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Omaha Chapter |
| Last updated: September 8, 2008 |
Message from the Dean |
| Dear Chapter Members,
Greetings as we begin a new year! An exciting slate of programs is planned in celebration of the International Year of the Organ. Please encourage your friends and students to attend the Organ Spectacular featuring Jeff McLelland on Sunday, October 19 at St. Cecilia Cathedral. This will be a marvelous event for our chapter and the city of Omaha as we join AGO chapters across the United States and abroad who are sponsoring organ recitals on that date. I especially thank Marie Rubis Bauer for hosting this concert. Thanks also to Michael McCabe for hosting our fall kickoff meeting on August 24. Please mark your calendar for this season’s programs. As this year begins, let us resolve to take advantage of these outstanding opportunities for education, enrichment and fellowship with our professional colleagues and friends in the Omaha AGO Chapter. Marty Wheeler Burnett, Dean |
Local Events |
2008-09 OMAHA CHAPTER SCHEDULE Sunday, October 19 at 3:00 p.m. International Year of the Organ Concert by Jeff McLelland Cathedral of St Cecilia Host member: Marie Rubis Bauer Program: Marty Burnett Sunday, November 16 at 1:30 p.m. Progressive organ tour of five Fremont churches Begin at Dodge County Museum for brunch Host and Program: Jeff Hoffman Tuesday, December 2nd at 7:00 p.m. Annual Advent/Christmas Members Program St Paul’s Lutheran Program: Gilbert Ward Saturday, January 24th from 9:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Mid-Winter Workshop: Jeremy Bankson and others Dundee Presbyterian Host member: Wayne Kallstrom Program: Charles Cohen Sunday, March 15th at 3:00 p.m. Annual Lincoln-Omaha joint meeting Concert by Samuel Gaskin and reception afterwards 1st Presbyterian, Lincoln Host: Lincoln chapter April 24-26 Rae Whitney hymn celebration College of St Mary & Trinity Episcopal Cathedral Host member and program: Marty Burnett Monday, May 4th at 6:30 p.m. Annual dinner/meeting Pasta D’amore restaurant in Rockbrook Talk by Jan Kraybill, Region VI Councillor Host and Program: Sally Hodges Marie Rubis Bauer and Michael Bauer are performing the complete organ music of Dieterich Buxtehude in a series of recitals. November 18, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. in the Bales Recital Hall, Lawrence, KS May 3, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. at St. Cecilia Cathedral, Omaha, NE Sunday, January 18, 2009 St. Cecilia Cathedral, Omaha, NE Andrew Scanlon is a young Catholic organist from Duquesne University Marie Rubis Bauer, organist St. Cecilia Cathedral, Omaha, NE Celebrating the Fifth Anniversary of the Martin Pasi Op. 14 Dual Temperament Organ at St. Cecilia Cathedral Recital - Sunday, July 5, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. Marie Rubis Bauer, Cathedral Organist International Organ Music Lecture - Saturday, July 11, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. Kevin Vogt - The Martin Pasi Pipe Organ Cathedral Cultural Center Recital - Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. Kevin Vogt, organist, St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Overland Park, KS and former organist at St. Cecilia Cathedral Recital - Sunday, July 19, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. Julia Brown, Recitalist and recording artist from Eugene, Oregon Recital - Sunday, July 26, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. Wolfgang Rubsam, International Artist and producer for Naxos Recordings |
Newsletter |
The College of Saint Mary Fine Arts Program has created an email list for information about art, music, and theatre events at CSM. This list will be a primary method for distributing information in the future. Our emails will also include special offers such as discount coupons for tickets. To subscribe, send an email to finearts@csm.edu and list "subscribe" in the subject line. Please take a moment and subscribe today! For St. Timothy Lutheran, Fremont Call Diane Skurdahl at 359-5689 Brandon Tuomikoski is looking for a practice organ. He is 14 years of age and is beginning his study of the instrument. If you know of an available instrument, contact him at: btuomikoski@yahoo.com. First Church of Christ, 250 Main Street, Wethersfield, CT 06109 11th Annual Organ Competition September 5-7, 2008 $10,000 in Awards Judges of 2008: Gerre Hancock, Marilyn Mason, Frederick Hohman This Annual Festival Weekend features prominent organists in concert, an organ competition for young organ students and an inspiring masterclass. The competition is held at the historic First Church of Christ in Wethersfield, Connecticut. Prizes High School Division—First Prize…$2,000 Young Professional Division---First Prize…$3,500 Other prizes also awarded. Application & Audition CD must be postmarked by June 6, 2008. For more information call: 860,529-1575 x 209 or www.firstchurch.org/ASOF The National Office of the American Guild of Organists has declared the year 2008 as “The Year of the Organ.” I find this quite exciting! As I was thinking about this event,” I wondered what my role would be. Well, I have thought about it for six weeks and have come to the conclusion that my role is exactly what I want it to be—I can make the year of the organ a success or a failure by how I respond in my own musicality and in my church. I quickly wrote down some ideas that came to me, lest they be forgotten, then decided to share them with you. To promote the organ in my life: 1. Buy some new music—I always find this gives me a lift and incentive to practice! 