Sunday, August 15
FROM THE EDITOR
As many of you will remember, our AGO email account was hacked into this past winter. That is why everyone is receiving this newsletter through regular mail this month. I have set up a new email account at agosandusky@gmail.com . If you could please email me with your email address so I can create a new address book with everyone’s email in it. Then I can email the newsletters and other notifications to you which will save our Chapter money in postage. Please do this ASAP. Thank you.
FROM THE NEW DEAN
Greetings from your new Dean. A Tentative schedule has been set for the new season, with exact dates, times, and details to be finalized by the Planning Committee.
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The following schedule has been proposed, subject to change: November 14, 2010: Anthem Reading Session, Huron Presbyterian Church.
Late January or Early February: Organ Repertoire Sharing, Holy Angels RCC. The Tracker renovations should be completed at that time.
Late March or early April: Hymn Festival, St. Mary’s Church. “Hymns Based on the Psalms” will be the theme of the Festival. A Committee will select the Hymns and determine the format at it’s meeting set for the end of August. This committee consists of Randy Ruthsatz, Ron Borchardt, and Tim Claubaugh.
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Our Chapter has received excellent publicity in the July issue of TAO; on page 56 the J. S. Bach Recital, which was presented at three area churches on March 21, 2010, is reported in detail.
In closing, also in reference to J. S. Bach, this Dean encourages each Chapter Member to read the Chaplain’s column on page 16 of this issue. This needs little comment from me as it is a masterpiece.
It is the time of year when dues must be sent in to National Headquarters. Those of you who have not already done so, please mail your dues to Charles Scroggy at his home: 218 W. Bogart Rd., Sandusky, OH 44870.
I am please once again (how many times has it been?) to serve this Chapter as Dean.
(signed)
Henry Kihlken
Dean
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The following schedule has been proposed, subject to change: November 14, 2010: Anthem Reading Session, Huron Presbyterian Church.
Late January or Early February: Organ Repertoire Sharing, Holy Angels RCC. The Tracker renovations should be completed at that time.
Late March or early April: Hymn Festival, St. Mary’s Church. “Hymns Based on the Psalms” will be the theme of the Festival. A Committee will select the Hymns and determine the format at it’s meeting set for the end of August. This committee consists of Randy Ruthsatz, Ron Borchardt, and Tim Claubaugh.
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Our Chapter has received excellent publicity in the July issue of TAO; on page 56 the J. S. Bach Recital, which was presented at three area churches on March 21, 2010, is reported in detail.
In closing, also in reference to J. S. Bach, this Dean encourages each Chapter Member to read the Chaplain’s column on page 16 of this issue. This needs little comment from me as it is a masterpiece.
It is the time of year when dues must be sent in to National Headquarters. Those of you who have not already done so, please mail your dues to Charles Scroggy at his home: 218 W. Bogart Rd., Sandusky, OH 44870.
I am please once again (how many times has it been?) to serve this Chapter as Dean.
(signed)
Henry Kihlken
Dean
FROM THE OUT-GOING DEAN
This will be my last letter to you as Dean of the Sandusky Chapter, AGO. Henry Kihlken has agreed to take my place, and I ask you to join me in expressing thanks for his willingness to serve. He has served as Dean previously, so he brings experience to the office. Randall Ruthsatz will take Henry’s place as Sub-Dean, while Louise Rogers continues as Secretary and Charles Scroggy as Treasurer. They deserve our support, so be ready to assist with Guild activities as you are asked.
Six Guild members met with me several weeks ago to plan some programs and activities for the 2010-2011 season. We hope to go to the First Presbyterian Church in Huron this fall for an anthem reading session. Bring your favorite anthems to share and listen to new anthems your choir would enjoy.
Early in 2011 we hope to have a comparable program of organ music. We expect this to be at Holy Angels Catholic Church in late January or early February.
We are asking a guest director to lead the community of church members in a hymn festival (not a massed choir festival). Narration and hymns will be based on the Psalms. Date and place will be announced later, and we have approached a guest director. Further information will come from Henry Kihlken.
Thank you for the support you have given me as Dean. Some good things lie before us as an AGO Chapter. Be an enthusiastic part of it!
(Signed)
Laura M. Stellhorn
Retiring Dean
Six Guild members met with me several weeks ago to plan some programs and activities for the 2010-2011 season. We hope to go to the First Presbyterian Church in Huron this fall for an anthem reading session. Bring your favorite anthems to share and listen to new anthems your choir would enjoy.
Early in 2011 we hope to have a comparable program of organ music. We expect this to be at Holy Angels Catholic Church in late January or early February.
We are asking a guest director to lead the community of church members in a hymn festival (not a massed choir festival). Narration and hymns will be based on the Psalms. Date and place will be announced later, and we have approached a guest director. Further information will come from Henry Kihlken.
Thank you for the support you have given me as Dean. Some good things lie before us as an AGO Chapter. Be an enthusiastic part of it!
(Signed)
Laura M. Stellhorn
Retiring Dean
Tuesday, July 6
FROM OUR DEAN FOR JULY 2010
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. Regular membership is $70.00. Of that amount, $55.00 is sent to the national office, and $15.00 remains in our Chapter treasury. Special Memberships for those over 65 are $52.50. We keep $37.50 in our treasury, and pass $15.00 on to the national office. Charles’ address is: 218 W. Bogart Rd., Sandusky, OH 44870. Please mail your dues promptly, payable to “Sandusky Chapter AGO” so Charles can take care of this important task.
If you have any program or chapter ideas for this coming year, contact me by July 26 so that we can incorporate them, If possible, into this coming season. We welcome any and all ideas that you may have.
In sorting out papers from a bulging filing cabinet, I found a page from the June 1999 AMERICAN ORGANIST titled, “A Survivor’s Manual for the Church Organist” by James Pethel. He admits some of his suggestions are silly and some serious, but you will recognize all of them contain an element of truth. Here is a sampling from the article:
It’s a good idea to hit the cancel piston before you get on or off
the bench.
Don’t walk on wet surfaces in your organ shoes on the way to the
organ.
Be careful getting onto a freshly waxed bench too quickly.
Learn to talk and play at the same time during the postlude.
When playing a hymn and you forget what stanza you are on,
watch the pastor’s eyes and hands. He will look away from the
hymn and start to close his hymnal on the last phrase.
If you accidentally make a sound during a silence, don’t react
at all. Look up at the chambers as if somebody in there did it.
And if you still have your copy of the 1999 AMERICAN ORGANIST, you can enjoy the rest of the suggestions.
Have a harmonious summer!
(signed)
Laura Stellhorn,
Dean
If you have any program or chapter ideas for this coming year, contact me by July 26 so that we can incorporate them, If possible, into this coming season. We welcome any and all ideas that you may have.
In sorting out papers from a bulging filing cabinet, I found a page from the June 1999 AMERICAN ORGANIST titled, “A Survivor’s Manual for the Church Organist” by James Pethel. He admits some of his suggestions are silly and some serious, but you will recognize all of them contain an element of truth. Here is a sampling from the article:
It’s a good idea to hit the cancel piston before you get on or off
the bench.
Don’t walk on wet surfaces in your organ shoes on the way to the
organ.
Be careful getting onto a freshly waxed bench too quickly.
Learn to talk and play at the same time during the postlude.
When playing a hymn and you forget what stanza you are on,
watch the pastor’s eyes and hands. He will look away from the
hymn and start to close his hymnal on the last phrase.
If you accidentally make a sound during a silence, don’t react
at all. Look up at the chambers as if somebody in there did it.
And if you still have your copy of the 1999 AMERICAN ORGANIST, you can enjoy the rest of the suggestions.
Have a harmonious summer!
