Lynchburg,VA Chapter




Last updated: May 20, 2010

Message from the Dean

Lynchburg Chapter, The Dean's Letter for May, 2010

Dear Colleagues,

At the end of April, I was one of the guest conductors of the Hampton Roads Area III Convention of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers. This was the 50th anniversary of Area III. Former Chairs were invited to conduct massed ringing and teach classes to the 400 registrants. I was chairman for two terms back in the 1960’s and was National Secretary for two terms of the AGEHR. It was good to see and hear how handbell ringing is continuing to progress as a musical art and to see and greet long time friends and acquaintances.

I have a potpourri of thoughts I’d like to share with you in this last Dean’s letter of the year. While Barbara and I were in England in January, the organist at Westminster Cathedral showed me a laminated list of set pistons for the two Willis organs in the West Gallery (this is not my favorite Willis), and the small choir organ up front. The pistons were noted according to dynamics only except for the ones set for weddings. The Trumpet Tunes were listed as well as (surprise!) the two “traditional marches”.

When I was a Fellow in Cathedral Music at Washington National Cathedral, Paul Calloway always kept his pistons the same. I remember one Evensong service when he pushed a piston and expected a beautiful Harmonic Flute and something else sounded. He turned around with red face and sneered at us four Fellows standing behind him. This writer was NOT guilty of changing the piston. No one confessed, but I always suspected one of my friends. I think that in places where there are daily services, sometimes with limited or no practice time, it is best to have pistons set permanently.

However, I constantly change my pistons for anthems, etc. If a seam in the music where the piston is to be pushed is closer to middle C then I use Piston 1. If the seam is in the top end an octave higher I used a piston close to the environment of the seam. I feel more comfortable with this plan, and I think I can play a more artistic accompaniment that way. However, in a cathedral when moving the hand to another placement, the acoustics usually take care of the hole that is left. Most of us don’t have reverberant acoustics that can cover a multitude of sins, so I continue to set pistons according to the environment. Of course, the above doesn’t take into consideration the new combination actions with sequences up and down (in England they call sequencers “steppers”) and the actions that allow General pistons to be on any piston, etc. What method do you use with pistons?

I recently came across a box of electronic tapes for organ, tape and choir as well as just organ and tape. Do you remember these pieces? 1) Prelude for Organ and Tape by Richard Stewart 2) In the Beginning of Creation by Daniel Pinkham 3) Toccatas for the Vault of Heaven by Pinkham 4) See that You Love One Another by Pinkham 5) I Make My Own Soul from All the Elements of the Earth by Richard Feliciano 6) Litany by Feliciano 7) God of the Expanding Universe by Feliciano and 8) Evergreen by Pinkham.

I played these organ and tape pieces in organ recitals and used several of the choir, organ and tape pieces in choral concerts. I even used the Pinkham Evergreen in a worship service (happily with congregational approval). At the time this was all the rage for people on the cutting edge. I wanted to learn and perform these pieces, but I didn’t think they would be more than a novelty, and indeed for the most part have not remained in the repertoire of performing organists. I wonder what other pieces organ and/or choral that are being pushed by the many publishers today will be considered a “fad” in the future.

Barbara and I are leading a group of friends to Eastern Europe in June (Budapest, Dresden, Prague, Krakow). We are looking forward to seeing the Frauenhkirche (Evangelical Lutheran) in Dresden again. It was bombed in WWII in 1945 and has just been rebuilt in 2005. Also the Silberman organ of 1736 that J.S.Bach played was destroyed. Daniel Kern from Strasbourg has built the new instrument. The last time we were there the church was just a pile of stones. At that time our choir sang a concert at the beautiful Dresden Roman Catholic Cathedral which is an inspiration to see. Long time AGO member Allen Huszti will be joining us for the tour. Allen now lives in Oberlin, Ohio. He will be staying with us before the tour, so his many friends can reach him at our home beginning on June 16.

I hope many of you are planning to attend the National AGO Convention in Washington, D.C. We get back from Europe in time to wash clothes, turn around and go to the convention. It promises to be exciting. On another note, I have just finished reading Klaus Eidam’s The True Life of J.S.Bach. I recommend it for your summer reading. I hope you all have a summer of recreation and re-creation.

Peace, Wisdom and Grace,
Gordon

Local Events

Dear AGO friends,


Chapter Programs 2010


25 May, 2010, Tuesday, 6:00 PM
Grace Memorial Episcopal Church
New Hampshire Ave, Lynchburg, VA
Annual Banquet. Speaker, the Rev. Catherine Montgomery, Rector, Grace Church.

The Annual Lynchburg AGO banquet will be at Grace Memorial Episcopal Church on May 25, 2010, at 6:00 p.m.. The speaker will be the Rev. Catharine Montgomery, Rector. The meal will include a choice of pork tenderloin or chicken for the entrée. There will be white wine and/or iced tea with the meal along with some delicious veggies, etc., and of course, dessert.

There will also be hors d’oeuvres with wine or lemonade before dinner as we meet for a short social time. The cost will be $12.00 per person, which can be mailed to Bob Blevins,3512 Surrey Lane, Lynchburg, VA 24503 or paid at the banquet.

There is a deadline set later for responding so that we might get a head count. For further information, please contact Betty Spruill, host at 434-237-4710 or 434- 942-7006.

Richard and Peggy Howell would like to invite AGO members to stop by Richard’s organ building workshop on Tuesday, May 25, between 4:30 and 5:45 – before the AGO banquet at Grace Episcopal - to see the organ which is being built for St. John’s Episcopal church and will be installed later this year. Peggy


AGO Chapter Program Schedule: 2010-2011


Saturday, September 11 - 10:30 a.m., Westminster Presbyterian Church - Masterclass with guest artist, Ken Cowan, Westminster Presbyterian Church. Sunday, September 12 – 4:00 p.m. Ken Cowan in Recital (presented by the church)

Friday, October 15 – 5:00 p.m., Roanoke - Joint meeting with the Roanoke Chapter in Roanoke. Organ Crawl. Christ Episcopal Church, Fisk Organ,
5:00 p.m;
Dinner at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 6:30 p.m.;
St. John’s organ crawl, Quimby Organ, 7:15-8:30 p.m.
We will be guests of the Roanoke Chapter for dinner.

Tuesday, November 16 – 7:30 p.m., Heritage United Methodist Church - Lecture: Dr. William Little speaking on the topic of his new book, Mendelssohn and the Organ (Oxford University Press).

December - No meeting

Tuesday, January 25 – 7:30 p.m., Rivermont Ev. Presbyterian Church -
Earle Goodwin, speaker: “A Singer’s Approach to English Diction”: salient points to the 9th edition of Madeline Marshall’s book "Singers Manual to English Diction" Madeline Marshall Simon was a teacher at the Juilliard for over 50 years and at Union Theological Seminary School of Sacred Music NYC. She passed away at age 93, July 2, 1993. Our chapter has several current members who studied with Ms. Marshall as well as Earle. This will not be a dry dull meeting. But, filled with amusing antidotes and specific demonstrations on diction techniques. Bring your note books.

Tuesday, February 22 – 7:30 p.m., Holy Trinity Lutheran Church – J. William Greene discusses his organ and choral compositions.

Tuesday, March 22 – 7:30 p.m., First Presbyterian Church - Ray Weidner discusses his organ and choral compositions.

April - No Meeting

Tuesday, May 24 – 6:00 p.m., St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Annual banquet, Election of Officers and Program by Ann Coulter and Friends: “Music featuring the new Bennett and Giutarri Continuo Organ”










Newsletter

Dear Lynchburg Chapter,

On behalf of the Nominating Committee (Harvey Huiner, Jane Montgomery, and myself), I am happy to announce the following slate of officers. The election will occur at our May banquet.

Dean - Gordon Betenbaugh, 1 year term
Sub Dean - Peggy Howell, 1 year term
Treasurer - Bob Blevins, 2 year term
Secretary - Ray Weidner, 2 year term
Member-at-Large - Betty Spruill, 2 year term
Member-at-Large - George Clark, 2 year term

Jane Montgomery has generously and graciously agreed to continue as our Newsletter creator/editor. She needs information about our special church music programs and services for the newsletter, even if the event occurs on Sunday morning! Keep your news flowing to Jane!

