John Renfroe. The newsletter of the Southwest Florida Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. January 2018 Issue ~ THE DEAN S CORNER~

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1 The newsletter of the Southwest Florida Chapter of the American Guild of Organists January 2018 Issue ~ THE DEAN S CORNER~ Several months ago, Courtney, our daughter, contacted me to tell me that she would be coming home to visit us for Christmas, and that she wanted to make this as a surprise for Darlene. Since our daughter teaches in South Korea, this was significant news! I have known about this for three months. I worked very hard not to let the cat out of the bag. The month of December finally arrived! I am filled with all kinds of feelings: Excitement for Courtney s arrival, anticipation of the surprised look on Darlene s face upon seeing Courtney for the first time in several years, not to mention all of the great Christmas activities going on at church. Even though we are now in January, we are reminded that Christmas does not end until the twelfth day which is the Epiphany of our Lord, January 6th. As we head towards the Epiphany season, I pray that everyone had as joyous Christmas season as I did, and that there was plenty of time for rest and recuperation for all. I want to take a moment to point to our annual Members Recital, which will be held this year at St. Luke s Episcopal Church of Fort Myers on the Schlicker/Moller four-manual, 73-rank pipe organ. Please submit 1.) the title of your work, 2.) composer/arranger, 3.) performer name (exactly as you would like it to appear in the program), 4.) performance duration, and 5.) any special needs (i.e. page turner, etc.) directly to Lee Cobb at leecobb626@earthlink.net Since we are still in the Christmas season, let me still say, Merry Christmas! Soli Deo Gloria, John Soli Deo Gloria, John Renfroe Dean, SWFL Chapter of the AGO ~ IN THIS ISSUE ~ The Dean s Corner WELCOME NEW MEMBER Dates of submission Upcoming Events Ministry opportunities AGO service opportunities What to Contribute Substitute List

2 ~ Annual Epiphany Party Directions ~ This years annual Epiphany Party will be at the home of Jonathan Birner on Friday, January 12, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. (located at 255 Burnt Pine Drive, Naples Florida 34119) The AGO Chapter will provide a spiral ham and paper goods. Members are asked to please bring a salad, a dessert, or an appetizer to share, as well as your preferred beverage. Please Paula Leighton to let her know 1.) if you are coming, and 2.) what you might be bringing. PLEASE RESPOND DIRECTLY TO: paulaleighton@comcast.net ~ MEMBERSHIP INFO ~ Our new address is agoswfl@gmail.com If you have any questions, updates, change of addresses, etc. please contact us using our new address. Reminder: If you have not renewed your membership for this year, the national office will drop you from the membership rolls. So, if you have not already done so, please do not forget to renew! CHURCH MINISTRY OPPORTUNITY First Congregation Church of Naples is seeking an organist. If interested, contact Pastor Les Wicker at (239) ~ Newsletter Submission Dates ~ Please remember to observe the following dates when submitting information to The Coupler. February issue submit by January 25 March issue submit by February 25 April issue submit by March 20 May issue submit by 28 ~ CHAPTER OFFICERS ~ Dean...John Renfroe Secretary Hank Glass Financial Secretary Paula Leighton ~ BOARD MEMBERS ~ H G Fisher, Judy Prier, Norm Libby, Bob Kirchner, ~ Welcome New Member ~ We welcome Hannah LeMay from Naples as a Young Organist Member in the Southwest Florida Chapter ~ Obituary ~ Raymond Humphreys, 79 years old, husband of former SW FL AGO Chapter member Jan Van Otterloo and Air Force veteran, died on November 7, 2017 of pancreatic cancer. He died at home, under Hospice care, in Raymore, Missouri. He had been retired about eight years. For those wishing to send a card to Jan, her address is: 806 Stratford Drive Raymore, MO II

