Season's Wishes

On Christmas Eve 2008, my wish for each of the Guild's members in Region VI is that, no matter what your religious beliefs are, you re-discover the joy and wonder of this season in your everyday music-making activities. We are privileged to make our mark on our world with our music. May you find inspiration from the music in your care -- passed down through generations of musicians and composers -- and may you continue the chain by inspiring others with your music-making.

All best to you in the upcoming new year!

Jan

Looking for a great holiday gift?

Are you looking for holiday gift ideas for your favorite organist, or for your personal list to give to family and friends? The AGO store has lots of great ideas for you. You might want to try dropping a hint to your church or synagogue as well!

The best news: from now through December 23, AGO members can take advantage of significant discounts! The below information is from Headquarters. Happy shopping!

NEW YORK CITY-The American Guild of Organists (AGO) has discounted its entire catalog of educational resources by 20% for AGO members making purchases now through December 23, 2008. The AGO store offers many educational resources and specialty items that can make the perfect holiday gifts for professional colleagues, organ students, organ teachers, and other organ music lovers. Dozens of books, recordings, and items of apparel, including t-shirts, sweatshirts, and neckties, are offered.

Shopping for Guild gifts is easy. All merchandise can be ordered online or by contacting AGO store manager Harold Calhoun, 212-870-2311 (ext. 4318) or 800-AGO-5115. Additionally, orders can be placed via postal mail using the order form found on page 9 of each issue of The American Organist magazine. All orders totaling $30 or more will qualify for a free gift:
a CD recording of 2006 NYACOP winner Scott Montgomery.

A twelve-month subscription to The American Organist magazine makes a wonderful gift for the new year. Alternatively, a gift of membership for a student, colleague, or loved one will provide all the benefits of membership, including a subscription to TAO magazine. Orders for subscriptions and memberships can be placed online or by calling 212-870-2311 (ext. 7512).

For the organist, friend, teacher, or loved one who has everything, some may wish to consider a gift that keeps on giving: a contribution to the AGO Annual Fund, Endowment Fund, or New Organist Fund in their honor. The contribution will go to work immediately supporting the educational activities of the American Guild of Organists. All contributions to the AGO are 100% tax deductible to the fullest extent provided by law. Contributions can be made online or by calling 212-870-2311 (ext. 4308).

Important IRS Deadline November 15

This important reminder from James Thomashower, AGO's Executive Director, was sent by e-mail to all chapter Deans today, November 12, 2008. If you are a chapter Dean, it is essential that you complete this IRS requirement. If you are not a chapter Dean, offer your help to see that your chapter's tax-exempt status is secure! Thanks - Jan



We are writing to remind you that the deadline for filing the IRS Form 990-N is November 15th. If you or another officer of your chapter has not filled out the online e-Postcard, please do so now to protect your tax-exempt status with the IRS. The original e-mail sent to all AGO chapters earlier this year regarding this new requirement is copied below for your review. As always, don't hesitate to call us at AGO National Headquarters if you have questions. Please contact either one of the following staff members: Jennifer Madden, Director of Membership & Administration, at 212-870-2311, ext. 4304; Jin Kang, Manager of Membership, Graphic Artist, at 212-870-2311, ext. 7512.

NEW TAX FILING REQUIREMENTS FOR AGO CHAPTERS

IRS PUBLISHES FORM 990-N

Dear Chapter Deans and Other Officers:

As previously announced, the IRS has implemented a new reporting requirement for nonprofit organizations with gross receipts of less than $25,000. If your chapter falls within this parameter, it will need to file an annual electronic notice called Form 990-N. Form 990-N is an electronic postcard that is simple and easy to complete.

The due date for the e-Postcard is November 15, 2008. It will reflect the chapter's operations for the July 1, 2007 - June 30, 2008 fiscal year. (The due date is technically the 15th day of the 5th month following the close of your fiscal year.)

INFORMATION YOU WILL NEED TO COMPLETE THE E-POSTCARD

• Chapter Name
• Chapter Mailing Address (If your chapter does not have a chapter mailbox, you can use your Dean's address)
• Chapter Website (if you have one)
• Chapter EIN Number (This is your Chapter's Tax Identification Number. If you do not know your chapter's EIN, National Headquarters staff will provide it to you over the phone.)
• Name of the Dean and his/her address
• Chapter's annual tax period (See above)
• Verification that your chapter's income is still normally $25,000 or less (You can do this by preparing the Chapter Income/Expense Statement Worksheet that is provided in the Chapter Management Handbook and online in the Chapter Management section here.

Please note that the IRS form will only be accessible online, so if you do not have access to the Internet, you will need to obtain it from a colleague or go to a local library to file the form. Chapters that fail to file will risk losing their tax-exempt status.

