The Pennsylvania Northeast Chapter of the American Guild of Organists is sponsoring a workshop entitled “The Organ in Catholic Liturgy” on Monday, October 8 at 7:00 p.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church, 35 William Street, Pittston. The workshop will provide both practical and liturgical advice for organists, priests, music directors, and interested laity regarding the organ role’s in the Sacred Liturgy.

According to the Second Vatican Council’s Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, “…the pipe organ is to be held in high esteem, for it is the traditional musical instrument which adds a wonderful splendor to the Church’s ceremonies and powerfully lifts up man’s mind to God and to higher things.” Participants in the workshop will discover why the Church holds the organ in such high esteem, how it can be used to its fullest potential at Mass and other liturgical services, and how the AGO can support and sustain the ministry of organists and musicians in Catholic parishes today, whether you have a pipe organ or an electronic organ.

The workshop is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Raphael Micca, co-dean of the AGO chapter, at 570-301-9253 or email rdmicca@aol.com.

Mark Miller, concert organist and composer, will perform at East Stroudsburg United Methodist Church, 87 South Courtland St., on Sunday September 16 at 3:00 p.m. This program concludes our 2012 Organ Series.

Titled “Bach and Roll: Baroque to Gospel”, selections include classic, gospel and sacred pieces utilizing contemporary Midi capabilities of the instrument as well as standard sounds. Mark also invited local jazz sax artist Joe Dorsch to join him for 2 numbers, and local singers will present his choral tribute in memory of his sister.

Miller currently serves on the music faculties of Drew University and of Yale University. He has performed concerts and directed conferences in the USA for the United Methodist Church and has played internationally in 8 countries. He is currently Minister of Music for Christ Church in Summit, NJ, and has also been Assistant Organist at Riverside Church and Director of Contemporary Worship at the Marble Collegiate Church, both in New York City.

Miller describes his work as “characteristically American,” reflecting elements of classical, gospel, jazz, and folk styles. His Christmas “Toccata”, recorded on Gothic’s label, has been featured on National Public Radio’s “Pipe Dreams”. His work “Let Justice Roll: Song from a Birmingham Jail”, was featured on NBC’s program “Positively Black”, narrated by James Earl Jones. He is also the Composer-in-Residence for the Harmonium Choral Society, based in Morris County, NJ, which recently premiered a major commissioned work by him that appears on their new CD “Whitmania”. Miller and his band The Brooklyn Collective recently recorded a new CD, “Grace Abounds”.

The event is free, and open to the public. An informal reception will follow. For further information, email foxes@esumc.net.