Don’t miss the world renowned brass ensemble “Harmonic Brass” perform with chapter member Mark Laubach tomorrow at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Wilkes-Barre. The “Powerplay” organ and brass concert begins at 7:30 PM and tickets are available at the door. Hope to see you there!
Author: Raphael
Chapter marks 9/11 anniversary with interfaith service
The Pennsylvania Northeast Chapter of the American Guild of Organists in cooperation with the Greater Pittston Ministerium sponsored an Interfaith Service and Musical Tribute marking the tenth anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks. The service took place at St. John the Evangelist Church in Pittston. Several chapter members performed during the service, which also featured scripture readings from the Talmud, Bible, and Qu’uran, contemporary reflections on September 11, reflective silence, and congregational hymns. A collection was taken for Tuesday’s Children, a charity which “provides support for the families of 9/11 and others impacted by global terrorism.”
Organ selections included an improvisation on Paul Manz’s “God of Grace,” Buxtehude’s “Nun bitten wir den heiligen Geist,” a setting of the “Shalom Aleichem,” “Andante sostenuto” from Widor’s “Symphonie Gothique,” “Poem of Peace” by Langlais, “Be Still, My Soul,” by Sibelius, and an arrangement of “God of Our Fathers.” Members of the “Every Voice Choir” under the direction of Joanne Austin performed two anthems: “Peace Be With You” and “A Prayer for Our Time.” Special thanks to board member Mike Sowa for coordinating the service, Monsignor John Bendik, host pastor, and Joe Holden, host organist.
An open letter to those affected by recent flooding
Dear AGO Colleagues and Friends:
Northeastern Pennsylvania has had a long history of dealing with floods. Some of our long-time members remember the Hurricane Agnes flooding in 1972, not to mention flooding scares in years since, including 1996 and 2006. Perhaps some even remember the 1936 flood! Now ALL OF US have experienced the anxiety and heartbreak that has come with this most recent flooding episode. Thankfully, many of us have been spared damage to our homes, churches, schools, or businesses. But others of us have not been so fortunate. Our hearts go out to all those among us who have suffered losses from this disaster. I know all of us will want to come together as an AGO Chapter to support and assist those in need.
If you have experienced any loss, please let us know so that we might reach out and be of help in some way. Those of us who were here and lived through the horror of Agnes in 1972 will remember the incredible response from other AGO chapters across the country in sending money, music, and vestments to support our members and their churches in recovery from losses. Many will remember the “flood library” of choral music that was maintained for many years in the Choir Room at First Presbyterian Church in Wilkes-Barre. Multiple copies of choral octavos were available to AGO members’ church choirs who had lost most or all of their own collections of choral music. Indeed, there was assistance also from within the chapter; churches and musicians on higher ground were able to provide help to those individuals and parishes in the flood zone. In short, people pulled together to assist each other in a time of utter devastation.
Thankfully, it appears that, while the damage from this catastrophe is considerable and, in some cases, even worse than what was experienced in 1972, there are fewer people affected, thanks to the improved dike and levy system protecting Wilkes-Barre, Kingston, and Forty Fort. But our hearts must surely go out to those of our colleagues who have suffered loss.
Once again, if you have sustained loss at home or church, please let us know. Likewise, if you can offer help in some way, let us know of this as well. We are here for each other.
As we return to our work as music ministers, let us be mindful of the special roles we have to play in bringing comfort and hope to those in need. May we all recommit ourselves to our profession with renewed purpose, keeping in mind these powerful and appropriate words from the much loved hymn, “How firm a foundation …”
“When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.” [K. in John Rippon’s Selection, 1787]
God bless and keep you and yours!
Faithfully yours,
Kay Ten Eyck, Dean
Pennsylvania Northeast Chapter, American Guild of Organists
Explore New York City with the Pennsylvania Northeast Chapter!
Join members of the Pennsylvania Northeast Chapter, AGO for a tour of five New York City pipe organs on Saturday, September 24. Kyler Brown, Director of Music Ministries & Organist at St. Jean Baptiste, New York City will be our guide for the day.
The tour will depart from the Park & Ride on Oak Street in Pittston at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 24. We will be travelling on a 12 passenger van that will be with us throughout the day for travelling to the various venues. The cost of the van transportation is $55.00 per person. Reservations may be made by sending a non-refundable check (made out to PA Northeast Chapter AGO) in this amount to:
Robert Reynolds
1598 Layton Road
Scott Twp, PA 18447
570-586-2051
We will be stopping for lunch midway through the day and are scheduled to leave the city around 6:00 p.m. We may also stop for dinner on the way back to Pittston. Organists may want to bring music and shoes in the event there is the opportunity to do some playing. Reservations must be made by September 15.
Spring Dinner at St. Stephen’s
Announcements
The Members’ Recital originally scheduled for Friday, May 6 has been postponed until the fall.
Our End-of-the-Year Dinner will be held Monday, May 23 at 6 p.m. at Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church on Franklin Street in Wilkes-Barre (across the street from Boscov’s). Following the dinner at 7:30 p.m., there will be an Organ Recital by Mr. Henk DeVries. Members are encouraged to invite their families, friends, colleagues, and pastors to the dinner and recital.
A Capital Event
Click here for more information on the 2011 regional convention.
