Newsletter of the Wichita Chapter of the American Guild of Organists Volume 61, Issue No. 1 September 2014 Inside this issue: • Program year Kick-off Event, p. 1 • Message from Debbie Lynch, p. 2 • Special Board Meeting Report, p. 2 • Message from the Dean, p. 2 • Program Year Overview, p. 3 • Highlights for the Year, p. 3 • Choral Evensong, p. 4 • Upcoming Events, p. 4 Chapter Officers 2014-2015 Dean/Program Chair: Christopher Shaw Secretary: Carolyn Chambers Treasurer: Gary Huffman Class of 2015: Lynne Davis Kathleen Fehrmann, SPC Class of 2016: Nickolas Carlson Jim Jones Class of 2017: Marlene Hallstrom Brett Valliant [Date] Program Kick-off Event a Success! Chapter members and friends met at the Church of the Brethren on Sunday, September 7th, 4:30 pm. The evening began with the Scholarship Library in its new location. All of the music from the files were pulled out for members to purchase. While looking at music, the fellowship began. There were lots of hugs and greetings given as members arrived to look through the many stacks of music. After visiting and looking at music, the crowd joined in fellowship hall. Marlene Hallstrom shared about changes at the national level and Lynne Davis spoke of highlights at the Boston 2014 Convention. Debbie and Chris updated those who were present about the changes on our local board. A Potluck Meal was enjoyed by all, followed by a glance at the Program Year given by Chris. Ken Rodgers presented our program for the evening through humor and great information. He reminded us how we can make a small organ not seem so limited by realizing what we do have. Carolyn Chambers graciously hosted the event and did an outstanding job coordinating the details of the event. 1 From Debbie Lynch August 27, 2014 Dear Wichita AGO Members, It is with regret that I must inform you of my need to resign as the Dean of the Wichita Chapter AGO for the 2014-2015 year. Yesterday evening, at an emergency meeting of the Executive Committee, my resignation was accepted and we discussed the options available to proceed for the remainder this year. I am very pleased to report that Chris Shaw will assume the role of Dean of the Wichita AGO chapter. I am confident he will do a wonderful job! My husband, David, has received a call to be the Rector at St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church in the Village of Loch Lloyd, Missouri. We will be moving from Wichita to Raymore, Missouri (south of Kansas City) in mid-September. When I agreed earlier this year to serve as Dean, it was with the understanding that there was a good chance we would be moving from Wichita as soon as David received a call. I’m sorry to be leaving just as the new program year is beginning, but I feel confident about the plans and leadership that are already in place; for this year’s fine monthly programs and for the POE next summer. I’ve truly enjoyed getting to know each of you and appreciate the new friendships that have been formed in Wichita. For the past two years I have remained on the 2018 National Convention Committee with the Greater Kansas City AGO chapter and know that they will immediately put me to work there as soon as I’m back in the area! Thank you for your confidence in me to be your leader for a short time, and mostly for your friendship. Sincerely, Debbie Lynch From the Executive Committee On Tuesday, August 26, 2014, the Executive Committee gathered in a Special Meeting to discuss the Dean position vacancy. Debbie Lynch had informed the committee earlier in the month that she would have to resign from the committee as Dean. Debbie had accepted the position with the understanding that she may have to move during her term, as her husband David was looking for a parish to serve, and that prayer was answered. The committee accepted her resignation and applauded her for her work as Dean and as a member of the Wichita Chapter AGO for the past few years. After a review of the Operating Procedures, the committee moved to appoint Sub-Dean Chris Shaw as the Dean for the remaining term. Chris accepted and the committee voted unanimously. From the New Dean The past several years on the Executive Committee has introduced me to some wonderful people – the Wichita Chapter AGO. I’ve been able to be premiere a work to honor Irene Shaw, help plan many events, and collaborate with other members to create the 2014-15 Program Year as I began this term as the Sub-Dean. I spent many hours with Debbie Lynch and Carrol Hassman to create a calendar of events that I’m very excited about, and now I have the opportunity to lead us through! I’m excited for David and Debbie Lynch as they begin to serve the Village of Loch Lloyd, Missouri. I want to thank Debbie for her leadership, though it may be the shortest term as Dean on record, and support as I have worked on the program year and now as I’ve switched to the role as Dean. The Executive Committee has showed great support as we make this transition and rearrange responsibilities. Over the next year, I encourage you to continue to share you support of the Wichita Chapter AGO by attending events and inviting friends to come with you. This will be a great year to celebrate our many talents through our chapter events and our Wichita Chapter Pipe Organ Encounter in 2015! 