Last updated: April 30, 2018 at 15:30 pm

Message from the Dean

Welcome to the Southwest Florida Chapter Web Site. Our chapter was founded in 1958 and we are happy to welcome new AGO members at any time. Our current membership of 58 people covers a wide geographic area from Port Charlotte to Naples. We have meetings and workshops during the year that will interest all church musicians. It is not necessary to have a degree in music to be a member. Membership categories range from student voting to regular voting. You may also join as a chapter friend. Over the next few weeks we will be updating our website to reflect the current calendar and ask for your patience during this process. At this time the substitute list and Chapter Officers below are up-to-date. For all other matters you can access our most recent chapter newsletter, The Coupler, by clicking on the link below. Thank you.

John Renfroe, Dean

Read the April 2018 Coupler

Local Events

Upcoming News and Information as we enter our 2017-2018 season.

SW FL AGO News and Notes

(Local, Regional, and National)

Upcoming Local Events

November 11, 2017 – Choral Workshop – Michael Kemp, clinician 8:30am – 12:30pm -First Presbyterian Church, 9751 Bonita Beach Road SE, Bonita Springs. The Fort Myers Symphonic Mastersingers and the SW Florida chapter of the AGO will co-sponsor this workshop. Michael Kemp will offer two topics covering vocal production and teaching techniques for church choir settings. The workshop will also be open to members of Florida Vocal Association, and to all local area churches.

January 12,2018 – Second annual Epiphany party – Time/place TBD. We discovered that more members were interested in gathering after Ithe Christmas Holidays for an informal time to meet with other colleagues in a relaxed atmosphere.

February 9, 2018 – Member’s Recital – St. Luke’s Episcopal Church 2635 S Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers 7:30pm. We are grateful to Lee Cobb and to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church for the opportunity to play on their wonderful pipe organ for this year’s recital.

May 11, 2018 – End of year Clergy/Musician Dinner St. Michael’s and All Angels Episcopal Church 2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel 6:30pm. This year we are encouraging you to invite a clergy member from your church as we celebrate the important work of both clergy and musician in ministry. We will feature a prominent speaker who will help us celebrate the work we do together in our church settings.

Regional AGO News

A Word from Laura Ellis – Region IV

Greetings from your Region IV Councillor! One can always start a conversation with a stranger by talking about the weather. And, this year, the weather is sure providing plenty to talk about! I was recently sitting in the airport surfing the web and read that if the Cat in the Hat provided the weather report it might look something like this:

I do not like to see clouds that turn,

it makes my tummy jiggle and burn.

I do not like those claps of thunder,

that make my shoes rattle from under.

So let me say with my weather sighs,

tomorrow will be sunny with a side of fries! —The Cat

Spring will come. Since Easter is so late this year, perhaps we should have expected a long winter? Anyway, a few things to bring to your attention:

POE’s are crucial to the future of our profession. Please encourage youth in your area to consider attending a Pipe Organ Encounter! Check out the complete list (including POEA, POE-Tech, and POE+): http://www.agohq.org/education/poe/ And, yes, there is a Facebook Page, too: https://www.facebook.com/PipeOrganEncountersoftheAGO
If you are attending a POE, what about having your chapter host one??? These are fabulous events that are exciting for students, teachers, and chapter members . . . spending time with our young organists will make you believe that our profession has a great future!
Has your chapter considered hosting a regional convention? What a wonderful way to highlight the resources in your area. Show the Southeast Region what your chapter has to offer! Interested? Contact me for more information!
How about hosting a January Jubilee? Don’t know much about it? Click here: http://www.agohq.org/education/january-jubilee/
Get face-to-face with colleagues who are dedicated to the future of quality organ and choral music. Boston this summer, be there! http://www.agoboston2014.org
Annual fund — Yes, we hear about it every year, but for a reason! The annual fund has two categories: chapter and individual. Does your chapter contribute? Do you contribute? A high percentage of participation in both categories assists the national organization as it puts together grant applications . . . consider donating today.

See you at an AGO event soon!
Laura Ellis

E-mail: LRELLIS@ufl.edu Region IV Blog: http://agoregionivblog.blogspot.com/

Region IV Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/AGO-Region-IV/312313912115500?ref=hl

A Word From National…

REGULAR MEMBER 2013–2014 2014–2015

$97 annual dues

The American Organist $29.00 $29.00

AGO annual budget $29.00 $31.00

Local chapter
$39.00
$37.00

TOTAL
$97.00
$97.00

STUDENT MEMBER

$37 annual dues

The American Organist
$12.00
$12.00

AGO annual budget
$12.00
$14.00

Local chapter
$13.00
$11.00

TOTAL
$37.00
$37.00

SPECIAL MEMBER

$72 annual dues

The American Organist $20.25
$20.25

AGO annual budget $20.25 $22.25

Local chapter $31.50 $29.50

TOTAL $72.00
$72.00

PARTNER MEMBER

$72 annual dues

The American Organist None
None

AGO annual budget $33.00 $35.00

Local chapter $39.00 $37.00

TOTAL $72.00 $72.00

To submit information for this website or the chapter newsletter, e-mail SWFLAGO@gmail.com

Membership

For membership information or application, please contact Jonathan Birner, at (239)261-7421 or birnerj@yahoo.com

MEMBERSHIP Q&A

Q: Do I have to be employed as a full-time musician to join?
A: No. Anyone who loves organ music can join.
Q: Must I have a degree in music to join?
A: No, a degree in music is not necessary.

