The Old Colony Organist Southeastern Massachusetts Chapter

Last updated: June 21, 2008

Message from the Dean

Dear Colleagues,

The Southeastern Chapter ended the year with the Annual Dinner and Meeting at the Fireside Grill, Middleboro. The grill is always a good place to eat and many members were in expansive mood.

At the conclusion of the meal I was greatly surprised and pleased with the chapter gift of a lovely, musical vase presented by the Sub-Dean, Fred Brewer. Thank you all very much!

We followed on with the annual business meeting and both the secretary and treasurer presented their reports. The year was a healthy and positive one with lots of music made at out various meetings and concert events.

We are in a good state financially but recognize an increasing need to offer expenses and fees to the various musicians who travel to make our presentations. With this in mind the meeting voted an increase in our subscription rates [From $75 to $80 for the full rate and from $55-59 for the retired rate] Please read the treasurer’s report and ratify this decision by promptly re-subscribing at the new rate. This will be very helpful!

I would like to thank, again, Dick Hill and Jim Moore for working the administrative side of our Chapter. There will be a meeting sometime in June to confirm the chapter officers and events for 2008/09 and the details will be posted on the website later.

Dick Hill outlined a plan for the next season ‘ the ‘Year Of The Organ’!

I hope to see you all in the Fall. Please contact Dick with your ideas and suggestions for the next and subsequent seasons.

With all good wishes,

Philip Jones

Local Events

Southeastern Massachusetts Chapter
American Guild of Organists
Annual Report
May 23, 2008

Our Annual Member Recital was held on Sunday afternoon. September 30 at St. Anne's Church, Fall River Honoring Normand Gingras on his 50th year as organist of St. Anne's. Organists Alex Buiel, David Carrier, Anna McReynolds, Richard Hill, Jim Moore, Philip Jones, Steven Young, and Normand Gingras performed on the 1964 58 rank Casavant dedicated in 1964 by Jean Langlais. This was a perfect afternoon for Normand who became organist here in November, 1957 and has climbed those 48 steps to his choirloft more times than anyone alive. St. Anne's is a very busy church for its organist with several masses, weddings, and funerals weekly. Two of Normand's former students, David Carrier, present Music Director, at Wellesley Congregational Church, Temple Shalom of Newton, and The Newton Choral Society and Andrew Galuska, new organist at the Methodist Cathedral in Detroit were present. David gave a stunning performance of Bach's Prelude and Fugue in e minor.

Normand's finale included the Symphony Gothique: Andante sostenuto of Charles Marie Widor and the famous Toccata (Fifth Symphony) Our sincere appreciation to all who played and to those who came to this fitting celebration.

On Tuesday, October 30, Jim Moore hosted our Voluntary Night at Pilgrim Congregational Church in Taunton. A valuable addition was the closed circuit television which projected on the wall a larger than life image of each organist playing the Roche/Johnson. Included were shots of the organ's immaculate interior. Thus guests were made a very real part of the playing.

On November 4 Brian Jones played a very "user friendly" program on the 1912 Casavant at St. Anthony’s Church New Bedford. Several chapter members and friends were on hand for this thoroughly entertaining program.

On Friday, January 4, 2008 Our Twelfth Night Party was held at the home of Eleanor Calvin in Raynham. Eleanor is a retired music teacher from the Raynham Public Schools who teaches piano in her charming home which contains a fine Steinway piano, an Allen organ, and stacks of music to play on both. Chapter members and guests enjoyed a delightful evening with hot cider, wine, hors d'ouvres, baked ham, Eleanor's scalloped potatoes and for dessert, her tasty lemon squares. The traditional Yankee Swap, a series of piano organ duets, and conversation on a variety of reminiscenses filled our appetites.

On Saturday, February 9, Immanuel Lutheran Church of Attleboro hosted our chapter’s composer program with choral and organ works of Philip Jones, Gerald Dyck, and Richard Hill. Pat Potter was the hostess of this combined choir concert which was directed and accompanied by Philip Jones with both Gerald and Richard unavailable due to illness. The local premiers of several works were enthusiastically received.
On Sunday March 2, 2008 at Christ Congregational Church, Brockton, A spectacular 'Kids on Keyboards' event was presented by our Chapter with 'David and Koko' bringing awareness of the King of Instruments in the most exciting way! This was a joint AGO/ARTS at Christ Church event.

