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.
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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!
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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
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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]).