Chapter sponsors bus trip to Allentown recital
A bus trip has been scheduled for March 27 to a performance of Bach’s organ works by Eric Plutz at Saint John’s Lutheran Church in Allentown. Pennsylvania Northeast chapter members along with their family, friends, and colleagues are welcome to attend. The cost of bus transportation is $35 per person. The bus will depart at 2 p.m. from the “Park & Ride” Center on Highway 315 in Pittston Township. Members who are interested in attending should RSVP to Bob Reynolds by phone or e-mail by Friday, February 25.
Mark Ignatovich celebrates 25 years at St. Marys’s
A concert will be held on Wednesday, February 16* in Saint Mary’s Church of the Immaculate Conception, 134 South Washington Street in Wilkes-Barre at 7:00 p.m. to mark the occasion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of chapter member Mark Ignatovich as Director of Music at Saint Mary’s. Music will be performed by members of the music ministry for choir, congregation and brass as well as works for organ solo, and organ and brass ensemble. Some of the arrangers and composers represented on the program include, John Rutter, Carl Schalk, Paul Sjoland, Marcel Duprè, Gaston Dethier, Musorgsky, Handel, Beethoven, Gabrielli, and more. The concert is free and open to the public. For more information contact the parish office at 570-823-4168.
*Due to projected inclement weather, the concert was rescheduled for February 16.
Hymn-a-thon at St. Stephen’s
In days gone by, when people would visit in homes, a customary form of entertainment was to gather around a piano or pump organ and sing hymns. You didn’t have to always sing perfectly in tune, and you didn’t have to listen to a sermon – you just sang and had fun doing it!
In that same joyous spirit, on Saturday, September 25th from 12 noon to 5:00 p.m., St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Wilkes-Barre will open its doors to any and all who wish to come by for a good, old-fashioned “hymn sing” – with a twist. The “HYMN-A-THON” will fill five full hours with singing hymns, and will raise money to support St. Stephen’s VOICE FOR LIFE Chorister Training Program for children and youth.
Fear not, you don’t have to be here for all five hours! But you’re invited to come and sing (or even just sit and listen) for as long as you’re able. If you have favorite hymns, you can request them in return for a designated contribution (pay by the verse). And for an extra contribution, you can even request a special organ piece or an improvisation based upon your chosen hymn!
Mark Laubach will be the organist for the day. Visitors to St. Stephen’s often remark what a joy it is to sing hymns with our magnificent Berghaus organ and in our wonderfully resonant and reverberant nave. You can be sure there will be plenty of “spine-tingling” moments when we raise our voices with saints and angels and our grand pipe organ (or piano, if you wish!).
Come feed your soul, request your favorite hymns, and sing to your heart’s delight! Bring friends and family. Sponsor hymns in honor or in memory of loved ones or to commemorate special anniversaries or celebrations. Come at any time and stay till your heart and spirit (and ears) are full!
For sustenance and nourishment, refreshments will be available in the fellowship hall.
Hymn request forms will be available in advance and at the door. For more information, call St. Stephen’s office at (570)825-6653 or send e-mail to mlaubach@ststephenswb.org.
Join us for our Opening Dinner!
Join members of the Pennsylvania Northeast chapter on Monday, September 13 for dinner at JJ Bridges at 6:00 PM, then bring your favorite organ music or an anthem to share with friends and colleagues at First Presbyterian, Clarks Summit. Please RSVP to our dean, Kay Ten Eyck by Sept 7. We will be ordering off the menu (separate checks). A children’s menu is available. Hope to see you there!
Like us on facebook!
Pennsylvania Northeast Chapter now has a facebook page. Check it out!
Race to renew!
The AGO National Committee on Membership Development and Chapter Support is sponsoring a Race to Renew Membership Campaign. It promises fun, larger membership numbers, national recognition, and the opportunity to win $500 to use in any way the chapter chooses! The committee has divided chapters into three groups according to size, so that chapters will compete only with others of comparable membership strength. A winner will be selected randomly from each group. In order to be eligible to win, a chapter must renew 90% of the present membership roster and file its dues report to the National AGO office by September 1, 2010. Have you renewed your AGO membership for 2010-2011 yet? If not, please consider doing so during the Race to Renew campaign! If you have not received your membership renewal form, please contact chapter registrar Betty Porzuczek.
Closing Dinner details announced
Our chapter will hold its annual Closing Dinner on Monday, June 7 at 6:30 pm at St. Mary’s Church of the Immaculate Conception in downtown Wilkes-Barre. The menu will consist of a variety of delicious German dishes prepared by Mark and Doreen Ignatovich. Cost is $15.00 per person. Please R.S.V.P. by June 3 to Mark Ignatovich or call 823-4168 x130 and leave a message. In addition to installing officers, we will also have a opportunity to sing Compline, led by our chaplain, Father Wagaman and Raphael Micca. Michael Sowa will accompany the service.
Organ Recital Saturday at Grace Church, Kingston
Bob Wech will give an organ recital this Saturday, May 8th at 7:00 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church, 30 Butler Street (off Wyoming Ave. behind Dairy Queen) in Kingston. The church’s organ is a Möller, rebuilt in 1974 with tonal design by Clifford Balshaw. Bob will perform works by Walond, Buxtehude, J.S. Bach, Mendelssohn and Franck. A free will offering will be collected to benefit the music program.