On Sunday, March 30, 2008 Brian Hoffman performed a Bach Recital at First Unitarian Church. New Bedford on the 1966 D. A, Flentrop organ. Brian’s program alternated five of Bach’s Preludes and Fugues with various chorale preludes. and was a fine example of Bach’s diversity while covering several less known works.

Our April 26, Spring Organ Crawl was held in Kingston and Plymouth. A healthy attendance of loyal “Organ Crawlers” heard Richard Hill on the 1866 E.& G.G, Hook and Hastings at First Parish Kingston and the one manual 1867 E. & G G Hook and Hastings at Kingston Baptist where a large representation of the congregation joined in singing “It is Well With My Soul.” Philip Jones performed a fine recital of English voluntaries at Christ Parish Episcopal in Plymouth on the 1936 Estey and Elizabeth Reilly played the grand finale on the Church of the Pilgrimage’s 1991 F. Robert Roche organ rebuilt from a 1893 Woodberry and Harris organ.

On May 23, our Annual Meeting was held at Fireside Restaurant, Middleboro. Outgoing Dean, Philip Jones was thanked for his service to the chapter having served two terms in that capacity. Plans for the coming season were discussed. A June meeting will finalize the program and conduct the choice of officers, nominations not being available for May 23. Preliminary plans include:

September 28, 2008 Organ Recital Murray Church, Attleboro

October 19, 2008 will be an international day of celebration, and a focal point of the 2008-09 International Year of the Organ Celebration. We will hold our Member Recital on this day.

November 16 Vocal Solo Repertoire

January 9 Twelfth Night Party

February 8 Organ Plus: Organ and Instruments

March 7 Mini Convention: Attleboro

April 18 Patriot’s Day Organ Crawl in Taunton

May 22 Annual Dinner Meeting

Officers will be announced in June.

Richard Hill, Secretary

Coming Events

Unity Church, 13 Main Street North Easton Recitals

Tuesday, June 24 12:15 PM Unity Church 13 Main Street North Easton: Richard Hill, Organist in Works of Harry Rowe Shelley (Note change from Wednesday to Tuesday)

Wednesday, July 23, 12:15 PM Unity Church, Richard Hill, Organist "The Boston Six" Donations to Church Music Fund

Thursday, July 31 7:30 PM Unity Church, Richard Hill
Oldtimers Night at the Organ

Wednesday, August 27 12:15 PM Unity Church, Richard Hill, Organist "Last Rose of Summer"

Old West Church, Boston Recital Series

July 8, 2008
Andrew Paul Holman
works of Pinkham

July 15, 2008
James Busby with Nancy Armstrong,
Peter Stickel and John Bumstead
works of Purcell & Rheinberger

July 22, 2008
David Beyer
works of Bach and Vaughan Williams

July 29, 2008
Natsumi Malloy
works of Bach, Escot, Franck & Messiaen

August 5, 2008
Joshua T. Lawton with Allegra Martin
works of Bach, Escot, Franck & Messiaen

August 12, 2008
Margaret Angelini
works of Böhm & Bach

For more information
about any event, call
617-739-1340

Methuen Memoril Music Hall Recital Series

June 25 - DAVID CARRIER
Roslindale, Massachusetts
Willoughby Frederick and Emma Jacobson Watts Memorial Organ Recital
Works by Franck and Vierne

July 2 - KEVIN BIRCH
Brewer, Maine
Works by Foote, Buck and Guilmant

July 9 - ERIC PLUTZ
Skillman, New Jersey
Works by Smart, Wammes, Bach, Wood, Durufl� and Saint-Sa�ns

July 16 - CAROL WILLIAMS
San Diego, California
Works by Rutter, G�rdonyi, Glass, B�dard, Soares, Jenkins, Swayne, Albright, Joplin, Waller and Michel

July 23 - BRETT MAGUIRE
Danville, Virginia
Works by Brahms, Franck, Rogg and Vierne

July 30 - ALAN MORRISON
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Works by Sowerby, Stover, Whitlock Vierne

