Newsletter of the American Guild of Organists, Memphis Chapter March 2015

The En Chamade Newsletter of the American Guild of Organists, Memphis Chapter March 2015 From the Dean As I write this, Memphis has experienced record colds, snow and ice days with school and church events cancelled. Tomorrow (Friday, Feb. 20), the temperatures will climb into the upper 50 s. It is an up and down roller coaster. Hope that everyone is staying warm, made it through Ash Wednesday and is prepared for our next exciting AGO event. Walt Strony will be our guest artist with 2! programs. Sunday, March 1, 6 p.m., at St. Mary s Cathedral, he will accompany the 1925 silent film The Phantom of the Opera. He will then join us at the Scottish Rite Temple for our Monday evening guild soirée. Walt will bring original theatre music/scores for display; accompany a short and perhaps a few scenes from other films to discuss how film accompaniment is accomplished. Many thanks to all the participants at the February meeting. The potluck was outstanding with plentiful, delicious bounty provided by those present. Our presenters shared very interesting and sometimes humorous stories and anecdotes. The tour of the innards of the Austin organ provided a very close view of what makes these organs tick May you be renewed in this Lenten season. This taken from TAO Feb. issue p. 47 (edited): The three Rs of Lent: Repentance, Reflection, and Renewal. In French, lent means slow. As we get ready for the busy season ahead, perhaps that is exactly what we each need to do. To each of you, blessed and slow Lent, filled with beautiful music, Dennis Janzer Memphis AGO Chapter 2014-2015 Program Year AGO-Mondays: 6 p.m.-social, 6 p.m.:30-dinner, 7:00 p.m.-meeting for AGO members, 7:30 p.m.-program March 1, 2015 (Sunday) 6:00pm (St. Mary s Episcopal Cathedral, Co-Sponsor) Phantom of the Opera with Organist Walt Strony St. Mary s Episcopal Cathedral, 700 Poplar Avenue Memphis TN 38105 1

MEMPHIS CHAPTER PROGRAMS, CONTINUED March 2, 2015 6 to 9pm Walt Strony: Theater Accompanying Style Scottish Rite Cathedral 825 Union Avenue, Memphis TN 38103 April 13, 2015 6 to 9pm (Holy Apostles Friends of Music & Evergreen Presbyterian, Co-Sponsors) Memphis Premiere of Sunrise Mass by Ola Gjeilo. Massed choir and orchestra directed by Benjamin Tucker Church of the Holy Apostles 1380 Wolf River Blvd., Collierville 38017 May 10, 2015, (Sunday) 4:00pm (St. Peter Catholic Church, Co-Sponsor) Hymn Festival: St. Peter s 175 th Anniversary Year (see below) Bruce Neswick, Guest Artist St. Peter Roman Catholic Church 190 Adams, Memphis TN 38103 May 11, 2015 6 to 9pm Bruce Neswick Masterclass Guild Service and Installation of Officers Grace-St. Luke s Episcopal Church 1720 Peabody, Memphis 38104 HYMN FESTIVAL: "A SYMPHONY OF PSALMS" MAY 10, 2015 Co-sponsored by the Memphis Chapter, American Guild of Organists Sunday, May 10, 2015 4:00 PM St. Peter Church, Third & Adams This ecumenical service of hymns, anthems, organ works, and readings based on psalms will feature Guest Organist and Recitalist Bruce Neswick, MM, FAGO, FRSCM. He is currently Associate Professor of Organ at the Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University. Some of you have had the privilege of working with Bruce Neswick at various music conferences. This will be a wonderful opportunity for us to make music with one of the most outstanding members of our Guild. As a student of Gerre Hancock, Bruce's improvisations continue the spirit of that great artist. Memphis Chapter members are invited to participate in the Choir to offer anthems and descants on the hymns. If you have choristers with good reading skills or familiarity with these anthems - extend this invitation to them. Please sign-up to sing by March 15. 2

Anthems: O How Amiable - Vaughan Williams The Heavens Are Telling (Creation) - Haydn (SAB soli will be needed) O Praise God in His Holiness - Rawsthorne God Is Gone Up - Finzi 2 chants (plainchant and Anglican) 3 preparatory rehearsals will be held - attendance at a minimum of any 2 is requested: Sundays, 2:00-3:30 PM April 19 - St. John's Episcopal, Central & Greer April 26 - St. John's Episcopal May 3 - St. Peter's, Third & Adams Dress rehearsal (attendance required): Saturday, May 9 - St. Peter's (tentatively 10-12) I am very grateful that our Chapter is co-sponsoring this service at my church, now celebrating its 175th anniversary. Your assistance as a singer, providing anthem copies, or encouraging others to join us in this "Symphony of Psalms" will be most welcome! ~ Jane Scharding Smedley POSITIONS AVAILABLE ORGANIST/CHOIR DIRECTOR Sunday 10:30 AM Holy Eucharist; weekly choir rehearsal. Summer Sunday service at 9:30 AM Every Sunday preferred; willing to consider every other Sunday. Open to two people sharing position. Moller Pipe Organ (9 ranks - circa 1975) Piano available for worship, too. All Saints Episcopal Church, 469 South Main St. Grenada, MS 38901. Contact the Rev. Elizabeth Wheatley-Jones, Rector: ehwj68@gmail.com, 662-226-8234. SECTION LEADERS Soprano, Alto, and Bass Staff Singers 1 Sunday AM service Sept-May 1 Weekly rehearsal Wednesday PM Sept-May Approximately one extra Sunday service once/month Extra services around Christmas and Holy Week. Contact Organist/Choirmaster Sondra Tucker sondra@holyapostlestn.net or 281-610-4422 (cell) Church of the Holy Apostles, Episcopal 1380 Wolf River Blvd., Collierville TN 3

Section Leader/Soloist - Bass/Baritone (Sunday 10:30 AM service and Sunday noon rehearsal) Section Leader/Soloist - Soprano (first Sunday of month) Buntyn Presbyterian Church 561 South Prescott Street, Memphis, TN 38111. Contact Judith Pfeiffer, Music Director at 901-454-6211 or judithpfeiffer@web.de SUBSTITUTE LIST - just in time to start booking your summer Sub! Our Chapter's Substitute List has been updated on the website with some helpful information for your use. If you have any questions, please contact (remainder as it is now). If you have any questions, please contact Jane Scharding Smedley, Chapter Placement Coordinator at mrsjane@bellsouth.net (or) 901-527-8282, ext. 15 To list a position in this printed newsletter and to place on the chapter website, an authorized representative of the church/institution must submit the information using the form found on the website (www.agomemphis.org) under Positions. Although listings are free of charge, the Executive Board of the Memphis Chapter reserves the right to review and refuse an advertisement. Listings should include a description of the position's duties and pertinent details such as: job title, number of worship services, rehearsals, choirs/ensembles, type of instrument to be played, etc. Send listings to Jane Scharding Smedley: electronically (mrsjane@bellsouth.net); by fax (901-526-6882); mail (22 South Reese Street, Memphis, TN 38111). For more information, contact Jane at: 901-527-8282, ext. 15. No listing will be accepted over the telephone. Additional information may be found online at http://www.agomemphis.org/positions.html. NEWS FROM AGO HEADQUARTERS February 10, 2015 To All Guild Members: The AGO National Council has established new dues rates for all dues categories. The new rates will appear on the April 1 renewal notices that AGO Headquarters will send to current chapter members renewing for the 2015-2016 membership year. These rates are $100 for Regular members; $75 for Special members; $40 for Student members; and $75 for Partners. The new rates reflect a $3 increase in each membership category, with $2 being retained by each chapter and $1 allocated to National Headquarters. The new dues rates will take effect on April 1 for those who join the Guild for the first time either as Chapter members or as Independent members, or who reinstate as either Chapter members or Independent members after their memberships have lapsed. Please note that new members and those who wish to reinstate their lapsed memberships can join now through March 30 at the current dues rates before they increase on April 1. 4