2. Make sure that you are practicing on something that will challenge you. 3. Practice! Every day! 4. Attend local AGO meetings—get involved if you are not already. 5. Encourage other organists, music directors, friends of the organ who are not members to join the local AGO chapter 6. Buy a membership in your local AGO chapter for a student or friend. 7. Attend organ concerts. 8. Take lessons from another AGO member who is teacher. 9. Begin to work for an AGO certification. 10. Begin to teach young organ students 11. Above all—do what works for you and your situation. On October 19, 2008, the AGO intends to sponsor an international organ recital. Please consider what you can do to support this in your community. Pam Penner pampenner@hotmail.com District Convener It has been a goal of mine for some time to develop a regional calendar that would be accessible to all of our chapter members and to the public. I receive newsletters from many of our 50+ chapters in Region VI, but most of our members are only aware of what's happening in their chapter. And the public sometimes has no idea of the incredible programs we offer. An on-line regional calendar, updated frequently, has been one of my resolutions for about a year. I'm happy to say that this resolution has now been completed - and then some! With the magic of technology, I have set up a Region VI blog. For those that are new to this term (like I was only a week ago!), a blog is a website with postings (short articles) containing text, images, videos, or links to other websites. The postings are customarily displayed in reverse order (i.e., newest at the top). I think that one of the most useful features of this blog will be the regional calendar. Check it out at www.agor6.blogspot.com http://www.agor6.blogspot.com and bookmark it so you can check it often! I've made every attempt to enter the information about each chapter's events from newsletters that have been sent to me. Please check that your chapter's events are there and the details are listed properly. If your events don't appear, please send me information on all chapter-sponsored programs that are open to the public that you would like added to the calendar. Maintaining this calendar could easily become a full-time job! To avoid that, I must restrict it to only AGO-sponsored events, at least for now. It will be enough for me to keep up with that. You can save me time by sending me full details about each event, including date, time, artist or title of event, location, and contact information for the Chapter Dean. Be sure to include the complete address with city and zip code. Google Calendar (the software program that creates the calendar) is amazing, and it will create a map (using Google Maps) so that your members and the public will have driving directions. Please take a look at the blog when you have a chance, spread the word to your members, and let me know what you think! And if you or someone you know would like to volunteer to maintain this calendar, that would be great. But that's for another resolution. I hope this calendar helps build audiences and excitement for the excellent programs you offer! Jan Kraybill Region VI Regional Councillor Principal Organist and Director of Music Community of Christ International Headquarters 1001 W Walnut St Independence, MO 64050 8l6-833-1000, x2432 jkraybill@CofChrist.org http://www.agor6.blogspot.com Send materials you wish published to Dr. Wayne Kallstrom, Dundee Presbyterian Church, 5312 Underwood Avenue, Omaha, NE 68132. E-mail wkallstrom@dundeepresbyterian.org or fax to 402-558-4977. Deadline for the September newsletter is August 15. THere is no newsletter in the summer. |
Membership |
| Please contact membership chairman Diane Hill at 16516 Spring Circle, Omaha, NE 68130. Her email address is dihill@tconl.com |
Placement |
| If your church or organization is seeking an organist or other church musician, please contact Referrals Chair, Jeff Hoffman at encouraged.organist@yahoo.com or 402-459-0882 to have that announcement made available to our membership. Below, you will find a list of organists available to substitute for weekend services and other events.