(signed)
Laura Stellhorn,
Dean
Wednesday, May 12
FROM OUR DEAN FOR MAY 2010
Another AGO season is winding down, and this may be my last newsletter until fall. Here are a few items to share with you now:
Sunday, May 16, 7:30 p.m. St. Mary’s Choir will present their annual
spring concert under the direction of Tim Claubaugh. Various
instruments will add color to the vocal program. Admission is free.
Sunday, May 23, 3:00 p.m. The Community Choir will present their
spring program at St. John Lutheran Church in Port Clinton. Henry
Kihlken is organ accompanist.
As planned, I attended the meeting of Ohio AGO Chapter deans at the Bunn-Minnick Pipe Organ Co. in Columbus on April 24. Regional Councillor Paul Barte from Ohio University, Athens, OH was present and presided over the meeting.
He urged us to contact potential members personally and offer
them a warm, encouraging welcome.
Organists say their # 1 reason for joining AGO is to receive monthly
issues of THE AMERICAN ORGANIST.
Chapter deans reported many of the concerns we have regarding
meeting days and times that meet everyone’s schedule, and the
lack of member attendance at meetings.
The AGO has a national website, and there is no charge for using it.
Next year’s Regional Convention will be in Lexington, KY.
A minimum of $3 per member for the Annual Fund would cover
liability insurance costs.
St. John Lutheran Church (Union Corners) at Scheid Rd. and Rt. 250 is still looking for a permanent organist / choir director since Bill Scheid retired earlier this year. The congregation has a loyal choir of 12-15 members who rehearse Wednesday evenings. Sunday worship is at 10:30 a.m. If you now of someone who might fill this position, have them call Sandra Thompson at 419-433-4530.
Be thinking of program ideas for next season. What can we plan to be a help to you and / or an event for the community? I am open to any and all ideas.
Have a good summer. Continue your high standards of music during the summer months even though your schedule allows you to relax a bit.
Sunday, May 16, 7:30 p.m. St. Mary’s Choir will present their annual
spring concert under the direction of Tim Claubaugh. Various
instruments will add color to the vocal program. Admission is free.
Sunday, May 23, 3:00 p.m. The Community Choir will present their
spring program at St. John Lutheran Church in Port Clinton. Henry
Kihlken is organ accompanist.
As planned, I attended the meeting of Ohio AGO Chapter deans at the Bunn-Minnick Pipe Organ Co. in Columbus on April 24. Regional Councillor Paul Barte from Ohio University, Athens, OH was present and presided over the meeting.
He urged us to contact potential members personally and offer
them a warm, encouraging welcome.
Organists say their # 1 reason for joining AGO is to receive monthly
issues of THE AMERICAN ORGANIST.
Chapter deans reported many of the concerns we have regarding
meeting days and times that meet everyone’s schedule, and the
lack of member attendance at meetings.
The AGO has a national website, and there is no charge for using it.
Next year’s Regional Convention will be in Lexington, KY.
A minimum of $3 per member for the Annual Fund would cover
liability insurance costs.
St. John Lutheran Church (Union Corners) at Scheid Rd. and Rt. 250 is still looking for a permanent organist / choir director since Bill Scheid retired earlier this year. The congregation has a loyal choir of 12-15 members who rehearse Wednesday evenings. Sunday worship is at 10:30 a.m. If you now of someone who might fill this position, have them call Sandra Thompson at 419-433-4530.
Be thinking of program ideas for next season. What can we plan to be a help to you and / or an event for the community? I am open to any and all ideas.
Have a good summer. Continue your high standards of music during the summer months even though your schedule allows you to relax a bit.
Tuesday, April 13
FROM OUR DEAN FOR APRIL 2010
I hope you, like I, are living in the afterglow of Bach’s birthday celebration on Sunday, March 21. Almost 200 people stayed with us in all three churches. I especially want to thank Jim Gardner, Henry Kihlken, Charles Scroggy, Randy Ruthsatz, and Tim Claubaugh for preparing and presenting their Bach music to an appreciative audience. Everywhere I have gone, people have told me how very much they enjoyed the afternoon. We may be a small AGO Chapter, but we have provided the community something of musical value and proved to ourselves there is reason to continue our existence.