August 6 - GERHARD WEINBERGER
Munich, Germany
Works by Bach, Genzmer, Reger, Liszt and Dupr�

August 13 - DAVID BRIGGS
Ipswich, Massachusetts
Works by Langlais, Franck, Bach, Saint-Sa�ns, Briggs and Tchaikovsky

August 20 - RANDALL MULLIN
Baltimore, Maryland
Works by Mitchell, G�rdonyi, Maquaire, Widor, Vierne and Reubke

August 27 - JOSEPH R. OLEFIROWICZ
Schildow, Germany
Summer Scholarship Fund Organ Recital
Works by Bach, Dunham, Foote, Sanders, Lemmens, Grison, Howells, Bourgeois, Utterback, Weaver, Verdi and Lef�bure-W�ly

September 3 - FREDERICK HOHMAN
South Bend, Indiana
C. Marshall Caras Memorial Organ Recital
Works by Bach, Grieg, Widor, Sibelius, Hohman and Vierne

WEDNESDAY EVENINGS AT 8:OO P.M. DOORS OPEN AT 7:30 P.M
TICKETS AT THE DOOR Adults: $10.00 Children: $5.00
192 BROADWAY (ROUTE 28), METHUEN, MASSACHUSETTS
(978) 685-0693

From: "F. Anthony Thurman" <fathurman@agohq.org>
Date: Wed May 28, 2008 3:38:55 PM US/Eastern
To: <smhill42ne@earthlink.net>
Subject: AGO News Bulletin: Prestigious Awards

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 27, 2008

Contact: F. Anthony Thurman
212-870-2310, <fathurman@agohq.org>

PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS TO BE
BESTOWED AT AGO NATIONAL CONVENTION

President's Award Will Be Presented to Mr. and Mrs. Wesley C. Dudley

Edward A. Hansen Leadership Award Will Be Presented to Marianne Webb

NEW YORK CITY — The American Guild of Organists (AGO) will bestow its two highest awards of national distinction at its Annual Meeting on Wednesday, June 25, during the AGO National Convention in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn. AGO President Frederick Swann will preside over the award ceremonies.

The AGO PRESIDENT'S AWARD will be presented to Mr. and Mrs. Wesley C. Dudley of Williamsburg, Va. The prestigious award, created in 1988, is presented biennially to recognize outstanding contributions to the art of the organ in the United States. The 2008 President's Award will recognize the Dudleys' dedicated support of the AGO and generous patronage of the King of Instruments, particularly through Pipedreams broadcasts, bringing the voice of the organ into American homes from coast to coast and beyond. Past recipients of the President's Award include: Clementine Miller Tangeman, Alice Tully, Mr. and Mrs. A.D. Hulings, Amelia Lay Hodges, J. Michael Barone, Roberta Bitgood, FAGO, CHM, Edward A. Hansen, AAGO (posthumously awarded), Anthony Baglivi, Craig R. Whitney, and Pleasant T. Rowland.

The AGO EDWARD A. HANSEN LEADERSHIP AWARD will be presented to Marianne Webb of Carbondale, Ill. Created by the AGO National Council in 1999 to honor the memory of the Guild's distinguished past president, Edward A. Hansen, AAGO, the prestigious award is presented biennially to recognize individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in the AGO. The 2008 Edward A. Hansen Award will be presented in recognition of Miss Webb's stellar career as a concert artist and distinguished teacher, and in gratitude for her lifetime of leadership, devoted service, and extraordinary generosity to the AGO. Previous award recipients include: Karen McFarlane Holtkamp, Ruth M. Caswell, Joyce S. Hesketh, Betty Jean Bartholomew, and D. DeWitt Wasson, CHM.

BIOGRAPHIES

Wesley C. Dudley's interest in organ music began as a child at Trinity Church, Buffalo, N.Y. Following grade school, he enrolled at St. Paul's School in Concord, N.H. Channing Lefebvre played a concert there every Sunday night, rarely repeating a program. This was truly fascinating to Wes. His college years were spent at Yale where organ music was plentiful. Following graduation, two years in the Navy, and marriage to Lucinda (at St. Mark's Cathedral in Minneaplis), he and Cinda returned to Buffalo where they lived for 20 years.