Separately, the National Council has authorized the National Headquarters to initiate a rolling membership year for those who are joining a chapter for the first time or reinstating after their membership has lapsed. This means that a member s expiration date will be one year from the date on which the member joined; i.e., on the anniversary of the join date. Under this plan, all current chapter members will retain their July 1-June 30 membership year as long as they renew by September 1. For new and reinstating members, however, the membership year will commence on the first of the month in which the member joins the Guild. Independent members, like TAO subscribers, have always followed a rolling membership year and will continue to do so. Effective retroactively to November 1, 2014, AGO National Headquarters implemented the anniversary date membership for all new members and those who reinstated their memberships since that date. These individuals will not have to wait until July 1, 2015 to begin to receive a full year of membership benefits. Instead, since November 1, their membership year began in the month in which they joined or reinstated. Analyzing the responses to the recent membership survey, the AGO s Marketing Committee has noted that, Across all age groups, the most valuable aspect of AGO membership was to meet and network with professional colleagues. Other key benefits include staying informed about news in the organ world, which is readily available through national and chapter publications including TAO, newsletters, websites, chapter meetings, plus regional as well as national conferences. Our newest membership benefits include full online access to each issue of TAO, the ability to join online throughout the year and update one s membership profile at any time, and, exclusively for first-time members, access to a no-cost life insurance policy for two years with a $40,000 benefit. All Guild members have the ability to review job listings on the AGO s job board, the world s most complete listing of positions available; eligibility for high-quality insurance plans for health, car, home, and professional liability at competitive rates; discounts on AGO convention fees and educational resources; discounts on certification examination fees; access to Chapter events such as recitals, workshops, meetings, and seminars (in some cases for chapter members only); and voting privileges in officer elections. One important benefit cannot be overstated, and a prominent, long-time Guild member said it well: I am an organist; the AGO is my professional organization. Please let us know if you have any questions. Sincerely yours, Leah Semiken Manager of Membership and Chapter Relations Leah.Semiken@agohq.org CHERRY RHODES AND LADD THOMAS TO BE HONORED AT AGO RECITAL AND GALA BENEFIT RECEPTION IN GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA Celebration of their Lifetime Achievements Will Benefit the AGO Endowment Fund NEW YORK CITY The American Guild of Organists (AGO) will sponsor a Recital and Gala Benefit Reception honoring international award-winning organist Cherry Rhodes and distinguished organist Ladd Thomas, professor of organ at the University of Southern California s Thornton School of Music. The dynamic couple has been selected by the AGO National Council for its 2015 AGO Endowment Fund Distinguished Artist Award. The biographies of the honorees can be found online at Agohq.org. 5

The celebration will begin on Friday, April 17, 2015, at 7:30 p.m., at the First United Methodist Church of Glendale, Calif., where Ladd Thomas has served as organist for 55 years. The honorees will perform as organ soloists in Mendelssohn s Sonata No. 1 in F Minor (Thomas) and Moussorgsky s Pictures at an Exhibition, transcribed by Jean Guillou (Rhodes). They will combine their talents in a rare organ duet performance of The Sorcerer s Apprentice by Dukas, as arranged by Rayner Brown for their exclusive use. The gala benefit reception will follow at the Hilton Los Angeles North/Glendale Hotel (advance tickets required). Sponsorship opportunities are available at the $25,000, $10,000, $5,000, $2,500, and $1,000 levels. Full descriptions of sponsorship packages and benefits are available online at Agohq.org. Gala Benefit Reception Tickets are $150 (75% tax deductible, includes admission to the recital) and can be purchased online at Agohq.org or by calling 212-870-2311, ext. 4308. Gala ticket holders will be offered preferred recital seating and will have their names printed in the commemorative program book. The deadline to be included is April 1. General admission to the Recital, only is $20. The AGO is offering Display Advertising opportunities in the full-color commemorative program book. Ad placement includes inside and back covers ($1,500, each includes four gala tickets), full-page ($1,000, includes two gala tickets) and half-page ($500, includes one gala ticket) insertions. Advertising orders can be placed online at Agohq.org. The advertising deadline is April 1. E-mail gala@agohq.org for further information. The publication will become a part of the American Organ Archives. Those unable to attend the Recital and Gala Benefit Reception are invited to Participate from a Distance by making a contribution to the AGO Endowment Fund in honor of Cherry Rhodes and Ladd Thomas. Contribute online at Agohq.org or by sending a check to the AGO Endowment Fund, 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 1260, New York, NY 10115. Contributions received by April 1 will be reported in the commemorative program book. All proceeds from the Gala will honor Cherry Rhodes and Ladd Thomas in perpetuity through the AGO Endowment Fund. For further information, please call 212-870-2311, ext. 4308, or e-mail gala@agohq.org. F. Anthony Thurman, DMA Director of Development and Communications American Guild of Organists EVENTS CALENDAR FOR MARCH APRIL, 2015 All events are free admission unless otherwise noted. Sunday, March 1, at 3 pm An Afternoon of Jazz with the Tony Thomas Trio Memphis BoyChoir & Memphis GirlChoir, Saint John's Episcopal Church, Central at Greer, Memphis. Sunday, March 1, 5:30 p.m. Organ Recital and Evensong featuring Matthew Bogart, organ Sung by the Calvary Choir; Kristin Lensch, director, featuring music of Wesley, Howells, Caracciolo, Brahms Calvary Episcopal Church, 102 N. Second St., 38103 6