First Congregational Church 611 First Avenue, Council Bluffs, IA 51503 - 712.322.5324 Organist: The organist will play the church organ and piano for church services, choir’s performances, for special performers and special performances. 1. Perform music for both rehearsals and performances for the choir and other music that is a part of the church services. 2. Perform music for both rehearsals and performances for any special music scheduled by the Choir Director. 3. May be called upon to perform special solo music appropriate to our services. 4. Assist the Choir Director in selection of music appropriate to church service and special events. 5. Assist the Choir Director in maintenance of the music library of the church. 6. The Organist is responsible for organ and piano maintenance. 7. Keep current on the latest trends in organ and piano worship services and techniques. 8. Arrange for a substitute organist when necessary. 9. The organist will report to the Choir Director at least once weekly regarding music to be performed each week. This meeting should take place early enough to have the music rehearsed before choir practice. First Congregational Church 611 First Avenue, Council Bluffs, IA 51503 - 712.322.5324 Choir Director: The mission of the Choir Director is to bring appropriate and uplifting musical experiences to the services of this church. 1. Select, with the concurrence and assistance of the Minister, music to be performed at the Sunday services. 2. Rehearse that music with the choir and organist to obtain the best possible outcome. 3. Maintain the music library to include both traditional and non-traditional music. 4. Assist, when asked, the Youth Director in selecting music for the youth and children of the church. 5. Arrange for guest musicians during the summer months and for special occasions. 6. Work with Church Secretary to include musical selections and musical performances, correctly and promptly included in the weekly Bulletin Redeemer Lutheran Church, Hoooper, NE Part time Minister of Music position open at Redeemer Lutheran, Hooper, NE., 15 minutes north of Fremont Contact Pastor Joel Schroeder, 654-3835 for details, or email Joel at jnschroeder@midlands.net Peace Lutheran Church, Elkhorn, NE General Description:Piano Accompanist for a traditional Chancel Choir which sings 2-3 Sundays per month and a Praise Band (piano, guitar, bass, drums, vocals) which leads contemporary hymn singing 3 Sundays per month. (We are looking for one person to fill this position.) Schedule:Most rehearsals are Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings. We have one blended Service at 10:15 a.m. Sundays. Pay: Approximately 3 hours per week @$32.00/hour. Optional, possibility of filling in as organist 1-2 per month @ $80.00/Sunday. Contact:Scot Thompson, Music Director at 289-4323 scot-thompson@cox.net Presbyterian Church, Fremont, NE Organist for traditional service at 10:30 a.m. Also accompanies the choir with a Wednesday evening rehearsal. 2 manual Moller pipe organ. 402.721.7904 Most organists listed are available for weekend services, weddings and funerals unless otherwise indicated. Listings are limited to dues paying members of the Omaha Chapter of the AGO. Availability varies and not all those listed below are available Sunday mornings. Stephen Bartelt stephenrbartelt@yahoo.com 496-6140 John Bennett jspben@aol.com 312-9576 Jill Billingsley, SPC jilllbillingsley@up.com 691-0302 Claire R. Eason eason@gpcom.net 652-3366 (summer only) Barbara Fedro-Gierke revster7@msn.com 727-6207 Sally Hodges, SPC sallyspiano@cox.net 289-1860 Karen Johnson kjpiano@cox.net 558-3027 Ginger Petersen-Britt 393-4251 Carla Post carlasue97@yahoo.com 916-9118 Alex Ritter jkaegl@cox.net 697-3630 Linda Shirck linda17504@tconl.com 312-8942 Carolyn Sieling 551-5375 Linda Stanley, SPC lindastanleyorganist@gmail.com 301-9483 Gilbert Ward geward@q.com 391-2168 Annette