Wes met Herman Schlicker there and the next thing he knew, he was raising funds and preparing a space at Calvary Church outside of Buffalo for a new Schlicker organ, which was dedicated in 1970. That was also the year Russell Saunders certified him an official "organ nut." Wes made many recordings at churches in the area, some of which were roadcast on the University of Buffalo station. Eventually, he built an organ in his basement.

In 1980, Wes suggested to Minnesota Public Radio that they record some of the AGO National Convention for possible broadcast. Because Cinda's brother, Nick Nash, was program director, this only required a simple phone call. That telephone conversation was the beginning of Pipedreams. In his Virginia retirement Wes has continued his interest in the organ world and remains a quiet and supportive presence in the organ community.

Cinda has been a camp follower and party giver for most of their marriage. She freely admits she will do almost anything for a few days in a hotel with room service. She has heard a lot of organ music and once thought she could trade attendance at organ concerts for attendance at the opera. It didn't work. She continues to enjoy the people who make the organ world so interesting.

Marianne Webb has maintained a balanced career as an internationally recognized performer and teacher. She is Distinguished University Organist at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC), where she has taught organ and music theory since 1965. She built a thriving organ department and established, organized, and directed the nationally acclaimed SIUC Organ Festival (1966–1980), the first of its kind in the country. She sought funding for and designed the 58-rank Reuter pipe organ in Shryock Auditorium in 1969. The instrument is named in her honor. Together with her husband, David N. Bateman, she established the endowed Marianne Webb and David N. Bateman Distinguished Organ Recital Series.

Miss Webb is a graduate of Washburn University in Topeka, and obtained the master of music degree, with highest distinction, from the University of Michigan in 1959. Her teachers were Jerald Hamilton, Marilyn Mason, Max Miller, and Robert Noehren. In 1961, she was awarded a Fulbright scholarship to continue her studies in Paris with André Marchal. While in Paris she served as supply organist for the American Cathedral of the Holy Trinity (Episcopal). Further graduate study was with Arthur Poister at Syracuse University and Russell Saunders at the Eastman School of Music.

As a concert artist and clinician, Miss Webb toured extensively throughout the United States performing at AGO regional and national conventions, and for the national conventions of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity and the Fellowship of American Baptist Musicians, as well as for local AGO chapters, churches, colleges and universities. She has recorded on the Pro Organo and Pleiades labels and was featured on American Public Media's Pipedreams.

An active member of the AGO, Miss Webb served as a member of the national committees on Educational Resources, Chapter Development, and Membership Development and Chapter Support. She re-established the Southern Illinois AGO Chapter in 1983 and served as its dean for six years. She is a member of the Clarence Dickinson Society and founded the AGO St. Cecilia Recital series in 2007. Through this magnanimous gift to the American Guild of Organists, Marianne Webb will be remembered, in perpetuity, for her musical artistry, excellence in teaching, and as a woman of quiet strength, courage, generosity, and abiding faith.

In Memoriam: Marion United Methodist, St. Casimir's Brockton

Two of the churches visited for their historic pipe organs during the OHS Old Colony Convention of 2005 have closed. Earlier the United Methodist Church of Marion with its 1866 Giles Beach announced its termination of services. Organized in 1865 by 29 members, the first meeting hall was raised in a "rasing bee" in 1866 and an 1870 addition was renovated in 1886. The six stop organ was built for St.Luke's Episcopal Church in Cambridge, NY in 1860 and moved later to the Marion Universalist Church. In 1957, it was relocated to the Methodist Church where it was releathered by F. Robert Roche in 1994. Judith Conrad performed the convention recitals here on July 15, 2005.

Later, that evening Ray Cornils played a spectacular program at Brockton's St. Casimir's Church on the 1922 Hook and Hastings theater organ. Yesterday, the closing of St. Casimir's was announced. In November, 1898 the Lithuanian families of Brockton established St. Rocco's Church and in 1900 built their first church on Webster Street. In 1914, the basement of a new St. Rocco's was built. The present St. Casimir's was built in 1952. and the Hook and Hastings installed under Pastor, Reverend Felix Norbut.

