Thursday, September 27

FROM THE DEAN - SEPTEMBER 2012


Due to family health issues, I will no longer be able to serve responsibly as Dean of the Sandusky Chapter AGO.  I would be able to accept the position of Sub Dean, and will of course remain a chapter member.

 A meeting of the Program Committee is being arranged.  A special meeting for the election of officers will be set at that time. 

 Mr. Brooks Grantier, FAGO, will be able to present his special program regarding the Region V AGO convention “Great Lakes/Swell Organs” to our chapter on a date to be selected in April 2013.

 the Western Reserve Piano Guild would be interested in a Pedals, Pipes and Pizza program during the month of February 2013.

 The first scheduled music event of the 2012-2013 season will be Todd Wilson on October 14, 2012, 4:00 pm, at Zion Lutheran Church on the corner of Columbus Ave and Jefferson St. in Sandusky.  There will be a $15.00 charge per person.

 As I will be either in New Jersey or returning to Ohio at that time I will be unable to attend.

Henry Kihlken
Dean

POSITIONS OPEN

Firelands Presbyterian Church, 2626 East Harbor Rd. (Rt. 163), Port Clinton is looking for an organist.  They are seeking an experienced church musician, skilled in piano and/or organ, to work with a warm, welcoming congregation. This is a part-time position.  For more information, go to their website at www.firelandschurch.org, or If interested, contact Pastor Jeanne Gay at 419-734-6211. 

 
Organist & Choir position open at St. Stephen UCC in Sandusky, Ohio. For more information please call the church office at 419-626-1612 Ext. 101. 

DUES


Charles Scroggy, our treasurer, reminds us that 2010-2011 AGO dues are past due.  Several members have already sent him their dues.  Several members still have outstanding dues.  Annual dues should now be sent to our Treasurer, Charles Scroggy, at 218 W. Bogart Rd., Sandusky.  Regular memberships are $58 plus $15 for local membership; total $73.  Special memberships for those over 65 are $40.50 plus the local dues of $15; total $55.50.  Partners, second member to the same address, pay only $33 plus the $15 local dues; total $48.  Full-time students are $39.00.  Charles would appreciate your sending your check to him promptly so the national office doesn’t haunt him.  Dues were due on June 30 of this year.

UPCOMING EVENTS


Sunday, October 14, 2012, 4:00 pm, Todd Wilson, Organist, at Zion Lutheran Church on the corner of Columbus Ave and Jefferson St. in Sandusky.  There will be a $15.00 charge per person.  Students (K-12) free.

 

Sunday, November 11, 2012, 4:00 pm, Terra Brass Choir and Randy Ruthsatz, Organist, at Grace Episcopal Church, 315 Wayne St., Sandusky.  Concert is free and open to the public.

 

Sunday, December 30, 2012, 2:00 pm, Sts. Peter & Paul Church, 510 Columbus Ave., Sandusky.  John Franks (Organist at Sts. Peter & Paul) will direct Sts. Peter & Paul Choir and other area choirs in Benjamin Harlan’s Christmas Cantata “Nativity Suites.”  Any singer is welcome to join.  Rehearsals will be on Sunday afternoons at 2:00 beginning October 14.  If interested, contact John Franks at 419-625-6655.

 

Sunday, January 6, 2013, 4:00 (?) pm, Ron Gibson, Organist, at Grace Episcopal Church, 315 Wayne St., Sandusky.  Concert is free and open to the public.

NEWSLETTER EDITOR NEEDED


Due to family health issues, Tim Claubaugh will not be able to continue as the editor of the newsletter and website.  If you are able to help with this, please call him at St. Mary’s Church 419-625-7465 or at home 419-625-1053.

Monday, April 9

FROM THE DEAN - APRIL 2012

May Schwartz Hymn Festival, April 22, 2012 at 4:00 PM
Zion Lutheran Church, 503 Columbus Ave., Sandusky, OH 44870

May Schwartz, a native of Sandusky, Ohio, is Director of Music at Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, Ohio, where she teaches courses in Music and Liturgy. She has also composed several Psalm tone settings which appear in the ELW Liturgical publications issued by Augsburg-Fortress.