You should access this form and complete it after the close of your fiscal year.

You can learn more about the requirements at the IRS website.

If your chapter's gross income during the tax year is more than $25,000, you will need to file IRS Form 990 (Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax). Form 990-N will not replace this requirement.

Nominate your mentor for our Regional award!

At the upcoming Regional Convention - June 15-18, 2009, in Wichita, KS - we will have a chance to honor someone within the ten states as our 2009 Regional Honoree. Who has impacted your musical life? Who comes immediately to mind as the person who most exemplifies Guild's mission?

The AGO mission statement: "The purpose of the American Guild of Organists is to promote the organ in its historic and evolving roles, to encourage excellence in the performance of organ and choral music, and to provide a forum for mutual support, inspiration, education, and certification of Guild members."

We all have mentors who have inspired us to be active in our profession. These can be formal mentors - organ instructors, choral directors, etc., with whom we have interacted - or informal mentors - composers, performers, organ builders, etc., whose work has influenced ours but whom we have never had the pleasure of meeting face-to-face. Take this opportunity to nominate your mentor!

The nomination form is available, along with the most recent updates about the 2009 Regional Convention, on the convention website.

Act now - deadline for nominations is December 1, 2008.

On-line resources for chapters

An amazing collection of resources that can help your chapter is available on the AGO Headquarters website. Check it out!

Here are some of the offerings. All are free downloads:

• International Year of the Organ brochure. Throughout this exciting year (June 2008 through June 2009), I hope you will distribute these brochures at all chapter events and other IYO organ events in your community.
  
• AGO Membership brochure. Please also have these available at your events, and warmly welcome everyone to join the Guild, in any one of the variety of categories available to organists, singers, conductors, organ enthusiasts, organ builders, and organ friends.
• International Year of the Organ logos and button templates. Print these on programs; wear the buttons; generate questions about what the IYO and the AGO are all about.
  
• Media Relations Handbook. A very helpful resource developed for the IYO but useful whenever your chapter needs to publicize any event.
• Chapter documents: The Chapter Management Handbook has answers and advice about how a chapter should operate. The on-line forms you'll need, like Officer Report Forms, Dues Report Forms, Membership Renewal and Transfer Forms, are all also here.
  
• Other documents. Click on the categories on the right side of the page to access many, many more useful documents.

And while you're at it, check out the information about your regional officers, available to help you, and contact information for your fellow chapters in Region VI, at the Regions and Chapters part of the national website.

Again, it's all FREE of charge. Take advantage of any or all of these helpful resources to make your chapter and its events even more effective!

Advertise your October 19 event for FREE!

One of the benefits of the entire Guild working together on the International Year of the Organ is the advertising exposure nationally. Oct. 19, 2008 will be an international day of celebration, and a focal point of the 2008-09 International Year of the Organ Celebration.

If your chapter is presenting an Organ Spectacular event on October 19, the national AGO office wants to help you get the word out! Post your event on the national AGO website by contacting os@agohq.org.

Check the IYO website to find out all the Organ Spectacular events occurring across the globe. As of this posting, there are 41 events listed in the 10 states of Region VI. If your chapter's event is not listed, please make sure to submit the information -- let's not waste this opportunity. If your chapter is not sponsoring an event, please support other events with your attendance and enthusiasm!

Excitement Builds as Opening of the International Year of the Organ Approaches

The following press release was published by the AGO on May 15. Join the international effort and make your chapter plans now! Jan

2008–2009 International Year of the Organ to Be Inaugurated at the AGO National Convention in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn., June 22–26, 2008

More than 200 Organ Spectacular Concerts Worldwide on Sunday, October 19, 2008 Will Celebrate the King of Instruments

NEW YORK CITY—The American Guild of Organists (AGO) has designated 2008–2009 as the International Year of the Organ (IYO) and is partnering with organizations worldwide to celebrate the King of Instruments. The celebration will commence with the AGO National Convention in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn., June 22–26, 2008, and will conclude with the AGO Regional Conventions in the summer of 2009. Major support for the International Year of the Organ is provided by Platinum level sponsor Kuhn Orgelbau; Gold level sponsors Reuter Organ Co., Rodgers Instruments, and Walker Technical Co.; and Silver level sponsor Schantz Organ Co.

More than two hundred Organ Spectacular (OS) concerts are planned on Sunday, October 19, 2008. The award winning Ornament of Grace by Bernard Sanders for organ and C instrument, and Stephen Paulus's Blithely Breezing Along for organ, commissioned by David and Cindy Vogels, will be featured works on Organ Spectacular concerts. These concerts will be presented by the AGO's local chapters throughout the U.S. and abroad, as well as by partner organizations including: American Public Media's Pipedreams, the American Theater Organ Society, Organ Historical Society, and Royal Canadian College of Organists. Separately, the governors of Michigan, Montana, Nebraska and Wisconsin have each issued official proclamations declaring that their states will be honoring the organ during this IYO celebratory year.

