Dean – Bob Woodwoorth
Robert E. Woodworth Jr. – while pursuing a degree in architectural engineering at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, Mr. Woodworth studied organ with Paul Pettinga (a long-time student of Marcel Dupre). Continued study of the organ later was with Gladys Christensen, AAGO, at Wheaton College. For many years Mr. Woodworth combined musical and architectural careers as Organist/Choirmaster for Lutheran churches in Chicago while working with the Department of Public Works and the Department of Aviation for the City of Chicago. Most recently he served as the Chief Architect for the then three airports within the Chicago Airport System. Mr. Woodworth has performed numerous recitals in the Chicago metropolitan area, Central Illinois and Iowa. Having served as President of the Chicago-Midwest Chapter of the Organ Historical Society, Dean of the Chicago Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, he is currently on the Board of the North Shore Chapter AGO and serving as a freelance organist in the Chicago metropolitan area.
Sub-Dean – Rich Spantikow
Richard Spantikow is the Minister of Music at St. David’s Episcopal church in Glenview, a position he’s held since 2017. He directs the parish’s choirs and also serves as organist. Prior to St. David’s; Richard has served churches in Streamwood, Arlington Heights, Western Springs, West Dundee, Elgin, and Evanston. He has also performed recitals around the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago. Richard has been on the board of NSAGO since 2018 and has served as the chapter’s Registrar/Membership Coordinator. He has also served as Registrar/Membership Coordinator of the Northwest Suburban Chapter until they merged with the Fox Valley chapter, many moons ago.
Secretary – Brigid de la Peña
Bridget de la Peña considers herself to be an amateur organist – both in the sense that she plays due to her love of the instrument and that she does not earn her (much of) her livelihood as a musician. Professionally, Bridget works in Catholic education; she is currently an administrator and previously served as a teacher. She teaches piano lessons, occasionally works as a substitute organist, and volunteers in several church choirs. Bridget graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Arts in music and a minor in the Catholic social tradition. She also has earned a Master of Science in Education and Social Policy from Northwestern University and Doctorate of Education in Urban Education Leadership from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Treasurer – Beau Surratt
Beau Surratt has served as a church organist since age 14, having served most recently as Director of Worship and Music at Trinity Lutheran Church in Evanston. His favorite part of being an organist is exploring the varied tone colors of any instrument he plays- from the smallest to the largest. Beau lives in north Evanston with his husband Steve and cat Magellan, and if he isn’t thinking about all things pipe organ you’ll probably find him planning his next Disney trip or writing with one of the fountain pens from his collection.
Term Ending 2024
Evan Duval
Evan originally relocated to the North Shore in February 2009. He studied music as an undergraduate with a concentration in piano performance, while majoring in English. After college, Evan studied organ privately with Sarah Martin at Georgia State University in Atlanta, and subsequently at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. After relocating to Deerfield, Evan studied organ at the Music Institute of Chicago from January 2010 through 2016. Evan is a member of the North Shore and Chicago chapters of the American Guild of Organists and previously filled 2 vacancy positions on the NSAGO board, beginning in the fall of 2015; during his tenure on the board, Evan coordinated major artist recitals featuring Vincent Dubois, Janette Fishell and Marie Rubis Bauer. Evan serves as director of music and organist for Trinity UCC in Deerfield.
Christopher Urban
Christopher Urban is Associate Director of Music and Organist at First Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights. At First Pres, he leads the weekly worship services from the organ and serves as accompanist for the Chancel Choir, Chambers Singers and Men’s Chorus. Chris is also a featured recitalist in the church’s “Wednesday at Noon” concert series and is a frequent recitalist at churches in the Chicago-land area. A native of Pittsburgh, PA he attended Indiana University, Bloomington, IN and received a degree in political science and economics.
Term Ending 2025
Derek E. Nickels
Derek E. Nickels is Director of Music at Church of the Holy Comforter (Episcopal), in Kenilworth, IL, and has performed recitals across the United States. He holds Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music degrees in organ performance from Arizona State University and a Bachelor of Music degree from Southern Methodist University where his teachers included Robert Anderson, Guy Bovet, Robert Clark, John Metz, and Larry Palmer. He has been a featured recitalist at several National Conventions of the Organ Historical Society as well as appearances with Ars Musica Chicago, Early Music Chicago, and the Phoenix Bach and Madrigal Society. He has performed recitals at St. Thomas Church Fifth Avenue and the Church of St. Mary the Virgin in New York City, the Cathedral of St. Philip in Atlanta, St. Paul’s Cathedral in San Diego, the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in San Francisco, Washington National Cathedral and National City Christian Church in Washington, D.C., and Holy Name Cathedral, Fourth Presbyterian Church, and Loyola University’s Madonna della Strada Chapel in Chicago. Dr. Nickels taught at Arizona State University, and has served as Organist-Director of Music at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Phoenix, Organist at University of Chicago’s Rockefeller Memorial Chapel, and Associate Organist at St. James Episcopal Cathedral in Chicago. He serves on the board of the North Shore Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.
Pat Radosavljevic
I started playing for church in 5th grade and have been playing every Sunday since. I received a Bachelor’s in Organ/Church Music from the American Conservatory of Music under Dr. Robert Lodine. I’ve been organist/choir director at Carter-Westminster Presbyterian church in Skokie since 1982. During my time as music director, we installed an Austin pipe organ and purchased a Mason and Hamlin grand piano. I created an annual Christmas concert that has continued for 22 years (until the pandemic put it on hold), presenting Christmas anthems, sing-alongs and Messiah Part I with chamber orchestra and soloists from the Ryan Opera Center. I am married to George, who received his Master’s in piano at DePaul under Dmitry Paperno. I enjoy listening to George practice whether it’s solo, chamber music or an orchestral part. Our son, Leo, graduated from Juilliard with a Master’s in opera. He is currently singing professionally in the area and around the country. We have great fun at home doing 4 hand and 6 hand music. Our home is always filled with music! As a certified technician, I have worked in ophthalmology since 1985 in glaucoma and retina. I am currently working as a scribe/assistant to Dr. Tamara Fountain, an oculoplastic surgeon and President of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.