Chiff Chat March 2018 Dean s Message: Dear Springfield Chapter AGO Members and Friends: Our next event happens this weekend, Saturday, March 10, and I already hear that there is great interest in this one. It s a handbell workshop called You Are Only as Good as Your Weakest Ringer, hosted by Becky Isaacson at Trinity United Methodist Church, Springfield, and she will also be our instructor. She will also have coffee, tea and good things to eat and drink, and if you know Becky you know it s worth getting there a few minutes early. The March 10 program, which starts at 10 a.m., will happen in the Trinity Church sanctuary in the east transept where the handbell tables are. In addition to some hands-on handbell practice, there will be a performance of handbell duets by me and my duet partner, Donna Dunn. Our April event was hoped to be a concert or member s recital at a church where a historic organ was recently put back into service, but it turns out that there were still issues with the instrument that would have made effective performances difficult so we thought it best to postpone that event. Our last event of the year, therefore, will be our banquet, happening on Saturday, June 2 at 5:30 p.m. The location is chosen but not yet confirmed so there will be more about that in next month s issue. I can tell you, however, that the program will feature musicians and clergy from Old South Church, Boston, where a wonderful jazz service happens every Thursday evening. Saxophonist Willie Sordillo will lead the group in presenting a jazz worship that feels like a theater piece in its intensity and flow. I have attended several of these worship experiences and I can t say enough about them. Just come! Meanwhile, your Board of Directors met recently and talked about how to streamline our governing body. These are times when nearly all of us lack the spare time to go to meetings or to be assigned to making policy decisions when we really want to do some meaningful, hands-on work. The reality is that there are government rules that require organizations like ours to have certain personnel in our case, a dean, secretary and treasurer, at any rate. Jim Barnes and Martha Sienkiewicz do a bang-up job as treasurer and secretary, respectively and, praise be, they are very willing to continue. It has been my pleasure to serve as your Dean for the past two years but I am ready to pass the baton, and we also have one spot on the board to fill. Do you see yourself as Dean or board member material but are afraid of taking on too big a responsibility? Our board has come up with some interesting ideas for lightening the load for everyone, so talk to me and I may be able to allay your fears. I hope to see you on March 10 and/or June 2. I wish you a successful Holy Week, Passover and Easter. Larry 1 Dean: Larry Picard Sub Dean: Becky Rosendahl Isaacson Directors: Karen Banta Joseph DiMarino Karen Ducharme Roberta Morkin Joseph Geehern James Barnes, Treasurer Martha Sienkiewicz, Secretary Rev. William H. Wallis, Chaplain St. Patrick s Day March 17
Come for some Fun! Hand Bell Workshop with Becky Isaacson March 10 th at 10:00 AM Trinity United Methodist Church. 361 Sumner Ave, Springfield treats, drinks, and educational comradery Who could ask for anything more? 2
Greetings from Eugene, Oregon, where applications are now open for the Organ Institute at the Oregon Bach Festival. Please share this email with your colleagues and students, the deadline for auditions is March 21, 2018. The OBF Organ Institute, directed by Grammy-award winning organist Paul Jacobs, offers organists the opportunity to immerse themselves in the masterworks of organ repertoire, and to explore technique and interpretation through specialized seminars, master classes, and performance. The gift of a generous grant from The Reed Foundation provides these talented musicians tuition-free access to the six-day course of master classes and performances, with no cost for room and board. More information, including audition requirements, can be found on our website. Contact us with any questions at obforgan@uoregon.edu. We look forward to seeing you here next summer! Mark Stevens Coordinator for Education and Operations Oregon Bach Festival (541) 346-1320 oregonbachfestival.com 3
The Twenty-Fifth Annual L. CAMERON JOHNSON MEMORIAL ORGAN COMPETITION FOR: l HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS Is scheduled to be held on May 19, 2018 at 11:00 am. -AT- Storrs Congregational Church on the campus of the UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT *************************************** DEADLINE for application is March 16. The rules and application form can be found on the Northeastern Connecticut s Chapter website: 4
