Last updated March 6, 2023
Notes from the Acting Dean
Hello everyone,
It was wonderful to see members from both Metro and NNJAGO come out to the Lenten Share/Potluck! There was quite a delicious feast that was enjoyed by all with more than enough to share.
The board and I will be meeting at some point to discuss the survey results. I am hopeful to be able to share the results with you in the April newsletter.
As we go deeper into Lent, I realize that it can be hectic as you prepare for Easter. I want to remind you to take a deep breath and to keep in mind the bigger picture and what’s really important in life. I wish all of you the best of health and to look out for one another.
Sincerely,
Tiffany Vintschger, Acting Dean
tvintschger@gmail.com
Notes from the Sub-Dean
Hello everyone,
As we journey through Lent and begin preparing Easter music, it is easy to get swept up in practicing, hiring musicians, and planning liturgies. While all that is very important and an essential part of a church musician’s work, it is my sincere hope that in this busiest time of the year we can remember the reasons we do this work in the first place and also find time to enjoy one another’s music. With that in mind, I would encourage everyone to attend a performance of the Messiah, a Bach Passion, a choral evensong, or a Lenten organ recital, and support the hard work of all our colleagues. I know how wonderful it is to share one’s music with others, and at a time of the year when we are our busiest, I hope no one forgets that. May everyone’s Holy Week be blessed, and may your music-making be beautiful and fulfilling. And a blessed Lent to all!
Sincerely,
Evan Cogswell, Sub-Dean
evancogswell.cc3@gmail.com
***Chapter Events***
Thank you to Evan Cogswell for hosting the Lenten/Easter recital! Thank you to Roberta TenBroeck for organizing and setting up the dinner! Special thanks to Eric Fahner, Evan Cogswell, Roberta TenBroeck, Doreen Jorgensen (flute), and John Pivarnik for performing!
**Metro Midday Munch in May**
Chung A. Hong
Organ Recital
Wednesday,May 3, 2023
12pm-12:30pm
12:30pm – tour of the church
Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Newark
Lunch TBD
Submit concert listings to Tiffany Vintschger, newsletter editor – tvintschger@gmail.com
* * CONCERTS and EVENTS *
Lenten Organ Recitals – Fridays in Lent
March 10, 2023
Pingry Upper School Strings, Andrew Moore, organ
12:15-12:45pm
Grace Episcopal Church
4 Madison Avenue, Madison
FREE
Livestream on Grace Madison YouTube
Lenten Organ Recitals – Fridays in Lent
March 17, 2023
Irish celebration, Anne Matlack, organ
12:15-12:45pm
Grace Episcopal Church
4 Madison Avenue, Madison
FREE
Livestream on Grace Madison YouTube
Daniel Roth Concert
St. Peter’s Church, Morristown
Follow the link below to purchase tickets.
https://one.bidpal.net/danielrothconcert/welcome
Friday, March 17, 2023
Organ Recital ‘We Shall Overcome’
Nathaniel Gumbs
Sunday, March 19, 2023
3pm
Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Newark
GREAT MUSIC ON THE MORRISTOWN GREEN PRESENTS
MOREHOUSE COLLEGE GLEE CLUB
IN CONCERT
Monday, March 20, 2023
7:00 PM
Morristown United Methodist Church
The all-male Morehouse College Glee Club was formed at Atlanta’s historically black Morehouse College in 1911. They have performed around the world and in every corner of the United States and at Martin Luther King Jr.’s funeral. Reverend King was an alumnus of Morehouse College and sang in the Glee Club as an undergraduate.
Buy Tickets at bit.ly/MUMCMorehouseConcert
www.MorristownUMC.org
Lenten Organ Recitals – Fridays in Lent
March 24, 2023
Helen E. J. Thomas Memorial Concert
Patricia Ruggles, alto; Gerall Heiser, cello
12:15-12:45pm
Grace Episcopal Church
4 Madison Avenue, Madison
FREE
Livestream on Grace Madison YouTube
Lenten Organ Recitals – Fridays in Lent
March 31, 2023
Poetry of John Donne, Anne Matlack, organ
12:15-12:45pm
Grace Episcopal Church
4 Madison Avenue, Madison
FREE
Livestream on Grace Madison YouTube
Choral meditations on the Stations of the Cross
The Cathedral’s choral tradition continues with this annual event. The Cathedral Choir, under the direction of John J. Miller, presents meditations within the context of the Stations of the Cross.
Good Friday, April 7, 2023
8pm
Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Newark
Celebrating African-American Culture
David Arnold
Joseph DeVaughn
Marion Gayles
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
12pm-12:30pm
Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Newark
Christ Church in Short Hills Presents
Fauré Requiem: A Concert of Remembrance
Honoring All Those Lost to the Pandemic
Sunday, April 23, 2023
4:00 PM
Christ Church in Short Hills
66 Highland Avenue
Short Hills, New Jersey
Christ Church Festival Choir with Organ and Orchestra, including artists from Orchestra of St. Luke’s, MET Orchestra and Orpheus
CONDUCTOR: Mr. George Mathew
Founder & Artistic Director of Music for Life International
ORGANIST: Dr. Andrew Moore – Choirmaster and Organist
SOLOISTS: Tharanga Goonetilleke, Soprano
Charles Schneider, Baritone
Free Admission | Free Will Donation
Reception to Follow
Celebrating Asian Culture
Agnes Kim
Jonathan Morales
Xin Zhao
Wednesday, April 26, 2023
12pm-12:30pm
Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Newark
Music of Ludwig van Beethoven
Mass in C Major for choir, soloists, and orchestra. The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, The Archdiocesan Festival Choir and the Cathedral Choir.
