The Old Colony Organist Southeastern Massachusetts Chapter

Last updated: August 22, 2010

Message from the Dean

From Richard Hill, Secretary
Our first gathering will be our annual member recital, this year at Old South Union Congregational Church in South Weymouth 25 Columbian Street on Sunday, September 19 at 3:00. It's time now to sign up to play in this event. The specification of the Austin is below. Please e mail me your intentions to play on September 19

Austin Organ, Opus 2739 (1991)
Great
Open Diapason 8
Chimney Flute 8
Octave 4
Spire Flute 4
Twelfth 2 2/3 (prepared)
Fifteenth 2
Fourniture IV
Trumpet 8
Great to Great 16’, 8’, 4’
Unison Off
Swell to Great 16, 8, 4
Antiphnal to Great 16, 8, 4

Swell
Viole de Gambe 8‘
Voix Celeste (T. C) 8‘
Flûte Conique 8‘
Flûte Celeste (T. C) 8‘
Principal 4‘
Flute à bec 2‘
Plein Jeu III
Trompette 8’ (prepared)
Oboe 8‘
Tremulant
Swell to Swell 16’, 4‘
Unison Off
Antiphonal to Swell 8’

Antiphonal
Gedeckt 8‘
Prestant 4‘
Spitz Principal 2‘
Sesquialtera II
Processional Trumpet 8’ (prepared)
Tremulant
Antiphonal to Antiphonal 16’, 4‘
Swell to Antiphonal 16’, 8’, 4’
Unison Off
Great to Antiphonal 8‘

Pedal
Resultant 32
Open Diapason 16
Bourdon 16
Lieblich Gedackt 16
Octave 8
Bourdon 8
Choral Bass 4
Rausch Quint II (prepared)
Trombone 16
Trumpet 8 (Great)
Oboe 4 (Swell)

Great to Pedal 8’, 4’
Swell to Pedal 8’, 4’
Antiphonal to Pedal 8’, 4’

Eight levels of memory
Fourteen general pistons (ten duplicated toe studs)
Eight divisional pistons (Swell, Great, Antiphonal)
Five pedal divisional toe studs
General Crescendo Pedal
Sforzando piston

Local Events

Wednesday, August 25, 2010 12:15 PM
Unity Church 13 Main Street North Easton
Richard Hill, Organist
August Airs
Ashford, Palmer, Silas, Buck

Sunday, September 19, 2010 3:00 PM
Old South Union Congregational Church
25 Columbine Street, South Weymouth
Old Colony Chapter American Guild of Organists
Annual Member Recital: Admission Free

Wednesday, September 22, 2010 12:15 PM
Unity Church 13 Main Street North Easton
Richard Hill, Organist
September Songs
Pachelbel, Beach, Lemare, Hollins

Sunday, September 26, 2010 3:00 PM
St. Anthony’s Church
1359 Acushnet Avenue, New Bedford
Jim Jordan, Organist
On the Newly Refurbished 1912 Four Manual 60 stop Casavant

King's Chapel announces the TUESDAY NOON HOUR RECITAL programs for SUMMER 2010. Historic King's Chapel is located in downtown Boston at the corner of School and Tremont Streets. Admission to the Noon Hour Recitals is by suggested donation of $3 per person; the donations are given to the performing musicians. Hailed by residents and visitors alike as a treasure in the midst of a bustling city, our year-long series features a wide range of programming from classical to jazz and more! Our weekly programs begin at 12:15 pm and last approximately 35 minutes; for more information, please call 617-227-2155.