Tenebrae with the Cathedral Choir of Boys & Adults with strings will take place on Friday, March 30th, at 7:30 PM in the Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel, Springfield. This service which focuses on the extinguishing of light will feature the famed setting of Miserere Mei, Deus (Have Mercy on Me, O God) of Allegri in both the original and "adorned" versions, and anthems by Scheidt, Tchaikovsky, Mendelssohn and others. In addition to the readings and choral anthems, each segment includes congregational song using well known hymns in special arrangements for the night. For more information please contact the Office of Worship at worship@diospringfield.org or 413-452-0845. 5
FAITH United CHURCH Job Posting Organist/Accompanist United Church of Christ Faith United Church seeks a strong organist to accompany their services and choir during our regular Wednesday Night rehearsal and Sunday morning service. Rehearsals are Wednesday nights from 7-8:30pm. A call of 9am on Sunday mornings for a service of 10am. The music ministry will involve the employee as a spiritual leader, educator and musical leader for this congregation. The employee s concern for counsel to all members of the choir and congregation are to exemplify the Christian spirit of this congregation. As an educator, the employee will work cohesively with the Director of Music Ministries to teach music and explain liturgical concepts. As a musician, the employee will be diligent in preparation and performance, and will cooperate with others to provide and enable the highest musical standard of worship in this congregation. The Accompanist/Organist reports to the Director of Music Ministries. The pay is $200 per week, including two calls per week, rehearsals - Wednesday nights from 7-8:30pm and a call of 9am on Sunday mornings for a service of 10am. 4 Weeks of paid vacation will also be allotted. If interested and or would like to arrange an audition, contact: Eduardo Ortiz, Director of Music Ministries Faith united church 52 Sumner Ave. Springfield, Ma 01108 413-739-4728 eortiz@faithunitedchurch.net 52 Sumner Avenue at Fort Pleasant Springfield, Massachusetts 01108-2381 (413) 739-4728 Fax (413) 746-5175 a church that cares 6
DIRECTOR OF MUSIC St. Mary s Parish Family is searching for a Director of Music/Principal Organist. The primary responsibility of the position is to ensure that the music at St. Mary s Church enhances communal worship in the Holy Mass, and engages the community in full, active, and conscious participation. This is a part-time position (approximately 20 hours per week) reporting to the Pastor and is responsible for developing liturgical music for all Masses, Holy Days, special liturgical celebrations, weddings and funerals. He/she will oversee the church s various music ministers and provide training. He or she will also be responsible for scheduling and hiring of other musicians as needed for special liturgies. He/she will recruit cantors, substitute accompanists, and choir members. The position requires musical proficiency in organ, piano and voice as well as a thorough knowledge of Church liturgical guidelines and norms. A Masters in Music is preferred with 3+ years of experience in a church position. All candidates should have a comprehensive knowledge of the teachings and practices of the Catholic Faith, demonstrate a passion for and love of liturgical music, possess strong written and oral communication skills To apply send a resume, salary history and references to: flawlor@stmsaints.org or mail to Father Frank Lawlor, 30 Bartlett Street, Westfield, MA. Deadline for applications is April 15, 2018 or until position is filled. *** Thank you! Please note, there is an historic 1897 Casavant Organ installed and rebuilt by Czelusniak et Dugal in 2008. ******************************************************************************************* First Church of Monson MA seeks a Director of Music Ministry. This part-time position will be available in September, 2018. Responsibilities include playing for one Sunday service, directing one adult choir, leading a Thursday evening rehearsal, and coordinating the music program of the church with the liturgical year. The instruments available are a three manual 1891 Johnson pipe organ as well as a Yamaha grand piano. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. Send resume or inquiries by April 15, 2018, to Mary Newland menewland@yahoo.com or contact her at 413 267 3219. 7
Springfield, Massachusetts Chapter of the American Guild of Organists 70th Anniversary Visit our website at www.springfieldago.org & like us on Facebook! Dear Members: If you have e-mail, please consider receiving the monthly Chiff Chat at your e-mail address. It is easy to access. It never gets lost or misplaced and will put some of your yearly dues to another use. We are very happy to mail a Chiff Chat to anyone who is not on the internet and needs a hard copy. You can e-mail Lad Pfeifer or Elizabeth Zellmer if you wish to change from snail mail to e-mail. Thank you. Springfield Chapter American Guild of Organists Chiff Chat Monthly Newsletter Elizabeth Zellmer, Editor 601 Northampton Street Holyoke, MA 01040 8