[February 25, 2023]
Message from the Dean
Welcome to the website of the Reading, Pennsylvania, Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. Chapter membership includes organists and others from the Greater Reading area, encompassing Berks and Schuylkill Counties.
Please contact the chapter dean or one of the other chapter officers listed below for assistance with suggestions for organists available for Sunday substitute work or for a list of available organ teachers offering private instruction.
Local Events
Good Shepherd Lutheran, 4201 Stoudt’s Ferry Bridge Rd., Reading, PA 19605, will host the Reading Chapter, AGO, Handbell Festival on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at 4 p.m.
Newsletter
“From the Editor”
The Reading Chapter’s Young Organist Scholarship is awarded annually to a student in grades 7 to 11 from Berks and Schuylkill Counties who is new to the organ (Less than 1 year of formal organ study prior to the audition date). The scholarship is administered in partnership with the Reading Musical Foundation; please visit the Reading Musical Foundation website for complete application information. 2022 Scholarship auditions were held in March. Unfortunately, there were no applicants this year. Congratulations to Maria Mallozzi, 2020 scholarship award winner, who was recently announced as the initial recipient of the Marjorie R. Fitz Memorial Organ Scholarship Award. Maria, the daughter of Kari Mallozzi, is a home-schooled student; her organ teacher is Dorian Nygard. The Marjorie Fitz scholarship was established in memory of former Chapter Dean Fitz, and is awarded to students who are continuing their organ studies (and no longer eligible for the Reading Chapter scholarship).
– Michael A. Baal, Editor
Membership
The Chapter Treasurer normally coordinates all membership matters for the Reading Chapter.
Placement
Peace United Church of Christ, 37 East Swartzville Road, Denver, Pennsylvania 17517, is seeking a part-time church musician to provide piano and/or organ music during one contemporary and one traditional worship service on Sunday mornings, with adult choir accompaniment September – May. Salary dependent upon experience. Resumes may be sent via email to secretary@peaceunitedchurch.org, or mailed to Peace U.C.C., 37 E. Swartzville Rd., Denver, PA 17517. For questions or additional information, please contact Rev. Betsy Bruaw at (717) 484-4400. (Posted February, 2023.)
Salem United Church of Christ and Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church on Covered Bridge Road in Oley, PA 19507, participate in a shared ministry and are currently seeking a part-time Director of Music. Responsibilities include leading music for all services (both Sunday and special) of the church year, and directing/accompanying an adult choir which currently sings for one or two services per month. This position has also involved music direction for summer Vacation Bible School and the Christmas Children’s Program. Proficiency on piano is required as well as proficiency on (or willingness to learn) the organ. Interested candidates can contact Pastor Robert Witmyer at (717) 802-2099, or send resumé for consideration to Salem UCC, attn: Pastor Witmyer, 307 Covered Bridge Road, Oley, PA 19507. (Posted April, 2022.)
Note: these listings reflect the best current information received by the chapter dean about area vacancies. We attempt to keep the list current, but notice of a vacancy being filled is not always reported to us in a timely fashion.
Employers and job seekers are invited to post and search listings of available positions on the Guild’s National Website.
Certification
Contact Us
Rev. Thomas Busteed, Dean – Email
Mrs. Jo Anne M. Lutz, Sub-dean – Email
Mr. John Brewster, Treasurer – Email
Mrs. Carla Seidel, SPC, Secretary – Email
Ms. Joyce Maurer, SPC, Executive Committee – Email
Mrs. Sandra Paton, Executive Committee – Email
Mr. Zenas Savage, Executive Committee – Email
Mr. Matthew Wary, Executive Committee – Email
Rev. Michael A. Baal, D.M.A., AAGO, Newsletter/Website Editor – Email
