The Organizer The Atlanta Chapter of the American Guild of Organists www.agoatlanta.org Atlanta AGO March Recital March 2013 THOMAS TROTTER at In this issue… The Cathedral of St. Philip March Recital ................................................. 1 2744 Peachtree Rd. NW Chaplain’s Corner ......................................... 2 Atlanta, GA 30305 Chapter Scholarship Auditions ................ 2 404-365-1050 Dean’s Letter ................................................... 3 Coming Events................................................ 4 Tuesday, March 5, 2013 No dinner or business meeting Chapter Meeting Minutes .......................... 5 8:00 p.m. Recital Board Meeting Minutes .............................. 5 Reception following Progressive Organ Recital ......................... 6 th Free admission Atlanta AGO’s 100 Anniversary ............ 6 Marilyn Keiser Recital in NYC .................. 7 Nominating Committee .............................. 8 Recital Program Membership Report ..................................... 8 C.H.H. Parry, Fantasia & Fugue in G Atlanta AGO Listserv Guide ....................... 9 César Franck, Prière Mass Choir Opportunity ............................. 9 Sigfrid Karg-Elert, Homage to Handel Dinner Reservations..................................... 9 Ad Wammes, Ride on a High Speed Train Mentoring Program ..................................... 9 Richard Wagner, Lohengrin: Prelude to Act 3 (arr. E.H.Lemare) Certification Application Deadlines.... 10 Richard Wagner, Rienzi: Overture (arr. E.H.Lemare) Around the Chapter & Other Chapters 10 ECU Competition ........................................ 10 Final Monthly Meeting ............................. 10 Positions Available .................................... 11 Chapter Officers .......................................... 12 The Organizer, the official bulletin of the Atlanta Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, is published monthly, September through June. All material for publication must reach the Editor by the 15th day of the month preceding the date of issue (e.g., No- vember 15 for the December issue). This should be typewritten and e- mailed. The Organizer reserves the Thomas Trotter is one of the world’s most admired organists. Under some of the right to make editorial changes and to world’s greatest conductors, he has performed in the Berlin Philharmonie, Leipzig shorten articles to fit space limita- Gewandhaus, Amsterdam Concertgebouw, Vienna Musikverein and Konzerthaus, and tions. Articles in The Organizer reflect London’s Royal Albert Hall. He has inaugurated organs from New Zealand to Moscow the views of the writers and not nec- and the United States, and he thrilled the National Convention of the American Guild of essarily those of the Guild. Organists last summer with a breathtakingly brilliant memorized recital in Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center. At home in England, he serves in the prestigious Advertising Rates posts of Birmingham City Organist; organist of St Margaret’s, Westminster, the parish 1/8 page: $15 church of the British House of Commons; and on the faculty of the Royal Northern 1/4 page: $30 College of Music. 1/2 page: $60 Co-sponsored by Friends of Cathedral Music & the Atlanta Chapter of the AGO Full page: $120 Thomas Trotter appears under the exclusive management of Karen McFarlane Artists, Inc. Chaplain’s Corner I am most grateful to our own Phillip Allen for alerting me to this article by David Ackert. Though speaking in the secular realm, I find Mr. Ack- ert’s words apply equally to church singers and musicians: Singers and Musicians are some of the most driven, courageous people on the face of the earth. They deal with more day-to-day rejection in one year than most people do in a lifetime. Every day, they face the financial challenge of living a freelance lifestyle, the disrespect of people who think they should get real jobs, and their own fear that they’ll never work again. Every day, they have to ignore the possibility that the vision they have dedicated their lives to is a pipe dream. With every note, they stretch them- selves, emotionally and physically, risking criticism and judgment. With every passing year, many of them watch as the other peo- ple their age achieve the predictable milestones of normal life – the car, the family, the house, the nest egg. Why? Because mu- sicians and singers are willing to give their entire lives to a mo- ment – to that melody, that lyric, that chord, or that interpretation that will stir the audience’s soul. Singers and Musicians are be- ings who have tasted life’s nectar in that crystal moment when they poured out their creative spirit and touched another’s heart. In that instant, they were as close to magic, God, and perfection