Hook and Hastings #2460 was built for Gordon's Olympia Theater in Brockton in two chambers flanking the proscenium arch. Its illustrious career during the silent movies ended with the "talkies" and it fell silent for 25 years suffering water damage from the leaky roof and falling into complete disrepair. Father Norbut bought the organ in 1954 and the Frazee Organ Copmpany installed it in the highly resonant St. Casimir's Church with a new console and rebuilt wind chests. The restoration of the 27 ranks and 1495 pipes cost $15,000. George Faxon dedicated the organ in recital October 17, 1955. Richard Pelland rebuilt the organ in 1992 and Robert Love played the rededication recital.

Pelland writes: An organ of some historic interest, and in good condition is available. Dick Pelland is the contact person - if interested, email him directly for details.
mail@pellandorgan.com
St. Casimir, Brockton, MA is closing.
Hook & Hastings opus 2460, the last surviving H&H theater organ will probably be lost.
Organ is, tonally, completely original missing only its tuned percussions.
25 ranks ,7 strings, 7 flutes, 7 reeds, diapason, cornet; played by Ray Cornils 2005 OHS convention, recorded by me.
Rebuilt 1990 by Pelland, Peterson action and switching, plays perfectly. This will be a serious loss."

Our chapter visited St. Casimir's for our organ tour in 2005 and I played the recital. I loved the IV rank eight foot celeste tuned string mixture and the bold reeds. Originally built to sound in the heavily curtained environment of a movie theater, the organ easily dominates the resonant St. Casimir's Church. We held our Member Recital there in the fall of 2005 and everything from Moulin Rouge to Louis Vierne came out perfectly.

The Lithuanian community at St. Casimir's is devastated with this loss of their church, the center of their lives for so many years. We hope and pray that our friends at St. Casimirs can find peace and comfort in the caring of others who will reach out to embrace them in neighboring churches.

And we urge anyone who has the resources and the will to adopt this fantastic organ to take advantage of its sudden availability. It still has the life and potential to enrich many more lives with its unique sounds. This Lithuanian Parish has been a great steward of Hook and Hastings #2461. This organ deserves a continued stewardship.

The Bach Recital on March 30 at First Unitarian Church, New Bedford was an entertaining afternoon for an enthusiastic audience of church members, organ recital enthusiasts, and guild members. Brian Hoffman's program was well prepared and provided a great deal of contrast in both his registrations and his selections.

Prelude & Fugue in F Minor BWV 534 is one of my favorites His registration for the prelude was kind to the ear and the polyphony. The powerful fugue provided a perfect introduction to this program.

An Wasserflussen Babylon BWV 653 used the Krummhorn for the solo, a nice contrast with the beginning selection.

Prelude & Fugue in A Major BWV 536 The prelude was played on 8 and 4 flutes and the fugue on the principal chorus.

Wer Nur Den Lieben Gott Lasst Walten BWV 647

Prelude & Fugue in C Major used the 16 foot pedal reed to exploit the driving pedal solo.

Liebster Jesu, Wir Sind Hier BWV 633 & 634

Prelude & Fugue in G minor BWV 535 utilized a striking contrast in registration between the manuals and an exciting fugue.

Durch Adam’s Fall Ist Ganz Verderbt BWV 637

Prelude & Fugue in E minor (Wedge) BWV 548. This was our third "Wedge" in recent programs here going back to Peter Sykes on the Methodist Hook and David Carrier on the St. Anne's Casavant. Such a wealth of wedges!

Brian did not frighten anyone away from Bach. His varied registrations utilized most of the Flentrop in ways we've seldom heard it. His ambition to record the 24 Preludes and Fugues is a noble and valuable contribution to our world of organ music and we look forward to hearing his CD.

Richard Hill

Max Reger was somewhat given to flatulence. On one occasion he felt the need to pass wind at the beginning of an organ concert. "No problem," he thought, "the concert begins with some big chords on full organ. I will let it out then and no one will hear." So he pulled out ALL THE STOPS, and he PLAYED A MASSIVE CHORD, letting out a MASSIVE ---- and then ... he remembered... he had forgotten to turn on the blower switch. [The audience apparently fell about on the floor laughing.]

Membership

e mail Richard Hill: smhill42ne@earthlink.net for membership form.

Our chapter covers the 53 towns and cities south of Boston, north of Cape Cod and east of Rhode Island. It includes the cities of Brockton, Taunton, Attleboro, Fall River and New Bedford along wth several small towns, many with historic pipe organs. The oldest continually active E & GG Hook pipe organ in the United States, an 1834 installation is in the Berkley Congregational Church. Our programs are held throughout the region and celebrate organs and organ music throughout the year.

Placement

2008 Salary Guide

AMERICAN GUILD OF ORGANISTS
SALARY GUIDE FOR MUSICIANS
EMPLOYED BY RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS

OTHER FEES

* The range of fees are for musicians with degrees in organ or church music or AGO certification.
* Fees vary regionally. The lowest figures reflect smaller, rural areas of the country.
* Fees will also vary based on training, experience, availability, responsibility, and dates required.

SUBSTITUTE MUSICIANS

* Single service (organist only or director only, no separate rehearsal), $100-$225
* 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 32.5 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 32.5 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 32.5 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.

NOTE: Occasionally churches or synagogues will hire musicians as independent contractors instead of employees. According to the IRS, workers are generally considered employees if they:

* Must comply with the employer's instructions about the work.
* Receive training from or at the direction of the employer.
* Provide services that are integrated into the business.
* Provide services that must be rendered personally.
* Are aided by assistants who are hired, supervised, and paid by the employer.
* Have a continuing working relationship with the employer.
* Must follow set hours of work.
* Work full-time for an employer.
* Do their work on the employer's premises.
* Must do their work in a sequence set by the employer.
* Must submit regular reports to the employer.
* Receive payments of regular amounts at set intervals.
* Receive payments for business travel expenses.
* Rely on the employer to furnish tools and materials.
* Lack a major investment in the facilities or equipment used to perform the services.
* Cannot make a profit or suffer a loss from their services.
* Work for one employer at a time.
* Do not offer their services to the general public.
* Can be fired by the employer.
* May quit work at any time without incurring liability.

According to these guidelines, the majority of church and synagogue musicians are employees.

Positions Available

Soprano to fill out paid SATB quartet and to be section leader for choir at First Parish Old Ship Church (Unitarian Universalist) in Hingham, MA. Singer must have high A at least, be an excellent musician, have a pleasant personality and good sense of humor. She will lead several singers who are non-readers. We sing all genres of music - opera, jazz, gospel, folk, etc. to suit the subject of the day. $55/ Sunday service Sept. thru June, including Christmas Eve. Sunday after Christmas off. Occasional soli, opportunity to sing for weddings, funerals. Contact Music Director for audition.

Joan Nahigian, Music Director
First Parish Old Ship Church
Hingham, MA
pinkltink@comcast.net
ph: (781) 383-2240

Trinitarian Congregational Church , Corner of Pine and East Main Street, PO Box 2068, Norton, MA. 02766 (508) 285-4710 Fax (508) 285-4242
Part-time Position: Organist & Instrumental Music Director: We are a medium-sized Congregational church seeking an organist and instrumental music director for Sunday worship service, special services, funerals, weddings, and weekly rehearsals. The position equals approximately 7- 10 hours per week. We presently have an 8 to 10 person choir which participates in Sunday worship nearly every week from September thru mid June. The candidate must accompany the choir and work cooperatively with the choir director.

Currently our average attendance is 150-175 per week. We provide one weekly 10am service with special services on high holidays. This position includes 6 weeks of paid vacation with a current salary of $9,500, negotiable based on experience and education.

Our organ is an early (1851) tracker that has been well maintained and is fully functioning. We also have a Steinway grand piano in the sanctuary. We have a four octave, 8-10 member bell choir ringing Dutch bells made by the Petit & Fritzen company.

The candidate should possess all or most of the following criteria: A degree in music (associate’s or bachelor’s) and/or private study on the organ. An understanding of Congregational and United Church of Christ worship and liturgy, especially traditional hymns, knowledge of music history and theory, sight-reading skills, experience in accompanying, and sensitivity in hymn playing. A willingness to work with staff members and to comply with requests, including the ability to play a broad range of styles encompassing early to contemporary music. A love of pipe organs, and (perhaps most importantly) a recognition of the decades-long tradition of a strong music program at Trinitarian Congregational Church. We are used to high-quality music that brings beauty and a sense of sacred meaning to our services, and it is our hope that the spiritual momentum of this tradition can be maintained for many years and decades to come.

Please e-mail your resume to tcchurch@verizon.net or mail to Church address.

North Falmouth Congregation Church
Position Title: Director of Music ( part time)

Description of Position: Director of Music would be expected to work with pastor in the development and leading of the music ministry for 1 weekly worship and special services such as Maundy Thursday, Christmas Eve, weddings and funerals: direct, accompany and rehearse both the Senior and Chamber choirs at rehearsals during the week and one before the service on Sundays. Work with Christian Education Director for special services such as Youth Sunday and the Christmas Pageant.

Number of services: 1 weekly at 10:00 AM
Number of rehearsals: 3 weekly ( two are one hour and one is 30 minutes)
Church Membership: 227 (about 120 attend each week)
Ensembles: Senior choir 10 members (unison to 4 part anthems)

Chamber Choir 6-9 members (2 and 3 part anthems)
Senior Choir sings three Sundays a month and Chamber Choir sings one Sunday a month.

Hours per Week: 15-18
Organ and Piano Descriptions: Organ : Allen Electric Digital Organ, full regulation pedal board, two ranks, external speakers, built 1985 in choir loft Roland Electric Keyboard/Synthesizer in choir loft Yamaha piano in music room, can be rolled into Sanctuary

Weeks of Paid Vacation: 4
Annual Salary: Commensurate with experience
Reason for vacancy: retirement of current Music Director
Availability: January 1, 2008
Application Information: Send resume and references by March 20th to:
North Falmouth Congregation Church
Attention: Myrna O�Hara - Music Director Search Committee
P. O. Box 403
North Falmouth, MA 02556
508-563-2177
FAX: 508-563-7833
or:
For faster contacts: E-mail me directly with your information: dohara@ cape.com
or call me directly 508-759-4081 Myrna O'Hara, Music Search Committee, NFCC
We are a friendly little New England Church that is growing and flourishing. We love music.

Church of the Messiah in Woods Hole needs organist as of May 10 to work there on an interim - and possibly longer- term. One service, 10 a.m. Sundays. Choir work to be arranged with minister.
Schlicker rebuild of Hutchings organ 2 manual. 12 stops/AGO pedalboard. Enclosed swell.

Church of the Messiah, Woods Hole, MA
Email Address: messiah@cape.cod

Office Address:
13 Church Street
Woods Hole, MA 02543

Clergy: The Rev. Deborah Warner, Rector
Primary Phone: 508-548-2145
Fax: 508-548-2134

the Unitarian Congregation of Mendon and Uxbridge is looking for an organist/choir director starting in September. about $8000 per yr. Sept. through mid June One service per week, choir rehearsal (12+ membersa) before the service. About 1/4 time. Salary $8,000-$10,000
Unitarian Congregation of Mendon and Uxbridge
P.O. Box 392
13 Maple Street, Mendon, MA 01756
Telephone: 508.473.8681

www.uumendonuxbridge.org/

Office coverage will be provided on a flexible schedule. Telephone and email messages are checked on a regular basis, so please call or write and somene will be in touch soon.

Office Manager hours: Fridays from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM

Rev. Ralph T. Clarke
978.808.3770 tel.

David Rubio, 1974
French double after Taskin. 8 8 4 buff, transposing FF-g, 63 notes. Dark blue case with cream lid and flap interior. Gold bands and moldings throughout. Reverse keyboard with ivory topped sharps, graceful turned stand and brass hinges. Includes music rack, padded cover. Rarely seen in the US, from a legendary English builder. Very few of these instruments were produced. This one has been professionally owned and maintained, and is in extraordinary condition. Superb sound and action. #2753 HCH offered at $35,000.

This instrument possesses a light action and very full sound. Although the case is in excellent condition, the soundboard has suffered thru a few hastily done repairs that a new owner may want attended to. We expect to be updating the voicing and regulation during March 2008.
-
Harpsichord Clearing House
9 Chestnut Street
Rehoboth, MA 02769 -USA
+508-252-4304 ~~~ +800-252-4304
+508-252-4397 fax ~~ www.harpsichord.com

I write on behalf of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in North Andover, MA, founded in the late 19th century by Bishop Phillips Brooks. We seek a quarter-time organist and choir director as soon as we can find and hire a suitable candidate. Although this is by no means a complete position description, we hope to find an individual with a warm, patient, personable style who would be comfortable with a children�s choir as well as the adult choir. We are a close-knit mid-size family church, not �high church� as to style. As soon as we have a more polished description, I will send it to all of you.

We are in the beginning stages of our search, having just called a new rector with whom we�re very happy. We are studying the current AGO Guidelines, particularly as to recommended salary levels. We have about six resumes thus far but would love to know of additional candidates.

You may contact me at this, my work address, or at home: 9 Carisbrooke Street, Andover, MA 01810 (978) 470-4808, AndoverZim@aol.com.

Substitute List

Fred Brewer 508 586 9527

Ron Brown 508 643 9062 (All) $125. minimum

Alice Butte aabutte@verizon.net
781-843-7481 (Braintree).

Claire DeCusati
decusati@verizon.net
781-582-8722

Ann Davis 508 543 5245

Joan Nahigian No Sundays September-June
pinkltink@comcast.net
(781) 383-2240

Sarah Hostetter 781-740-1283
sarahhostetter@verizon.net
303 Linden Ponds Way, Apt. T-20
Hingham, MA 02043

Robert Johnson 508 226 8991 maxinejohnson@comcast.net

Pat Potter 508-226-2277 weekdays and Saturdays
prpotter@aol.com

Maria Rivera 774 222-3352 mdlarw@aol.com
BM Eastman MM Juilliard

Ronald P. Shepard: organsub@gmail.com 413 783 4280
860 243 7424

Mary Whelan mwhelan@wheatonma.edu 508 222 5762
weekdays and Saturdays

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

Certification

The AGO PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION PROGRAM dates from 1896, when the Guild received its charter from the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York to administer a comprehensive series of examinations for professional certification. The following certificates are offered under the auspices of the AGO Committee on Professional Certification: Service Playing Certificate (SPC), Colleague (CAGO), Choir Master (ChM), Associateship (AAGO), and Fellowship (FAGO). While the lower-level Guild examinations (CAGO and SPC) test competence in a number of skills that an organist uses regularly, such as hymn playing, accompanying, and sight-reading, the more advanced examinations also test the candidate's literacy and musicianship at a higher level. For example, tests in writing counterpoint, accompanying from a figured bass, and essay questions in music history are included in the upper-level exams.
"An AGO certificate benefits the member, contributing to professional advancement and to an increase in confidence in performance, and it strengthens the Guild in its mission to maintain standards in organ playing, choral conducting, and worship music," notes Philip Gehring, PhD, FAGO, immediate past director of the AGO Committee on Professional Certification. "A Guild with a large number of certified members sends a message to the public that we are serious about quality in the practice of our profession." Approximately 10% of the AGO membership is certificated. Of those, 39% hold the Service Playing Certificate; 29% hold the Colleague; 7% hold the Choir Master; 18% hold the Associateship, and 7% hold the Fellowship.

Contact Us

Officers for 2007-2008

Dean Philip Jones, 508 427 0081
127 Tilton Avenue
Brockton, MA
Christ Congregational Church, Brockton

Sub Dean Fred Brewer 508 586 9527
40Ellen Road
Brockton, MA 02302-2527

Secretary/Newsletter Richard Hill 508 238 6081
18 Main Street North Easton, MA 02356
Unity Unitarian Universalist, North Easton
smhill42ne@earthlink.net

Treasurer / Membership Jim Moore
61 Oak Street
Norton, MA 0276
jimm88@comcast.net

Directors:
Dennis Ferguson 508 528 6292
41 Prospect St.
Franklin, MA 02038-3401 defergsn@mac.com
Murray Unitarian Universalist, Attleboro

Steven Young 508 823 0504
Taunton, MA
Old South Union Congregational, Weymouth

Visit the AGO National website