Overtones
The monthly e-newsletter of the North Shore Chapter AGO
Dean’s Column | March 2025
Our North Shore chapter has been blessed with so many outstanding members throughout the years that have been leaders in church music and exceptional individuals both on and off the bench. It is with a heavy heart that we note the passing of two beloved past-deans of our North Shore Chapter: Dr. Morgan Simmons and Dr. Lorainne Brugh.
Morgan Simmons died on February 28 and was active into his final years. He served as our North Shore dean 1966-1967 and 1970-1972. As we remember his life, we share a few links including his own story of his life titled “A Goodly Heritage” from past issues of our Overtones newsletter. We also share a recent remembrance on March 2nd and a 2023 Morgan Simmons Memorial Concert from Fourth Presbyterian Church where Morgan served as Organist and Choirmaster 1968-1996.
Morgan at the opening worship service of the 2023 Great Lakes Regional Convention in Evanston at First Methodist where Morgan served 1963-1968. Morgan is pictured alongside fellow First Methodist musicians Brian Schoettler and Jerry Jelsema.
A Goodly Heritage Part I:
https://northshoreago.org/2020/06/guest-essay-a-goodly-heritage-by-morgan-simmons/
A Goodly Heritage Part II:
https://northshoreago.org/2020/06/a-goodly-heritage-part-ii/
March 2nd Tribute:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQWOnfsNUG0&t=2785s
Morgan Simmons Memorial Concert:
https://www.youtube.com/live/9us4mxi60Rg?si=D_CYw2Y0GBWMEZF9&t=369
Lorraine Brugh died on January 25 and her memorial service was held on February 22 in Scottsdale, AZ. Lorainne studied at Northwestern University, taught at Valparaiso University, and served as our North Shore dean 1991-1993. You can view the program from her memorial (which includes her obituary) here: https://alcm.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Memorial-service-Brugh-Lorraine-2-22-25-FINAL.pdf
Despite our loss, we gather this Sunday afternoon in Arlington Heights to join as a chapter to celebrate women composers and women organists. Be sure to join us March 9 at 4:00pm at First Presbyterian Church in Arlington Heights when North Shore chapter members present a program in observance of Woman Composer Sunday – the same weekend as International Women’s Day. Our organists include Meg Cutting, Marianne Kim, Christine Kraemer, Hyunah Lee, Sharon Peterson and our featured woman composers are Marilyn Biery, Jeanne Demessieux, Marianne Kim, Fanny Mendelssohn, Shirley Munger, Florence Price, Elizabeth Stirling, and Rebecca te Velde.
Lorraine Brugh is pictured here alongside Joyce Robinson at our NSAGO 40th anniversary celebration in 1998.
Despite our loss, we gather this Sunday afternoon in Arlington Heights to join as a chapter to celebrate women composers and women organists. Be sure to join us March 9 at 4:00pm at First Presbyterian Church in Arlington Heights when North Shore chapter members present a program in observance of Woman Composer Sunday – the same weekend as International Women’s Day. Our organists include Meg Cutting, Marianne Kim, Christine Kraemer, Hyunah Lee, Sharon Peterson and our featured woman composers are Marilyn Biery, Jeanne Demessieux, Marianne Kim, Fanny Mendelssohn, Shirley Munger, Florence Price, Elizabeth Stirling, and Rebecca te Velde.
| Make a donation to support our chapter: https://northshoreago.org/donate/ Submit an event: https://northshoreago.org/submit-an-event/ Post or search for a local position: https://northshoreago.org/for-members/job-listings/ Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/northshoreago Brian Schoettler, DMA Dean, North Shore Chapter of the American Guild of Organists dean@northshoreago.org |
Upcoming NSAGO Events
Despite our loss, we gather this Sunday afternoon in Arlington Heights to join as a chapter to celebrate women composers and women organists. Be sure to join us March 9 at 4:00pm at First Presbyterian Church in Arlington Heights when North Shore chapter members present a program in observance of Woman Composer Sunday – the same weekend as International Women’s Day. Our organists include Meg Cutting, Marianne Kim, Christine Kraemer, Hyunah Lee, Sharon Peterson and our featured woman composers are Marilyn Biery, Jeanne Demessieux, Marianne Kim, Fanny Mendelssohn, Shirley Munger, Florence Price, Elizabeth Stirling, and Rebecca te Velde.
Looking ahead, be sure to save the date for our upcoming chapter events:
May 18 – 4pm
Tom Trenney Hymn Festival & 6pm Chapter Banquet
Details for NSAGO and community events can be found on the Events page of our website.
Organ Scholarship Updates
Applications are due April 1, 2025 for NSAGO Scholarships. The North Shore AGO scholarships for beginning and continuing organ students who study with a teacher who is a member of the North Shore chapter. One or two awards of $250.00 will be made each year and are to be used for expenses related to organ study (i.e. tuition, music, organ shoes).
For complete details, visit: https://northshoreago.org/scholarships/
Dr. Mary Beth Molenaar
NSAGO Scholarship Chair
m-molenaar@northwestern.edu
Upcoming Events
Organ Concert – SEGNER
April 26 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pmA Gift of Music
April 27 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pmTom Trenney Hymn Festival
May 18 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm