Treasurer/Registrar/Membership - Jim Moore 508 223 9646
61 Oak Street, Norton MA 02766-1103 jimm88@comcast.net
Pilgrim Congregational Church, Taunton

Secretary/Newsletter/Webmaster - Richard Hill 508 238-6081
18 Main Street North Easton, MA 02356 1430
Unity Church of North Easton (Unitarian Universalist)

Education Coordinator - Fred Brewer 508 586 9527
40 Ellen Road Brockton, MA 02302=2527

Professional Development Coordinator - Philip Jones

Director - Dennis Ferguson 508 528 6292
41 Prospect Street Franklin MA 02038-3401
Murray Unitarian Universalist, Attleboro

Visit the AGO National website