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From the Dean ~
So we, being many, are one body in Christ and every one members one of another. Romans 12:5, KJV
I enjoy using the Lectionary readings to help me choose service music. It gives me structure, a beginning
place for ideas, a guide for my choices, even on those times I’m playing for a congregation that is not
Lectionary-based. Some readings are less helpful than others. This week, however, brings a smile to my face.
Whenever I see Psalm 19 on the Lectionary, I feel bound closely with other church organists, local and afar. I
imagine many of us using the Benedetto Marcello piece “Psalm 19”, playing at almost the same minute on
Sunday morning. I almost see your faces as you’re playing and imagine our combined joyous sounds
resonating throughout the heavens!
I suppose my warm fuzzy feelings are explained as the primitive human response of wanting to belong, be a
part of a group. Group membership does mean safety, well-being and companionship. It also demands
some compliance from us, adherence to group rules, and gracious behaviors toward others, even as our
individual desires pull in other, more self-serving directions.
So my advice is to enjoy who you are as Member of Memphis Chapter AGO, enjoy the music we create, enjoy
all the groups you belong to (whether by choice or birth), follow the rules as long as they serve the welfare of
all, and listen for the joyous sounds that resonate throughout the heavens!
Carol Craig, 2012-2013 Dean-Memphis Chapter American Guild of Organists
February 2012 Newsletter Deadline: Monday, January 14
The EnChamade Newsletter of the American Guild of Organists, Memphis Chapter February 2013
Our Next Meeting and Program:
Monday, February 4
Organ Trivia Night
Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal Church at 1720 Peabody Avenue
6 pm Gathering/6:30 Dinner/7:30 Program
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The Deadline for the February EN CHAMADE is Monday, February 11 Please submit materials to Ty Legge [email protected]
Concert and recital calendar information may be submitted in advance at any time.
John Palmer has leftover china and eye glasses from our Christmas party! He will bring them to the February meeting for the items to be claimed. By the way, John, thanks for hosting such a
marvelous party.
Bill Phillips has an updated address Wesley Highland Terrace
366 South Highland #601
901 458 5384
In Memory of Mrs. Mildred Louise Warren Marcom A memorial donation was sent to the Jackson Madison County Humane Society in memory of Melanie Marcom’s mother.
Join the American Guild of Organists Today!
Special Reduced AGO Dues Rates Are Available for
the Remainder of the 2012–2013 Membership Year
for New Members Only
February 1–March 31, 2013 Chapter Portion: Set by each chapter
National Portion: $43 (regular)
$30.50 (special—over 65 or disabled)
$18.50 (student—with school ID)
$24.50 (partner—2nd member at same address)
Voting membership is open to all who are interested in the organ and
choral music fields. No examination is ever required for membership.
Special reduced dues rates have been set for new members only who join
between February 1 and March 31, 2013. Join during this period and you
will receive nine monthly issues of THE AMERICAN ORGANIST magazine,
beginning with the March 2013 issue.
AGO membership is initiated through local chapters. Simply send your
name, address, and phone number to AGO Headquarters (address below),
noting your interest in becoming a member, and an application form and
information about the chapter nearest you will be sent promptly.
American Guild of Organists
475 Riverside Drive, Suite 1260
New York, NY 10115
212-870-2310 • Fax: 212-870-2163
Or visit our Web site at www.agohq.org
Or contact
our Memphis Chapter Registrar, Dennis [email protected]
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Our 2013-2014 Centennial Celebration Planning Continues
Centennial Celebration Fund Donors *
Carol Craig
Phil Brown
Jane Gamble
In Honor of Centennial Committee
Joe Holloway
Martha Israel
Dennis Janzer
Lyn Joiner
John Palmer
Bill Phillips
Thirza Sloan
In Memory of Anita Lofton
Jane Scharding Smedley
In Memory of David Ramsey
Bill Wilson
*Note: Gifts/pledges may be sent to:
Memphis Chapter AGO
P O Box 770004
Memphis, TN 38177-0004 Checks should be made out to Memphis Chapter AGO, and designated for the Centennial
Fund.
