Southwest Florida Chapter

Last updated: December 17, 2012

Message from the Dean

Welcome to the Southwest Florida Chapter Web Site. We are happy to welcome new AGO members at any time. Our membership of over 70 people covers a wide geographic area from Port Charlotte to Naples. We have meetings and workshops during the year that will interest all church musicians. It is not necessary to have a degree in music to be a member. Membership categories range from student voting to regular voting. You may also join as a chapter friend.

Ric Jaeggi, Dean

Local Events

Friday, December 28, 2012 at 6:30 PM – Jonathan Birner’s home, 255 Burnt Pine Dr., Naples, FL
Advent Season Party
Host: Jonathan Birner
We know that you have worked hard to get through the Advent season. Now, it’s time to take an evening and relax with friends. Jonathan and his wife have graciously opened their home to us for our annual Christmas Party. Please bring appetizers, desserts, and your favorite libation to this event. Food items should feed be sized for (8) eight (or ate) people. We have access to a nice home pipe organ and piano. So, let’s let the holiday season wind down together. An RSVP is appreciated by calling Jonathan at 239-355-3350 or emailing him at birnerj@yahoo.com.

Friday, February 1, 2013 at 7:00 PM – St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Bonita Springs, FL
Annual Member’s Recital and Reception
Host: Brian Aranowski
Don’t we just LOVE to hear ourselves play? That’s because there is SO MUCH talent here in SW Florida! So, if you are a member of the SW FL AGO, this is your opportunity to practice up and play. No matter if you are “newer” to organ or “an ol’timer,” we are looking forward to your playing. There is no audition and there is nothing but love and appreciation as we gather to enjoy the thrills of the organ. Brian has graciously opened the organ console to us. This 80-rank Allen Renaissance is a great concert instrument and will be enjoyed by all. If you are interested in playing, please contact Sandra Averhart (she did such a good job at organizing this past year’s recital!) at aaverhart1@gmail.com or 239-995-8834. If you get a call or email to bring desserts, you will know what it is all about – AGO members know how to make desserts! Yummy!!! So…thanks in advance for your participation at this annual event.

Sunday, April 21, 2013 at 5:00 PM – Grace Lutheran Church, 860 Banyan Blvd, Naples, FL 34102
Proposed UF Recital with students of Dr. Laura Ellis
Host: Jonathan Birner
Though not finalized, please mark your calendars for this student recital. Some details remain to be worked out, but it appears that we will be privileged to hear the best of the best here in SW Florida. Laura’s students will be presenting an eclectic concert of pieces they have been perfecting throughout the year. The 32+ rank Timothy Fink and Company instrument (1799 pipe, 3-manual) is the perfect setting for this kind of program. This is a “must attend” and you will not want to miss out! More information to follow.

Friday, May 17, 2012 (Time and location TBD)
Our closing program this year will take place at a Fort Myers area church where we will enjoy dinner and another of the Master Series video presentations from the American Guild of Organists. Though the time and location are still being finalized, please put this event on your calendar now. We had such a great time this past spring in our closing program and plan to repeat this kind of event again in 2013.

For additional questions or inquiries, please contact Ric Jaeggi, Dean at rdmej@aol.com or 239-989-1206.

To submit information for this website or the chapter newsletter, e-mail SWFLAGO@gmail.com

Member Recital:
Dr. James E. Lorenz performs on Sunday, February 10 at 3:00 PM at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Fort Myers, FL. Works include, Bach, Krebs, and Vierne. Free will offering.

Membership

For membership information or application, please contact Jonathan Birner, at (239)261-7421 or birnerj@yahoo.com

MEMBERSHIP Q&A

Q: Do I have to be employed as a full-time musician to join?
A: No. Anyone who loves organ music can join.
Q: Must I have a degree in music to join?
A: No, a degree in music is not necessary.

Placement

OPPORTUNITIES:
Open Positions:

Christ United Methodist Church, Lehigh Acres is searching for a part-time organist. Thursday Choir rehearsal and Sunday Traditional service at 10:30 AM. Send resume and letter of interest to Mr. Bruce Boyd at admin@christumclehigh.org or call 239-369-1433.

Burnt Store Presbyterian Church is seeking an organist. For additional information, please contact the church.

Grace United Methodist Church, Fort Myers Shores seeks subsitute organist for 12/23 at 11:30 AM, 12/23 at 8:00 PM and 12/30 11:30 AM. Contact Michelle Weger at mweger@egracechurch.com if you are interested.
12.16.12

*********************************************************
This space available to local churches at no charge.
E-mail ad to SWFLAGO@gmail.com
**
******************************
SUBSTITUTES

Jonathan Birner (239)352-3350 birnerj@yahoo.com
Weddings, Funerals, Saturdays

Karl Cole (239)732-5773 concertonthekeys@aol.com
Weddings, Funerals, Saturdays, Other weekdays

Martha Cox (239)458-0721
Weddings, Funerals, Saturdays,Sundays, Other weekdays

John Fenstermaker (239)262-6581 ex 207 johnfenstermaker@hotmail.com
Weddings, Funerals, Saturdays, Other weekdays

Herman Fisher (239)566-1416 muzikfish@comcast.net
Saturdays, Sundays (June, July, August)

Alden Gatt (239)601-6722 adlenpiano@gmail.com
Weddings, Funerals, Saturdays, Sundays, Other weekdays