-- SUMMER 2010 MID-DAY RECITALS TUESDAYS at 12:15 PM --

Tuesday, August 24, 12:15 PM Suggested donation $3
Colette Camp, handbells
Russell Camp, keyboard/guitar
King's Chapel, 58 Tremont Street, Boston
617/227-2155 http://www.kings-chapel.org
Wheelchair accessible

Tuesday, August 31, 12:15 PM Suggested donation $3
Peter Kranefoed plays the C.B. Fisk Organ
Works by the Bach Family
King's Chapel, 58 Tremont Street, Boston
617/227-2155 http://www.kings-chapel.org
Wheelchair accessible

Trinity Church, Copley Square, Boston Fridays at 12:15

September 10: Angela Kraft Cross
September 17: Charles Raines
September 24: Fred Teardo

October 1: Peter Stoltzfus Berton
October 8: Christian Lane
October 15: Heinrich Christiansen
October 22: Stuart Forster
October 29: Brandon Santini

Friday, October 1 7:30 PM
Cole Memorial Chapel, Wheaton College, Norton, MA
WORKS of AMERICAN COMPOSERS

Carlton T. Russell, organist
Organ by Casavant Frères, 1969

Fanfare and Procession (1979) Keith Chapman
(1945-1989)

Chorale with Interludes (1949) Courtlandt Palmer
(1872-1951)

In Mystery and Wonder (2004) Dan Locklair
I. Aria: “God moves in a mysterious way. . . “ (b. 1949)
The Four Winds (1998) Daniel Pinkham
I. The Wind from the North (1923-2006)
“The north wind brings forth the rain.” (Prov.25:23)
II. The Wind from the East
“An east wind shall come, rising over the desert.” (Hos. 13:15)
III. The Wind from the South
“When the wind is from the south, there will be heat.” (Lk. 12:55)
IV. The Wind from the West
“The westerly wind carried away the locusts
and swept them into the Red Sea.” (Ex. 10:19)

Elegy (2006) James Biery
(b. 1956)

“Baroques” Suite for Organ (1944) Seth Bingham
I. Overture (1882-1972)
III. Sarabande
IV. Rhythmic Trumpet
V. Voluntary

Program for 2010-2011

Sunday, September 19 3:00 Member Recital: Old South Union Congregational Church 25 Columbian Street Weymouth Contact Steve Young at s1young@bridgew.edu to play on the program

Saturday, October 16 All Day Organ Tour in Blackstone Valley:
Whitinsville, Uxbridge, Millville, Woonsocket

November 4-7 Organ Festival in New Bedford with Pipe Organ Encounter
Grace Episcopal Church, Our Lady of Guadaloupe, First Parish, St. Anthony's

January 7 Twelfth Night Party Eleanor Calvin's home 146 Carl Road, Raynham

February TBA French Classical Organ Music Wheaton College

Saturday, March 5 9-3 Murray Universalist Unitarian Church, Attleboro Church Music Workshop

Saturday April 30 Annual Spring Organ Tour Middletown and Newport, RI

Friday, May 20 Annual Meeting TBA

Our April 24 Organ Crawl in Weymouth and Hingham was a huge success..

Steven Young played at Old South Union Congregational Church on the 3-31 Austin #2739. His program:
Fantasia und Fuga, C-Dur, Opus 5 Gustave Merkel (1827-1885)

"Blessed Assurance"--varied for the pipe organMyron J. Roberts (1912-2004)

Hymn: Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine #67

Prelude and Fugue on a Theme of Vittoria Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)

Sixieme Symphonie, Opus 59 Final Louis Vierne (1870-1937)

The big Austin was a perfect vehicle for this line up from the massive C Major chord of the Reger to the exciting finish of the Vierne.

Dr. Steven Young, DMA, AAGO, Organist & Choir Director
Steven serves as chairperson of the Music Department at Bridgewater State College where he teaches upper-level theory classes and conducts the college's choral ensembles. He holds degrees from Barrington College, New England Conservatory and Boston University. Additionally, Dr. Young is the Organist/Music Director at Old South Union Church. He has performed as soloist and accompanist in the US, Canada, and Europe. Recent performances include St. Thomas Church, NY and the Oratory of St. Joseph, Montreal. He is an active member and Dean of the Southeastern Massachusetts Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.

