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Spartanburg Chapter (South Carolina) |
| Last updated: April 30, 2013 |
Message from the Dean |
| DEAN’S NOTES
Dear AGO Members, Our AGO Members Recital is fast approaching. It is Sunday, May 5 at 3 p.m. in the sanctuary of Bethel UMC. The theme for our recital is Spirituals and Sacred Harp Tunes. Please let me know what piece you would like to share on the program. The Nigel Potts recital was wonderful and his workshop presentation was very interesting. I was so happy that the chapel was practically full of people for the recital. Many enjoyed the nice reception followed. Please be thinking of any program ideas you might have for next year. The officers will meet soon to plan for our 2013/2014 season. Send me an email with your ideas and let me know what programs you enjoyed the most this past year. I hope your spring goes well and you have lots of fun this summer! S/Pamela The Region IV AGO Convention is July 3-6 in Columbia. Bill Hunter has included information in the newsletters and I have sent emails regarding the event. There is also a convention website with detailed information. I hope some of you can go. I'm sure it will be informative and inspiring. of interest to Bill Hunter (aeolian1@bellsouth.net) to be included in the newsletter. Grow the Guild for 2012-2013 has begun. The goal for each chapter is to increase membership by 5%. Each chapter that has met the 5% net growth in membership will be eligible for a prize drawing of $500.00. Please consider inviting someone to join us. Remember they don't have to be an organist:... Music Students, Choir Directors, Organ Enthusiasts, Community Arts Supporters, Clergy and Denominational Leaders, Pianists, Music Teachers....All are The American Guild of Organists (AGO) founded in 1896 is the national professional association serving the organ and choral fields. Ths Guild's membership numbers approximately 20,000 in 330 chapters throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Beginning its fifty-fourth year the Spartanburg Chapter was chartered in 1954, the third oldest of the six chapters in South Carolina. |
Local Events |
| Members Recital!
Sunday, May 5 Spirituals and Sacred Harp Tunes 3:00 p.m. Bethel United Methodist Church MEMBER’S RECITAL! Sunday, May 5th at 3 pm Bethel United Methodist Church Spirituals and Sacred Harp Tunes Featuring: Dr John Bullard, Bill Cooper, Huger Caughman, Jr, Lane Hill, Mary Lou Miller, Pamela Smithey. Don’t miss this always enjoyable afternoon. |
Newsletter |
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Music review: Organist Cameron Carpenter at Strathmore By Tom Huizenga,April 14, 2013 Cameron Carpenter might be the closest we have to the virtuoso musical showmen of the 19th century, like Liszt or Paganini. In his Washington area debut Friday night, the 31-year-old organist left a sparse Strathmore audience amazed after a surprisingly diverse recital, ranging from Bach and Bernstein to Albeniz, Ives and even improvised variations on “Shortnin’ Bread,” all served up with blazing technique, wit and enthusiasm for the organ nothing short of contagious. Carpenter’s mission is to rescue the organ from its fusty, church-bound reputation. Although he plays traditional pipe organs, he prefers their digital descendants, like the Rodgers 928 he used Friday. Tricked out with three manuals, dozens of stops and a bench providing a view of Carpenter’s fleet footwork (and bejeweled footwear), the instrument roared and whispered through six banks of loudspeakers, stacked like at a rock concert. Carpenter and his music might be called “flamboyant,” but don’t let it fool you. Organ purists may resist his skin-tight spangled slacks, modified mohawk or enhancements to the written score, but beneath the sparkling veneer is a deeply serious musician who composes, transcribes and presides over his instrument with uncommon mastery. Addressing the audience, Carpenter called the organ a sensual “hanging garden of sound,” and he made good on that description at every turn. His simmering transcription of Albeniz’s “Evocación” captured a sultry Iberian afternoon, with impressionist colorings and the distant sound of guitars. Carpenter’s kaleidoscopic, delightfully unpredictable registration is his strong suit. The Technicolored blurps, bells and dainty chirps emanating from Bernstein’s Candide Overture rendered it a version fit for Munchkinland, while Marcel Dupré’s “Variations on a Noel” displayed the instrument’s vast possibilities, with majestic chords, buzzing bassoons and, in the first variation, a tornado of pedaled notes. A Bach prelude for solo cello was reimagined as a cosmic etude, and a transcription of Charles Ives’s “Alcotts,” with its Beethoven motif (and satire), unfolded cinematically. With the audience cheering approval, Carpenter’s performance transcended his old-fashioned instrument. Now he just needs to convince the rest of the world. |
