The Old Colony Organist Southeastern Massachusetts Chapter

Last updated: May 15, 2012

Message from the Dean

Our recital at Old Post Road Church on the 1865 George Stevens was a rousing success. The church was full with an enthusiastic audience who welcomes the playing of Beverly Jerold, Philip Jones, and Richard Hill. This organ reminded us of the conservative George Stevens who had but a 13 note pedal board. Beverly's Handel concerto was perfect on this size organ. Philip played works of Samuel Wesley, Thomas Arbe, Franz Lizst, his own arrangement of Oliver Shaw's New England Hymn and his Variations on Dona Nobis Pacem. Richard included works of Oliver Shaw, George Auric, Scott Joplin, and Duke Ellington. The program was followed with a sumptuous dessert buffet. This was a loyal congregation who turned out in numbers to support their church. Our guild chapter is committed to celebrating churches that hold on to their fine organs and vaule their sounds and their contributions to their worship.

This marked to finale of an eventful year which began with a recognition recital at Brockton's First Lutheran Church for Hope Mehaffey's 50 years there as organist. This was followed with a celebration of the Wissenger rebuild of the Norwell First Parish Hook and continued in November with Peter Krasinski's splendid performance on the 1912 Casavant at St. Anthony's in New Bedford. Our Twelfth Night Party was at Murray Church in Attleboro where past dean Dennis Ferguson and Mary Whelan had a fine evening of music by recorder consorts and piano. Our Bach Festival at New Bedford's First Unitarian exploited the resources of the wonderful 1966 D. A. Flentrop. The Church Music Workshop at Murray Church in Attleboro on the first Saturday in March attracted some 60 organists and choir directors. Our Mendelssohn Festival in late March featured an organ recital on the 1859 Hook and North Easton's Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and a spectacular choral afternoon at Christ Congregational Church in Brockton where Philip Jones conducted the 50 voice choir. before a packed house. This was a speldid afternoon. Our April Organ Crawl in the Bridgewaters featured Natsumi Malloy on Union Congregational's one manual 1884 Steere and Turner, Philip Jones at East Bridgewater Methodist on their 1900 James Cole, Alex Pattavina at Trinity Episcopal in Bridgewater on the 1890 W. B. Williams and Richard Hall at Bridgewater Methodist on their 1913 Hook & Hastings and at First Parish Bridgewater on the 1852 Hook. It was a fine day with some gorgeous sounds. Our grand finale at Old Post Road Church is described above.

PLans for next season include a Benjamin Britten day, an Attleboro organ crawl, a church music workshop at Murray Church on the first Saturday in March and more member recitals in churches that continue to cherish their fine organs.

What remains is for us to hold an annual meeting and elect officers for next year. All who wish to serve as officers in our chapter should contact Richard Hill at smhill42ne@earthlink.net. The date will be announced shortly.

This was also a sad year with the loss of Walter Mitchell, Gary Zwicky, Gerry Hancock, and Doug Truran. Each has enriched our lives with their love of the art of the organ. Soli Deo Gloria!

Local Events

"IN SEARCH OF SEARLES" - A tourbus visit to historic sites in Methuen, MA
Sunday, May 20, 2:00-6:00 p.m., beginning at Methuen Memorial Music Hall, 192 Broadway, Methuen, MA. Plenty of parking!
Venues include the former Searles estate (now a Convent), three churches, and the Methuen Memorial Music Hall.
Each stop will include a brief organ demonstration and site-specific talk, with time for photos and open console.
Tour leaders: OHS members Jim Lewis (author of Mr. Searles and the Organ) and Barbara Owen (author of The Great Organ at Methuen).
Reservations $40.00 in advance only (limited to 50). To make a reservation, email Barbara Owen: owenbar@juno.comowenbar@juno.com>.
For further information, see www.mmmh.org.

