Last updated: June 18, 2018 at 11:59 am
Dean’s Letter Chapter Programs Local Events and News Job Listings Membership Newsletters Substitutes
Welcome
Welcome to the Bangor, Maine, Chapter of The American Guild of Organists! Our members come from quite literally the upper two-thirds of Maine! Due to our widespread geographic area as well as unpredictable road conditions for much of the year, we realistically plan for four events each year. This includes a lively pot-luck supper get-together on a Sunday afternoon at a member’s home in September; an event in November; an event in February with snow date built in; and a Members’ Recital in May or June, followed by supper and our Annual Meeting. We do a lot of car-pooling to cover the distances! We also have planned the November and February events for daytime on a weekday. This is intentional: for most of us weekends are a bit hectic; in November and February there is far less daylight to travel in. We are a diverse group: some of us have been church musicians our whole lives and have been in our present jobs for years; others are very fine pianists learning how to play the organ and how to lead the folks in pews in song! Others are choral directors. Still others just love to hear organ music. Please come to one of our events and introduce yourself. You will be heartily welcomed!
Chapter Programs, News, and Local Events
Sunday, June 24 at 4:00 p.m.
You are invited to a recital on the historic Libbey-McClure Hook organ (1861) at Hammond Street Congregational Church, Bangor, on Sunday, June 24, at 4 p.m. It will feature the “Magnificent K’s,” Kay Eames, organist at All Souls Congregational Church in Bangor, and Kathy Jellison, organist at Hammond Street Congregational Church. Guest soloists will be Yvonne Mumme and Liz Downing, who will play French horn and flute, respectively. A free will offering will be taken and a reception will follow.
National & Regional News and Events
AGO Pipe Organ Encounters
The American Guild of Organists (AGO) is proud to announce five PIPE ORGAN ENCOUNTERS (POEs) for students aged 13–18, and one POE+ for adults in 2018. Complete contact information for each weeklong Pipe Organ Encounter can be found in The American Organist Magazine and online at www.agohq.org/education/poe. The summer schedule follows:
POE (for ages 13–18)
June 17–22 Phoenix, Ariz.
June 24–29 Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn.
July 8–13 Philadelphia, Penn.
July 16–21 Los Angeles, Calif.
July 22–27 Deland, Fla.
POE+ (for adults)
June 17–22 Rockford, Ill.
The PIPE ORGAN ENCOUNTER (POE) is an introduction to the pipe organ through instruction in organ playing, repertoire, history, design, and construction. These regional summer music camps for teenage students provide private and group instruction in service playing and solo repertoire, opportunities to learn about the musical heritage of various religious denominations, and a chance for young musicians to meet others with similar interests. Piano or organ proficiency ranging from intermediate to advanced is required. Scholarship assistance is available.
The POE+ is a summer program filled with practical information and instruction for adult keyboard musicians interested in improving their service-playing skills. Participants will be introduced to basic organ skills through private instruction and classes. The weeklong experience will lead to greater confidence and competence at the organ.
Generous funding from the Associated Pipe Organ Builders of America (APOBA), the American Institute of Organbuilders (AIO), the Jordan Organ Endowment, and the National Endowment for the Arts will support these summer educational programs from coast to coast. “The AGO and APOBA have enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship since 1975,” declared AGO Executive Director James Thomashower. “Likewise, the AIO has been active in supporting the Guild’s educational programs, beginning with their partnership in Pulling Out All the Stops, a video produced jointly in 1996 by the AGO, AIO, APOBA, the Organ Historical Society, and the American Theater Organ Society and aired on PBS. In addition, we are delighted to have received support from the Jordan Organ Endowment at Columbus State University for our POE program, as well as a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts supporting our educational activities this year.”
In addition to the POE and POE+ programs, but not offered in 2018, is a POE (Advanced) that provides intermediate to advanced classes in areas such as organ literature, history, pipe organ construction and design, music theory, improvisation, conducting, and service playing for students who have achieved a high level of success in organ study. Also, there is a POE (Technical) designed for students who are interested in learning the art and craft of organ building. The event is hosted in the workshop of an organ builder working in cooperation with a local AGO chapter.
POE site locations are selected by the AGO Committee on Pipe Organ Encounters and approved by the AGO National Council. Applications for 2019 are available from AGO National Headquarters and online at www.agohq.org. Contact: F.Anthony.Thurman@agohq.org, 212-870-2311, ext. 4308
AGO National Convention July 2 – 6, 2018
The AGO National Convention July 2 – 6, 2018
At the 2018 AGO National Convention in Kansas City you will see and hear incredible performances by world-class organists and choirs, hear new music by some of the world’s best modern composers, be able to check out dozens of workshops and seminars, and enjoy creative worship services in some of the most beautiful and historic organ venues in the country. The members of the Greater Kansas City Chapter of The American Guild of Organists look forward to sharing the grandeur of the city’s organs and performance venues with you from July 2 – 6, 2018. For more information or to register, visit the Convention Website.
Other Chapter Features
Lending Library
Our chapter has a lending library. It is located in the Parish House of St. John’s Episcopal Church (234 French Street, Bangor), contains a large collection of organ music, organ-related books, etc., and is open to chapter members and the general public. The church office (and hence the lending library) is open from 9 am to 1 pm Monday-Friday, or at other times by appointment: call (207) 947-0156.
Scholarships
The chapter offers scholarship aid to one or more qualified organ students annually; for more information and application procedure, contact the Scholarship Committee chair, Dr. Kevin Birch (207) 942-6941. Auditions for the 2015 – 2016 AGO Scholarships will be held on Saturday, August 15 from 10am to noon at St. John’s R.C., 207 York St, Bangor. If you know of someone who might like to apply, please notify a Scholarship Committee members: Kevin Birch, kevinbirch@umitmaine.edu; Kay Eames, kb10bdwy@aol.com; or Alice Mummé, kmumme@umche.maine.edu.
Newsletters
Our Newsletter is produced and delivered in electronic format (e-mail) as needed.
To post an event or job opening, to consult an up-to-date substitute list, or to be added to the mailing list, please contact:
Alice Mummé, Newsletter Editor
kmumme@umche.maine.edu
We’re Here for You
Do you have professional concerns? Are you looking for educational resources? Do you want to involve the chapter in an event or special service? Do you wish to learn more about organ playing and literature? The chapter, like the Guild as a whole, is here to help you. To reach us, see “Contact” section below.
Membership
All individuals interested in the organ and choral music fields are invited to join the American Guild of Organists. Membership is open to everyone, regardless of denominational affiliation, musical training, or ability. Posted on Website 8, January, 2015
For more information and membership materials, visit: www.agohq.org/membership
You are also encouraged to contact any of our board members:
Dean Jane Schroeder (janeschroeder@roadrunner.com)
Sub Dean Kevin Birch (kevin.birch@umit.maine.edu)
Treasurer Joan Kroehler (ldhbenefits@msn.com)
Secretary Tricia Clark (tclark4525@yahoo.com)
Member-at-Large Kay Eames (kb10bdwy@aol.com)
Member-at-Large Catherine Bruno (cathy.bruno@gmail.com)
Dr. Kevin F. Birch, Chair, Scholarship Committee (kevinbirch@umitmaine.edu)
Job Listings
MUSIC DIRECTOR
Organist/Pianist/Choir Director (added 6/15/2018)
Deer Isle Sunset Congregational Church in Deer Isle, Maine, is seeking an organist/pianist/choir director for part-time position leading our music ministry. Responsibilities include selecting music in cooperation with the pastor, playing organ/piano for weekly worship service and other special services, leading weekly choir practice, and offering support and encouragement to volunteer musicians and singers. Organ proficiency preferred (church owns an 1881 Barckhoff tracker organ), piano an acceptable alternative. Paid vacation. To apply, please send your resume with professional references to deerislesunsetmusic@gmail.com or mail to Deer Isle Sunset Congregational Church, P.O. Box 292, Deer Isle, ME 04627, Attn: Mary Howe.
