Dean’s Column | March 2022

Dear Friends,

In my lifetime, I’ve been told to worry about: overpopulation, nuclear war, acid rain, holes in the ozone, an impending food shortage, an impending water shortage, an upcoming ice age, nuclear waste, soil erosion, the death of bumblebees, the collapse of Social Security and a dozen other things. 

So far, the sky hasn’t fallen and today we are facing a much more imminent crisis in the world arena.

Though it isn’t responsible to live in a bubble while real problems are out there, we also have to navigate our own daily life, especially where we can make a difference to those around us. Hopefully, for many of you, a big part of that involves music.

In this newsletter, a new slate of candidates for the North Shore AGO Board is introduced. You will have the opportunity to vote to confirm them next month, but meanwhile, I am thrilled each of these chapter members said yes to the nominating committee chaired by Lee Nelson. Rich Spantikow and Royce Eckhart also served on the committee.

March will be a quiet month for us as a chapter, as we just had a wonderful evening of listening to Colin Andrews play a powerful concert of Olivier Messian’s monumental Livre du Saint Sacrement. You can read more details in Richard Clemmitt’s review.

 Our thoughts and prayers continue for Morgan Simmons as he prepares to celebrate Mary, his partner in music and life for all these wonderful years. Her service will be held on March 26th at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago at 2:00 pm.

Stay safe – on the ice and from anything else that would keep you from doing what you love in life.

Warmly,

Judy Kohl, Dean

Past Overtones

Dean’s Column | November 2025

Snow has fallen and Advent and Christmas will soon be here. Wishing you all a successful holiday season with the added services and concerts that come with it. In the aftermath of it all, we invite you to join us on Tuesday, January 6 at 6:30pm for our annual NSAGO...

Dean’s Column | July 2025

Membership Renewal & New Board Members I hope you’re having a wonderful summer and finding some time to recharge before fall. July 1 is the start date for our newly-elected board members James Russell Brown and Eun Joo Ju. We also extend our gratitude to Derek...

Dean’s Column | March 2025

Our North Shore chapter has been blessed with so many outstanding members throughout the years that have been leaders in church music and exceptional individuals both on and off the bench. It is with a heavy heart that we note the passing of two beloved past-deans of...