Tuesday, December 15

FROM OUR DEAN FOR DECEMBER 2009

Advent and Christmas seasons are busy ones for church musicians. May I wish each of you a fulfilling, blessed season of preparation and celebration.

Are you planning your J. S. Bach music to celebrate his 325th birthday on Sunday, March 21, 2010? You will recall our Sandusky Chapter is hoping to immerse the area worship services in Bach’s music that day and enlist the cooperation of the Sandusky Register to publicize the event.

Last year we invited the community to enjoy organ music in three Sandusky churches, and many people came. We heard many favorable comments with the added statement, “I hope you do this again.” Soooo, after enjoying Bach music in the morning, we will continue his birthday celebration by visiting three Sandusky churches that afternoon and hearing two recitalists at each building play 20-minute programs. The three churches with six organists are already in place, with final detailed plans in my next letter. We trust you will be part of both phases of the celebration.

The December issue of “The American Organist” gave detailed plans for the national AGO convention in Washington, D.C. July 4-8, 2010. Are any of you planning to attend? A recent letter from Ronald Stolk, Convention Coordinator, told how our Chapter could advertise in the printed program ($350), sponsor a workshop ($400), and/or make a $259 donation toward an organ student’s registration fee and housing at a nearby university campus. Our limited treasury will not allow us to contribute toward any of these requests, but support from individuals would not be refused.

A reminder. Have you paid membership dues to our treasurer? Regular membership is $70. Members over age 65 pay only $52.50. Send your check to Charles Scroggy, 218 W. Bogart Rd., Sandusky, OH 44870, payable to Sandusky Chapter AGO.

And lastly, here’s a bit of information of local interest. You may remember reading an article written by Albert Adcock in the November “The American Organist” about the Portagesville Chapel retreat. Some of you may know Albert grew up in Sandusky and was a member of Grace Episcopal Choir. Elmer Frank, my organ teacher, was Director of Music at Grace. In a recent exchange of letters, Albert told me that Elmer Frank offered him fifteen free organ lessons as a 15th birthday present. Before he had the 15th lessons, Mr. Frank died. Albert writes, “I have often wondered, but not lamented, how my life might have played out had he not passed away so suddenly.”

A Blessed Christmas Season to all our members as we lead our congregations to a Bethlehem manger to worship the newborn Savior and King.

Sincerely,
Laura Stellhorn,
Dean

No comments: