Central New Jersey

08.30.2023

Message from the Dean

On the brink of a fresh new season, greetings to you all! I hope your summer was both restful and fulfilling and that your energy is renewed for the long and busy stretch ahead.

Our planning committee has created a stirring slate of events for program year 2023-24, and you will find details in this newsletter. Please add these dates to your calendar – we hope to see YOU at many of them! Deep thanks to planners Dennis Dell, Michael Diorio, Kerry Heimann, Mike Kevane, Mike McCormick, and Steven Russell, Sub-Dean and chair of the committee. If you have ideas for upcoming seasons, please contact Steven — or join the committee!

It is an election year for Chapter Officers. We will form a Nominating Committee for election of new officers in the spring. Please thoughtfully consider offering service to the Chapter. If you would like to serve in some capacity, contact me, and I will save that information for the committee, not yet formed.

The Chapter is healthy and well, benefitting greatly from a dedicated Board. We hope it is a useful and social and rich forum for you. We would love to include a greater contingent of area organists as our members and to see broader participation in our events in general. Please participate and spread the word!

If you are not yet a member of our Chapter and would like to join us, we would love to have you! Please see membership information below or join us at www.agohq.org.

I hope to see you at upcoming events and meanwhile wish you health and refreshment in this busy season.

Sincerely,

Kathleen (Katie) Connolly, Dean

Upcoming Events

Monday, September 25, 2023, Dinner 5pm, and program 7 – 9 pm

Chapter members are invited to gather at 5pm for dinner at Fedora Cafe, 2633 Main St Lawrenceville NJ (two miles from the location of the 7pm program). This is a Dutch treat meal, and no reservation is necessary. Hope you can join us!

Voyages with Vierne
Gill Memorial Chapel, Rider University
2083 Lawrenceville Rd, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648

Eric Plutz will share background and insight into how he came to present The Vierne Project in 2020 and 2021. He will also share tips on the French Romantic Style as applied to Vierne, and there will be an opportunity for questions. Gill Chapel now houses the recently transported Casavant Organ from the Princeton Campus of Westminster Choir College.

Saturday, October 28, 2023, 7:30 – 10 pm
Phantom of the Opera Silent Film with Live Organ Accompaniment
Allentown Presbyterian Church,
20 High Street, Allentown, NJ 08501
Enoch Smith Jr. Director of Music and Worship

Phantom of the Opera staring Lon Chaney, circa 1925, with live organ accompaniment by Kevin J. O’Malia, Director of Music at All Saints Episcopal Church, Princeton. Co-sponsored by The Allentown Village Initiative (TAVI) and Central NJ AGO. The film is 107 minutes. Public admission is free; donations gratefully accepted. See poster in this newsletter, and for more information call (609) 208-9991 or visit www.allentownvinj.org

Friday, December 1, 2023, 8:00 pm
Christmas Joy concert by Eric Plutz
Princeton University Chapel

Acknowledging that most of us are very busy at this time of year, still it’s nice to hear someone else’s fine music! Princeton University Organist Eric Plutz welcomes you to this organ concert showcasing Christmas music old and new for organ.
The concert will mark the beginning of the Christmas Season with familiar tunes and favorite carols for all to sing. Free and open to the public. Prior to the concert, all members able will gather for a nearby Dutch Treat dinner – details later!

Newsletters

Central NJ AGO Newsletter Fall 2022

Central NJ AGO Newsletter Winter 2023

Central NJ AGO Newsletter Fall 2023

Membership

If you are an organist new to the central New Jersey area and are interested in becoming a member of the chapter, please email Joe Coulter and he will be glad to forward you membership information.

If you are not an organist, but would like to be affiliated only with our chapter, please join as a Chapter Friend. Chapter Friends support the local chapter, receive our chapter newsletters, and participate in chapter events. As a Chapter Friend, you do not have national voting privileges, membership benefits, or a TAO subscription. Please email Joe Coulter and he will be glad to forward you membership information.

Organist Substitutes and Job Placement

Below is a list of current members who are available as substitute organists. Please contact them directly if you are in need of a substitute organist. Should you need further assistance, please contact Eric Plutz, Professional Development Officer, louis.vierne.1870@gmail.com

These organists are available Monday through Sunday:

Beverly Scheibert, bvjerold@gmail.com or (617) 866-7553 (leave a message)

Thomas Borkowski, tebdiapason@gmail.com or (908) 451-4456

Steven Russell, steven@becoming-sound.com or (732) 939-1909

Michael Diorio, DMA Michael.Diorio@aya.yale.edu or (609) 947-5112

Edgar Newton, EdgarMNewton@gmail.com or (267) 261-8919

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

Certification

Current chapter members with AGO certification:

Ronald Hemmel, FAGO
Beverly Jerold Scheibert, AAGO
Dennis Dell, CAGO
Kathleen Connolly, CAGO
Joyce Irwin, CAGO
Noel Werner, CAGO
Mary Giordmaine, SPC
Alice Lee, SPC