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Dean’s Letter Chapter Programs Job Listings Membership Newsletters Substitutes Board Members/Contact Us
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
National & Regional News and Events
Registration is now open for the 2020 AGO National Convention in Atlanta!
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.
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:
Larry Philbrick, Newsletter Editor larryphilbrick@gmail.com
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.
For more information and membership materials, visit: www.agohq.org/membership
You are also encouraged to contact any of our board members:
Dean Kevin Birch (kevin.birch@umit.maine.edu)
Sub Dean Jane Schroeder ( (janeschroeder@roadrunner.com)
Treasurer Joan Kroehler (ldhbenefits@msn.com)
Secretary Kay Eames (kb10bdwy@aol.com)
Member-at-Large Barb Smith (smith36ham@gmail.com)
Member-at-Large Matthew Mainster (matt62486@hotmail.com)
Member-at-Large Lorna Russell (lsrussell@fairpoint.net)
Member-at-Large Rev. Carlton Russell (crussell@wheatonma.edu)
Newsletter Editor Larry Philbrick (larryphilbrick@gmail.com)
Job Listings
Organist/Choir Director (posted 01/04/2020)
The Second Congregational Church of Warren (https://www.secondcongregational.org/) is seeking an organist/choir director. Duties include:
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- Provide organ and piano music for regular Sunday worship services, special services and events, weddings, and funerals.
- Coordinate with the pastor and Music Committee in planning, preparing, and presenting a variety of music for church services and events.
- Select music, rehearse, and direct the chancel choir.
- Organize and coordinate the selection of music, rehearsals, direction, and presentations of the festival choir (a larger community choir which performs once or twice per year).
- Oversee music library.
- Oversee maintenance of the church’s musical instruments.
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The church has a Geo. S. Hutchings pipe organ (1884) which was restored in 1977 and a grand piano.
Qualified candidates may submit a résumé to Carol Robinson at crobin@tds.net. For more information, you may contact her at 207-390-5614.
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 – May 10, 2019
Sunday Services
Rev. Richard Hyman – Piano or organ
Hyman.RichardR@gmail.com 992-3106
Clayton Smith
swsmusic@roadrunner.com 974-9628
Michele Voss
michelevoss09@gmail.com 356-7230
Clayton Rogers – Also weddings and funerals
989-7628 carog1272@yahoo.com
Kay Lindstrom – Anywhere within 50 miles of Bangor. (NEW CONTACT INFO)
Kayli10020@gmail.com 207 450 2031
Donna Runnels – Within 50 miles of Unity, Maine. Organ only. Also funerals
donnaj@uninets.net 948-2171
Barbara Fenlason – Sunday services within 30 miles of Bucksport
469-3573 barbara.fenlason@yahoo.com
Funerals and Weddings
Joan Kroehler – Organ and/or vocal
ldhbenefits@msn.com 947-7804
Robin Barron
wyldegeese@gmail.com 205-1479
Matthew Mainster – Organ, piano, and accompanying. Primarily mid-coast through Bangor, but open to all Maine locations.
matt62486@hotmail.com 227-9359
Clayton Rogers – Also weddings and funerals
989-7628 carog1272@yahoo.com
Note: If there are any changes or additions to this list, please contact Larry Philbrick at LarryPhilbrick@gmail.com.
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 (2019 – 2020)
Dean Kevin Birch (kevin.birch@umit.maine.edu)
Sub Dean Jane Schroeder ( (janeschroeder@roadrunner.com)
Treasurer Joan Kroehler (ldhbenefits@msn.com)
Secretary Kay Eames (kb10bdwy@aol.com)
Member-at-Large Barb Smith (smith36ham@gmail.com)
Member-at-Large Matthew Mainster (matt62486@hotmail.com)
Member-at-Large Lorna Russell (lsrussell@fairpoint.net)
Member-at-Large Rev. Carlton Russell (crussell@wheatonma.edu)
Newsletter Editor Larry Philbrick (larryphilbrick@gmail.com)
Website Larry Philbrick (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/
