Welcome to the 14 November 2023 update of our website
Anderson, SC is located in the very western part of the South Carolina upstate (piedmont) – 2 hours from Atlanta, 2 hours from Charlotte, NC, 2 hours from Ashville, NC, 30 minutes from Greenville, SC, 1 hour from Spartanburg, SC., 4.5 hours to Charleston and 5 hours to Myrtle Beach. It is the first city after crossing over the border from Georgia into South Carolina. (I-85)
Message from the Dean
Welcome to our webpage!
Our chapter’s three major goals this year are to:
a) provide interesting, entertaining, educational and challenging monthly programs/meetings for our members
b) Facilitate more collaboration and cooperation among the three upstate AGO chapters (Anderson, Greenville, Spartanburg)
c) Recruit and involve young organists (high school and college age) in our local chapters
We invite comments, questions and inquiries about our chapter and its activities.
Sincerely,
Bill Scott
Organist Emeritus, Grace Episcopal Church, Anderson, SC
Dean, Greater Anderson AGO
AGO Calendar of Events
For those of you who missed the 9 November 23 recital by chapter member Dr. Will Thomas Cleveland at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Greenwood, SC., here is the link to the stream of the concert:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKLodanpPP0
November 19 (Sunday) – Joint recital featuring two organists from each of the three upstate chapters (Anderson, Greenville & Spartanburg) to be held at Buncombe Street Methodist Church, 2428 Buncombe Street in Greenville. Time: 4 pm NOTE: Each organist will present a 10-minute program (give or take)
January – Organ crawl to St. James Episcopal Church and lunch. Our host for the 11 a.m. meeting is Brad Gee, organist/choirmaster. (Hendersonville, NC.) We will hear and be able to play the wonderful
4-manual English-made Harrison & Harrison organ.
February – Members recital. Fort Hill Presbyterian Church, Clemson SC. Date & Time: TBA
March 16 (Saturday) – Joint meeting of the 3 upstate chapters at Greenville ARP Church. Meal and panel/group discussion on the topic of The dynamics between Clergy and the church musician. The guest presenters are Kyle Ritter, organist/choirmaster, Episcopal Cathedral of All Souls, Ashville, NC and The Rev. Todd Donatelli, former Dean of All Souls Cathedral.
April – Northeast Georgia organ crawl to Clarksville, GA to visit two churches designed by a cousin of President Martin Van Buren — Visits to First Presbyterian and
Grace-Calvary Episcopal Church. The 6-rank organ at the Episcopal Church is said to be the oldest pipe organ in Georgia. Date & Time: TBA
May – TBA
June – organ recital by Jacob Gruss, winner of the Robert & Nancy Powell Scholarshp and Organ Competition, at Christ Church Episcopal in Greenville, SC. (Reception following recital) Time: 4 pm. Date: TBA
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Our chapter donated $350 to the Robert and Nancy Powell Scholarship and Organ Competition For more information, visit the Greenville, SC AGO website – (greenvilleago.org) Once on the home page, click on the scholarship link in the menu bar at the top of the page.
Dr. Will Thomas Cleveland, chapter member & chapter newsletter editor, served as one of the seven jurists in the Powell scholarship and organ competition.
Jacob Gruss won the Greenville (SC) Chapter 2023 Robert & Nancy Powell Scholarship Competition $2,500 prize. We will have the opportunity to hear Jacob perform here in South Carolina next June ‘2024 at Christ Church Episcopal, Greenville. Date & Time: TBA
Upcoming Events from our fellow upstate chapters & other Arts associations
The Tryon Concert Association, based down the mountain in Tryon, NC is holding a Winter Organ Festival as part of its 2023-24 concert series.
Every other Friday at 7:30 p.m. in January and early February, three world class performers will be giving recital at Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Tryon (150 Melrose Ave.), which boasts a 4 manual, 44 rank instrument installed by John Dower in 1994-95. It is a thrilling organ which truly makes all kinds of music come to life. The performers are as follows:
January 5th – Paul Jacobs, Julliard School of Music
January 19th – Martin Jean, Yale University (special reception to follow for any members of local AGO chapters)
February 2nd – Felix Hell, independent concert organist
All recitals are free for AGO members. However, anyone interested in attending must contact Brennan Szafron, organist/choirmaster of Holy Cross to reserve tickets for each recital. He can be reached at 828-859-9741 or bszafron@holycrosstryon.org. Brennan is Dean of the Spartanburg AGO chapter
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 or musical ability.
For membership forms or information, contact chapter dean Bill Scott @ scottwn2003@yahoo.com or Treasurer, Dr. April Swanson @ apriljoy158@gmail.com
Placement
Ms. Anita Brown, chapter member, is available to substitute as organist. Her contact info is abrown5@tctc.edu
Employers and job seekers are invited to post and search listings of available positions on the Guild’s National Website.
Certification
Contact Us
Bill Scott, Dean – scottwn2003@yahoo.com
Alex Armstrong, Sub-dean – adarm91793@aol.com
Judy Bonham, Secretary – bonhamj_44@yahoo.com
Dr. April Swanson, Treasurer – apriljoy158@gmail.com
Dr. Will Thomas Cleveland, Newsletter editor – willthomascleveland@gmail.com
Links
greenvilleago.org – Greenville, SC AGO chapter
SpartanburgAGO.org – Spartanburg, SC AGO chapter
AGO National website
