Inspired by new board member Menno Scholten, new and returning board members met at his home on Friday night, June 28 to discuss “growing the guild.”
Our treasurer, Jay Peterson, suggested we use the AGO Mission statement to guide our discussion.
- Encourage excellence in the performance of organ and choral music….Let us know of the events you are planning and participating in. Rob Horton suggested we develop an online calendar of events with information submitted by our members.
- Inspire, educate, and offer certification for organists and choral conductors….Many, if not all of our programs have an educational component. Grants may be available to bring organ music into schools and pre-schools.
- Provide networking, fellowship, and mutual support…..Be sure to join your colleagues on Sunday, September 29 at First Presbyterian Church in Lake Forest for a time of food, fellowship, and fun! Invite a friend, member or perhaps a potential member, to come with you.
- Nurture future generations of organists…..Publicize and attend the “Spooktacular” on Friday night, October 25 on an historic organ at Carl Schurz High School in Chicago.
- Promote the organ in its historic and evolving roles….. Invite members of your parish and community to Daryl Robinson’s recital on the historic 1922 E.M. Skinner organ, Opus 327, at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Evanston on Friday night, February 21.
- Engage wider audiences with organ and choral music…..Let’s include handbells! Our dean, Andrea Handley, will lead a “hands on” handbell workshop and concluding concert by the Chicago Bronze, a Chicago-wide community handbell ensemble, on Saturday, April 26. Hymnody expert Royce Eckhardt and longtime member and church musician Lee Nelson are planning a gala hymn sing for the program year’s finale on Monday evening, June 2.
You can help “grow the guild” by your participation in chapter events, inviting friends and potential members to attend with you, and advertising AGO events at your church and in your community.
Happy New Year!
Christine Kraemer and Rob Horton