All local Choirs are invited to attend,. Choir rehearsal will take place 1:30-3:30 in the choir loft at Zion Lutheran Church.




St. Mary’s annual Spring Concert will be presented on Sunday, May 20th
at 7:30 PM at St. Mary’s Church, 429 Central Ave., Sandusky, Oh.



A Spring - Summer Newsletter will be issued in late May or early June.

Wednesday, September 28

CONCERT CANCELLED

Due to lack of interest and a medical emergency in the Dean's family, the October 9 organ recital has been cancelled.

Thursday, August 25

FROM OUR DEAN FOR SUMMER 2011

Our Summer Newsletter is, with the exception of the (tentative) schedule below, devoted entirely to a list of recommended Choral Selections for the Fall/Winter Seasons. In view of today’s downsized choirs, a generous balance of 2 and 3 part selections are included. As always, print status and price can not be guaranteed. The Fall Newsletter will stress organ repertoire. All AMSI Publications are available from Lorenz Industries on a uniprint basis.

TENATIVE PROGRAM FOR 2011-2012

Sunday, October 9, 3:00 pm, Grace Episcopal Church, Sandusky: Chapter Organ Recital

Progam TBA for February or March. Still in the planning stage.

Sunday, April 22, 4:00 pm, Zion Lutheran Church, Sandusky: Hymn Festival with May Schwartz.

DEANS LIST: FALL & WINTER

ALL SAINTS:
“Onward Ye Saints” – Robert Wetzler (SATB, Organ) (AMSI/Lorenz Ind). A noble and dignified melody, unison first stanza, SATB second stanza , third stanza in unison with an SATB conclusion. Easy to learn and a practical addition to any choral library.

“God A Dwelling Shall Prepare” (a choral adaptation of a melody from “Jephtha”) – G. F. Handel / arr. by Henry Kihlken with an original new text (SA[TB], organ) (Coronet Press/Theodore Presser 392-42378). Your tenors need not be left out in this one as both TB ranges are compatible.

“Jewels” – music by George F. Boot (1820-1895) / text by William O. Cushing (1828-1902) / arr. by Henry Kihlken (SA or 2 part mixed, keyboard) (Coronet Press/Theodore Presser 392-41388). Simple, melodious, and direct. Easy to prepare and sing/ Also suitable for Advent as the first line “When He cometh to make you His Jewels” would indicate.


THANKSGIVING:
“With Joyful Heart and Voice” (from “24 Canons”)- by Luigi Cherubini (1760-1842) / realized and arr. by Henry Kihlken (Canon for 3 voices, any combination and keyboard) (Coronet Press/Theodore Presser 392-42380). Not difficult but requires careful attention.

“Now Thank We All Our God” (from “A Psalm of Thanksgiving) – Randal Thompson (SATB with piano reduction) (E. C. Schirmer No. 2746). Neo Baroque setting of the Johann Cruger chorale. Choral parts are in simple chorale style; accompaniment requires practice and preparation.


ADVENT:
“Wake, Awake For Night is Flying” (“Wachet auf”) – arr. by Carl F. Meuller (SATB with unison youth choir or soloists) (Carl Fischer CM7640). Parts intended for the youth choir may be sung in unison by the main choir; includes descant parts for soprano or tenor. Requires a large number of voices but is not difficult. Very majestic, and suitable for a Community Choral Festival or a Christmas Concert.

“Advent Carol” – Dale Wood (SATB with organ) (AMSI/Lorenz Ind, No. 119). Melody in Sacred Harp modal style. Very characteristic of this composer. Easy – Medium requirements.

“Awake and Be Watchful” (from the “Christmas Oratorio”) – J. S. Bach / arr. by Richard Simonds (SAB, keyboard) (Coronet Press/Theodore Presser 392-41708). A choral arrangement of the Alto aria “Prepare Thyself, Zion.” Easy – Medium requirements.

