Andrea Handley
The following is the Mission Statement found on the national website of the American Guild of Organists:
The mission of the American Guild of Organists is to enrich lives through organ and choral music. To achieve this, we:
- Encourage excellence in the performance of organ and choral music;
- Inspire, educate, and offer certification for organists and choral conductors;
- Provide networking, fellowship, and mutual support;
- Nurture future generations of organists;
- Promote the organ in its historic and evolving roles; and
- Engage wider audiences with organ and choral music.
The leadership of your North Shore chapter of the AGO is committed to programming that fulfills this mission statement. This year, we feel we have a well-rounded array of programs that support each bullet point in this mission statement. In September, we will gather for ‘fellowship and mutual support’ to be ‘inspired and educated’ with regard to new music for organ and instruments, hymn playing and improvisation, led by Dr. Elizabeth Naegele. In November we will ‘nurture future generations of organists’ in a morning workshop, observing the teaching of several young budding organists by Margaret Kemper. In January, we will ‘fellowship and network’ at our second annual Epiphany party! In February, we will revisit the professional concern of clergy/organist relationships, and become ‘inspired and educated’ with regard to this very crucial relationship. In April, we will ‘promote the organ in its historic role’, ‘encourage excellence in the performance of organ music’, and ‘engage wider audiences with organ music’ through a 3-day conclave celebrating several historic EM Skinner organs in our area. And in May, we will close our year with ‘fellowship’ at a banquet, followed by a recital in which we will ‘mutually support’ each other, and ‘encourage excellence in the performance of organ music’, with a members’ recital.
Please come join us on September 26, and commit to attending as many programs as possible this coming season!
Andrea Handley, Dean