Sincerely,
Ann Coulter (Sub Dean and Chair of the Nominating Committee)

Membership

Region III, District IV
Chapter Number 329

Chapter Officers

Dean, Gordon Betenbaugh 2010-2011

Sub-Dean, Ann Coulter 2009-2010

Treasurer, Membership Officer 2009-2010
Sandra Matthes

Secretary, Harvey Huiner 2009-2010

Newsletter Editor,
Jane Montgomery 2009-2010

Member-at Large 2009-2010
Peggy Howell


Past Deans

1950-1951 J. Bernard Williamson
1951-1953 Helen Howell Williams
1953-1954 Theodore Herzel
1954-1957 Frances Peters
1957-1958 Robert G. Lee
1958-1959 John Pfeil
1959-1961 Roger R. Cole
1961-1963 Franz Engle
1963-1964 John R. Shannon
1964-1966 Henry Hallstrom, AAGO
1966-1968 Helen Howell Williams
1968-1970 George B. Clark, AAGO
1970-1971 James B. Anderson
1971-1972 L. Hadley Hunt
1972-1975 Miriam Taylor
1975-1979 Roger C. Dowdy
1979-1980 John Ourensma
1980-1981 Roger R. Cole
1981-1983 Harvey Huiner
1983-1984 Herbert Chamberlin
1984-1986 Helen Howell Williams
1986-1988 Carita Sydnor
1988-1990 George Clark
1990-1992 David Charles Campbell
1992-1994 Anne E. Coulter
1994-1996 Miriam Taylor
1996-1997 Allen Huszti
1997-2000 Sandra Matthes
2006-2007 J. William Greene
2002-2004 Peggy Haas Howell
2004-2006 Gordon Betenbaugh
2007-2008 Bob Blevins
2008-2009 J. William Greene
2009-2010 Gordon Betenbaugh

The Membership

ARCHER, Frank
farcher@hsc.edu
P. O. Box 34, Hampden-Sydney, VA 23943
(434)223-7675
Hampden –Sydney College, Fine Arts Chair

BALL, Russell M.
russellmballsr@comcast.net
1620 Belfield Place, Lynchburg, VA 24503
384-1572, 384-3318 (fax)
Substitute Organist

BARKLEY, H. Brock
Brock.Barkley.Jr@att.net
501 VES Road, Apt. W 625, Lynchburg, VA 24503
386-3904

BATTEN-BELL, Susan C., MCM, MRE
music@bedfordbaptist.org
114 Perry Lane, Goode, VA 24556
(540) 586-9564
Minister of Music/Organist, Bedford Baptist Church

BETENBAUGH, Gordon M., BM, MM, CCM
barbbete@aol.com
140 Turtle Creek Road, Lynchburg, VA 24501239-3911
239-3911

BETTCHER, Peggy, MM
pbettcher@rivermont.org
122 Irvington Springs Road
Lynchburg, VA 24503
386-5513
Director of Music, Rivermont Evangelical Pres. Church
2424 Rivermont Avenue, Lynchburg, VA 24502
846-3441

BLEVINS, Robert, BA, MBA, AAGO
hoyotoho@yahoo.com
3612 Surrey Lane, Lynchburg, VA 24503
384-9296 (H), 522-7236 (W), 846-3846 (fax)
Organist/Director, Westminster Presbyterian Church
1022 Floyd Street, Lynchburg, VA 24501

BOOTH, Dee, BS
NOTEDB@aol.com
raybooth@ntelos.net
206 Dean Street, Lynchburg, VA 24502
239-1158
Music Teacher, Organist, St. Andrew Presbyterian Ch.,
Children’s Music Director, Court St. United Methodist

CAMPBELL, David Charles, BA, MM
dccampbell@stjohnsroanoke.org
4140 Jae Valley Road, Roanoke, VA 24014
(540) 427-2820
Minister of Music, St. John’s Episcopal Church
Roanoke, VA
(540) 341-9341

CLARK, George, AAGO
gbc2701@aol.com
P. O. Box 3077, Lynchburg, VA 24503
846-6668
Organist, Court Street United Methodist Church
Court and 7th Streets, Lynchburg, VA 24501
845-3427

COOK, Henry M., BM, MusM, AAGO, ChM
Sunrise Assisted Living Apartment 108
8315 Turning Leaf Lane, McLean, VA 22102
Honorary Member

COULTER, Ann E., MM
acoulter@randolphcollege.edu
154 Norfolk Avenue, Lynchburg, VA 24503
845-7455
Organist-Choirmaster, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
605 Clay Street, Lynchburg, VA 24501
845-7301
Instructor and College Organist,
Randolph-Macon Woman's College
2500 Rivermont Avenue, Lynchburg, VA 24503
947-8527

DAVIS, Gladys
501 VES Road, Apt. B 110, Lynchburg, VA 24503
386-3616
Retired Organist, West Lynchburg Baptist Church

DUDLEY, Jo Anne
musicaljo@aol.com
81 North Lake Drive, Lynchburg, VA 24502
239-2533
Organist, Beulah Baptist Church

FOLEY, Ruth, DMA
rifoley@liberty.edu
112 Westridge Circle, Lynchburg, VA 24502
239-7933
Professor of Music, Liberty University
582-2216
Organist, Our Savior Lutheran church

GOODWIN, G. Earle, BA, BM, MSM
Jollyst.nicholas@earthlink.net
1219 Maymont Drive
Bedford, VA 24523
Semi Retired - Interim & Substitute
Organist/Choir Director

GREENE, J. William, DMA
greene1204@comcast.net
1204 Krise Circle, Lynchburg 24503-2612
386-0078
Organist-Choirmaster, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
1000 Langhorne Road, Lynchburg, VA 24503
384-8441, 384-6866 (fax)

HARWOOD, Karen Jones
karenleeh@cox.net
karenwhumc@verizon.net
3216 Oliver Rd. NE
Roanoke 24012
Director of Music/Organist, Windsor Hills UMC
3591 Windsor Rd. S.W.
Roanoke, VA 24018
Cell: 915-1191
Phone: 366-0902

HOWELL, Peggy Haas, BA, SMM
peggy@stjohnslynchburg.org
201 Woodland Avenue, Lynchburg, VA 24503
528-0465
Organist-Choirmaster, St. John's Episcopal Church
200 Boston Avenue, Lynchburg, VA 24503
528-1138
Director of Music, Glass Theatre
Director of Music, Jefferson Youth Chorale

HUINER, Harvey D., MM, PhD
HARVEY@HUINER.NET
800 Old Trents Ferry Road, Lynchburg, 24503
384-5858
Substitute Organist/Choir Director

HUNT, L. Hadley, MSM
joann.hunt@att.net
1033 Little Pine Circle, Forest, VA 24551
385-6813
Substitute Organist/Choir Director

LASCELL, Ann, M.Mus
alascell@juno.com
261 Kirkley Circle, Forest, VA 24551
525-1146

LOWE, Gary, BSME
garylowe@trbc.org
113 Springvale Drive, Lynchburg, VA 24502
237-2218, 237-2933 (fax)
Church Organ Consultant
Representative, Rodgers Organs & Roland Pianos
Organist, Thomas Road Baptist Church

McKINNEY, Maxine
mckrash@umcmail.net
3812 Craighill St., Lynchburg, VA 24502-2308
847-6539
Substitute Organist

MATTHES, Sandra, PhD
MatthesJS@msn.com
532 Federal Hill Drive, Forest, VA 24551
525-7344
Minister of Music, Heritage United Methodist Church
582 Leesville Road, Lynchburg, VA 24502
239-4291

MIKENAS, Edward, MM
emikenas@msn.com
380 Johns Creek Rd. , Madison Heights, VA 24572
386-2222
Organist, Holy Cross R. C. Church

MONTGOMERY, Jane S., BME, MMA, SP, CAGO
musdirjane@aol.com
3242 Downing Drive, Lynchburg, VA 24503
384-0754
Minister of Music/Organist, Bedford Presbyterian Church
105 West Main Street, Bedford, VA 24523
(540) 586-8903

PEAK, Rose, BS
rsoverby@earthlink.net
489 Softwood Lane, Rustburg, VA 24588
(434) 332-4958
Organist, Quaker Memorial Presbyterian Church
5810 Fort Avenue, Lynchburg, VA 24502

ROBERTS, The Reverend Dennis S.
htlc1000@aol.com
73 North Princeton Circle, Lynchburg, VA 24503
384-8441, 386-6866 (fax)
Pastor, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
1000 Langhorne Road, Lynchburg, VA 24503

SCOTT III, F. Johnson
fjs@charter.net
1553 Oakwood Street, Bedford, VA 24523-1617
(540) 586-6167
Organist, Centenary United Methodist Church
Adjunct Organ Instructor, Lynchburg College

SEIPP, Sonna, BFA
lwseipp@liberty.edu
114 Pacos Street, Lynchburg, VA 24502
239-7668
Substitute Organist/Choir Director

SPRUILL, Elizabeth
bettyspruill@verizon.net
100 Hunterdale Drive, Lynchburg, VA 24502
237-4710
Organist/Director, Grace Memorial Episcopal Church

SYDNOR, Carita
carisyd@adelphia.net
2515 Link Road, Lynchburg, VA 24503
384-1226

TAYLOR, Miriam, BA
jtaylo9841@aol.com
707 Old Trents Ferry Road, Lynchburg, VA 24503
384-3457
Substitute Organist