“A Tiny Child Will Come” – Don Besig (SATB, keyboard) (Harold Flammer A-6196). No, I haven’t been out in the sun too long. This is a very lovely, melodic piece; the Besig pot is definitely not boiling over in this one. Modal harmony. Easy.

“Now Behold Emmanuel” – Henry Kihlken (SA, keyboard) (Celebrations Unlimited CU 185). Based on the ancient plainsong “Ecce Nomen Domine.” Recommended for the last Sunday in Advent. Easy.


CHRISTMAS:
“How Far is it to Bethlehem” – Geoffrey Shaw (SATB) (Novello and Co., LTD 29 031005). Preferably unaccompanied (good luck with that one), however, a reduction of the voice parts is included in the score. A choral classic. Medium requirements.

“Noel, Noel, a Boy is Born” – Natalie Sleeth (2 part – any combination, organ and optional handbells) (AMSI/Lorenz Industries No. 223). A delightful piece in Carol style. Easy. The composer of “Jazz Gloria” in a very traditional vein.

“Angels With Their Joyful Tidings” (Polish Carol) – arr. by Walter Ehret (2-part any combination, piano, optional flute) (Walton Music/Hal Leonard W2309). Light and graceful. “Gloria in Excelsis” refrain. Easy/Medium requirements.

“When Christ Our Lord Was Born” (Italian Carol) – arr. by Walter Ehret (2-part any combination) (Celebrations Unlimited CU 198). A familiar carol which is rumored to have influenced Handel in certain sections of “The Messiah.” Easy.

“Gloria in Excelsis” (from “Missa Solemins” [1811]) – by Luigi Cherubini / arr. by Robert Ross (SATB with keyboard reduction) (Coronet Press/Theodore Presser 392-41427). An excellent way to introduce your choir to a major sacred choral work by a composer who deserves to be better known. This arrangement is greatly condensed from the original. Both Latin and English texts are underlaid. Medium to Difficult requirements.

“Gloria in Excelsis” – Antonio Lotti (1667-1740) (SATB, keyboard) (Coronet Press/Theodore Presser 392-42160). Less difficult than the forgoing; an interesting addition to the “Gloria” repertoire. Medium requirements.

“Christ Jesus is Born” (Brazillian Folk Tune) – arr, by Robert J. Powell (SATB, keyboard) (Coronet Press/Theodore Presser 392-41260). Familiar Folk Tune, found in WOV with a different text. Easy/Medium.

“O Holy Jesus, Little Child” (Mexican Carol) – arr. by Robert Powell (SATB, keyboard) (Coronet Press/Theodore Presser 392-42161). Easy, delightful Hispanic Carol.

“In Dulci Jubilo” – Dietrich Buxtehude / arr. by Theron Kirk (2-part any combination, keyboard, optional 2 flutes) (Coronet Press/Theodore Presser 892-42147). An abridgement of a much longer setting; the melody line is ornamented but not difficult. Medium requirements.

“Hymn-Anthem on ‘Adeste Fidelis’” – Everett Titcomb (SATB, organ) (C. F. Peters 6399). Solo sections which can be sung in sectional unisons. Easy and Majestic setting.


EPIPAHNY:
“We Have Seen His Star” (from “8 Short Motets for Mixed Voices”)– Everett Titcomb (SATB) (Carl Fischer CM438). While this piece is preferably unaccompanied, the score does include a keyboard reduction. Easy motet, contrapuntal lines. A good way to introduce your choir to a linear style of choral writing. Masterful writing, not difficult at all, but requires care and attention.

“Say, Where is He Born” (from the unfinished Oratorio “Christus” – Felix Mendelssohn / ed. By Walter Ehret (SATB, piano) (Theodore Presser 312-41393). Requires some adjustment to be played on the organ. Easy / Medium.