All AGO chapters and other organizations producing concerts during the IYO are encouraged to submit a complimentary listing of their events on the AGO Web site. This official list of IYO/OS activities will be constantly updated and will be published in the October issue of The American Organist Magazine.

AGO chapters, independent concert organizers, organbuilders, academicians, and others hosting IYO/OS events are invited to adapt for their own use any of the one dozen IYO/OS logo designs available for downloading from the AGO's Web site.

To provide further support for the IYO and OS, the AGO is developing a comprehensive Media Relations Handbook specially designed for AGO Chapters. The Handbook is being produced in cooperation with the Phelps Group, an award-winning international public relations firm. The publication will be available at the IYO/OS booth at the 2008 AGO National Convention and will be discussed in depth during a convention workshop sponsored by the AGO Committee on Professional Networking and Public Relations. The text and model forms will also be available online at the AGO's Web site.

Complete information regarding the International Year of the Organ and Organ Spectacular is available online at www.agohq.org/os. For information about corporate sponsorships, please contact AGO Executive Director James Thomashower, 212-870-2311 (ext. 4300) or e-mail jet@agohq.org. For general information and inquiries about program listings, please contact IYO/OS Project Coordinator Harold Calhoun, 212-870-2311 (ext. 4318) or e-mail os@agohq.org.

POE+ for adults

From May 18-23, the Tri-State Chapter of the American Guild of Organists will be hosting a Pipe Organ Encounter+, a special week for adults wishing to improve their skills at the organ. This is a great opportunity for adult organists to get away, spend time in a beautiful setting, and focus on musical skills with expert instruction on beautiful instruments. Please help spread the word!

Two tracks of instruction will be offered—one for beginners, and one for more experienced players. (The only prerequisite is moderate keyboard facility.) The week, hosted on the beautiful campus of Colorado State University, will consist of daily individual lessons, group classes, organ crawls, and recitals on instruments throughout Fort Collins.

This course will feature local and national performers and clinicians, including: Joel Bacon (Chair of Organ and Liturgical Studies, CSU), Carole Terry (U. of Washington), Ronald Ebrecht (Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT), Denise Lanning (First United Methodist Church, Boulder), Steven Morris (Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit, Houston, TX), and Tamara Schmiege (St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Fort Collins).

For more information contact Joel Bacon at Joel.Bacon@colostate.edu or (970)443-5031.

Hope for the Future

[From time to time, guest authors will be featured on our blog. The following is an article which impressed me very much when it appeared in the Springfield, MO, AGO chapter newsletter earlier this year. Its author, T. Daniel Hancock, Dean of the chapter, has given permission to re-print it here. Jan]

As organists or lovers of organ-associated music, much indeed is said about the current role of the organ (both secular and sacred), the availability of job opportunities for aspiring and current organists, and so on. Certainly in our Guild’s journals and meetings, we hear much about the prognosis for the future of the organ. And much of the time, it’s not very encouraging.

But for every discouraging word we could share, there’s also much worthy of praise on our musical horizon.

First, the volume of new and rebuilt instruments featured in the pages of our worthy journal, The American Organist, and other journals like The Diapason, never fail to amaze me. Month after month, at least one noteworthy organ and story of its inception, creation, and reception is chronicled, usually with great detail and enthusiasm. These instruments – substantial community investments – will be used, respected, and honored for decades to come. And for every new instrument that makes the headlines, how many more undergo simple repair or restoration with little notice, or simply continue to work with excellence week after week – unheralded, but with great significance to those who play and hear? Certainly for every story we could repeat of an organ falling into disuse, or being dismantled with no future home, we could also tell of those that are otherwise.

Second, a topic with greater complexity: There are, generally speaking, two kinds of growth that can be loosely termed as “broadening” and “deepening.” Broadening growth is that which covers a lot of territory but is fairly shallow – knowledge that covers many topics in a general way. Conversely, deepening is growth which covers very little territory, but in far greater depth – knowledge that covers few topics, but to a level of great detail.

One hundred years ago, the organ was a standard instrument for entertainment, serious performance, and worship. Pipe organs (there were no other, except for reed organs) were found in churches of every kind, concert halls, theaters, homes, department stores, funeral homes, hospitals, and every other conceivable place of gathering. And just as varied were its uses, both solo and in ensemble. This was a day of broad use and application for the organ. For every good organ and well-trained organist, there were dozens of mediocre instruments used to varying degrees of success.