The Lorain Co. Chapter has announced its annual student recital at Finney Chapel, Oberlin College, on Sunday, April 25, starting at 4:00 p.m. Several of our members have attended and enjoyed each progam. If you wish to stay for dinner at the Oberlin Inn, phone your reservation by Monday, April 19 to Marty Bruner at 440-322-9749. Dinner cost is $19, but the student recitals are free.
Nancy Russell, Ohio District Convener, has scheduled a meeting of Ohio Chapter Deans at the Bunn-Minnick Pipe Organ Co. in Columbus on Saturday, April 24. I expect to attend since I will already be in Columbus that weekend for alumni reunions at Capital University. If there is something significant to report, you will learn of it in our conversations or my next newsletter,
I pray continuing blessings to you as you lead God’s people in worship.
-Laura Stellhorn, Dean
The Lorain Co. Chapter has announced its annual student recital at Finney Chapel, Oberlin College, on Sunday, April 25, starting at 4:00 p.m. Several of our members have attended and enjoyed each progam. If you wish to stay for dinner at the Oberlin Inn, phone your reservation by Monday, April 19 to Marty Bruner at 440-322-9749. Dinner cost is $19, but the student recitals are free.
Nancy Russell, Ohio District Convener, has scheduled a meeting of Ohio Chapter Deans at the Bunn-Minnick Pipe Organ Co. in Columbus on Saturday, April 24. I expect to attend since I will already be in Columbus that weekend for alumni reunions at Capital University. If there is something significant to report, you will learn of it in our conversations or my next newsletter,
I pray continuing blessings to you as you lead God’s people in worship.
-Laura Stellhorn, Dean
UPCOMING EVENTS
Be sure to check out our "Upcoming Events" to see what exciting events are coming our way in the Sandusky area.
FROM THE EDITOR - EMAIL CHANGE
Due to a hacker hacking into our email account, I have had to change our email account to: agosandusky@gmail.com . I have not been able to delete the old account because the hacker changed the password on that account. If you receive any emails from the “YAHOO” account, delete them without opening them. Do NOT delete emails that come from the “GMAIL” account. You might want to “spam” the “YAHOO” account. If you decide to go the spaming route, please be sure that you spam “yahoo” and NOT “gmail.”
I apologize for this inconvenience. This is the second time within a year that our email account was hacked into. I hope changing providers will take care of this problem.
If you receive these newsletters by U. S. Postal Service, and you have email, you could save our chapter money by contacting Tim to have your newsletter sent by email for free instead of through the U. S. Postal Service. Please consider this option.
-Tim Claubaugh, Editor
I apologize for this inconvenience. This is the second time within a year that our email account was hacked into. I hope changing providers will take care of this problem.
If you receive these newsletters by U. S. Postal Service, and you have email, you could save our chapter money by contacting Tim to have your newsletter sent by email for free instead of through the U. S. Postal Service. Please consider this option.
-Tim Claubaugh, Editor
Tuesday, March 9
BACH'S 325TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
The Sandusky Chapter of the American Guild of Organists is celebrating the 325th birthday of Johann Sebastian Bach on Sunday, March 21, 2010 with a "Church Walk" type concert at 3 local churches. People may either walk or drive from church to church. First Congregational is one block from Emmanuel, and Sts. Peter and Paul is across the street from First Congregational. All five organists will perform organ works of J. S. Bach
The event begins at 3:00 at Emmanuel United Church of Christ, 334 Columbus Ave. Organists Jim Gardner and Henry Kihlken will perform.
At about 3:20 everyone will move to First Congregational UCC, 431 Columbus Ave., where organists Charles Scroggy and Randy Ruthsatz will perform.
