RCYO, Jackson Chapter

The Jackson Chapter hosted their chapter competition of the 2013 AGO/Quimby Regional Competition for Young Organists (RCYO) on March 16, 2013, at Northminster Baptist Church. The winner of the competition was David Harrison. 

David Harrison

David has lived, worked, and been educated in Mississippi his entire life. In his hometown of Ocean Springs, he began organ lessons with his mother, Dr. Michaelle Harrison, at age fourteen. He recently completed his undergraduate music degree in organ performance at Mississippi College in Clinton, under the instruction of Dr. Robert Knupp. Harrison is an active recitalist and church musician in Mississippi, and currently serves as the organist and music director of First Presbyterian Church of Natchez. In the fall, he plans to begin the pursuit of a graduate degree in organ performance at the Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University, Bloomington. 

 

RCYO, Atlanta Chapter Competition

The Atlanta Chapter hosted their chapter competition of the 2013 AGO/Quimby Regional Competition for Young Organists (RCYO) at Grace United Methodist Church on Saturday, March 2, 2013.

Thomas Williford

The first place winner was Thomas Williford, a junior pursuing the Bachelor of Music degree in organ performance at Mercer University’s Townsend School of Music.  He is the organist and choirmaster of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Macon, Georgia.

Yinying Luo

       

The second place winner was Yinying Luo, 

         a student at Agnes Scott College, 

         Decatur, Georgia. 

AGO member honored

AGO member Yelena Banks was honored on Sunday, March 24, for her 47 years of dedicated service to Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Pensacola, Florida. Yelena also served three terms as dean of the Pensacola chapter.

In photo below (courtesy of Phil Igney), Yelena is being presented a gift of appreciation from Mt. Zion pastor, Rev. Matthew Payne, II. Current Pensacola Chapter Dean Christine Dodd, presented an AGO letter of recognition to her as well.

Congratulations, Yelena -- and, thanks for all that you have done for the guild!

National Council Meeting in NYC

Keeping up tradition, here is my top ten list from the recent AGO National Council Meeting in New York:

10. Being in New York City for a few days.
9. The IRS is making it tough for our chapter administrators. New regulations are causing some chapters to be auto-revoked from their non-profit status. Chapter deans or treasurers please check with the IRS to ensure that your fiscal year is properly listed as June-July.
8. This summer’s POE is in Birmingham – encourage young organists to go!
7. Plans for our 2013 Regional Convention in Columbia, SC are going well -- register today!
6. A presentation about the Boston2014. Be there.
5. A presentation from the AGO’s new IT Director, Bill Valentine. The pilot program for online dues is now being used!
4. Testimonial from John Walker (who insures his car with Geico): he called up, identified himself as an AGO member, and actually received a reduction in his insurance rates. Give ‘em a call, perhaps it will work for you, too!
3. A stay at the Yotel Hotel (http://www.yotelnewyork.com) for council members; trendy in a weird sort of way. My only response: beam me up, Scotty!  
2. Having meetings at the Interfaith Center at 475 Riverside Avenue. Yes, this is where AGO headquarters are located. We didn’t meet in the National Office (it’s pretty small), but I was oddly comforted to find out by my New York friends that locals call the building the “God Box”!
1. Being able to attend the AGO Recital and Gala Benefit Reception honoring Marilyn Keiser. St. John the Divine, need I say more?

Marilyn Keiser Gala

In conjunction with the spring National Council meeting, the AGO had a recital and gala benefit recital honoring Marilyn Keiser at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in New York. NYC, St. John the Divine, Marilyn Keiser . . . what an evening!

Early registration for Columbia Regional

In the midst of all of your Easter preparations, don't forget that the early registration deadline for the Columbia Regional is April 1, 2013. The folks from the Greater Columbia chapter have a splendid schedule for us -- I look forward to seeing you all there! To make it easy, here is the link to register: http://www.regional2013.org/registration.html

Durham-Chapel Hill Chapter Hosts PPP

Submitted by Laurel Siviglia: 

On February 3rd, our chapter's Pedals Pipes and Pizza took place at the Chapel of the Cross in Chapel Hill. Thirty children attended the event. The children had the opportunity to play both organs and the harpsichord at the Chapel of the Cross. Van Quinn explained how the organ works and let the students see and go inside the organ. Michael Bennett played for the students and worked with them in adapting their piano pieces for the organ. Laurel Siviglia worked with several of the students in the small chapel. Several of the students and their parents expressed an interest in learning more about the organ and taking lessons. The children had fun eating pizza and socializing with old and new friends. There have been several articles in the TAO about "growing the guild." I believe that this is where we need to begin.

(The photos above show all of excited students! Top photo: Michael Bennett on the bench; Bottom Photo: Van Quinn on the bench).