In our day, for reasons too innumerable to name here, the organ finds a home in less diverse locations which are far fewer in number. Likewise, far fewer choose to learn to play the organ, and these reductions in the use of the organ are generally the cause for alarm and dismay. But let me suggest that although the use of our instrument and art is certainly less broad than it once was, many excellent things are happening, both in the construction of new instruments and in the use that they receive. Today, when the investment is made to both procure an instrument and secure an organist to play it, we find that both the instrument and artist are generally more highly valued than in days of a century past. The once common with a broad application is now less so. But, where the organ is to be found, and its music heard, one usually finds greater competence, fine artistry, and in general, greater depth than could have been found before.

I believe that some of the finest instruments existing today are recent ones (and this from an avid organ historian/preservationist!). Likewise, although there have always been very fine organists in every age, today the best performers represent a greater percentage of the total sum. Surely this is encouragement for us all, and reason to continue in our art with an aim toward improvement more each day. Let us always strive for excellence, flexibility, and variety as we seek to focus on the positive realities of our times!

T. Daniel Hancock, Dean, Springfield, MO, chapter

Vote!

This is the time of year when your AGO really is in your hands. The direction set for your organization by national and regional leaders depends on your making your opinion known. One of the easiest ways to do this is to vote!

This is an important election for the future of the Guild. Due to term expirations and other moves, we will be electing a new AGO President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Councillor for Education. Other positions have experienced incumbents and very qualified other candidates from which to choose.

You may cast your ballot quickly and easily on-line by clicking here to access the AGO's secure Internet voting site. You will also find expanded biographies and statements from many of the candidates there, since the space for these items in The American Organist is very limited. However, you will need your TAO to determine your AGO identification number - it is immediately above your name on the mailing label.

A special thanks to the Region VI Nominating Committee, chaired by Beverly Everett, for their work to select candidates for the Regional Councillor position. I would be very pleased to serve you as Regional Councillor for a second term. Dr. Joel Bacon, the other candidate, is a wonderfully qualified and very enthusiastic AGO member and leader, and would be a great Regional Councillor. (We should all be especially grateful to him for running in this election, in addition to directing the upcoming POE+ at Colorado State University in May!) No matter which of us is elected as your RC, I truly believe that Region VI will be in good hands.

All regular, special, student, partner, and independent members of the AGO are eligible to vote. Spread the word, and make your voice heard!

Present an "Organ Spectacular" Event

As you probably know, the AGO has declared the 2008-2009 program year as the "International Year of the Organ." Many chapters are currently planning their programs for the upcoming year, and I encourage you to plan an extra-special event on October 19, 2008, the date of the "Organ Spectacular." You will be able to take advantage of international advertising to a very diverse potential audience, and will have the excitement of participating in the "world's largest organ recital"!

In the most recent issue of The American Organist, the IYO national committee offers the following "Noteworthy Strategies for Success" in planning your Organ Spectacular event:

• Assess your community - its people, its organs, its performance venues.
• Plan appealing programs designed to reach NEW audiences of all ages - explore performance space options, including public venues, concert halls, schools, shopping malls, houses of worship.
• Collaborate with others - instrumentalists, vocalists, dancers, visual artists, educators, TV/radio personalities, community leaders, local celebreties - to create and produce unique and stimulating concerts.
• Advertise the premiere of our winning composition - a new organ and instrument work written for this celebration - be sure to invite your newspaper's music critic to the performance!
• Visit the IYO website - for a listing of creative program ideas, as well as helpful information on publicizing your event.
• Submit your concert information - for AGO website inclusion. E-mail it to Harold Calhoun at hc@agohq.org (and copy me as well, so that I can list it on the Regional calendar that is part of this blog).

Most of these are good tips to keep in mind for all AGO programs. Your national headquarters is working hard on the International Year of the Organ. It's going to be a very exciting year!

Let's all join together to create a "buzz" for the IYO year that will carry forward for years to come. The first step: plan now to make October 19, 2008, a special day of celebration in your corner of the world of organ and choral music!

Membership Reduced Rates

For the period of February 1 through March 31, 2008, AGO membership is available at special reduced dues rates for new members.

Now is an ideal time to invite your organist, choral director, and clergy friends to join the AGO! Check with your chapter registrar for the dues rates for new members during this time period. Share with your friends your enthusiasm about the world of the organ and information about the upcoming International Year of the Organ and other exciting events (see other posts on this blog) in our Region and your chapter.

International Year of the Organ composition competition winners

The AGO has named 2008-09 as the International Year of the Organ (see my previous post on the IYO - January 8, below). The year will begin with special events at the 2008 National Convention this summer in Minneapolis/St. Paul, and will conclude with the Regional Conventions in summer 2009. I highly encourage you to plan special events in your area!