White 573-9499 Marty Wheeler Burnett mburnett@csm.edu 402-399-2622, Omaha Claire Bushong, cbushong@dana.edu 402-727-7874, Blair & Fremont Ruth Hahn ruthhahn@msn.com 402-339-3203, Omaha Sally Hodges sallyspiano@cox.net 402-289-1860, Omaha Carla Post, carlasue97@yahoo.com 402-916-9118, Omaha & Fremont Claire Bushong, cbushong@dana.edu 402-727-7874, Blair & Fremont Ruth Hahn ruthhahn@msn.com 402-339-3203, Omaha Sally Hodges sallyspiano@cox.net 402-289-1860, Omaha Carla Post, carlasue97@yahoo.com 402-916-9118, Omaha & Fremont Carla Post, carlasue97@yahoo.com 402-916-9118, Omaha & Fremont Employers and job seekers are invited to post and search listings of available positions on the Guild's National Website. |
Certification |
“Why should I work toward AGO certification?” you may ask. And you can come up with a dozen reasons why you should not. You are already too busy. You don’t do transpositions anyway, and if you do create your own harmonization for a tune, transcribe piano music for organ (as nearly every accompanist must do), create modulations from one tune to the next, or prepare “classical” music for preludes and postludes, you do not see why you should submit your works for someone from AGO to evaluate! After all, you have a bachelor’s/master’s/doctor’s degree in music, and surely that speaks well enough for your skills. Yes and no. One cannot belittle the value of continuing education. We are often like water, seeking the easiest path and allowing ourselves to be satisfied with trickling down hill. On the other hand, if your skills are so great, why not take the test? It should be a piece of cake for you! Then you can put those little letters behind your name to tell everyone in AGO! The real purpose of certification, in my opinion, is personal growth! Since completing the CAGO, I have the confidence that I can do a transposition/modulation/improvisation if and when I deem it appropriate. I enjoyed the process of preparing. I learned that given lots of time I can write very nice harmonizations and modulations ( I did not do anything “wonderful” along that line on the test, however). In other words, I learned a great deal about myself. The study manual that is available from AGO headquarters is an excellent source both for a procedure to follow for acquiring each skill and for the knowledge you need to pass each exam. You can also purchase tests from the past five years. These are extremely helpful. (Save one or two to use as practice tests during the week or two prior to the actual exam.) I would gladly help anyone interested in pursuing the CAGO (Monday evenings when there are no meetings). I can share my experiences with you and give you encouragement. I would love to work toward the AAGO--but right now I’m too busy, don’t do that stuff anyway, wonder why I should put myself under the stress of letting someone else tell me how good/bad I am, etc., etc. Nevertheless, I am firmly convinced that it would be a very good thing for me (and for you) to do!!! Ruth Hahn Omaha AGO |
Contact Us |
Marty Wheeler Burnett, Dean - mburnett@CSM.edu 402-399-2622 Charles Cohen, Sub-Dean - charlesacohen@yahoo.com 402-895-1500 Sally Hodges, Secretary - sallyspiano@cox.net 402-289-1860 Gina Simpson, Treasurer - ginas@chirock.com 402-896-1157 Claire Bushong, Immediate Past Dean - cbushong@dana.edu 402-727-7874 Wayne Kallstrom, Member at Large - wkallstrom@dundeepresbyterian.org 402-558-2330 Jeff Hoffman, Member at Large - encouraged.organist@yahoo.com 402-459-0882 David McCain, member at Large - David@McCain.net 712.343.2328 Education, Sally Hodges - sallyspiano@cox.net 402-289-1860 Historian, Gina Simpson, ginas@chirock.com 402-896-1157 Hospitality, Susan Beschorner, sbeschorner@cox.net 402-493-2871 Membership, Diane Hill, dihill@tconl.com Membership Directory, Gina Simpson, ginas@chirock.com 402-896-1157 Mailings, Marian Barnett, AAGO marian.barnett@cox.net 402-558-7882 Pipe Organ Experience, Susan Beschorner - sbeschorner@cox.net 402-445-2511 Professional Concerns, Ed Hurd, ehurd@omahaperformingarts.org 402-319-1716 Program, Charles Cohen - charlesacohen@yahoo.com 402-895-1500 Publicity, Gilbert Ward - geward@q.com 402-391-2168 Referrals, Website - Jeff Hoffman - encouraged.organist@yahoo.com 402-459-0882 "Windchest" Editor, Wayne Kallstrom - wkallstrom@dundeepresbyterian.org 402-558-2330 |
