Dean’s Column | April 2022

Dear Friends,

In Harvard Business School professor Arthur Brooks’ new book, From Strength to Strength, he suggests that we need three things to be happy: faith, friends and meaningful work. In light of that, I couldn’t help notice what Ukraine’s President Zelensky said during a recent press conference.  In replying to a question about how he was doing, he said, “My life today is wonderful. I believe that I am needed. That’s the most important sense of life: that you are needed—that you are not just an emptiness that breathes and walks and eats something.” By the way, one of the ways to right size your first world problems is to serve others. 

I have a sense that this is how most of you in our chapter spend a good part of your days. Not only are we called to minister to others in a profound and powerful way, but in turn, we are blessed by how this feeds our soul and brings meaning and happiness. It is one of those mysteries of life that I love.

Life is fragile. We see it on the news and we experience it personally in our own lives and recently in our chapter. May you fill each day with things that bring your life happiness, meaning, and a growing faith, all the while being surrounded by those you dearly love.

Warmly,

Judy Kohl, Dean

Past Overtones

Dean’s Column | May 2026

Passing the Baton This is the final Overtones newsletter of my 2-year term as Dean. I want to thank all of the board members who I’ve served with for their time, dedication, and energy in support of organ music here on the North Shore. I especially want to thank...

Dean’s Column | March 2026

A Christmas Carol February 28, 2026 marked one year since the passing of long-time member and former NSAGO Dean Morgan Simmons. I hope that many of you are already acquainted with his “Prelude on Christmas Carol” published by MorningStar...

Dean’s Column | January 2026

Join us on February 1 for our next chapter event at Nichols Concert Hall in Evanston: our NSAGO Members’ Recital on February 1 at 3:00pm in observance of Black History Month. Our Sub-Dean Marianne Kim is coordinating this program and performers include Bridget de la...