North Shore Chapter AGO 2024 Election
Dean Candidate – Brian Schoettler
Brian Schoettler serves as Minister of Music & Organist at First United Methodist Church in
Evanston, Illinois and as chair of the Organ Department at the Music Institute of Chicago. He earned his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Organ Performance and Literature at the Eastman School of Music, his Master of Music degree in Organ Performance and Composition at Westminster Choir College, and his bachelor’s degree in Organ Performance, Church Music, and Instrumental Music Education at Carthage College. He studied organ with Edoardo Bellotti, Michael Burkhardt, Ken Cowan, David Higgs, Richard Hoskins, and Alan Morrison and composition with Benjamin C.S. Boyle. Recently, Brian has been a guest performer with the Artemis Chamber Orchestra, the Elmhurst Symphony, and the Milwaukee Symphony.
Brian has been featured on American Public Media’s radio program “Pipedreams,” on the Notre Dame Children’s Choir’s CD “O Day of Peace,” and in a video showcase of Austin’s Op. 319 produced by the Organ Media Foundation. Brian has participated in summer composition programs at Yale’s Institute of Sacred Music and with the European American Musical Alliance at the Schola Cantorum in Paris and his compositions have been performed throughout the United States. Brian is a member of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians (ALCM) and the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) and serves as a board member of the North Shore chapter of the American Guild of Organists (AGO).
Sub-Dean Candidate – Marianne Kim
Marianne Kim, a versatile musician based in Chicago, is renowned for her dynamic performances and compositions that span a wide range of musical genres, including classical, jazz, Broadway, R&B, gospel, and both traditional and contemporary church music.
As a soloist and collaborative artist, Marianne takes pleasure in delivering impressive piano and organ recitals, engaging in chamber music, and exploring the world of jazz. Notably, she served as both a classical pianist and rhythm section keyboardist for the Lakeside Singers under the direction of Robert Bowker from 2005 to 2022 and is currently a faculty of Northern Illinois University and North Park University, and a principal organist for Christ Church of Oak Brook, IL.
A prolific composer, Marianne has published over 400 titles through esteemed publishing houses such as Lorenz Publishing, Hope Publishing, Augsburg Fortress, Shawnee Press/Hal Leonard, Concordia Publishing, GIA Publications, Yesol Press, and J&A Music.
For more detailed information about Marianne Kim, please visit www.mariannekimmusic.com.
Secretary Candidate – James Jannossy
James Janossy is the organist at The Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii in Chicago. He has served as a school orchestra director in the Evanston Public Schools for 23 years. His degrees are in Music Education (Northwestern) and Double Bass Performance (University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign). He has studied organ with Cathryn Wilkinson and Margaret Kemper, and currently studies with Brian Shoettler. He has the AGO Service Playing Certificate. He has also earned certificates in Nonprofit Management (UIC) and Instructional Leadership (Harvard, Graduate School of Education). He is currently working on an MA in School Leadership (Concordia, River Forest). James enjoys singing baritone and has participated in several tours with the RSCM-America National Choir. He is currently serving as Secretary of the North Shore Chapter of AGO.
Treasurer Candidate – Chris 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 and Men’s Chorus and directs the Youth Handbell Choir. Chris is also a featured recitalist in the church’s “Wednesdays @ 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.
Board Member Candidates
Vote for Three Board Members to serve term 2024-2027
Richard Clemmitt
Richard Clemmitt is the Organist and Choirmaster of Christ Church, Winnetka, where he manages an RSCM music program for children, teenagers, and adults. Working together with Organ Associate Todd Gresick, Richard and the Christ Church Choir not only provide music for services at home but also tour yearly, both in the United States and the United Kingdom. Richard previously has served on the North Shore AGO Board, including four years as Sub-Dean. He was transportation coordinator for the recent AGO regional convention hosted by our chapter. Richard earned his BMus in organ performance from New England Conservatory as a pupil of Yuko Hayashi and his MMus in choral conducting from Westminster Choir College as a pupil of Joseph Flummerfelt. In addition to playing and conducting, Richard enjoys composing, His music has been published by Augsburg, GIA, Hope, and H.T. FitzSimons. He and his wife, Elizabeth, a musician and spiritual director, live in Wilmette. They have two grown sons, Ethan and Adam.
Michael Gagne
Michael Gagne has been a member of the North Shore Chapter since 2004. He was introduced to the AGO through one of his mentors, Dr. Marcia van Oyen (AAGO). Marcia was very influential in Michael obtaining the Service Playing Certificate in 2003. In the summer of 2023 he passed the requirements for the Colleague exam which he owes to his former mentor Leon Nelson who introduced the organ music repertoire to him as an undergraduate at North Park University. Michael graduated in May of 2012 from North Park University with a BA degree in Music with emphasis in worship and organ music. He was instrumental in developing the annual “Hymn Festival Series” that continues to this day at North Park. His previous organ instructors were Dr. Marilyn Kay Stulken, Dr. Marcia van Oyen and Dr. David Christiansen.
Michael is entering his 10th year serving as the Organist and Music Associate at Saint Matthew Lutheran Church in Hawthorn Woods. He will begin in July under a unanimous vote by the congregation, as the Full-Time Director of Classic Music & Organist at Saint Matthew’s. He is the accompanist for the Chancel Choir, Chamber Choir, Glory Singers, youth music, instrumentalists and a ringer in the handbell choir. This summer will mark Michael’s 20th year serving as a professional church musician.