Join members of the Pennsylvania Northeast Chapter of the American Guild of Organists for a Spring Gathering on Monday, May 7 at St. Clement’s Episcopal Church in Wilkes-Barre.

The evening begins with an open house at 6:30 p.m. giving members of the chapter and the wider community a chance to tour the historic edifice. At 7:00 p.m. Canon Mark Laubach will present a program of hymns and organ music showcasing St. Clement’s pipe organ. A reception will follow in the Parish House. All are welcome to attend this free event. We hope to see you there!

The pipe organ has been called the “King of Instruments.” The sounds of the pipe organ have inspired worshippers for centuries. Great composers have written countless works for the instrument. Pipe organs have been installed in some of the world’s most prestigious concert halls and theaters. The American Guild of Organists is passionate about the pipe organ and we want to share our love with a new generation.

Join us on Sunday, March 25, 2012 at St. Mary’s Church of the Immaculate Conception in Wilkes-Barre from 2:00 – 4:00 PM for Pedals, Pipes, and Pizza. Participants will receive a behind the scenes tour of the instrument in addition to a chance to play it themselves (and eat some pizza!). All are welcome to attend. Students currently studying the piano are encouraged to bring a piece to play on the organ.

Presenters for the event are Michael Sowa and Raphael Micca, local organists with backgrounds in music education and church music. Mark Ignatovich, Organist and Director of Music at St. Mary’s, is the host.

TO REGISTER FOR PEDALS, PIPES, AND PIZZA, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Saint Thomas Choir School, New York, will host an Open House for interested musicians, clergy and families on Sunday, February 19, 2012.

Choristers and their parents will give tours of the school and teachers will host visitors in the classrooms to answer questions about the curriculum and student life. At 3:00 PM, visiting boys will rehearse, vest and sit in the choir stalls with the Saint Thomas Choir of Men and Boys for evensong. Please contact Ruth Cobb at 212-247-3311, Ext. 304 for further information or to reserve a place.

All are invited to attend an organ recital featuring a remarkable young talent. Mark Pall, a freshman at Dallas High School and a member of the Pennsylvania Northeast AGO Chapter, will present a concert of Advent and Christmas music on Sunday, December 4 at 3:00 p.m. at Dallas United Methodist Church. Mark studies organ with chapter secretary Ed Loch. Those who attend this program are sure to be impressed by Mark’s talent of playing by ear.

The Pennsylvania Northeast Chapter of the American Guild of Organists is seeking information on regional churches whose organs were affected by recent flooding. If your church was affected, of if you know of a church that was, please contact us. Thank you.

The Arts Series at First Presbyterian Church, Clark Summit, will present Kevin O’Malia, organist, improvising the soundtrack to the classic silent movie “Phantom of the Opera” this Sunday, October 30 at 7:30 pm. There is no admission, but a free will offering will be taken. Put your costume on and join us!

Seven Berwick area organists will perform at First Reformed United Church of Christ, 301 West 2nd Street, Berwick, on Sunday, October 23 at 4:00 PM. A free will offering will be accepted to benefit the church’s organ fund. A reception will follow the performance. All are welcome to attend. For more information, call 759-8991 or 542-7338.

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!

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.

Click here for more information on the 2011 regional convention.

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.

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 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!

Pennsylvania Northeast Chapter now has a facebook page. Check it out!