Membership |
| Membership in the Guild is open to all music lovers, not just organists. The benefits of membership are many, including the very important local network and the monthly journal, THE AMERICAN ORGANIST, which contains outstanding articles, music reviews, new organ notices, and more. Contact; Joan E. Kotrady (membership chairman), 864-895-9081. |
Placement |
| AVAILABLE TO SUBSTITUTE (All telephone numbers Area Code 864 unless otherwise noted. List includes chapter members and others.):
Substitutes (Sundays and other days) Fran Bagwell (864) 582-8388 E-mail: fjbagwell@yahoo.com (handbells) Larry Blackman (864) 895-6064/354-7815 E-mail: jlb11@att.net William C. “Bill” Cooper (864) 969-2707 E-mail: mthappy@prtcnet.com Sylvia Jennings (864)579-7887 E-mail: sylviaj114@charter.net Doris Luther (864) 579-3149 E-mail: dbluther@aol.com Mary Lou Miller (864) 576-2818/680-2800 E-mail: millertsml@att.net Gayle Wade (864) 921-2205 E-mail: gaylewwade@charter.net (organ, piano & keyboard) (Other than Sundays) Ben Chumley (864) 441-3231 E-mail: benchumley@yahoo.com (piano) Richard B. Crib (864) 576-8807/921-1190 E-mail: orgrichard@aol.com W. Leigh Fleury (864) 833-6530/833-1275 E-mail: wlfleury@juno.com Frances D. Johnson (864) 583-5792 E-mail: fjhj1993@charter.net Diane V. Pickens (864) 583-1193/621-5033 E-mail: dvpickens@yahoo.com Pamela Smithey (864) 680-8230 E-mail: pamsmithey@gmail.com (also Sun. nights) Kaylene B. Wilbur(864) 573-6312 Email: wesleywilbur@charter.net Further information regarding chapter members available to substitute (organ or handbells) may be obtained by contacting Pamela Smithey, 864-583-4763 psmithey@casebrothers.com Employers and job seekers are invited to post and search listings of available positions on the Guild's National Website. |
Certification |
| Contact the chapter Dean regarding the process for pursiung AGO certification. |
Contact Us |
| Dean: Pamela Smithey, 864-680-8230 pamsmithey@gmail.com
Sub-Dean: Huger Caughman. 803-276-4836; hpcaughman@bellsouth.net Secretary: Bill Cooper, 864-969-2707; mthappy@prtcnet.com Treasurer: Lane Hill, 864-595-1513; christopherlanehill@hotmail.com Chaplain: Therlon W. Joyner, 864-585-4461 therlon@bellsouth.net Immediate Past Dean: Diane Pickens, 864-583-1193; dvpickens@yahoo.com History--Richard Cribb Publicity-Bill Hunter Program--Huger Caughman Professional Concerns--Tommy Bishop Membership--Lane Hill Communications--Diane Pickens Hospitatlity--Nacy McCarter/Rita Medley Scholarship--Frankie Deal Newsletter web facebook-you/me on fb only Parliamentarian--Kym Mahnke Pedals, Pipes, Pizza--Brennan Szafron TAO--Huger Caughman |
Links |
| R. A. Daffer Church Organs, Inc. (www.dafferorgans.com) representing Fratelli Ruffatti Pipe Organs (www.Ruffatti.com).
Lewtak Pipe Organ Builders, Inc., 211 Parsley Ln, Mocksville, NC 27028. (336) 749-3829. www.LEWTAK.com Case Brothers of Spartanburg (musical instruments and sheet music) = www.casebrothers.com Robert I. Coulter, organbuilder. 2233 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324. Telphone 404-931-3103. http://coulterorgans.com. Stuart Organ Company. 44 Saint John Avenue, Binghamtom, NY 13905. 607-237-0125 (VOX and FAX). www.stuartorgan.com. Michael Proscia Organbuilder Inc. PO Box 547, Bowdon, GA, 30108; 770-258-3388. www.prosciaorgans.com The Arts in Spartanburg = http://www.spartanarts.org Sparklenet (cultural organizations in Spartanburg)= www.sparklenet.com South Carolina Arts Daily = www.state.sc.us/arts/daily South Carolina Educational Radio (ETV Radio) = www.etvradio.org Charlotte (N.C.) AGO Chapter = www.charlotteago.org Western N.C. AGO Chapter = www.wnc-ago.org Greater Columbia (S.C.) AGO Chapter = www.columbiaago.org Organ Historical Society (organ recordings, books, and printed music) = www.organsociety.org (for orders: www.ohscatalog.org) Zarex (Pro Organo audio & video recordings) = www.zarex.com Gothic Catalog (organ recordings) = www.gothicrecords.com University Music House = www.universitymusichouse.com (printed music) National web site for Sacred Harp shape-note singing = www.fasola.org National website for Christian Harmony shape-note singing = www.christianharmony.org Musical-arts.net -- Articles, resources, and fetures designed exclusively for organists, choral directors, clergy, and those who appreciate music = www.musical-arts.net Regioinal website for Christian Harmony shape-note singings = http://buncombe.main.nc.us/~mbbweb/harmony.html Musical events in Columbia (SC): ColumbiaConcerts@aol.com. |
| Visit the AGO National website |