as anyone could ever be. And in their own hearts, they know that to dedicate oneself to that moment is worth a thousand lifetimes.” Indeed, in my experience, church musicians are some of the most driven, courageous people on the face of the earth! Lenten blessings to each of you, The Reverend Dr. John Beyers, OSL Chapter Chaplain Chapter Scholarship Auditions Our annual Chapter Scholarship Auditions will be held on Friday, April 26, 2013, at a venue yet to be determined. Those among you who have students are encouraged to have them apply for funds which will assist them as they continue their endeavors as organists. All details may be found on our Chapter website. Locate the “Education” head- ing, and click “Scholarship information” under this category. The downloadable application forms are found under the “Documents” heading. Applications must be postmarked (or e-mailed) to Keith Nash, 1446 Winston Place, Decatur, GA 30033-1955 by Friday, April 12. This deadline is firm. Auditions are open to the public. It is indeed a rewarding experience to come and listen to these promising musi- cians. It gives one hope for the future of our profession. Why not plan on attending sometime throughout the day? The Organizer 2 March 2013 From the Dean The guild exists to serve its members. That is a given. Yet members must give of their time and skills to plan and implement programs that serve the guild. Members must then be active to receive the benefits of their paid dues. It’s a give-and-take scenario. In a perfect world each member strikes a balance of both giving and receiving. However, we all know we don’t live in a perfect world. In any organization there are doers and then there are those that rely on others to do the work. Where do you fit in? I want to take a moment to thank some of our doers. Folk who are constantly willing to pitch in when asked. You will know their names, because they are workers! First, let me thank the many folk who served on the 2011-12 Taylor Competition Committee. They are Sarah Martin, Sarah Hawbecker, Bobby Mays, Timothy Wissler, James Melichamp, Charles Higgs, Arlan Sunnarborg, Timothy Gunter and ex- officio members past Dean Jeffrey Harbin and Treasurer Charlene Ponder. Kudos to these chapter members for spending their valuable time and energy planning and implementing the first competition. Their reward was heard in the presentation of the winner’s recital at our Feb- ruary meeting. Next, Andrew Singletary and Sue Goddard hosted one of the Re- gion IV AGO/Quimby Regional Competition for Young Artists chapter- level events at Grace UMC the first weekend in March. Sarah Martin headed up this event as our chapter coordinator. The winner of this round will go on to compete with other winners within the region. A report on the competition will be forthcoming. Thanks to each of you for allowing our chapter to serve the region in this important competition. Andrew has also served as chapter liaison to the Atlanta History Center’s art and music project “The Phoenix Flies.” His work will help spread the name of AGO beyond our church doors and into the com- munity. Look elsewhere in The Organizer for more information about these concert opportunities. Lastly, I want to say thank you to Bill Cossarelli for implementing and maintaining our listserv for the last several years. Access to the listserv has become one of the primary benefits of belonging to our local chapter and is one service we plan to continue to offer. Because Bill is retiring from UGA this spring, we’ll lose our current listserv plat- form. James Melichamp has graciously stepped forward and has of- fered the resources of Piedmont College to host our list. Sam Polk has stepped up to become trained as the primary administrator, along with David Barber. Watch for an announcement once the transfer is com- pleted this spring. Each of us has gifts and skills that can help further the goals of our chapter. How much richer and more exciting our varied offerings would be if every member shared equally in the work load. While eve- ryone needs a break, there are some members that could help out a bit more. If you have not been active, or just haven’t found something to do in a while, please see me. We have LOTS yet to do before we are ready to celebrate the chapter’s 100th anniversary, and your help is needed! Be ye a doer. Your rewards will be many. I am looking forward to seeing YOU at our March event. Remem- ber, there is no dinner or meeting before the program. Instead, join us after the concert for a delightful reception. Take care, Tim Young, Dean March 2013 3 The Organizer March 2013 Calendar of Events Day Date Time Event Location Admission Friday 3/1 8:00 PM ASO/ASOC/Spano: Bach: Mass in B Minor Symphony Hall, Woodruff Arts Center $ Saturday 3/2 7:30