Upcoming NSAGO Events

9am-4pm Register here: https://faithatfirst.webconnex.com/MarkMiller This is the same day as the Rubsam masterclass but AGO folks are invited to attend the afternoon workshops and the evening concert.

7:00pm Concert (donations received support the Reconciling Ministries Network)

POSTPONED TO A LATER DATE.

Organ Concert: Brian Schoettler
Sunday, March 15, 2020, 1:00pm

First United Methodist Church of Evanston
516 Church Street, Evanston, IL 60201

The concert is free and open to the public.

Organ Scholarship Initiative This Summer

We’re holding this program this Summer since it has been so popular and appreciated. We’re looking for Chapter Members to donate three lessons over the Summer as well as Students to participate. Do you have a teacher or student to recommend? There’s a NSAGO Facebook post about it, so help spread the word.

Each student will receive a 1-year free Membership in our Chapter in addition to the lessons. This important educational outreach is available to all ages, although Intermediate piano skills are a “plus”.

Applications for both Teachers and Students can be found on the NorthShore AGO Chapter website: northshoreago.org. Go to “About Us” and scroll to the bottom, “Organ Scholarship Initiative.” By clicking on that, you will find links to the applications.

We already have one teacher and two students. Who will be next?!

Sharon R. Peterson
NSAGO Board Member

Upcoming NSAGO Events

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, our end-of-the-year programming remains in question until we have more of a handle on the situation.

However, Richard Clemmitt, as program chairperson, is working with the board to present an exciting 2020/2021 season for our North Shore Chapter.

Organ Scholarship Initiative 2020 UPDATES

Many changes are needed during these days of COVID-19. Our Organ Scholarship Initiative is no different. We are going to need to postpone this Summer’s program due to the need to socially distance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you are someone who had hoped to teach or study this summer, please contact me directly. I’ll keep you on the list and will be in touch when the NSAGO Board decides to proceed with this initiative.

Though this is regrettable, it is of utmost importance to keep people safe. Why not use some of this imposed “down time” listening to organ and choral music and sharing with friends? Which pieces have helped you cope with this crisis? We look forward to hearing your strategies that would be useful to others.

Sharon R. Peterson
NSAGO Board Member
Speterson1@northpark.edu

Regional Convention 2021 Update

Hope you’re all doing well and finding blessings as well as trials during this ‘hunkering down’ time. I’ve found that one of the unexpected blessings with all of us doing church services online is that we get to see and hear each other regularly, something we normally can’t do!

As you can imagine, the cancelling of the national convention for this summer has taken up a lot of time for the members of the national Committee for Conventions. As a result, we still have no formal response regarding our re-submitted program and budget proposals. I’m assured it will be fairly soon, and when we do, we’ll be meeting as a steering committee (via Zoom, of course), and will report to you all as soon as we have specifics we can share.

Take care, and stay well and safe!

Andrea Handley
Convention Coordinator, 2021 Great Lakes Regional AGO Convention

Upcoming North Shore AGO Events

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, we are very sorry we will have to forego our End of the year potluck dinner in May. Lets hold things lightly, and hope for a chance to still get together when it is safe to do so.

However, Richard Clemmitt, as program chairperson, is working with the board to present an exciting 2020/2021 season for our North Shore Chapter.

Upcoming North Shore AGO Events

Our chapter has been working hard to plan programming for 2020-21 that will be enriching and engaging within the limits of what’s possible and safe. Highlights will include an organ recital in September of Vierne organ works played by Eric Plutz; an organ crawl on Saturday, November 7 jointly sponsored with OHS; and a performance of the Messiaen Livre du Saint Sacrement on Friday evening, February 26 played by Colin Andrews at Madonna della Strada Chapel, jointly sponsored by our chapter, Loyola University, the Chicago Chapter AGO. More information about these and other chapter events for 2020-21 will be coming to you soon!

Upcoming North Shore AGO Events

Our chapter has been working hard to plan programming for 2020-21 that will be enriching and engaging within the limits of what’s possible and safe. We hope you will add these dates to your calendar and make plans to join us for these events.

Richard Clemmitt

North Shore AGO 2020-21 Season Program

Virtual Organ Recital and Welcome
Tuesday, September 15, 2020, 7:30pm

Zoom – Login information to be provided

Join us on Zoom for a half-hour members recital, an opportunity to make some new friends, and a welcome to our incoming board members and officers. For more information, contact Judy Kohl (judygkohl@gmail.com) or Linda Cerabona (lcerabona@usml.edu).

Organ Crawl with the OHS
Saturday, November 7, 2020, 9:00am-3:00pm

Edgebrook and Skokie area churches

We partner with the Organ Historical Society for an in-person, socially distanced visit to Edgebrook and Skokie area churches with interesting pipe organs. These churches will include Queen of All Saints Basilica, Edgebrook Community Church, St. Paul’s Lutheran, and more. Although our preference is for this to be an in-person organ crawl, we plan to provide this event in a virtual format if necessary. For more information, contact Derek Nickels (derek.nickels63@gmail.com) or Susan Klotzbach (susanklotzbach@gmail.com).

Seventh Annual Epiphany Party
Sunday, January 3, 2021, 6:30pm

Either Andrea’s Handley’s home, an alternate location, or Zoom
More information to come as the date approaches

Join us for our seventh annual Epiphany party! We hope to meet at Andrea Handley’s home, as usual, for an evening including appetizers, drinks, dinner, and a program of Christmas and holiday favorites. However, if necessary, we will provide this event in an engaging alternative format. For more information, contact Rich Spantikow (rjspantikow@gmail.com) or Andrea Handley (andrea.handley@gmail.com).

Colin Andrews plays Messiaen
Friday, February 26, 2021, 7:30pm

Madonna della Strada Chapel, Loyola University
1032 W Sheridan Road, Chicago, IL 60660

We partner with the Chicago Chapter AGO and Loyola University to present organist Colin Andrews playing Olivier Messiaen’s monumental Livre du Saint Sacrement. Colin Andrews is one of only four organists in the world to have recorded the complete organ works of Messiaen. For more information, contact Richard Clemmitt (rclemmitt@christchurchwinnetka.org).

Progressive Organ Recital and Annual Banquet
Sunday, May 16, 4:00pm

Arlington Heights area churches

Join us for a progressive organ recital hosted by three Arlington Heights area churches, including First Presbyterian Church and Southminster Presbyterian Church. Celebrate together afterward with a delicious catered dinner at Southminster Presbyterian. For more information, contact Sharon Peterson (speterson1@northpark.edu), Paul Cochran (pcochran48@comcast.net), or Lee Nelson (leeathomevh@aol.com).