3 ~ UPCOMING EVENTS ~ January 12, :30 p.m. Second annual SWFL AGO Epiphany party At the home of Jonathan Birner 255 Burnt Pine Drive, Naples Florida January 14, :00 p.m. The Fort Myers Symphonic Mastersingers Messiah Lutheran Church, North Fort Myers Donation $15.00 January 14,2018 3:00 p.m. The Genesis Ensemble in Concert First Congregational Community Church of Cape Coral Tickets $15.00 (please call the church) January 21, :00 p.m. Hyacinth Series Chrysalis Chamber Players Piano, Trumpet, and Strings, with soloists Moorings Pres. Church, Naples January 28, :00 p.m. Organ Recital by Ben Ball St. Luke s Episcopal Church, Fort Myers February 9, :30 p.m. AGO Members Recital, St. Luke s Episcopal, Ft. Myers February 18, :00 p.m. Sing Out Concert by the Symphonic Chorale New Hope Presbyterian Church, Fort Myers February 18, :00 p.m. Hyacinth Series Monica Cruz, organist Performing the Marjorie Sterritte Memorial Concert Moorings Pres. Church, Naples Sunday, March 4 4:00 p.m. Choral Concert featuring Schubert, Mass in G, with Orchestra and Soloists St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Ft. Myers. March 11, :00 a.m. Worship service featuring excerpts from Handel s Messiah, the Chancel Choir, soloists, and members of the Naples Philharmonic. Moorings Pres., Naples III March 18, :00 p.m. Hyacinth Series The Chamber Choir of Florida Gulf Coast University Dr. Trent Brown, director Moorings Pres. Church, Naples April 15, :00 p.m. Many Moorings Organists Moorings Presbyterian Church, Naples April 15, :00 p.m. Hyacinth Series Monica Cruz, organist Performing the Marjorie Sterritte Memorial Concert Moorings Pres. Church, Naples May 4, :00 p.m. Annual Members Banquet SWFL AGO Chapter Banquet/Workshop 6:30 Dinner (complimentary) 7:30 Workshop with Marilyn Keiser Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, (2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel Island) May 6, :00 p.m. Handbell Concert, SWFL Handbell Ensemble Michael Helman, conductor New Hope Presbyterian Church, Fort Myers May 11, :30 p.m. End of the year Clergy/Musician Dinner St. Michael s and All Angels Episcopal Church, Sanibel

4 Specifications and other information on the instrument can be found on the music page of St. Luke s website. saintlukes-fortmyers.org/music ~ Annual AGO Members Recital ~ This year, the AGO Members recital will be on the four manual, 73 rank Schlicker/Moller pipe-organ of St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Fort Myers on Friday, February 9th, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Please submit the following information, as well as when you would like to have practice time on the instrument, directly to Lee Cobb at leecobb626@earthlink.net 1.) Title of your work 2.) Composer/Arranger 3.) Performer Name (exactly as you would like it to appear in the program) 4.) Performance duration 5.) Any special needs (i.e. page turner, etc.) IV

5 To all AGO members, ~ THE 2018 AGO NATIONAL CONVENTION ~ Registration is now open for the 2018 AGO National Convention to be held in Kansas City, July 2-6, After years of planning, we have assembled an incredible program of world-class organists, choirs, workshops, and continuing education opportunities. Creative worship services and world premieres of new organ and choral works by renowned lyricists and composers will be showcased in beautiful and historic organ venues marks the 100th anniversary of the end of WWI, which is of particular significance to Kansas City, home of the National WWI Museum and Memorial. Both of our convention hotels sit in the shadow of the Museum and Memorial. Much of our programming will reflect on the ways in which the Great War impacted and influenced the arts world. Kansas City is sometimes called The Paris of the Plains with its many boulevards and fountains. Situated in the heart of the country, we are a convenient drive from many locations. Kansas City International Airport (MCI) is served by most major airlines, and Amtrak will bring you to Union Station, which is connected via air-conditioned skywalks to the convention hotels. Convention housing will be at the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center and its sister property, the Westin Kansas City at Crown Center. Registration, Exhibits and Workshops will be at the Sheraton, which will serve as the Convention Headquarters. Super Saver rates will be available until December 31, 2017: AGO Regular Member - $375 Spouse/Partner - $350 AGO Senior $350 Young Organist under 30 - $250 Early Registration rates will be available January 1-March 31, 2018: AGO Regular Member - $435 Spouse/Partner - $350 AGO Senior $395 Young Organist under 30 - $250 The full bus transportation package ($175) is recommended. For Young Organists under 30, the bus is only $100 for the entire convention. Daily and single-event bus passes are also being offered. Please visit our convention website at agokc2018.com to register and explore all of the performers, venues, instruments, and workshops of the convention. We look forward to seeing you next July at the convention. REGISTER EARLY FOR THE BEST RATES! Debbie Lynch, Registrar V