Victor DeRubeis played on the 2-20 1906 Hutchings at East Weymouth Congregational Church 1320 Commercial Street at Jackson Square
Victor DeRubeis has served the church since 1995 and directs the Senior Choir at all services and special children's choirs formed for Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost.

In 1999 he founded the annual Little Christmas in Jackson Square ecumenical Epiphany concerts, which have grown to include six choirs from various churches throughout the area.

Growing up in the Roman Catholic tradition, he studied classical piano for 10 years and has given recitals at Malden Public Library and First United Parish of Everett, and performed with the Boston University Jazz Ensemble.

He has also studied organ privately and provides accompaniment for the congregation and choir on our historic 1906 Hutchings-Votey tracker organ and our 1915 Chickering grand piano.

“Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying” Philipp Nicolai (1556-1608) arr. Eliot

“Fanfare and March” Henry Purcell (1659-1695) arr. Blake

“Fugue and Prelude in A minor” Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

“Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen” African-American Spiritual arr. R. W. Thygerson

“A Festive Trumpet Tune” Gilbert Martin (1941
Improvisation on “Adonai” Armerding DeRubeis
Congregational Hymn #64

Victor's Hutchings was the jewel of the day with its solid foundation stops and rich voicing.

11:30 Richard Hill and church organist David Baharian demonstrated the 2-7 1902 Hutchings Votey tubular pneumatic at Weymouth Unitarian Universalist Church
Richard W. Hill is now in his 32nd year as Organist and Director of Music at Unity Church where he directs the vocal and handbell choirs and produces several annual concerts and recitals. He can be heard on the CD’s “Historic Organs of Connecticut,” “Historic Organs of Boston,” and “St. Anthony’s Recitals” (New Bedford) He has been heard on the nationally syndicated Minnesota Public Radio show Pipedreams and performed at conventions of the American Guild of Organists, Organ Historical Society, International Convention of Organ Builders, and the Unitarian Universalist Musicians Network.
Opening Hymn #361 “Enter, Rejoice, and Come In” Louise Ruspini
David Baharian, Organist of Weymouth UU Church
Dawn Cyril Jenkins (1890-1978)
In Springtime Ralph Kinder (1876-1952)
The Last Spring Edward Grieg (1843-1907)
(arr. Williard Irving Nevins)
Echoes of Spring Rudolf Friml (1879-1972)
Song from Moulin Rouge George Auric (1899-1983)
Black Beauty Duke Ellington (1899-1972)
Harwell Emma Louise Ashford (1850-1937)

David's introduction to the hymn was on the swell Stopped Diapason with tremulant. It sounded like a calliope. On this little organ, every stop was a musical instrument unto itself. It was a pleasure to play.

After lunch Dr. Fred Guzasky played the 3-38 1965 Aeolian Skinner refurbished by Foley-Baker in 2008 at St. John the Evangelist
G. Fredrick Guzasky is an adjunct professor at Bridgewater State College and is an Affiliated Artist at MIT in Cambridge. As a recitalist, he has performed in New England and the Midwest, as well as Russia, Latvia, and England, receiving the Boston University Outstanding Performance Award and the EMACT Award in conducting. Highlights of more recent seasons include tours of Russia and Latvia, with engagements at the Cathedral of Riga, the Kapella Concert Hall in St. Petersburg, Russia, as well as teaching master classes at the St. Petersburg Conservatory. Other venues have included performances at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Holy Trinity Church in New York, and the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio.

He has taught at Millikin University, Eastern Illinois University, Boston University, the Clinton Fine Arts Center, and had served for several years as the director of The Boston Conservatory Satellite School in Cohasset, that has developed into Conservatory Teaching in Your Community, where he maintains a studio of organ, piano, harpsichord, and cello students.
Prelude in C Major Dieterich Buxtehude (1637-1707)

Recit de Tierce de Taille Nicolas DeGrigny (1672-1703)

Sonata No. 1 in C Minor Josef Gabriel Rheinberger (1839-1901)
Andante
Grave

Two Improvisations G. Fredrick Guzasky (
Veni Creator
Kristos Anesti - Greek Easter Hymn

HYMN 618 Lasst uns erfreuen

St.John's was a Gothic Revival building with rich stained glass, probably by Charles Connick. An alter reredos may have been carved by John Kirchmeyer.
Dr. Fred gave us a total hearing of this lovely instrument which has been liberated from its chambers by the late work of Foley Baker.