2 2 Highlights of the 20142015 Program Year Our Exciting Program Year! OCTOBER 5th, 5:30 PM Choral Evensong, Trinity Choir East Heights United Methodist Church, 4407 E Douglas Ave, Wichita O ur 61st program year looks to be filled with wonderful organ and choral events that will interest us all. The Wichita Chapter of the AGO consists of many talented and well-educated members. This program year allows our members to share their tips and tricks through organ and choral music workshops and recitals, while bringing in members from other local chapters to share their experiences. At the opening kick-off event, Lynne Davis shared about her Boston 2014 experience and Marlene Hallstrom reflected on the changes at the national level as her term as Councilor for Professional Development ended in July. Our new recital fund will help bring in the Trinity Choir from Kansas City’s Grace & Holy Trinity Cathedral to sing Choral Evensong at East Heights UMC, and bring Wichita-native Laura Rau to the organ bench at the Church of the Resurrection for an organ recital. The Sunflower Organ Initiative continues with the popular family organ tour, this time traveling between North Newton and Peabody, KS. The Chapter is also proud to be hosting a Pipe Organ Encounter in June 2015. We will close the year with our annual picnic to honor the many volunteers for events throughout the year, the work of the POE, and the continued strength of the Chapter. It will truly be an exciting year and a chance to celebrate the talents of the Wichita Chapter AGO! NOVEMBER 6th, 7 PM: The Tried and True, and the New: Music for Organ Plymouth Congregational Church - 202 N. Clifton, Wichita DECEMBER 5th, 7 PM: Laura Rau Organ Recital Church of the Resurrection - 4910 N. Woodlawn, Wichita JANUARY 4th, 4:00 PM: Epiphany Party – Potluck Meal Home of Pat Walcher: 847 Bramerton St., Andover FEBRUARY 22nd, 2:00 PM: Sunflower Organ Initiative Family Organ Tour to North Newton and Peabody MARCH 10, 7:00 PM: Choral Reading Session and Conducting Workshop Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception 430 N Broadway St, Wichita APRIL 19, 3 PM: Chapter Member Recital - Music of Women Composers, Location TBD JUNE 14th-19th: Wichita AGO – POE Wichita State University, POE Headquarters JUNE 18th, 6:30 PM: Year-End Picnic/POE Celebration Church of the Brethren, 1103 N Jefferson St, Wichita 3 Choral Evensong - Trinity Choir – Oct. 5th Our NEXT event will be held on October 5th, 5:30 PM, at East Heights United Methodist Church. The Trinity Choir from the Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral in Kansas City will present Evensong. The choir is lead by Canon Musician John Schaefer. There will be a free-will offering taken. The concert lends to a great choral afternoon for you to invite your choral-loving friends. There are still opportunities available for you to help support this event by becoming an event sponsor. Contact Chris Shaw if you are interested in more details. Other Upcoming Events: Sunday, Sept. 28th, 4:00 PM ORGANIST BEN WHITE-NEWBY in Recital Sterling United Presbyterian Church 309 N Broadway Ave, Sterling, KS Tuesday, Sept. 30, 7:30 PM RIE BLOOMFIELD ORGAN SERIES ELIZABETH & RAYMOND CHENAULT America’s Famous Duo Organists Wiedemann Hall, Wichita State University Sunday, Oct. 5, 5:30 PM CHORAL EVENSONG, Trinity Choir of Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral, Kansas City. East Heights United Methodist Church 4407 East Douglas, Wichita Wednesday, Oct. 15, 5:15-5:45 PM WEDNESDAYS IN WIEDEMANN LYNNE DAVIS in recital Wiedemann Hall, Wichita State University Friday, Oct. 28, 7:00 PM HUTCHINSON CHAPTER WORKSHOP Registration for Hymns & Liturgy Dr. Steven Gustafson, McPherson College Church of the Holy Cross 2633 Independence Road, Hutchinson _____________________________________________ WICHITA CHAPTER EVENTS WSU ORGAN EVENTS HUTCHINSON CHAPTER EVENTS MEMBER EVENTS Calendar events will be added throughout the year. All Wichita AGO Chapter 2014-2015 Program Events can be found on our website: www.agowichita.org If you wish to have information included in the monthly newsletter please contact the Dean. If you are available to substitute for Sunday mornings, funerals, or weddings, place contact ([email protected]).
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