https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jg5wPkH8vdc “Celebrating American Guild of Organists 125th Anniversary Past and Present” on Sunday afternoon, November 14 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Wilmette was a remarkably successful and inspiring event! A short video by...
Wolfgang Rübsam Masterclass
The North Shore Chapter of the American Guild of Organists presented internationally acclaimed organist and recording artist Wolfgang Rübsam in a masterclass on Saturday, March 7, 2020 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Evanston, IL. Marianne Kim, and recent graduate...
Young Artist Recital Review
June 2019
NSAGO Young Artist Recital – Glenview Community Church – Sunday, April 28, 2019 Young Artist Recital encourages, dazzles, and charms! Last year, 2017-2018, the North Shore Chapter focused on celebrating its 60th birthday, culminating in a special banquet and program...
July 2018
The Finale of Our 60th Anniversary Season
On Sunday, April 29, nearly 200 AGO members and guests gathered at 4pm at the First Presbyterian Church of Evanston, IL for a recital by six deans, current and former, of the North Shore Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. This included Peggy Massello, David...
January 2018
Fourth Annual Epiphany Party
On Friday evening, January 5, Dean Andrea Handley hosted the festive Annual Epiphany Party at her home, once again. It was a delightful evening of fellowship, absolutely delicious food, fun, and music. Andrea & Sharon (Peterson), as usual, played a 4-hand version...
July 2017
Closing Members Recital and Gala Reception – a Gift of Rarely Heard Compositions
On June 5, the North Shore Chapter AGO closed the 2016-2017 season with an exciting Members Recital and Gala Champagne Reception at St. Giles Episcopal Church in Northbrook, featuring various composers writing of music in the time of “War and Peace”. An array of...
January 2017
Epiphany Party Thumbs Up!
A review of last Friday's third annual Epiphany party....in verse! The party at Andrea's was surely a blast. The food was perfect and the drinks did last. We had conversations with friends old and new, And we played some games that were fun, too. So, if you missed...
July 2016
Report on National Convention in Houston
On Friday, June 18, I was privileged to attend the competition in Houston preliminary to the National Convention of AGO and honored to have one of my compositions, "Reflections for Oboe and Organ", played as a required piece by all five of the finalists. I must say...
Recent Event Review: Eric Plutz Plays Vierne
On October 8th organist Eric Plutz presented an all-Vierne concert at First United Methodist Church in Evanston, Illinois. The concert, held on Vierne’s 151st birthday, included symphonies 2 and 6 as well as two of the “Pièces de Fantaisie,” Op. 53. Plutz prepared...
Recent Event Review: AGO Meeting September 2019
On a dark and rainy Sunday afternoon (It was a dark and stormy night…..) 30 North Shore members and friends gathered at Christ Church in Winnetka for fellowship and music sharing. We enjoyed delicious cookies, cheese and crackers and punch provided so ably by Eileen...
February 2019 – From Pasi to Pasi: Marie Rubis Bauer Organ Recital
Last Friday and Saturday, February 22 and 23, the North Shore and Chicago Chapters of the American Guild of Organists sponsored Marie Rubis Bauer in an organ recital and masterclass at Winnetka Congregational Church in Winnetka, Illinois on the 2008 Martin Pasi...
NSAGO 60th Anniversary history presentation
Click here to see the 60th anniversary celebration video.
December 2017
Fishell Concert a Perfect Tribute to Richard Enright
On Friday evening, November 10, the North Shore Chapter continued celebrating its 60th anniversary season with a recital honoring the life of one of its founding members, Richard Gordon Enright (1923-2016), who was also Professor Emeritus of Church Music and Organ, at...
June 2017
Shout for Joy! A Review of our April 30 Hymn Festival
Winnetka Congregational Church was the light-filled setting for North Shore Chapter's Hymn festival on Sunday afternoon, April 30. About 50 members and friends gathered for "This Joyful Eastertide," led by organist David Cherwien and poet Susan Palo Cherwien. Before...
December 2016
November 12 Workshop on Creative Hymn Playing and Adapting Piano Accompaniments for the Organ
Saturday, November 12, 2016, four presenters cooperated on two workshops: "Creative Hymn Playing & Adapting Piano Music for the Organ." This event, hosted by Chris Urban and First Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights, IL, was taught by Organists Andrea...
June 2016
Closing Member Recital and Banquet – a Celebration of Pentecost and Trinity Music
The North Shore AGO Chapter held its annual banquet and member recital at Trinity United Methodist Church in Wilmette on Sunday, May 22nd. The organ, a 2001 Reuters with 63 ranks, was moved to the center of the altar space, giving us all a great view of the artists....
Recent Events: Potluck Picnic on Sept. 4th, Labor Day Weekend
If you missed this wonderful gathering of friends, maybe you can join your chapter members next year at the picnic. Even the rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of the participants.
End of Year Picnic
Amazingly, the rain held off for our end of the year potluck picnic on Saturday, June 1st. Who needs a formal program when we have a table full of wonderful “potluck dishes” and warm conversations among friends. [gallery order="DESC" link="file" size="medium"...
October 2018
Hymn Festival Review
Royce Eckhardt, hymnal editor and historian, presented a hymn festival on September 16 titled “Let All the World in Every Corner Sing!” Held at Winnetka Covenant Church in Wilmette, Illinois, the hymn festival focused on global hymnody and utilized a variety of...
March 2018
The Organ Then and Now – A Lively Discussion of the Past, Present and Future
A delightful wine and cheese reception opened the special evening of presentations by panelists: Jeff Weiler, President of JL Weiler, Inc. a firm specializing in historically -informed pipe organ restoration, Chicago, IL; Margaret McElwain Kemper, Adjunct Associate...
October 2017
A Wonderful Beginning to Our Anniversary Season
The North Shore Chapter began the celebration of our 60th anniversary year on September 24th with a special service and installation of officers and board members entitled Through the Ages: A Service of Celebration Honoring the North Shore Chapter's Heritage. It was...
February 18 Inside the Organ Event Very Informative and Interesting!
On Saturday, February 18, 2017, Barry Wenger welcomed members and friends to the organ loft of First Presbyterian Church in Lake Forest for a presentation on organ building and maintenance. Kurt Roderer, retired organ builder, and Steve Hoover, of Berghaus Organ...
November 2016
Dubois’ Dazzling Performance
On Friday evening, October 7, the North Shore Chapter continued celebrating the 150th anniversary of the birth of organ builder Ernest M. Skinner with a dazzling recital by Vincent Dubois, the newest of three titular organists at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. To...
May 2016
April Spring Conclave on Ernest Skinner a Fantastic Program
Celebrating Organ Builder Ernest M. Skinner (1866-1960) This year, 2016, marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of organ builder Ernest M. Skinner. The Diapason magazine, Joyce Robinson, editor and Stephen Schnurr, editor-at-large, sponsored a “Sesquicentennial...