Organist-Parish Musician (Added to website March 26, 2018)
Trinity Episcopal Church, Castine. One service at 9:00 am weekly. Responsibilities include selecting and preparing the Prelude, Postlude, the Service Music on a rotating basis, 4 hymns and rehearsing the psalm leader. Extra services include Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday plus one or two others as needed. There are opportunities for additional compensation for weddings and funerals. The compensation for Parish Musician salary is negotiable. Instruments include a superb installation of a late model 3-Manual Allen Renaissance Digital Organ, a Digital Piano and a Steinway studio upright piano. The position is available September 1, 2018. Please contact the Senior Warden at (207) 326-4180 or trinitycastine@gmail.com.
Posting Jobs in The American Organist (The AGO’s official magazine.)
Employers and job seekers are invited to post and search listings of available positions on the Guild’s National Website.
Substitute List – Updated April 28, 2018
Sunday Services |
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| Musician | Comments | Telephone | |
| Clayton Smith | 974-9628 | swsmusic@roadrunner.com | |
| Michele Voss | 356-7230 | michelevoss09@gmail.com | |
| Clayton Rogers | Also weddings & funerals | 989-7628 | carog1272@yahoo.com |
| Kay Lindstrom | Within 50 miles of Bangor | 947-3469 | kayli@gwi.net |
| Donna Runnels | Within 50 miles of Unity. Organ only. Also funerals. | 948-2171 | donnaj@uninets.net |
| Richard Kinney | Piano only | 542-3524 | kinneyR99@yahoo.com |
Funerals and Weddings Only |
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| Musician | Comments | Telephone | |
| Joan Kroehler | Organ and/or vocal | 947-7804 | ldhbenefits@msn.com |
| Robin Barron | Anywhere in Maine | 205-1479 | wyldegeese@gmail.com |
| Rev. Richard Hyman | Piano or organ | 992-3106 | rlhyman@yahoo.com |
| Matthew Mainster | Organ, piano, & accompanying. Primarily in Mid-Coast and Bangor, but open to all Maine locations. | 227-9359 | matt62486@hotmail.com |
| Barbara Fenlason | Organ or piano. Call before noon. | 469-3573 | barbara.fenlason@yahoo.com |
NOTE: If there are any changes or additions to these lists. Please contact Alice Mummé at mumme@umche.maine.edu or 866-2655.
Certification
The American Guild of Organists was chartered in 1896 by the Board of Regents, University of the State of New York, to administer a comprehensive series of examinations for professional certification. Through the Professional Certification Committee the Guild offers the following certificates:
Service Playing Certificate (SPC)
Colleague (CAGO)
Choir Master (ChM)
Associateship (AAGO)
Fellowship (FAGO)
For more information on certification, visit: www.agohq.org/education
Contact Us/Board of Directors (2017 – 2018)
Dean Jane Schroeder (janeschroeder@roadrunner.com)
Sub Dean Kevin Birch (kevin.birch@umit.maine.edu)
Treasurer Joan Kroehler (ldhbenefits@msn.com)
Secretary Tricia Clark (tclark4525@yahoo.com)
Member-at-Large Kay Eames (kb10bdwy@aol.com)
Member-at-Large Catherine Bruno (cathy.bruno@gmail.com)
Dr. Kevin F. Birch, Chair, Scholarship Committee (kevinbirch@umitmaine.edu)
Larry Philbrick, Website Maintenance (non-board position) LarryPhilbrick@gmail.com
Links
The St. John’s Organ Society (Bangor)
www.hookopus288.org
Portland (Maine) Chapter, AGO
http://www.agoportlandmaine.com/
Friends of the Kotzschmar Organ (Portland)
www.foko.org
The Organ Historical Society
www.organsociety.org
The Royal School of Church Music
www.rscmamerica.org
AGO National website
https://www.agohq.org/