Taggart, Kenneth
Main Street Methodist Church
Bedford, VA 24523
586-8878
kenny@mainstreetumchurch.org

VANZANT, Nancy (Mrs. Norman E.)
nvanzant@centralva.com
2020 Burnt Bridge Road, Lynchburg, VA 24503
384-9546
Handbell Choir Director,
Timberlake United Methodist Church
Substitute Organist/Choir Director

WATKINS, Gordon
gordonwat@aol.com
1937 Fox Hill Road, Lynchburg, VA 24503-6510
384-1436

WRIGHT, Harold B.
1900 Seabury Avenue, Lynchburg, VA 24501
846-3276
Organist, Fairview Christian Church
2701 Campbell Ave, Lynchburg, VA 24501
845-6031



Placement

Available Substitutes

Russell M. Ball
russellmballsr@comcast.net
Fax: 384-3318

Earle Goodwin, BA, BM, MSM
Interim or Sub
Jollyst.nicholas@earthlink.net
540-586-2412

Harvey D. Huiner, MM, PhD
HARVEY@HUINER.NET
384-5858

Hadley L. Hunt, MSM
joann.hunt@att.net
385-6813

Maxine McKinney
mckrash@umcmail.net
847-6539

Sonna Seipp, BFA
lwseipp@liberty.edu
239-7668

Nancy Vanzant
nvanzant@centralva.com
384-9546

SUBSTITUTE MUSICIANS - A GUIDE FOR FEES TO CHARGE

Single service (organist only or director only, no separate rehearsal), $100-$225 - travel distance is to be considered

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 48.5 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 48.5 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 48.5 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.
Employers and job seekers are invited to post and search listings of available positions on the Guild's National Website.

Certification


Contact Us

Chapter Dean

Gordon M. Betenbaugh, BM, MM, CCM (Dean for 2009)
barbbete@aol.com
140 Turtle Creek Road,
Lynchburg, VA 24501
239-3911

To submit information for the newsletter, e-mail to:
Jane Montgomery
musdirjane@aol.com


Links

Our Sister Chapter Calendar of events in Roanoke and Richmond

http://members.cox.net/roanokeago/roanoke_main.html

http://www.richmondago.org/

Other Events of churches and the enviorns of Lynchburg:

www.mainstreetumchurch.org

http://members.cox.net/roanokeago/events_calendar.html

Here are some interesting links you might enjoy browsing:

ORGAN TUNING & REPAIR:
Thomas Rohlfs, Organ Builder, Tuning, General Maintenance, Additions & Rebuilding. Highly trained and years of professional experience in Germany, England, New Zealand and now in Lynchburg, Roanoke, Moneta, Rocky Mt., Martinsville, Danville, Charlottesville & Richmond, Virginia.

Information and availablility upon request:
e-mail address: trohlfs@gmail.com

Several links from the San Diego Chapter website
http://www.agosd.org/Olinks.htm

AGO SALARY GUIDELINES
http://www.agohq.org/profession/indexsalary.html

ORGAN SHOES
http://organmastershoes.com/

PIPEDREAMS
http://pipedreams.publicradio.org/

This is the web site from the Waterbury AGO Chapter's site and U Tube.. Enjoy

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=pipe+organ&search=Search

http://www.augsburgfortress.org/worship/music.jsp?redirected=true&
http://panther.bsc.edu/~jhcook/OrgHist/welcome.htm
http://www.organstops.org/
http://www.theamazingpipeorgan.com/excerpts.html

An Interesting explanation of Baroque Dispensation of the organ:
http://www.slcago.org/

Classical Music Listings: www.cvnc.org
Pipedreams: www.pipedreams.org – Sunday evening broadcasts are available here by Tuesdays; extensive archive of past programs; many useful links to other sites.

Organ Historical Society: www.organsociety.com – includes the extensive OHS Catalog of organ and choral CD’s, books, scores, videos, including theatre organ CD’s, along with information about OHS and its conventions.

APOBA The Associated Pipe Organ Builders of America: www.apoba.com – A professional organization of 25 North American firms building traditional pipe organs. The site includes a database of organ resources. Within the APOBA site is
http://panther.bsc.edu/~jhcook/OrgHist/ – a super site with detailed explanations of how an organ works. Includes animated diagrams, sound files, and video files.
www.organstops.org – Encyclopedia of Organ Stops.

Visit the AGO National website