Placement

Opportunity Wanted:

Open Positions:

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This space available to local churches at no charge.
E-mail ad to SWFLAGO@gmail.com
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SUBSTITUTES

Ben Ball (443)745-2642 ben@newhopefortmyers.org

Weddings, Funerals, Saturdays, Weekdays, teaches organ

Jonathan Birner (239)352-3350 birnerj@yahoo.com
Weddings, Funerals, Saturdays

Karl Cole (239)732-5773 concertonthekeys@aol.com
Weddings, Funerals, Saturdays, Other weekdays

Martha Cox (239)458-0721
Weddings, Funerals, Saturdays,Sundays, Other weekdays

John Fenstermaker (239)262-6581 ex 207 johnfenstermaker@hotmail.com
Weddings, Funerals, Saturdays, Other weekdays

Herman (H.G.)Fisher (239)566-1416 muzikfish@comcast.net
Saturdays, Sundays (June, July, August)

Alden Gatt (239)601-6722 adlenpiano@gmail.com
Weddings, Funerals, Saturdays, Sundays, Other weekdays

John Geib (239)728-8550 johnfgeib@yahoo.com
Weddings, Funerals, Saturdays, Other weekdays

Connie Hartt-Hitchcock (239)225-7281
Funerals, Saturdays

Michael Helman (239)542-2858 michael@faithcapecoral.org
Weddings, Funerals

Robert Herrema (570)575-5622 bob@robertherrema.com

Weekdays, Weddings, Funerals

Richard Jaeggi (239)454-7970 rdmej@aol.com
Weddings, Funerals, organ lessons

David Jozaities (239)841-0263 mrorganboy@yahoo.com
Weddings, Funerals, Saturdays, Other weekdays

James Kreger jlkreger@hotmail.com
Weddings, Funerals, Saturdays

Paula Leighton (508)769-3713 paulaleighton@comcast.net
Weddings, Funerals, Saturdays, Sundays, Other weekdays
Oct-May

Ronald Lemke (847)265-1589 ronaldlemke2@yahoo.com

Available for all types of services (comfortable in all denominations)

Deborah Louth-Martin (239)598-2228 dlmusa@hotmail.com
Weddings, Funerals, Saturdays, Other weekdays

Elena Melnikov (239)248-3810 Mmelnikov3@aol.com
Weddings, Funerals, Saturdays, Other weekdays

Joseph Nigro (914)318-3268 Treasurehousemusic@gmail.com

Weddings, Funerals, weekend services. Piano/organ teacher

Judith Ollikkala (239)992-0318 jollikkala@netscape.com
Funerals, Saturdays, Sundays, Other weekdays
Nov-Jan

Eleanor Phelps (239)768-1220 bobelphlps@aol.com
Weddings, Funerals, Saturdays,Other weekdays

Robert Phelps (239)768-1220 bobelphlps@aol.com
Weddings, Funerals, Saturdays, Sundays, Other weekdays

Douglas Renfroe (941)587-1140 srodolor@aol.com
Weddings, Funerals, Saturdays, Other weekdays (choral)

Judy Weaver (239)693-5436 jedijudy@comcast.net
Weddings, Funerals, Saturdays, Other weekdays

Becky Weese (239)594-3411 BeckyWeese@msn.com
Weddings, Funerals, Saturdays, Other weekdays

Priscilla Wonkka (239)432-9285 rpwonkka@aol.com
Weddings, Funerals, Saturdays, Sundays, Other weekdays
Oct-Apr

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

Certification

Chapter Members with AGO Guild Certificates

Richard Crofts, AAGO
John Fenstermaker, AAGO
Wayne Lenke, CAGO

Certification information can be obtained by going to the AGO National website.
http://www.agohq.org/certification

++++TEACHERS++++

Marion Adams 239-481-8290 voice
Dorothy Bunck 239-482-8863 cello
Karl Cole 239-732-5773 organ
Martha Cox 239-458-0721 piano
Alden Gatt 239-601-6722 piano, theory,
conducting
John Geib 239-283-1441 organ, piano, voice
theory, conducting
Brice Gerlach 239-598-9204 piano
Norman Gregory 860-388-5526 piano
Michael Helman 239-738-6072 organ, piano
Connie Hitchcock 239-225-7281 piano, organ, theory
Richard Jaeggi 239-454-7970 organ, piano
David Jozaities 239-841-0263 organ, piano, theory
Ruth Keel 239-472-6858 organ, piano
James Kreger jlkreger@hotmail.com organ, piano
conducting, clarinet

Deborah Martin 239-598-2228 organ, piano
harpsichord, early instruments
Elena Melnikov 239-593-5049 piano, theory
Alena Michel 239-283-3985 piano, theory
Jay Mumper 941-625-0736 piano
Robert Newell 239-593-7600 voice, theory
composition, conducting
Betty Pursley 239-682-3516 organ,piano
Douglas Renfroe 941-587-1150 voice, theory,
conducting
Judy Weaver 239-693-5436 piano
Becky Weese 239-594-3411 organ, piano