Mark Slawson ended the day on the 2-17 1993 Daren Wissinger Organ at the pristine Eighteenth Century Second Parish.

Mark Slawson (harpsichord, organ) received a bachelor’s degree in composition from Union College and a master’s degree in harpsichord from New England Conservatory. He has performed with Cantorum Baroque Ensemble, Boston Renaissance Ensemble, La Sonnerie de St. Botolphe, among other baroque groups. He is currently organist and music director at Second Parish, Hingham. Mark is on the boards of the Cambridge Society for Early Music and the Society for Historically Informed Performance.

Ballade en mode phrygien Jehan Alain (1911-40)

Pavana Chromatica William Tisdall (b. 1570)

Mein Jesu, der du mich Johannes Brahms (1833-97)

Prelude and Fugue in g Dietrich Buxtehude (c. 1637 - 1707)

Hymn #36, When in Our Music God is Glorified
Words: Fred Pratt Green (1903-2000) Music: Charles Villiers Stanford (1852-1924)

It was a fitting end to a great day. Visitors from Worcester, Methuen, Andover, our Old Colony and several loyal parishioners shred in the srt of the organ.

Some August Birthdays
1 Camil van Hulse 1897
3 Alec Wyton 1921
5 Ambroise Thomas 1811
8 Pietro Yon 1886
9 Albert Ketelby 1875
12 Clifford Demarest 1874
13 John Ireland 1879
14 Samuel Sebastian Wesley 1810
15 Samuel Coleridge-Taylor 1875
22 Edouard Silas 1827, Edward Bairstow 1874
24 Theodore Dubois 1837
25 Jacques-Louis Battmann 1818, Oreste Ravenello 1871
28 Joseph Clokey 1890
30 Piet Kee 1927
31 Albert Reimenschneider 1878

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

2010-2011 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.

Nancy Johnson Writes:

Years ago my mother acquired a small pump organ that is housed in a very ornate wooden casing, very 19th century Maybe 4 feet off the ground, and 4 ft long. I don't know how many octives.

The bellows are gone so it no longer makes a sound. We are currently trying to sell the house and need to dispose of the belongings

We were wondering if you know someone or an organization that might like to bring it back to life. The organ is located in Belmont.

I am happy to send you a photo if there is an interest.

Sincerely,

Nancy Johnson ncjcj08@gmail.com

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

Position: Part-time Pianist/Accompanist
Church: First UU Society of Middleborough
25 South Main Street
Middleborough, MA 02346

No. of Members: 100
Deadline: July 20, 2010

Vibrant and friendly church is seeking a pianist (organ skills not required, but appreciated) to play for Sunday Services and accompany the choir every other week, including extra services for community programs, Christmas Eve, etc. Sunday rehearsals start at 9:15, followed by the service at 10:30. Excellent solo and accompanist skills are required, and compensation is $150 per service/performance. Interested candidates please contact Music Director, Susan Hotchkiss, at HYPERLINK "mailto:music@uumiddleboro.org" music@uumiddleboro.org. Please attach a letter of intent and resume. At the interview you will be asked to play a solo, sight-read an accompaniment, and provide a letter of recommendation.

The job starts September 13, and runs through June 19th.