AGO Centennial Celebration Notes
Centennial Event updates—Here’s what’s confirmed. Please note that our dates with Paul Jacobs’ recital and workshop
are now March 21 and 22, 2014.
2013
- Sunday, September 8, 4:00 pm
Memphis AGO Chapter scholarship winners in concert, followed by gala reception. St. Peter’s Catholic Church.
- Monday, October 7, 7:30 pm
Music for a Municipal/Orchestral Organ, Dennis Janzer, organist. Scottish Rite Cathedral
- Sunday, November 3, 6:00 pm
Organ Concerto Concert, featuring Memphis chapter members, Memphis Symphony Orchestra members, and
Germantown Youth Symphony members. Reception following. Bartlett United Methodist Church
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2014
- Monday, February 3, 7:30 pm
Premiere of commissioned anthem by Daniel Gawthrop, worship led by Christ Church Chamber Singers and Rhodes
College choirs. Reception following. Christ United Methodist Church.
- Friday, March 21, 7:30 pm
Recital by Paul Jacobs of the Julliard School. Reception following. St. Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral.
- Saturday, March 22, 10:00 am
Master Class presented by Paul Jacobs, St. George’s Episcopal Church.
- Monday, April 7, 7:30 pm
Legacy Recital of Memphis Music performed by Memphis Chapter members.
- Monday, May 5, 6:00 pm
Gala Banquet, honoring past chapter Deans, with a talk by a national or regional AGO officer. Church of the Holy
Communion.
Positions Available
TENOR SECTION LEADER
St. George's Episcopal Church
2425 S. Germantown Rd.
Germantown, TN 38138
1 Sunday AM year-round; Wednesday evening rehearsal (Sept-May). Monthly rehearsals during summer. Additional
special service/rehearsals during the year. Remuneration is competitive, with teaching privileges and paid vacation after
the first year of service.
Contact Angela Saunders, email [email protected], or phone (901) 754-7282 x33.
To list a position in this printed newsletter and to place on the chapter website, an authorized representative of the
church/institution must submit the information on church letterhead stationary and sign it. Although listings are free of
charge, the Executive Board of the Memphis Chapter reserves the right to review and refuse an advertisement. Listings
should include complete description of the position's duties and pertinent details such as: number of worship services,
rehearsals, choirs/ensembles, instrument to be played, etc. Listings must be submitted by fax (901-526-6882) or mail (22
South Reese Street, Memphis, TN 38111) to: Jane Scharding Smedley. For more information, refer to 'Positions' on our
chapter website: www.agomemphis.org or contact Jane at: 901-527-8282, ext. 15 or [email protected]. No listing will
be accepted over the telephone or by email
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Wednesday Noon Series at Bartlett United Methodist Church
5676 Stage Road/Memphis, TN 38134
901-386-4563/901-378-0886
Spring offerings offered below.
FEBRUARY
Saturday, February 2, 2013, at 7 PM – St. George’s Episcopal Church
2425 South Germantown Road
Candlemas Evensong by the Coventry Choir
Music by Eccard, Stanford, Tallis, Byrd. Those wishing to sing this lovely service,
are invited to contact Angela Saunders, (901) 754-7282 x33 or (901) 438-9975, or [email protected]
Sunday, February 3, 2013, at 4 PM – Idlewild Presbyterian Church
1750 Union Avenue
Vierne Symphonies I & II performed by Dr. Jesse Eschbach and Kristin Lensch
on the Bedient organ. Dr. Eschbach is on faculty at University of North Texas, and
Kristin Lensch is Organist-Choirmaster at Church of the Holy Apostles and
an instructor at the University of Memphis.
Thursday, February 6, at 6:30 PM – St. George’s Episcopal Church,
Clarksdale, Mississippi
Organ Recital by David Briggs who is artist in residence at St. James Cathedral, Toronto,
and also Organist Emeritus at Gloucester Cathedral, UK.
Music of Bach, Haydn, Briggs, Tchaikovsky, Elgar, Vierne, Widor.
Friday, February 8, 2013, at 7 PM – St. Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral
700 Poplar Avenue
Movies at St. Mary’s: The Hunchback of Notre Dame featuring Tom Trenney.
One of the finest organists of his generation and known for his great imaginative flair,
Tom Trenney returns to Memphis to improvise an accompaniment to the 1923 film
The Hunchback of Notre Dame, starring Lon Chaney.
St. Mary’s Cathedral will again be transformed into a movie theater.
Come, watch, be entertained, and prepare to be dazzled!
Sunday, February 10, 2013 – 4:00pm – Lindenwood Christian Church
2400 Union Avenue at East Parkway
“With a Song in My Heart – A Valentine’s Tribute” Singer-pianist Chris Nemec offers his annual benefit concert, with
this year’s recipient being Habitat for Humanity. Included in this fun afternoon will be music from Cole Porter, George
Gershwin, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Andrew Lloyd Webber and more, set in an intimate cabaret style. Admission
donation is $10 (general admission) or $50 (Golden Circle, reserved seats, reception and more.) 901-458-
1652 www.Lindenwoodcc.com Lindenwood is handicap accessible and offers a staffed nursery.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2012
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MARCH
Friday, March 1, 2013 at 7:30 PM – St. George’s Episcopal Church
2425 South Germantown Road
This recital will feature The Memphis Boychoir, The Memphis Girlchoir, and The Memphis Chamber Choir
singing traditional Anglican choral music. Music will include works by Herbert Howells,
Benjamin Britten, and six anthems for children. The choirs are directed by Geoffrey Ward.
The Memphis Boychoir is currently in its 25th year of educating elementary school aged boys in the mid-South.
This year also marks the 2nd season of the Memphis Girlchoir. Both of these ensembles participated alongside the
Memphis Chamber Choir and world renowned soprano Kallen Esperian in a television Christmas Special titled
"A Memphis Boychoir Christmas with Kallen Esperian." WKNO television produced the program
and it aired multiple times over the 2012 holidays.
Reception following in the Parish Hall.
For more information: Angela Saunders, (901) 754-7282 x33 or (901) 438-9975, or [email protected]
Friday, March 29, 2013 at 5:30 PM - Lindenwood Christian Church
2400 Union Avenue at East Parkway
“Of the Passion” – Seven area clergy are joined by the Lindenwood Chancel Choir, Chamber Orchestra, Soloists, organist
Chris Nemec and conductor Gary Beard as they present music from the Requiems of Mozart, Verdi, Brahms,
Rutter and Fauré. Free. 901-458-1652
www.Lindenwoodcc.com Lindenwood is handicap accessible and offers a staffed nursery.
APRIL
Friday, April 19, 2013 at 7:30 PM - Holy Apostles Episcopal Church
1380 Wolf River Blvd, Collierville, TN
A Benjamin Britten Birthday Bash featuring the charming choral music of English composer Benjamin Britten, including
Festival Te Deum, Missa Brevis, Rejoice in the Lamb, and Jubilate Deo in C. Sung by the choirs of Holy Apostles,
St. George’s Episcopal, and the Rhodes College Women’s Chorus. A reception will follow.
Friday, April 26, 2013, at 7 PM – St. Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral
700 Poplar Avenue
Scott Elsholz will perform his own organ transcription of the Theme from Star Wars and Peter Sykes’ transcription
of The Planets by Gustav Holst. This interstellar program will be accompanied by a light show on the Cathedral ceiling
and an intergalactic slide show. A reception will follow.
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Well, I was inundated with responses to last month’s musical trivia. But only one of you can win that free AGO
dinner. I have kept you in suspense long enough – the winner is ANGELA SAUNDERS!!! And that was Wilbur Held’s
lovely meditation on Divinum Mysterium. Test your musical genius on the following. First to answer correctly by email
will receive a free dinner at a monthly meeting of his/her choice. Full title and composer’s full name. Submit entries via
email to Ty Legge [email protected]. Winner will be notified by email.