Coming Events

Wednesday, May 23, 2012 12:15 PM
Unity Church 13 Main Street, North Easton
Richard Hill Organist in "A Rite of Spring"
Sweelinck, Dillon, Jenkins, Elmore, Young, Kinder, Karg-Elert
Handicapped Accessible, Free Admission
508 238 6081

Air, Fire, Water: An Organ Concert for Pentecost
James E. Jordan and SharonRose Pfeiffer offer a celebratory concert for the feast of Pentecost, Sunday, June 3rd at 3:30 PM on the E. M. Skinner Organ at the Church of the Transfiguration, Rock Harbor, Orleans. The program explores a wide range of inspired works including Komm Heiliger Geist by Bach, Dance of the Holy Spirit by Dan Locklair and Persichetti's toccata, With Tongues of Fire. Tickets $25, $20 Seniors, 18 & under free. Call 508-240-2400. Visit www.churchofthetransfiguration.org

Pedals, Pipes, Black & White – Sunday Afternoon Music
First UU Society of Middleboro – June 10, 2012

Opening Words – Rev. Tracey Robinson-Harris
The Exuberant Trumpet Lani Smith
Susan Hotchkiss, organ
Sonata in E Minor Carl Friedrich Abel (1723-1787)
Molly Johnston, viola da gamba
From “The Five Elements of Feng Shui” (2011) Erik Lindgren
Metal – Water – Fire
Erik Lindgren & Consort: Lea Botta (flute),
Mark Finklestein (bassoon), Torben Hansen (clarinet)
The Pasture Robert Frost/Randall Thompson
Tenor-Bass Ensemble accompanied by Richard Turk
First Arabesque Claude Debussy/Gaston Choisnel
Quatrieme Ballade, Op. 52 Frederic Chopin (1810-1849)
Mortimer Barron, piano

Ten-minute pause

Dorian Echo Fantasy Jan Pieterzoon Sweelinck (1563-1621)
Susan Hotchkiss, organ

Iraqi Peace Song Traditional Iraqi, arr. Knut Reirsud
Setting by Lori Tennenhouse
Women’s Ensemble accompanied by Molly Johnston
Heidi Lawton, soloist
Tango (need title & date) Erik Lindgren
Erik Lindgren & Consort

Passacaglia and Fugue in C Minor, BWV 582 J.S. Bach (1685-1750)
Mortimer Barron, organ

Omnia Sol (Let Your Heart Be Staid) Z. Randall Stroope
Chalice Choir, accompanied by Richard Turk
Duet for Four Hands (2010) Mortimer B. Barron
I Allegro ma non Troppo
II Moderato, expressive
III Moderato, with a jazz feel

Trinity Church Copley Square Boston
Fridays at 12:15 PM 2011–2012 recitals schedule:

May 18: Rich Spotts
May 25: Jason Abel

June 1: Leslie Smith
June 8: Alison Riseley-Clark

Gary L. Zwicky
April 18, 2012

Gary Lee Zwicky of Oak Park, Illinois, died on Easter Sunday, April 8, at his home at Belmont Village in Oak Park after a hard-fought battle with Parkinson's disease. He was 77.
Gary was born June 18, 1934, in Oshkosh, Wisc., to George and Bessie (Widmer) Zwicky. He married Elaine Holmes in 1960 in Vineyard Haven.
He earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Wisconsin at Madison and his doctor of music arts, the first to be given in organ, from the University of Illinois at Champaign. He also was a fellow in the College of Church Musicians at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., and earned the Fellowship from the American Guild of Organists (F.A.G.O.), the highest professional degree granted by the guild.
In addition, he served as national director of Guild Student Groups for the American Guild of Organists and as organ chairman and superintendent of Syllabus Publications for the Illinois State Music Teachers Association. He gave recitals throughout the United States and Germany.
Gary was a professor of music at Eastern Illinois University from 1966 to 1994 and served as organist and choirmaster at more than 10 churches in Illinois, Texas, Maryland, and Massachusetts. One of his greatest pleasures was playing keyboard recital duets with his wife, Elaine.
After retiring from EIU, Gary embarked on a wonderful second career as organist and choirmaster at Union Chapel in Oak Bluffs and as director of the Vineyard Haven Band. He played in a jazz trio and brass quintet on Martha's Vineyard and delighted his grandchildren and others by dressing as a lion tamer while directing performances of "The Carnival of the Animals."
Gary and Elaine greatly enjoyed many years of retirement on their beloved Martha's Vineyard before moving to Oak Park in 2009.
As a gifted and highly respected musician, Gary touched many lives with his music throughout his lifetime. In recent years, he took up the hobby of genealogy, tirelessly researching his and his wife's families so his children and grandchildren would know their roots.
He is survived by his wife of Oak Park; his son, Fred (Elise) Zwicky of Pekin; his daughter, Jeanette (Gregg) Simon of Oak Park; his grandchildren, Megan, Kristen, and Sean Zwicky of Pekin and Hunter and Winston Simon of Oak Park; his brother, Warren Zwicky of Washington, D.C.; his brother-in-law, Norman (Stephanie Crissman) Bauer of Silver Spring, Md.; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Betty Jane Zwicky Bauer; and his brother, LaVerne Zwicky.
Cremation was accorded by Gamboney and Son in Oak Park. A celebration of life Mass will be held at 10:30 am on April 28, at Grace Episcopal Church, 924 Lake St. in Oak Park.
Memorials may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Church Street Station, P.O. Box 780, New York, NY 10008, or to the Vineyard Haven Band at P.O. Box 2187, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568