The church’s website is: HYPERLINK "http://www.uumiddleboro.org" www.uumiddleboro.org

One of Cape Cod's most exciting, radically welcoming and worship loving congregations is seeking someone who can collaborate with our pastor, congregation and choir to serve as our choir director and worship musician. The Cotuit Federated Church is a vital United Methodist and United Church of Christ congregation in the village of Cotuit. The organ is an Allen Digital Two-Manual organ with Midi capabilities and we desire someone who is comfortable on the piano as well. The position is ten hours a week, which includes choir practice during the week, Sunday morning worship, the practice needs of the applicant and additional worship services on occasion. Please contact us for more information. 508-428-6163 or cotuitpastor@comcast.net

Position Title: Director of Music Ministry (Organist/Choir Director)
Description: Holy Trinity Lutheran Church of North Easton, MA is seeking a qualified candidate to serve as organist and choir director at a mid-size ELCA church that offers diverse musical styles. The director would report to the Pastor.

Salary: Minimum Starting Salary $18,000.00 (Based on Experience)

Responsibilities: The director of music ministry would play organ and/or piano as appropriate for all worship services. The director will select appropriate hymns, prelude, postlude and choral music. He/she will encourage involvement of volunteer vocalists and instrumentalists, and direct and rehearse the adult choir. The director will attend monthly Worship Committee meetings. He/she will work and direct our Praise team, youth choir and bell choir. The director will maintain and expand the church’s music library and oversee Regular maintenance of the church’s organ and pianos.

Qualifications: Proficiency in playing the organ, piano and keyboard instruments and in choral conducting.
Strong personal and leadership skills.

Organ Descripition: 1859 E&G Hook. 3 Manual (op.254)
Restored in 1982 by the Andover Organ Company

Applications: Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume, a recording (if available)
and three references to:

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
143 Lincoln Street
North Easton, MA 02356
Attn: Don Dregalla (Worship Committee Chairperson)

Or Email to HTLCEaston@verizon.com

The First Congregational Church of Sharon (Sharon, MA) is seeking an organist to provide organ music for weekly 10AM Sunday service, holiday worship services and Christmas cantata concert; organ and/or piano accompaniment, as required, for weekly adult choir Tuesday evening rehearsal and Sunday morning warm-ups, and weekly Sunday morning children choir rehearsals. Additional services such as weddings and funerals may be performed for additional compensation10 hours per week starting September 2010. Salary negotiable. Proficiency in organ and piano necessary. Academic degree not required. Roche pipe organ, 1983. Interested organists should contact Martha MacMillin, Music Committee Chair, 781-784-2631 or mmacmillin@uwalumni.com

Organist Available:

Bruce Gardzina
available Saturday- Sunday- Weekdays
contact info:
Brugar244@aol.com
phone 508.951.0899

North Taunton Baptist Church seeks an organist for 10:00 AM Sunday services Call Ramona Adler at 508 824 9083

St. Mark's Church
105 Stanley Street
Attleboro Falls, MA 02763
508-699-7566

We basically need an organist or pianist (the church has a digital keyboard) to accompany our choir of approximately 18 voices. We rehearse once weekly, late September through April/May (Pentecost is our last Sunday for the summer). Presently, we rehearse Thursday evenings 7-8:30. I'm willing to change the rehearsal night, if necessary. The choir sings on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month at the 11:00 Mass. Again, this could be switched to 1st and 3rd Sunday if necessary. Music is easy though we do mostly sing in 4-part harmony. The choir sings for Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Vigil Mass on Saturday of Holy Week. Easter Sunday is covered by other music ministries. The choir also sings on Christmas Eve, not Christmas morning. Right now it's a 5:30 prelude for a 6:00 pm Mass. To me it's an ideal situation. It doesn't involve every Sunday or every Thursday for that matter. A few times throughout the year, rehearsals are cancelled for various reasons. There are also times the choir may sing just once in a given month, depending on if our Contemporary Group is used for a youth Mass, for example. I am very flexible, within reason, in working around an accompanist's own schedule. Another plus is that the position need not be filled by an organist. Salary is negotiable.

Substitute List

Bruce Gardzina
E mail Brugar244@aol.com
Telephone 508-951-0899
Also available for interim or full time organist

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

Brandon Santini - 781-331-0930
Available for Funeral & Weddings
Sat. & Sun. PM Catholic Liturgies

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 2010-2011

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