Valerie Bernhardt – soprano
Kathryn Lang – mezzo-soprano
Theodore Chletsos – tenor
Jorge Ocasio – bass-baritone
John J. Miller – conductor
Friday, April 28, 2023
8pm
Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Newark
No admission charge, no tickets required.
Organ Recital
Chung A. Hong
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
12pm-12:30pm
Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Newark
Harmonium Chamber Singers: Wellspring
A full concert by the select Chamber Singers celebrating water and the creative spirit. From Schütz and Brahms to Trevor Weston and Anders Endroth, always some surprises!
Saturday, May 6, 2023
7:30pm
Grace Episcopal Church
4 Madison Avenue, Madison
Tickets $25/$20
www.harmonium.org
Celebrating Ukrainian Culture
Genya Muzyczka
Kristin Dabaghian
Wednesday, May 10, 2023
12pm-12:30pm
Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Newark
Membership and Directory
NATIONAL AND CHAPTER DUES INCREASE: The AGO National Council has approved a nominal increase in annual dues, effective July 1. This is the first increase in several years. Members who renew in July will see this change reflected on their renewal notices beginning in April. To learn more, click here. We’ll be reaching out to members in coming months to educate them further about the dues increase.
*Please be aware that there is no longer a 3 month grace period to renew your AGO membership. If it’s due, please renew ASAP!
Certification
Changes have been made to the certification exams. To view the recording of the meeting for “A 21st Century Facelift for the Certification Exams”, please click HERE.
The certification exam information/handouts can be viewed HERE.
Additional information about the how to access the Hymn Booklet will be available on September 1st. Please go to the Certification website page that is located under the Education tab on the AGO website for the full details. Applications for the tests are now accepted online.
Placement
The Placement Chairperson is Chris Hatcher. To submit a position listing, please contact him via e-mail at chris.hatcher01@verizon.net.
Job Postings
The Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Paterson, New Jersey announces four openings for Soprano, Mezzo, Tenor and Baritone/Bass Choral Section Leaders and Cantors. Position Description
Sing, as one of four choral section leaders, for one weekly Sunday 11:30am liturgy preceded by an 11:00am rehearsal with a Tuesday 7:00-8:15pm rehearsal September through June. Also, sing for a Christmas morning 11:30am service, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday 11:30am service. Opportunities for solo singing as repertory requires. Additionally, the successful candidate will be expected to cantor for one monthly 11:30am mass; the cantoring duties will be rotated amongst the four SATB section leaders. Provide leadership to volunteer choir members within each section from the cathedral parish community. As the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Paterson, additional opportunities for Episcopal Masses will be available. Obtain a qualified section leader substitute when needed. Stipend commensurate with education, experience and demonstrated vocal skills.
Requirements
Minimum Bachelor of Music degree in voice performance or equivalent. Applied voice minor degrees will be considered. Preference given for Master of Music or Doctor of Musical Arts degree in voice performance. Experience singing advanced choral literature in a church setting required as well as leading a section in the most demanding repertory. Sight-reading skills as well as the ability to blend well in a choral situation required. Preference for cantor experience in a Roman Catholic setting.
The Cathedral Music Program
Set amidst a diverse and expansive cathedral music program, the 11:30am high choral eucharist is the most traditional of all cathedral parish liturgies and includes sung antiphons, chant, four-part organ-based hymnody, psalmody and challenging choral literature spanning all style periods of the western canon.
The Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist
Located 15 miles from New York City, and two blocks from the New Jersey Transit Train Line, The Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist is a stunning neo-gothic structure designed by Paul Keely in 1820. Both cathedral and 53-rank, three manual organ were completely renovated and restored four years ago. A vibrant parish cathedral community, St. John’s Cathedral places the highest emphasis on its sacred music program, striving to serve as an example of the highest quality of liturgical music in the United States and internationally.
Send Cover Letter and Curriculum Vitae to:
Dr. David N. Bower, PhD
Cathedral Director of Music & Organist
DBower@rcdopcathedral.org
Or
Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, 387-389 Grand Street
For more information about Trinity: https://TrinityWoodbridge.org
Chapter Leadership
Metropolitan NJ Chapter American Guild of Organists
Executive Board
| Acting Dean: Tiffany Vintschger | tvintschger@gmail.com |
| Sub-Dean: Evan Cogswell | evancogswell.cc3@gmail.com |
| Secretary: Eric Fahner | fahner@alumni.fdu.edu |
| Treasurer: Scott Jones | jsjones0601@verizon.net |
| Newsletter Editor/Webmaster: Tiffany Vintschger |
tvintschger@gmail.com |
| Publicity Coordinator: Bev McGregor |
bevmcgregor@optonline.net |
| Membership Chair: Scott Jones | jsjones0601@verizon.net |
| Class of 2020-2024 | |
| Preston Dibble | prestondibble@hotmail.com |
| Roberta TenBroeck | roberta.tenbroeck@gmail.com |
| Class of 2022-2026 | |
| Kristin Dabaghian | kjohnson88@aol.com |
| Chris Hatcher | chris.hatcher01@verizon.net |