At about 3:50, everyone will move to Sts. Peter and Paul, 510 Columbus Ave., where organist Tim Claubaugh will perform. A reception will follow afterwards in the gathering room at Sts. Peter & Paul.
This event is free and open to the public.
The event begins at 3:00 at Emmanuel United Church of Christ, 334 Columbus Ave. Organists Jim Gardner and Henry Kihlken will perform.
At about 3:20 everyone will move to First Congregational UCC, 431 Columbus Ave., where organists Charles Scroggy and Randy Ruthsatz will perform.
At about 3:50, everyone will move to Sts. Peter and Paul, 510 Columbus Ave., where organist Tim Claubaugh will perform. A reception will follow afterwards in the gathering room at Sts. Peter & Paul.
This event is free and open to the public.
FROM OUR DEAN FOR MARCH 2010
Sunday, March 21 is rapidly approaching as we carry out our plans to celebrate J. S. Bach’s 325th birthday. Details were in my last newsletter. Jim Gardner and Henry Kihlken, Charles Scroggy and Randy Ruthsatz, and Tim Claubaugh will be organists at Emmanuel UCC, First Congregational UCC, and Sts. Peter and Paul Churches in that order. Please publicize this afternoon concert which starts at 3:00 in your church leaflets at least one week in advance. The Sandusky Register has been notified of our plans, and I hope they give us good coverage. Please let me know if you and your congregation are participating. Perhaps if the list is long enough, the Register will be more willing to consider it a major story.
Have you thought about the tour of the Schantz Organ Co. on Saturday, March 20? We have an invitation from the Lorain Co. Chapter to join them on the tour, starting at 10:30 a.m. The group expects to eat together at the Dravenstott Restaurant in Orrville. Reservations are needed by phoning Bob Ebert at 440-353-3362 or emailing him at rebert@bw.edu by Monday, March 15. Can we car pool? Orrville is approximately 1 ½ hours driving time from Sandusky. You may also want a shopping trip to Smuckers Factory Store before leaving Orrville.
On the inside of the back cover of the March “AMERICAN ORGANIST” is a photo of the Schantz organ Richard Dundore played for 10 years at Second UCC in Tiffin. Richard is currently organist at First Presbyterian Church in Sandusky.
As Dean of the Sandusky Chapter I receive mailings which may be of interest to some of our members. I have received a “Handbook for Organ Teachers” and a catalog of his music from Wayne Leupold Editions. Mr. Leupold is also available to conduct 3 ½ hour workshops on teaching beginning keyboard to children and adults. Contact me if this information holds interest for you.
I’ll look for you at Emmanuel UCC at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, March 21st.
-Laura Stellhorn, Dean
Have you thought about the tour of the Schantz Organ Co. on Saturday, March 20? We have an invitation from the Lorain Co. Chapter to join them on the tour, starting at 10:30 a.m. The group expects to eat together at the Dravenstott Restaurant in Orrville. Reservations are needed by phoning Bob Ebert at 440-353-3362 or emailing him at rebert@bw.edu by Monday, March 15. Can we car pool? Orrville is approximately 1 ½ hours driving time from Sandusky. You may also want a shopping trip to Smuckers Factory Store before leaving Orrville.
On the inside of the back cover of the March “AMERICAN ORGANIST” is a photo of the Schantz organ Richard Dundore played for 10 years at Second UCC in Tiffin. Richard is currently organist at First Presbyterian Church in Sandusky.
As Dean of the Sandusky Chapter I receive mailings which may be of interest to some of our members. I have received a “Handbook for Organ Teachers” and a catalog of his music from Wayne Leupold Editions. Mr. Leupold is also available to conduct 3 ½ hour workshops on teaching beginning keyboard to children and adults. Contact me if this information holds interest for you.
I’ll look for you at Emmanuel UCC at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, March 21st.
-Laura Stellhorn, Dean
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