A Very Happy New Year to Everyone!
Goodbye to 2023 – Welcome to 2024
A look back to Chapter events in 2023:
Indeed the North Shore Chapter AGO had a very busy and exciting year!
January – the Chapter met at the home of Andrea and David Handley for the Annual Epiphany Party! As usual there was a good attendance along with and incredible amount of exotic food followed by the wonderful music of the Season! Just a great time of gathering of musicians and friends!
February – members of the Chapter and friends gathered at St. David’s Episcopal Church in Glenview for a Members’ Recital featuring music of the Epiphany Season. Thanks to Rich Spantikow for arranging this event and hosting the event at St. David’s!
May – members of the Chapter and friends gathered at the Country Club in Glenview for the Chapter’s Annual Banquet! A great evening of fine dining and conversation.
June – this June was so very unique in that the Chapter hosted over 300 organists and friends of the organ in sponsoring the Great Lakes Regional Convention of the AGO based in Evanston and the North Shore area! There was a stunning array of incredible talented organists who presented outstanding recitals along with a fine talent of persons who presented unique workshops along with several special worship services. This was a great time to hear the best summer of music and for organists to rekindle friendships. Many of those members of the National Council of the AGO have constantly remarked that this Great Lakes Regional Convention was probably the most outstanding convention of all of the several Regional conventions. Kudos are in order to Andrea Handley, the Convention Coordinator and the several Chapter members who chaired the many necessary committees to handle the convention.
September – Dr. Philip Kloeckner was invited to repeat the workshop that he presented at the Regional convention regarding AGO Exams and in this case specifically focusing on improvisation and hymn transpositions in the fine art of hymn playing. This event was held at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Park Ridge and was followed by a reception focusing on new Chapter members.
November – the North Shore Chapter AGO joined forces with the Chicago-Midwest Chapter of the OHS for a combined tour of four unique organs in the Evanston/Wilmette area. Churches and organs visited were Vail Chapel, Garrett Seminary Chapel, St. Athanasius Church and the First Presbyterian Church of Wilmette.
A Look to Chapter Events 2024:
January 7th, 6:00pm – North Shore Chapter AGO Annual Epiphany Party at the home of Andrea and David Handley, 516 Greenwood Avenue in Evanston. A gathering of organists and friends for an evening of friendships, drinks, food, desserts and musical entertainment. All are welcome!
Yes – it is not too late to sign up to attend this event! Please sign up with filling out the email form sent to all members recently! Hope to see you there!!!
February 11th – 3:00pm – Members’ Recital featuring the music of the Epiphany and Transfiguration Season at Winnetka Covenant Church, 1200 Hibbard Road, Winnetka. Members Bridget de la Pena, Michael Gagne, Robert McConnell, Ethan Mellema and Matthew Doran will be the recitalists.
April 21st – 3:00pm – David Schrader will do a reprise of the workshop that he presented at the Great Lakes Regional Convention on the Art of Continuo Playing. This workshop will be held at The First United Methodist Church of Evanston and featuring their rather new continuo organ.
May 19th – North Shore Chapter AGO Annual Banquet – location and time to be announced at a later date!