Links |
Organ Historical Society - http://www.organsociety.org An international organization that seeks members from all levels of interest in the organ, including those who listen to play, build, or study the organ as an avocation or profession. The Society promotes a widespread musical and historical interest in American organbuilding through collection, preservation, and publication of historical information, and through recordings and public concerts. American Guild of Organists - http://www.agohq.org The purpose of the American Guild of Organists is to promote the organ in its historic and evolving roles, to encourage excellence in the performance of organ and choral music, and to provide a forum for mutual support, inspiration, education, and certification of Guild members. Associated Pipe Organ Builders of America - http://www.apoba.com/ A professional association of North American firms engaged in building traditional pipe organs. Members of APOBA are a select group of organbuilders who have passed stringent membership requirements. These requirements include commitment to principles regarding the use of electronic technology in pipe organ building. Our site offers a wealth of information to help you in purchasing or renovating a pipe organ, or simply learning more about the fascinating art of pipe organ building. National Association of Pastoral Musicians - http://www.npm.org The National Association of Pastoral Musicians fosters the art of musical liturgy. The members of NPM serve the Catholic Church in the United States as musicians, clergy, liturgists, and other leaders of prayer. Choristers Guild - http://www.choristersguild.org Choristers Guild, a Christian Organization, enables leaders to nurture the spiritual and musical growth of children and youth. Presbyterian Association of Musicians – http://www.presbymusic.org Worship is the human response to God's grace and infinite love. It is central to the life of Christ's church. Music is one of the integral elements of our worship. Acting on these convictions, the Presbyterian Association of Musicians energetically promotes and teaches the language of faith through worship so that all of God's people, young and old, are vitally involved in singing, praying, proclaiming and living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. United Church of Christ Musicians Association – http://www.uccma.org The United Church of Christ Musicians Association, Inc. is a self-supporting association of, by and for musicians serving UCC churches across the United States. We are colleagues, both lay and clergy, seeking to help each other as we live out our call to minister through music. Association of Lutheran Church Musicians – http://www.alcm.org ALCM stands as a strong and successful service and professional organization, with membership close to 1500, dedicated to the cause of strengthening the ministry of music in the Lutheran Church. It serves through a wide range of publications, conferences, and local, regional and national events. Membership is drawn from all major Lutheran bodies and is open to all church musicians, full-time and part-time, and to others who share the goals of the body. Association of Anglican Musicians - http://www.anglicanmusicians.org The Association of Anglican Musicians is an organization for professional musicians and clergy who are members of the Anglican Communion or who work in a cathedral or parish within the Communion. |
| Visit the AGO National website |