EVENTS, CONTINUED Thursday, March 5, at 7 pm Lenten Choral Evensong The Memphis ChamberChoir, Saint John's Episcopal Church, Central at Greer, Memphis. Sunday, March 8, at 5:30 pm Lenten Choral Evensong The Memphis ChamberChoir, Saint George's Episcopal Church, 2425 So. Germantown Rd., Germantown. Sunday, March 15, 5:30 p.m. Choral Evensong with the Holy Eucharist: Fourth Sunday in Lent Music of Craig Phillips, Thomas Tallis, and Charles Snider Church of the Holy Communion Episcopal, Perkins at Walnut Grove, Memphis. Friday, March 27, 7:30 p.m. Jane Gamble on the Rhodes College Faculty Concert Series, organ music of Elgar, Parry, and Howells. Evergreen Presbyterian Church, 613 University, 38112. 901-843-3775. Sunday, March 29, 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Requiem by John Rutter. Performed by Chancel Choir and Orchestra Germantown Presbyterian Church, 2363 So. Germantown Rd., Germantown. Wednesday, April 1, at 7 pm A Service of Tenebrae during Holy Week Memphis BoyChoir, GirlChoir & ChamberChoir Saint John's Episcopal Church, Central at Greer, Memphis. Friday, April 3, at 5:30 pm A Service of the Cross Lindenwood Chancel Choir, directed by Chris Nemec - music of Mozart, Fauré, Dubois, and others. Lindenwood Christian Church, 2400 Union Ave. at E. Parkway, 901-458-1652, www.lindenwoodcc.com Tuesday, April 21, at 7:30 pm Organ Masterworks Recital Featuring Olivier Latry, Organist Titulaire from Notre Dame in Paris Tickets are available for $20 - doors open at 6:45 pm Saint John's Episcopal Church, Central at Greer, Memphis. Saturday, April 25, 7 p.m. PRIZM Ensemble St. George s Episcopal Church, 2425 So. Germantown Rd., Germantown. Sunday, April 26, 5:30 p.m. Choral Evensong with the Holy Eucharist Fourth Sunday of Easter (Good Shepherd Sunday) Music of Heathcote Statham, Harold W. Friedell, and Arnold Cooke Church of the Holy Communion Episcopal, Perkins at Walnut Grove, Memphis. 7

2014-2015 EXECUTIVE BOARD Elected Officers Dean Dennis Janzer Sub-Dean Carolyn Mason Recording Secretary Jean Jones Registrar Sondra Tucker Treasurer Joe Holloway Members-at-Large Michael Herr, André Duvall, and Robert Klingbeil Appointed Officers Phil Brown, Professional Concerns and Development Jane Gamble, Librarian and Centennial Celebration Martha Israel, Scholarship Kelly Kramer, Education and Summer Recitals Wesley McPeters, Webmaster Vicki Person, Examinations Jean Jones, Publicity The Rev. Nancy O Shea, Chaplain Andrew Duvall, Membership Jane Scharding Smedley, Placement Angela Saunders, Newsletter Editor The next issue of En Chamade will be issued late March. The deadline for that issue is March 20. Email address is iguanamom3@aol.com. Snail mail address is 6091 Elmore Rd., Bartlett, TN 38134. To submit articles, please use text, email* or DOC format whenever possible as these are easily portable into MS-Word, including graphics, special formats and some fonts For PDF files, only the text can be used, which is then sanitized and stripped of all formatting. (I derive no pleasure from this.) When submitting items for the calendar, please include date, time, event, address, phone and web address. Other items which do not directly concern AGO business are submitted to the Executive Committee for approval. ~ Angela G. Saunders, editor. American Guild of Organists, Memphis Chapter P.O. Box 770004, Memphis, TN 38177-0004. http://www.agomemphis.org/ 8