Name That Tune
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2012-2013 EXECUTIVE BOARD
Elected Officers
Carol Craig, Dean
Eva McPeters, Sub-Dean
Janet Templeton, Recording Secretary
Dennis Janzer, Registrar
Joe Holloway, Treasurer
Ty Legge, Newsletter Editor
Martha Israel, Member-at-Large/Auditor
Bill Phillips, Member-at-Large/Auditor
Appointed Officers
Phil Brown, Professional Concerns and Development
Jane Gamble, Librarian and Centennial Celebration
Martha Israel, Scholarship
Kelly Kramer, Education and Summer Recitals
Albert Burk, Webmaster
Ty Legge, Examinations
Eva McPeters, Publicity
The Rev. Nancy O’Shea, Chaplain
John Palmer, Membership
Jane Scharding Smedley, Placement
Memphis Chapter AGO
MONTHLY PROGRAMS THROUGH MAY 2013
MONDAYS AT 7:30 PM
preceded by 6:00 Gathering, 6:30 Dinner, 7:00 Business Meeting
Monday, February 4, 2013
Organ Trivia Night
Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal Church ⋅ 1720 Peabody
Test your knowledge and win prizes!
Monday, March 4, 2013
New Ideas for Creative Service Playing with Dr. Marilyn Keiser
Germantown United Methodist Church ⋅ 2331 S Germantown Rd
Dr. Keiser is Chancellor’s Professor of Music Emeritus at the Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University
Monday, April 8, 2013
French Classical Organ Literature
St. Anne Catholic Church ⋅ 706 S Highland
A French inspired meal followed by a lecture-demonstration featuring the newly expanded instrument at St. Anne
Sunday, May 5, 2013 4:00 pm
Vierne at Idlewild: Jeremy Filsell in Concert
&
Monday, May 6, 2013 (regular meeting schedule)
Jeremy Filsell Masterclass
Idlewild Presbyterian Church ⋅ 1750 Union
Virtuoso organist/pianist Jeremy Filsell in concert – featuring Vierne Symphony No. 6
Organ masterclass for our chapter on Monday evening
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GREETINGS FROM YOUR REGION IV COUNCILLOR!
WOM. In marketing circles this stands for “Word-of-Mouth.” I recently read The Face-to-Face Book: Why Real Relationships
Rule in a Digital Marketplace (Keller & Fay, Free Press, 2012). I know, I know: this is not a book that is usually on my
reading list! However, I am increasingly intrigued by social media and how the Internet impacts our interpersonal
relationships. How is social media impacting the AGO? Do interpersonal relationships still matter? Marketing gurus
postulate that word-of-mouth and offline interaction is critical to successful business. Word-of-mouth basics include
“being recommendable, easy to talk about, worth talking about, and something people feel proud to share with others.”
(P34)
A quote from Keller & Fay made me smile: “You need current customers to help with the persuasion process if converts
are to be won. In other words, preach to the choir, providing them with a melody that can, in turn, help them persuade
their friends and family to join your flock of customers.” (P104)
Enough of my book report . . . let me highlight a few things of importance for Region IV this spring:
1) “Grow the Guild” (http://www.agohq.org/membership/grow/) is an important initiative of the AGO. The goal is
chapter growth of 5%. Let’s ‘preach to the choir’ of organists and church musicians that are not AGO members
and invite them to join us! Wouldn’t it be great if all chapters in the region could increase their membership
roster?
2) Joining the national office is Bill Valentine, the AGO’s new Director of Information Technology. Bill comes to the
Guild with an extensive background in Information Technology. For fifteen years he worked as a programmer,
systems analyst, and project manager developing large-scale Student Information Systems at Columbia
University and NYU. The challenges he confronted there are similar to the ones he faces at the AGO—creating
systems that simultaneously serve a central administration, local offices, and individual constituents.
3) Get face-to-face with colleagues who are dedicated to the future of quality organ and choral music. Register for
the 2013 Columbia Region IV Convention today at: http://www.regional2013.org/registration.html
The American Guild of Organists has truly impacted my musical life. Help me spread the word to others about what this
fine organization can do!
Keep in touch,
Laura Ellis
E-mail: [email protected]
Region IV Blog: http://agoregionivblog.blogspot.com/
Region IV Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/AGO-Region-IV/312313912115500?ref=hl
