Welcome to the Southeast Region Blog!



Welcome to the Southeast Region Blog!


Greetings to all members in the Southeast Region of the American Guild of Organists. I hope that this blog can be an easy way for us to keep in touch. Please contact me for news and events from your chapter that should be included. I'm happy to spread the word! Scroll to the bottom of the page for the regional events calendar.


Best wishes for a wonderful 2015-2016 season.


Laura


Tuesday, October 23, 2012

UNCSA/Salem College/Winston-Salem AGO HS Festival and Competition

Attention High School Organist (& their teachers): UNCSA/Salem College/Winston-Salem AGO HS Festival and Competition application and CD due December 14. For more info, visit: www.timothyolsenorganist.com/OrganCompetition.html

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Crowds line up for AGO event in Columbus, GA!


Who says there are no audiences at organ recitals? I just received news of a very successful “Four Hands/Four Feet” program hosted by the Columbus, Georgia, chapter. Rick McKnight, Dean of the chapter, shares these thoughts about their event: "We considered a regular member’s recital but that “same old, same old” idea was quickly overthrown. Deciding we would concentrate on audience-friendly duos and duets, we named the program “Four Hands/Four Feet.” . . . The concert was free and began at 4 PM. When the doors opened at 3:30 there were over 300 people in the lobby. We left the doors open at the rear of the hall and still turned away 200! By 3:45 the hall was completely full at 318. Who would think that over 500 people would show up for an organ recital? And not a ‘star’ performer in sight!”

The event celebrated the ten-year anniversary of the installation of the Le Tourneau, Opus 60, at River Center in Columbus. Players included Rose Slonaker, Paul Culp, Jack Buchanan, Nancy McKee, Rick McKnight, Janie Lee Bullock, Ken Bailey, Sue Dietrich, Adleyn Scott, Zack Wright, Tom and Denise Bernard, Joseph Golden and Aesook Lim. Here are folks pictured at the organ:



Wednesday, October 10, 2012

A visit to Charlotte!

On the evening of Tuesday, October 9, your regional councillor visited the Charlotte Chapter. Charlotte will be our host for the 2015 Regional Convention. Convention Coordinator, Patrick Pope, hosted a lovely dinner at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter. My goal was to garner energy for the upcoming convention and encouraged chapter members to offer their ideas and support. I also took a few moments to discuss the upcoming changes to the national structure. Here's a photo of those in attendance.  


Thanks to the Charlotte chapter for their commitment to the ideals of the AGO!

Saturday, October 6, 2012

And now, the national council 'top ten'

Lots of information for the AGO membership was discussed at national council meeting in Atlanta. To keep you up-to-date, here's my 'top ten' list:

10) We have a challenge to increase membership by 5% -- how can YOU help increase membership in your chapter?
9) Chapter Leadership -- don't forget to keep your IRS paperwork up-to-date. Each chapter must submit those pesky IRS forms to retain non-profit status. Please stay up to date!
8) The annual fund -- contribute as an individual; check to ensure that your chapter contributes.
7) Oh, did I mention that the hotel where we met was across the street from the Fox Theatre? Now, that is cool!
6) The guild is completing the search for a new I.T. director. The goal is to identify a candidate by October 31 and have someone in place by January 1. Hopefully, changes ahead!
5) A stop at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer to visit with our former Regional Councillor, Sarah Hawbecker. Always great to see you Sarah!
4) Get inspired by our new chaplain Dr. Don Saliers. Look for his columns soon.
3) Be on the watch-out for January Jubilees -- a new initiative for musicians in part-time employment.
2) The vote for changes in National By-laws will occur in November. For complete information: http://www.agohq.org/national/reorganize.html
1) Don't forget to put this summer's Region IV Convention in Columbia (July 3-6, 2013) on your calendar. Registration is now available at: http://www.regional2013.org/registration.html

Atlanta Meetings, Day Three

Day three in Atlanta found National Council Meeting in the morning. One of the highlights was a visit from our new AGO chaplain, Dr. Don Saliers, Emory University Emeritus Professor of Theology and Worship. Pictured below of Saliers, President Eileen Guenther, and Treasurer Calvert Johnson. Look forward to some great articles in the TAO from Dr. Saliers.



Friday, October 5, 2012

Atlanta Meetings, Day Two

Doing the work of the guild: the National Council met on Friday at the Georgian Terrace Hotel. Pictured are council members preparing for the afternoon session. L-R: Michael Bedford, Region VII Councillor; David Lamb, Region V Councillor; John Walker, Vice-President; James Thomashower, Executive Director; Eileen Guenther, President; and Cheryl Duerr, Region I Councillor.


During the afternoon break, a photo of three regional councillors (L-R: Cheryl Duerr, Region I; me; and Marilyn Schempp, Region VI.


Thursday, October 4, 2012

Atlanta Meetings, Day One

Greetings to all my Region IV colleagues! On your behalf, I'll be attending AGO meetings in Atlanta for the next few days. Today, the Committee on Regional Conventions hosted a meeting for all convention coordinators for the 2015 conventions. Yes, we are already in the planning stages--whew!

Adam Ward, dean of the Charlotte chapter, attended on behalf of convention coordinator Patrick Pope. During the morning session Atlanta's own Phil Parkey, Parkey OrganBuilders, gave a presentation on what conventions need to know about exhibits. Pictured below during the morning break: Adam, me, and Phil.


Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Treasure Coast Installation Ceremony

Your Regional Councillor had the honor of participating in the installation ceremony for the 2012-13 officers of the Treasure Coast chapter. The installation ceremony was part of a The Treasure Coast installation ceremony was part of a community-wide choral festival. What a great group of singers! The mass choir was led by clinician Tesfa Wondemagegnehu from Freedom High School, Orlando.



Here are the new officers pictured with the guest clinician. The Lively-Fulcher of Community Church, Vero, serves as a backdrop. Have a great year Treasure Coast!

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Tallahassee Church Music Conference


The 2013 Tallahassee Church Music Conference, hosted by the Tallahassee Chapter, features a faculty of internationally renowned theologians and musicians. It will be held from January 31 to February 2, 2013. Please visit their website for more information: www.churchmusicconference.org
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email Jonathan Hehn, conference coordinator: jonathan@churchmusicconference.org or call 850-778-3405.