John Geib (920)246-3933 johnfgeib@yahoo.com
Weddings, Funerals, Saturdays, Other weekdays

Dorothy Hartman (239)454-8651 mhartmandx1@juno.com
Weddings, Funerals, Saturdays, Sundays, Other weekdays

Connie Hartt-Hitchcock (239)225-7281
Funerals, Saturdays

Michael Helman (239)542-2858 michael@faithcapecoral.org
Weddings, Funerals

Richard Jaeggi (239)454-7970 rdmej@aol.com
Weddings, Funerals

David Jozaities (239)841-0263 mrorganboy@yahoo.com
Weddings, Funerals, Saturdays, Other weekdays

James Kreger jlkreger@hotmail.com
Weddings, Funerals, Saturdays

Paula Leighton (508)769-3713 paulaleighton@comcast.net
Weddings, Funerals, Saturdays, Sundays, Other weekdays
Oct-May

Deborah Louth-Martin (239)598-2228 dlmusa@hotmail.com
Weddings, Funerals, Saturdays, Other weekdays

Elena Melnikov (239)248-3810 Mmelnikov3@aol.com
Weddings, Funerals, Saturdays, Other weekdays

Judith Ollikkala (239)992-0318 jollikkala@netscape.com
Funerals, Saturdays, Sundays, Other weekdays
Nov-Jan

Eleanor Phelps (239)768-1220 bobelphlps@aol.com
Weddings, Funerals, Saturdays,Other weekdays

Robert Phelps (239)768-1220 bobelphlps@aol.com
Weddings, Funerals, Saturdays, Sundays, Other weekdays

Douglas Renfroe (941)587-1140 srodolor@aol.com
Weddings, Funerals, Saturdays, Other weekdays (choral)

Mary Lou Roth (260)908-0094 MLRoth5@msn.com
Weddings, Funerals, Saturdays, Sundays, Other weekdays

Judy Weaver (239)693-5436 jedijudy@comcast.net
Weddings, Funerals, Saturdays, Other weekdays

Becky Weese (239)594-3411 BeckyWeese@msn.com
Weddings, Funerals, Saturdays, Other weekdays

Priscilla Wonkka (239)432-9285 rpwonkka@aol.com
Weddings, Funerals, Saturdays, Sundays, Other weekdays
Oct-Apr

Seasonal substitute:
Oren Hollasch will be available to substitute at Protestant church January 7 through February 8, 2013. His winter home is in Bonita Springs. If you have a need for a substitute, contact Oren at pianistoren@yahoo.com or call him at 716-510-5529. 12.16.12
**
Employers and job seekers are invited to post and search listings of available positions on the Guild's National Website.

Certification

Chapter Members with AGO Guild Certificates

Richard Crofts, AAGO
John Fenstermaker, AAGO
Norman Gregory, SPC
Dorothy Hartman, SPC
Mary Kent, SPC
Wayne Lenke, CAGO
Judith Olikkala, SPC

Certification information can be obtained by going to the AGO National website.
http://www.agohq.org/education/index.html

++++TEACHERS++++

Marion Adams 239-481-8290 voice
Dorothy Bunck 239-482-8863 cello
Karl Cole 239-732-5773 organ
Martha Cox 239-458-0721 piano
Alden Gatt 239-601-6722 piano, theory,
conducting
John Geib 239-283-1441 organ, piano, voice
theory, conducting
Brice Gerlach 239-598-9204 piano
Norman Gregory 860-388-5526 piano
Michael Helman 239-738-6072 organ, piano
Connie Hitchcock 239-225-7281 piano, organ, theory
Richard Jaeggi 239-454-7970 organ, piano
David Jozaities 239-841-0263 organ, piano, theory
Ruth Keel 239-472-6858 organ, piano
James Kreger jlkreger@hotmail.com organ, piano
conducting, clarinet
James Lorenz 239-574-7122 organ, harpsichord
Deborah Martin 239-598-2228 organ, piano
harpsichord, early instruments
Elena Melnikov 239-593-5049 piano, theory
Alena Michel 239-283-3985 piano, theory
Jay Mumper 941-625-0736 piano
Robert Newell 239-593-7600 voice, theory
composition, conducting
Betty Pursley 239-682-3516 organ,piano
Douglas Renfroe 941-587-1150 voice, theory,
conducting
Judy Weaver 239-693-5436 piano
Becky Weese 239-594-3411 organ, piano

Contact Us

Officers for 2012-2013

DEAN

DEAN Ric Jaeggi (239)454-7970 rdmej@aol.com

SECRETARY Brad Starner (239)898-0389 dbdcapecoralfl@yahoo.com

TREASURER-REGISTRAR Jonathan Birner (239)261-7421
birnerj@yahoo.com

MEMBER-AT-LARGE
Sandra Averhart (239) 995-8837
aaverhart1@gmail.com

MEMBER-AT-LARGE
Dorothy Hartmann (239) 454-8651

MEMBER-AT-LARGE
H.G. Fisher (239)566-1416
muzikfish@comcast.net

MEMBER-AT-LARGE
Norm Libby (239) 246-3510
wer2floridafolks@aol.com

MEMBER-AT-LARGE
Judy Prier (941)625-5970
judyprier@comcast.net

Visit the AGO National website