As a part of the celebration, the AGO sponsored a composition competition for short pieces for organ and C instrument, easy to moderate difficulty, to be played at the Organ Spectacular simultaneous concerts presented by AGO chapters across the world on October 19, 2008. Judges for the competition were Mary Beth Bennett, Emma Lou Diemer, and Mark Sedio. Thirty-six composers submitted compositions. The three winners named are:

• Bernard Wayne Sanders: "Ornament of Grace" for organ and violin or oboe
• Paul Ayres: "Toccata Duo" for organ and trumpet, flute or violin
  
• Jon Naples: "Reach for the Stars" for organ and oboe

An additional work, commissioned from Stephen Paulus, will also be premiered at many of these Organ Spectacular events.

Plan now for you, your chapter, your church or synagogue to take part in the October 19 Organ Spectacular - the world's largest organ recital - and other events during the International Year of the Organ. AGO chapters and other musical organizations are encouraged to join this effort.

The IYO committee will create a listing of events. To submit yours, select an on-line form to complete and send to AGO Headquarters:

• AGO-sponsored events - click here
• Non-AGO-sponsored events - click here

The Phelps Group of Los Angeles is the national media consultant for the IYO, and they plan to attract media interest across the country. It will be an exciting year and you won't want to miss out on the growing enthusiasm about our beloved King of Instruments!

POE Matching Gift Challenge

Summer 2008 will see not one but two Pipe Organ Encounters (POEs) in Region VI! This initiative to support the next generations' interest in our profession is one of the most wonderful and successful programs of the Guild. (See additional information, including a video, in my previous post about POEs, below.)

My colleague, Lary Grossman, Councillor for Region I (New England - see his blog), recently reminded me that a generous donor has pledged to match – dollar for dollar, up to $10,000 – all new sources of funding supporting the 2008 POEs across the nation, in honor of the twentieth anniversary of the Pipe Organ Encounter program.

Any donation, large or small, from a chapter, church, organization, or individual, counts - as long as it's a new source of funding for a POE. If your chapter has never donated, now is the time to make your donation go twice as far! Please consider donating, and help spread the word about this match program to all members and friends who are interested in helping young organists.

Contributions, which are tax-deductible, may be sent to the AGO Development Office (475 Riverside Drive, Suite 1260, New York NY 10115) or made online here (use the Annual Fund area and indicate POE Matching Gift Challenge in the Comment box). If you send a check, please indicate POE Matching Gift Challenge in the memo field.

And of course, please spread the word to potential students for both our POEs this summer! For more information:

• POE Advanced in Lincoln, NE - for teens who have previous POE experience or have studied organ
• POE+ in Ft. Collins, CO - for adults, both beginners and experienced organists - e-mail Dr. Joel Bacon at Joel.Bacon@colostate.edu

Let's all show our thanks to these Region VI chapters for hosting these very important Guild programs by supporting these POE programs in every way we can!

Breaking News - Early Bird Registration Deadline Extended

In browsing the 2008 National Convention website today, I learned that the Early Bird Registration Deadline has been extended 3 days, to Sunday, February 3. Find out more here. Hope to see you at the convention!

2008 Convention - Early Bird Registration Closes 1/31

You won't want to miss the 2008 AGO National Convention! The early-bird registration closes January 31, 2008.

Join us June 22-26 for the National Convention in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota - right in our own Region! To register on-line and learn the latest about all the details of this exciting convention, visit www.ago2008.org.

Here are just a few of the highlights:

• An evening concert, choral matins, and evensong with the St. Paul's Cathedral Choir of London - when St. Paul's will visit St. Paul
• A special, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend Pipedreams Live! hosted by American Public Media's Michael Barone - the official start of AGO's International Year of the Organ
• Major new works commissioned from internationally renowned composers, plus the U.S. premiere of the Te Deum by Siegfried Matthus at the St. Paul Cathedral with massed choirs and orchestra
• Great instruments in great spaces
• More than 60 diverse workshops, including a special pedagogy track focusing on the music of Messiaen in this anniversary year

Conventions can be life-changing - I know this from personal experience at the 1996 convention in New York. What will be your experience? Don't miss it! Register now at www.ago2008.org. See you there!

Pipe Organ Encounters (POEs)

"The graying of the Guild." Have you heard this expression? It's a fact that our profession is "graying" -- most chapters have many more older than younger members, and sometimes we wonder what will happen with our beloved instrument in the next generation and beyond.

The AGO has great news to share! The Guild's premiere program for youth, Pipe Organ Encounters (POEs), now in its 10th year, has introduced the organ to hundreds of young and new organists, many of whom are planning to, or actively and enthusiastically are, pursuing the organ as a profession.