May Birthdays
1 Leo Sowerby 1895, Dirk Flentrop 1910
2 Alessandro Scarlatti 1660
3 Marcel Dupre 1886, Virgil Fox 1912
4 Frederic Jacobi 1891
5 T. Tertius Noble 1867
7 Johannes Brahms 1833
11 Harold Friedell 1905
12 Gabriel Faure 1845
13 Arthur Sullivan 1842
16 Andreas Silbermann 1678
17 Eric Satie 1866
19 Gordon Balch Nevin 1892 Albert Hay Malotte 1895
23 Gerald Near 1942
27 G. Wallace Goodrich 1871
29 Emile Pessard 1843
30 Gustav Leonhardt 1928, James R. Gilette 1886
31 R. Deane Shure 1885

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. To join the Southeastern Massachusetts Chapter, E Mail Jim Moore at jimm88@comcast.net for the membership application.

Placement

2011-2012 Compensation for Sacred Musicians

AMERICAN GUILD OF ORGANISTS Fee Guidelines recommended by the Professional Concerns Committee for churches and synagogues in the Boston area.
The resident organist of a church, synagogue, or temple has the right of first refusal for all weddings and funerals in the employing institution. No AGO member shall accept any engagement in any institution without the prior apporval of the resident organist. Fees are paid prior to the wedding or funeral unless other agreement has been made.

Wedding or Funeral (includes one consultation) $250=$400
Wedding Rehearsal (one hour) $125-$200
Ancillary Musician Rehearsal $100-$150
(per hour; minimum half-hour fee)
Special requirements (including contracting musicians) negotiated on a case by case basis

Substitute Organists
Substitute Organist for one service $200-$350
Substitute Organist and Choir Director $250-$400
Extra rehearsal accompanying soloist or choir $100-$150

POSITION AVAILABLE

Organist (pianist), weekends 3 masses (all or some), Contact Fr. Daniel Gray, Pastor, St. Anthony Church, Portsmouth, RI 401-683-0089 stanthonych@msn.com

Pianist/Organist Needed

First Baptist Church Scituate,MA is looking for person who will be a good fit for a team-oriented staff to lead music for their traditional Sunday morning worship service (10:00am). The full time position needing to be filled is that of a pianist/organist who would accompany the church choir at worship services, play other service music as well as direct choir rehearsals on a weekly basis (day/time is negotiable) The person that would be considered is familiar with traditional hymns, praise/contemporary music and some anthem presentations on special occasions. Sight-reading is a must. The church is now accepting requests for auditions. The audition will include playing a hymn from sight, a praise/contemporary song from sight and playing certain choral responses on the organ (2 manual Allen). Contact the office at 781-545-0058 or praisebe@comcast.net for application. Applications due by May 31st, 2012.

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

Bruce Gardzina
Brugar244@aol.com
508-951-0899

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

Brandon Santini - 781-331-0930
Available for Funeral & Weddings

Beverly Jerold Scheibert, MM, AAGO
508-339-0579
bvjerold@aol.com
I play all denominations, and am available weekends and weekdays.

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

Howard Phelps 508-224-8475. email address: howard703@verizon.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 2011-2012

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