Spartanburg Chapter (South Carolina)




Last updated: March 2, 2010

Message from the Dean

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.

The Lenten season always gives me a feeling of quiet peacefulness, especially with “No Alleluias” in the liturgical church services! It’s certainly a time to prepare for Holy Week, special church services, and Easter. However, I know we are all busy readying for Easter but do take part of your Sunday afternoon on March 21st to help celebrate Bach’s (325th) Birthday Bash, St. John’s Lutheran Church @ 3:00. See you all there!
After the February Duo Majoya program the membership met to vote on amending one of the guidelines of the Scholarship Program. As stipulated, no scholarship may be awarded if the fund’s principle falls below $20,000.00, but was amended to $15,000.00 in order to receive discretionary funds from the Spartanburg County Foundation. I have just finished a mailing to Executive Director John Dargan and the Trustees requesting $1000.00 for funding our three scholarships. The audition/application deadlines have all passed, AGO members, we need applicants! Please, pass the word about our scholarship program.
Just talked with Beverly Barrs and she is mending slowly. Emails and other communications would be greatly appreciated, I am sure. Please, keep me posted when family “things” occur. As a matter of fact, I received an email from the Charlotte AGO and responded. The question was asked: ‘What did you (church musician) do when or if (January 31st – snowy Sunday) your service was cancelled? I wrote a brief comment about my granddaughter’s baptism @ First Pres. Bill Burns forwards the Charlotte Newsletter to all the members of our chapter, and I receive it anyway – was great to read the clever comments from others and respond to such interesting dialog via email. Hope you have time to read some of the AGO emails that are forwarded to you – very informative! If you would rather not have them forwarded, let me know.
The Nominating Committee is working to submit a Slate of Officers at the business meeting to be held in April. Any comments may be sent to Frankie Deal. Thanks to the committee for their diligence. See you March 21st!
Announcement: NOMINATING COMMITTEE: Chairman Frankie Deal, Richard Cribb, Marge Fay, Tommy Bishop, and Holt Andrews. The 2010-2012 slate of officers will be announced in March, vote in April and installation in May. If you wish to have in-put into the process, please, contact Frankie.
If I have missed news of guild members and their families, do let me know!
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Diane




Local Events



*March 21, 2010 (Sunday). St. John‟s Lutheran Church at
3:00 pm. “Bach‟s Birthday Bash,” celebrating the composer‟
s 325th birthday. Lenten cantata featuring the St.
Johns Choir (Lee Hagglund, conductor). Hostess: Frankie
Deal.

*April 26, 2010. Four Seasons Restaurant at 6:00 pm.
Dinner and business/voting meeting. Presenter and hostess:
Diane Pickens.

*May 24, 2010. St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church at
7:00 pm. Service for the Installation of Officers (2010 –
2012) and reception. Hostess: Marge Fay



Newsletter

Thursday, March 25, 7:00 pm; A Very “ Mary” Evensong Jesus‟
birthday is nine months away! Join chamber choir, Musica
Reservata for a special performance in observance of the Feast
of the Annunciation Keith Jones, Director
All programs are free and open to the public. Suggested Admission:
Canned food which will be donated to area food banks
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _


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.):

SUNDAYS AND OTHER DAYS:
John Bullard - 582-8589, bullardjm@wofford.eduBill Cooper: (864) 969-2707/872-8647 mthappy@prtcnet.com
Vergene Colloms - 583-2149, muscolloms@webtv.net
Leon Couch - 585-3284, musicman14@music.org
Thea Coleman - 574-4747, W:562-5214, tcoleman@srhs.com
Sylvia Jennings - 579-7887, sylvia@wilffind.com
Doris Luther 864-864-579-3149
Susie Mahnke ssmahnke47@yahoo.com


OTHER THAN SUNDAYS
Richard Cribb - 576-8807, orgrichard@aol.com
Mary Lou Miller - 576-2818, C:680-2800, info@centralumcspartnburg.org
Charles Owings - 862-1393, maestrocto@charter.net
Gayle Wade - 582-6222, gaylewwade@charter.net
Leigh Fleury - 833-6530, wlfleury@juno.com
Rusty Keesler - 342-9240, keesler_r@hotmail.com
Diane Pickens - 583-1193, dvpickens@yahoo.com
Kaylene Wilbur - 573-6312, wesleywilbur@charter.net

HANDBELLS
Fran Bagwell - 582-8388

[Further information regarding chapter members available to substitute (organ or handbells) may be obtained by contacting Diane Pickens, Dean; dvpickens@yahoo.com or 864-583-1193, 864-901-0634
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: Diane V. Pickens (H: 864-583-1193; C: 864621-5033; e-mail = dvpickens@yahoo.com )

SUB-DEAN: Justin L. Addington (H: 864-463-4660; e-mail = jladdington07 @yahoo.com)

SECRETARY: William W. Burns (H: 864-579-8617); e-mail = burnsww@hotmail.com)

TREASURER: Frances J. Bagwell (H: 864-582-8388; e-mail = fjbagwell@yahoo.com)

CHAPLAIN: Therlon W. Joyner (864-585-4461; e-mail = therlon@bellsouth.net)

IMMEDIATE PAST DEAN: Brennan Szafron (C: 864-585-9090, ext 237; e-mail = bdsorg@aol.com)

MEMBERSHIP: Joan Kotrady (H: 8864-895-9081; e-mail = kotradyj@bellsouth.net)

WEB PAGE: William J. Hunter(864-921-4740; e-mail = aeolian1@bellsouth.net)

COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN:
History - John Bullard
Publicity - Bill Hunter
Program - Justin Addington, Sub Dean
Professional Concerns - Tommy Bishop
Membership - Joan Kotrady
Communications - Richard Cribb
Hospitality - Rita Medley & Nancy McCarter
Publications - Bill Hunter
Placement (Web Page) - William W. Burns
Scholarship - Gayle W. Wade

APPOINTIVE POSITIONS:
Newsletter Editor - Bill Hunter
Parliamentarian - Pamela Smithey

Links

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)

Case Brothers of Spartanburg (musical instruments and sheet music) = www.casebrothers.com

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.

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.

Pedals!Pipes!Pizza! http://profcouch.us/Courses/Fall2008/PipesPedalPizza_SpartanburgAGO_020709.pdf


Visit the AGO National website