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Peoria Chapter |
| Last updated: November 13, 2008 |
Message from the Dean |
| Greetings!
We welcome you to our special guild events. The Peoria Chapter will host a number of events beginning with Body Mapping with Molly Sloter on September 27th, our Organ Spectacular Concert with our own Susan Klotzbach on October 19th, continuing with a concert and workshop with Brett Wolgast on November 21-22, an anniversary concert at Bloomington's Illinois Wesleyan University on March 28th and much more. We meet monthly (except for December) and look forward to hearing some exciting programs and meeting other organists to share what's going on. Please come! It's a chance to get new ideas and socialize with fellow musicians and organ enthusiasts. Dave Byrkit |
Local Events |
| Peoria Chapter AGO Fall Schedule (2008 - 2009)
Friday, November 21 at 7:30 pm—Concert Organist Brett Wolgast will present a concert at Peoria’s St. Mary’s Cathedral (607 NE Madison Ave) $10 admission, $8 senior citizens, students free; Reception following. Saturday, November 22 at 10:00 am —Brett Wolgast will present a master class on organ registration at Trinity Lutheran Church (135 NE Randolph Ave., Peoria). Brett Wolgast Biography Brett Wolgast is currently Cantor at First Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids, IA, where his responsibilities include serving as organist, accompanist, and director of instrumental ensembles. He is a member of the music faculty and College Organist at Coe College in Cedar Rapids where he teaches organ, piano, and music theory-related courses. He is also Adjunct Assistant Professor of Organ and Church Music at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. A native of Kansas, Brett received his Bachelor of Music degree and Performance Certificate in Piano and Organ from Kansas State University graduating magna cum laude. He completed a Master of Arts degree in Piano Performance, a Master of Fine Arts degree in Organ Performance, and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Organ Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Iowa. His primary teachers include: Mary Ellen Sutton, Catharine Crozier, Delbert Disselhorst, and Delores Bruch – Organ; and Robert Edwards and John Simms – Piano. Dr. Wolgast achieved nation-wide recognition by winning two national competitions: the American Guild of Organists Open Competition in Organ Playing, and the Ft. Wayne, IN National Organ Competition. He has performed throughout the United States as a guest recitalist for AGO chapters and conventions as well as church and civic concert series. Brett Wolgast is also active in the field of church music having served as organist/choir director/worship coordinator for several churches in the Midwest as well as a clinician for sacred music workshops and classes. Dr. Wolgast is a member of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians having served on regional and national boards and planning committees, and publishing articles and reviews in the Association’s periodical Cross Accents. Brett Wolgast currently resides in Cedar Rapids with his wife, Marita (also an accomplished musician). The Wolgasts have three children: Kurtis and Tyler, both students at Iowa State University, and Kirsten, a student at Coe College. He participates in several community music organizations and is a private piano and organ instructor. ___________________________________________ Our Spring Offerings will include a major recital/celebration at Evelyn Chapel on the campus of Illinois Wesleyan University on March 28th to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Casavant Organ, a members recital at Grace and Peace Lutheran Church in Peoria in February, a special celebration concert at Bethel Lutheran in Bartonville in April, a factory tour of the Buzard Co. in Champaign also in April, an organ accompaniment to a movie in May and several more activities still in the planning stages. E-Mail Address: If you have an e-mail address, please let us know so we can send you our newsletter via the internet. We can also keep you updated with the latest AGO news. Please send your address to David@Byrkit.Net. |
Newsletter |
| Upcoming Events:
Linda Bliven Andrews, organist of the First Presbyterian Church, Macomb, will play an organ recital to celebrate the International Year of the Organ, at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 16, 2008 in the church's sanctuary. The church, which is located at 400 E. Carroll Street, has been host for two other organ programs and a hymn festival designated by the American Guild of Organists to showcase the "King of Instruments" through the playing of concerts, recitals, church services and educational events. Guest artists assisting Andrews for this event will include Karen Martin, violin, Marsha Wetmore, flute, and Hyung Ja Kim, piano. The recital is open to the public, free of charge. The varied program will include two sets of variations in totally different styles, Variations on "Nettleton" by American composer, Alfred Travis and Chorale and Variations on Veni Creator by 20th century French composer, Maurice Durufle. Another name in French organ history was 19th century composer, Alexandre Guilmant. His dramatic Introduction and Allegro (1st Sonata) utilizes the full resources of the organ. Works by J.S. Bach which will be played include his great Prelude and Fugue in A minor, BWV 543, and the Schubler chorale, Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 645. A highlight of the program will include an ensemble setting based on the hymn, Here I Am, Lord for violin, flute, piano, and organ composed by Janet Linker. Hymn tune settings by other American composers will include works by James and Marilyn Biery, Michael Burkhardt, and Neil Harmon. Ken Cowan is playing two concerts in January - 1.23 at the Episcopal Chapel of St. John the Divine in Champaign (part of the year-long celebration of the completion of the building), and 1.25 at Second Presbyterian Church in Bloomington (the organ's official dedication concert). |
Membership |
| To register please contact Dr. Susan Klotzbach - klotzbach@verizon.net |
Placement |
| Part-time Organist for Eureka Christian Church, Eureka - Contact Minta @mintajean@yahoo.com
Employers and job seekers are invited to post and search listings of available positions on the Guild's National Website. |
Certification |
Contact Us |
| Dean, David C. Byrkit - david@byrkit.net
Sub-dean, Michael Haller - mikehaller@aol.com Secretary, Gary Black - gblack@ocslink.com Treasurer, James Hopkins - jimkate@insightbb.com Registrar, Dr. Susan Klotzbach - klotzbach@verizon.net |
Links |
| Visit the AGO National website |