6 ~ WHAT TO CONTRIBUTE ~ We would like to build this newsletter to include items of importance to our membership. New sections for which we need information from you include: Noteworthy in this section we would like to include member news, appointments, achievements, etc. Sub-list Please include your name, phone number, , and availability (Please be as specific as possible) Example: John Q. Organist Available for weddings, funerals, Sunday worship services before 10:00 a.m. Proficient in Organ, Piano, Conducting. Phone: (text OR call after 7:00 p.m.) John.Q.Organist@organistforhire.com Upcoming Events It s important that we support each another in our church music endeavors. In an effort to avoid double booking concerts on the same day/time whenever possible, please submit dates for the next six months (or more as you wish) for events which taking place in your church/community. Positions Available In addition to following the online job placement page of the AGO website, please include local positions that may not be listed. Include as many details about the position as possible in addition to contact information. For Sale Information regarding organs, pianos, and other church music instruments for sale. NOTE: If you would like to see something else included in our monthly newsletters, please let us know your ideas. Remember, this is your newsletter! Please submit materials to be included in The Coupler directly to: Ben Ball, newsletter editor ben@newhopefortmyers.org Cell phone: Church office: VI

7 ~ SUBSTITUTE LIST ~ Ben Ball Teaches organ; available sub for Weddings, Funerals, Saturday and weekdays services ben@newhopefortmyers.org (cell) Jonathan Birner Weddings, Funerals, Saturdays birnerj@yahoo.com Karl Cole Weddings, Funerals, Saturdays, Other weekdays concertonthekeys@aol.com Martha Cox Weddings, Funerals, Saturdays, Sundays, Other weekdays John Fenstermaker Weddings, Funerals, Saturdays, Other weekdays (ext. 207) johnfenstermaker64@gmail.com Herman (H.G.) Fisher Saturdays, Sundays (Year round) (Home), (cell) muzikfish@comcast.net Alden Gatt Weddings, Funerals, Saturdays, Sundays, Other weekdays adlenpiano@gmail.com John Geib Weddings, Funerals, Saturdays, Other weekdays johnfgeib@yahoo.com Connie Hartt-Hitchcock Funerals, Saturdays Michael Helman Weddings, Funerals michael@faithcapecoral.org Robert Herrema Weekdays, weddings and funerals bob@robertherrema.com Richard Jaeggi Weddings, Funerals, Teaches organ lessons rdmej@aol.com David Jozaities Weddings, Funerals, Saturdays, Other weekdays mrorganboy@yahoo.com Robert Kirchner available for any and all services, weddings, funerals, etc floridakeymaster@yahoo.com James Kreger Weddings, Funerals, Saturdays jlkreger@hotmail.com Paula Leighton Weddings, Funerals, Saturdays, Sundays, Other weekdays (Oct.-May) paulaleighton@comcast.net Ronald Lemke Available for all types of services (comfortable in all denominations) ronaldlemke2@yahoo.com Deborah Louth-Martin Weddings, Funerals, Saturdays, Other weekdays dlmusa@hotmail.com Elena Melnikov Weddings, Funerals, Saturdays, Other weekdays Mmelnikov3@aol.com Joseph Nigro Weddings, funerals, weekend services. Piano/organ teacher Treasurehousemusic@gmail.com Available for weddings, funerals, weekend services. Piano/organ teacher Judith Ollikkala Funerals, Saturdays, Sundays, Other weekdays (Nov.-Jan.) jollikkala@netscape.com Douglas Renfroe Weddings, Funerals, Saturdays, Other weekdays (choral) srodolor@aol.com David Speir substitute staff singer speirdavid@netscape.net Judy Weaver Weddings, Funerals, Saturdays, Other weekdays jedijudy@comcast.net Becky Weese Weddings, Funerals, Saturdays, Other weekdays BeckyWeese@msn.com Priscilla Wonkka Weddings, Funerals, Saturdays, Sundays, Other weekdays (Oct.-Apr.) rpwonkka@aol.com NOTE: If you would like to be added to or removed from this list, or if your information needs to be updated, please contact the newsletter editor. VII

8 American Guild of Organists Southwest Florida Chapter ATTN: Mr. John Renfroe Messiah Lutheran Church 2691 NE Pine Island Road Cape Coral, FL Place Stamp Here TO: VIII