Recent Event Reviews
The North Shore Chapter of the American Guild of Organists holds or sponsors many events throughout the year. Check this page frequently for reviews of our most recent event. For our archive of reviews of past events, click here.
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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....
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...
February 2016
Pastor and Musician: Teammates in Shared Ministry
It has been observed that clergy and musician may be the most crucial leadership and pastoral team within the life of the church. At the heart of their work is the creation and implementation of worship services that are fresh, inspirational, historically rooted and...
Second Annual Epiphany Party Warm Fun!!
On a frosty January Sunday evening members of the North Shore AGO gathered at the home of Dean Andrea Handley. Andrea’s amazing holiday décor and cozy fireplace provided the perfect setting for our annual Epiphany party. We enjoyed wonderful food, warm conversation...