POEs are summer organ "camps" for young or new organists, typically 4-5 days in length, in which participants enjoy private lessons, workshops, field trips to organ shops and significant instruments, and fun. (For more details, including dates of two POEs which will be held in Region VI in summer 2008, find the link to my January 8 post on POEs, below. There is also information on POEs on the AGO Headquarters website - click here.)

Are you concerned with the "graying of the Guild"? Support the AGO's POE program! You might consider encouraging students you know to attend a POE. You might consider offering a personal or chapter scholarship to help local students with costs. You might consider attending a POE yourself -- the POE+ program is offered for adults. You might consider hosting a POE in 2009 or beyond! The application deadline is March 15, 2008, for POEs in 2009. Find details here, and contact me.

Watch the YouTube video below about the San Francisco POE in 2005, and be motivated by these students' enthusiasm for the King of Instruments! (Video produced by Vic Ferrer Productions, San Francisco © 2008.) On YouTube, one of the comments about this video says, "Great great great video! I've been to 3 POEs now, and they are sooo much fun. it is what really got me into the pipe organ, because I found out what a cool instrument it is, and there are other kids out there who love it too! :)"

Region VI Calendar of Events

Over the past year and a half as your Regional Councillor, I’ve carefully read the chapter newsletters and e-newsletters sent to me from many of the 48 chapters in the 10 states of Region VI. It’s obvious that many exciting programs, workshops, and events are being sponsored by our chapters! However, sometimes those programs go by unnoticed by those outside chapter membership. (Fred Swann once played for a chapter event in our Region and people 50 miles away had no idea!) Therefore, one of my goals for our Region this year is to develop an on-line Regional Calendar. I have been compiling this from the chapter newsletters and announcements I’ve received, and you'll find the Region VI Calendar of Events is updated regularly on this blog.

Let's make it a goal in Region VI to support our fellow chapters in their endeavors! Visit the Regional Calendar (bottom of this blog site.) Check out what other chapters are doing in your area and in areas you might visit this year, and support these events through your personal attendance when possible. Check that your chapter's events are listed on the calendar, and if not, send me information about your programs. Get programming ideas for your chapter's future program years by looking at what other chapters are currently doing. Visit this calendar often!

Regional Certification Group

If you are not currently pursuing AGO Certification, this new year is the time to start on that goal! I made this goal for myself when I invited members attending the Regional Convention in Lincoln this past summer to join me in a “Region VI Certification Group.” The members of this group will attempt to attain their next (or first) level of certification – whether the SPC, CAGO, AAGO, FAGO, or ChM – by the next Regional Convention in 2009. I’ll be working toward AAGO. Wish me luck! Wish us all luck! Join us!

You are welcome to join the Region VI Certification Group anytime. We keep in contact via e-mail, and encourage each other.

If you have earned a Guild certificate, consider running a "Chapter Certification Group" to train others to succeed in attaining the same certification level you have. The Examination Hymn booklet has been revised to include more hymns and songs in various styles, including contemporary and global, so is more applicable than ever for organists in a variety of church settings.

For more information on certification in the AGO, visit www.agohq.org/education/index.html.

Fred Swann to be honored

Thank you to those in Region VI who supported, through your attendance and/or your donations, the Recital and Gala Benefit Reception honoring John Obetz in April 2007. Almost $40,000 was raised to benefit the Guild’s Endowment Fund! What does the Endowment Fund “do”? It ensures the future of our art by expanding programs for leadership development in the Guild, educating new organists, and cultivating new audiences for organ and choral music.

The next national honoree of the Guild will be our current AGO President, Fred Swann. It has been amazing to work with Fred on the National Council, and I can personally attest to the incredible amounts of volunteer time and energy that he contributes to the Guild. I hope that you will join with me and the rest of the AGO membership in honoring and thanking him! He will perform a recital and the AGO will honor him in a gala reception in Los Angeles on April 13, 2008.

You are invited to attend this recital and reception in honor of Fred Swann. If you can't attend in person, you may still honor him with your contribution to the Endowment Fund in his honor! For more information and to contribute on-line, see www.agohq.org.

Your AGO Regional Leaders

All AGO officers at National and Regional levels are volunteers just like your chapter leadership. Your Regional leadership can be especially helpful to you in many ways. All of our contact information is accessible on the AGO National website (www.agohq.org) or under the "Links of Interest" at the right side of this blog.

As your Regional Councillor, I am part of the conduit of information flowing to and from the National office. Therefore, it’s important that I hear your opinions and concerns so that I can adequately represent you on the National Council. I am available to you via e-mail and phone throughout the year. I welcome your chapter's newsletters and e-mails. This ensures information flows to National. To help it flow from National to you, I publish this blog, a regional newsletter, and provide advice in response to your e-mails and phone calls. I can also personally visit your chapter if you’d like – to present a program on Guild matters, install chapter officers, offer a pep talk, meet with chapter leadership, talk about hosting a Regional Convention or POE … whatever you need. Let me know how I can best help you and your chapter!

Be sure I am on your chapter's mailing and e-mailing lists for newsletters and notices of upcoming events. After chapter events, send me updates -- and ensure your chapter submits those also for publication in The American Organist as well! Send me e-mails frequently, or post comments at this blog -- share feedback, questions, and concerns.

We have twelve additional dedicated volunteers at your service in our Region. Your District Convener is another important part of the conduit of information throughout the Guild, representing the chapters in your state. There are also two Regional Coordinators in specialized areas: Jeff Verkuilen, Region VI’s Coordinator for Education, and Marlene Hallstrom, Coordinator for Professional Development. All of these people are available to assist you. Regional budget can cover some expenses for chapter visits by any of us.

Get to know your state's District Convener, and keep him/her posted about your chapter and individual activities and concerns. Involve Jeff and Marlene in your chapter's Education and Professional Development programs.

Often in our profession, we feel isolated ... we spend many hours alone in rehearsal, and if we serve a church, we seldom are able to observe and learn from our colleagues facing similar challenges, because we are involved in our jobs at the same time they're doing theirs. But you are not alone. Your chapter, Regional, and National leadership is ready to help you.

AGO National Website

If you haven’t looked at the National AGO website regularly, you’re missing a goldmine of resources which can be of help to you and your chapter. Check especially the “Downloadable Docs” section, and the “Chapter Documents” section. You’ll find all sorts of useful, immediately accessible information, such as the Chapter Management Handbook, the AGO seal, membership brochures, information on conventions and competitions, examples of treasurer’s reports, and much more.

Visit www.agohq.org. Access downloadable documents by clicking "Official Guild Documents" at the top of the page, then "Downloadable Docs" at the right of the next page. More chapter documents are available by clicking "Membership" on the home page, then "Chapter Documents" at the right. Check out these and lots more information, updated regularly!

Pipe Organ Encounters in 2008

The Pipe Organ Encounter (POE) program, celebrating its 10th year in 2008, has become a very effective outreach of the AGO to new organists. We’re beginning to reap the benefits of these programs nationwide and in our Region – we’re seeing more young chapter members, more students enrolled in organ programs at colleges and universities, and more entrants in organ competitions.

Two Pipe Organ Encounters will be hosted by Region VI in the summer of 2008:

• May 18-23, 2008: Fort Collins, Colorado (Tri-State chapter) will host a “POE+” for adults, age 19 and above

• July 6-11, 2008: Lincoln, Nebraska (Lincoln chapter) will host the first-ever “POE-Advanced” for graduates of previous POEs or others with advanced organ experience. This is the premiere of the POEA program in the history of the AGO.

We are the only Region in the Guild to host two POE programs in 2008. Yeah for Region VI!!!

Encourage students to attend a POE. Spread the word to new organists you know. Consider having your chapter or a generous donor sponsor a student by paying all or part of his/her costs to attend. These are life-changing events!

Is your chapter interested in hosting a POE, POE+, or POEA? It's a great way to reach out to and encourage new organists -- the future of our profession! Application deadline is March 15, 2008, for POEs in 2009. Visit www.agohq.org/education/indexoutreach.html for information, and contact me.

Contributions to AGO's Annual Fund

Chapter registrars and treasurers, how would you like to never have to fill out a membership report form again? What if the chapter portion of each member’s dues appeared automatically in your chapter bank account without your having to process a single check? What if members could join the Guild and pay their dues online?

Many questions I receive about the Annual Fund and Endowment Fund are queries about what these funds actually cover. We are grateful for each member’s dues, and we are aware that membership in the AGO isn’t inexpensive. But it’s also important to know that membership dues pay for only part of all the AGO does. (The major portion of each member’s dues goes toward costs of producing The American Organist each month.) We are therefore very dependent upon donations to the Annual Fund to enable other important projects to move forward. The above questions illustrate one of those possible projects, currently un-funded: the development of a new software package that will eliminate 90% of the work that chapter officers now do to process membership forms and payments. Contributions to the Annual Fund will help turn this project into a reality.

Please contribute to the Annual Fund. Thank you to those who are already regular donors to the Fund. These monies are well-managed and very carefully spent.

The dollar amount of each individual's and/or chapter's contribution is not as important as the goal that each member and chapter DOES contribute. When the AGO applies for grants from outside funding sources, one important area considered by those organizations is the percentage of our membership that believes enough in our organization to contribute themselves. The percentage of AGO members in Region VI who donate now is 5.4% -- higher than the national average of 5.1%, but still it could be a lot better. I would appreciate your help to increase those percentages. 100% of your National Council members are personal contributors to the Annual Fund. Please join us!

To contribute: send a check to Headquarters marked "Annual Fund," or contribute on-line at www.agohq.org.

International Year of the Organ

As you probably know, AGO has designated next program year, 2008-09, as the International Year of the Organ. The IYO committee is planning a series of events and national publicity to bring the organ into the public spotlight. The year will kick off with the upcoming 2008 National Convention this summer, and will conclude with events at the 2009 Regional Conventions. Plans include presenting organists on TV shows and other media events, having a “celebrity spokesperson” for the year, inviting 70+ organizations outside the U.S. to participate, and much more.

An important focus of the IYO will be the Organ Spectacular, when on October 19, 2008, AGO chapters will sponsor simultaneous organ events: recitals, concerts, marathons, daytrips, organ crawls, parties, etc. This is an exciting opportunity for your chapter to be in the public eye, with national publicity to support it!

Let's make it a goal for every active AGO chapter in Region VI to sponsor some event for the OrganSpectacular on October 19, 2008. For ideas, access www.agohq.org/events/index.html.

Each One, Reach One

The Guild is beginning the third and final year of our membership growth challenge called “Each One, Reach One.” In the past two years the focus has been on Chapter Challenges; the goal for this year is a Member Challenge. During the 2007-08 program year we are all encouraged as individual members to invite local organists and choral directors to our chapter activities. Let’s share the AGO with other musicians in our community and encourage them to join us! It is all based on personal invitation. Don’t wait for others to contact you – seek them out and warmly welcome them.

Think of ways you personally can "reach one." You might make phone calls or send e-mails with personal invitations to chapter activities. You might provide a ride to a chapter event. You might make it a goal to personally attend and bring a friend to every chapter function this year. You might personally invite someone to join the AGO. You might contribute your time, talent, and energy to help your chapter "roll out the red carpet" to guests. We can each contribute ... and the task is too big to be left to one Dean, one Regional officer, one National Headquarters. Be courageous! What will you do?

Download the Membership Challenge Flyer, which contains all the information for this exciting initiative, from www.agohq.org/eachone-reachone/forms/MemberChallengeFlyer.pdf. Because of a generous grant from a donor, National AGO is funding a valuable prize for the five members who bring in the most new members: a free visit to the National Convention in Minneapolis/St. Paul this summer - including convention registration, bus transportation package, and five nights in the convention hotel - a $1400 value!

Conventions in 2008 and 2009

We are privileged to have the next National convention right here in Region VI! It will occur in the beautiful cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, June 22-26, 2008. In October the National Council met there, and I'm even more exited about this event. We previewed the convention hotel, visited some of the convention venues and instruments, and met many of the dedicated volunteers on the convention steering committee. You are in for a treat! You will definitely return from this convention with enthusiasm, ideas, and inspiration that will benefit you and your musical role. Plan now to attend, and don’t be afraid to ask for financial assistance from your church, school, and associates. (See information elsewhere in this blog for a chance to come for free!)

Visit www.ago2008.org for information, and return often for updates as convention planning progresses. Let's make it a goal that Region VI will have the most members in attendance of any Region of the AGO! Early-bird registration deadline expires on January 31, 2008.

Please join me in heartfelt thanks to the Twin Cities chapter (TCAGO), Convention Coordinator Bill Stump, and the entire convention steering committee, for hosting this exciting event. Region VI is proud of you all!

Our next Regional convention, in summer 2009, will be hosted by the Wichita, Kansas, chapter. The theme is “Pipes on the Plains,” and the steering committee, headed by Convention Coordinator Marlene Hallstrom, has done wonderful work so far, brainstorming, planning, and budgeting. You’ll hear more about this in 2008.

In the meantime, please set aside June 15-18, 2009, and plan to attend "Pipes on the Plains." You won't want to miss this party! The convention website is http://pipesontheplains09.org and it will be updated often.

Has your chapter considered hosting a future Regional or National Convention? It is a great opportunity to showcase the unique aspects of your area, to advertise your city’s organs and performers to a wider audience, and to build camaraderie within your chapter. Regional conventions for 2011 and beyond, and National conventions after 2014, are available.

If your chapter is interested in pursuing these exciting opportunities, visit the national AGO website at www.agohq.org and access "Downloadable Docs," then
"Competitions and Conventions." Contact me and we'll take the next steps together! Application deadline is January 31, 2008, for the 2011 Convention.

Regional Honoree

The Wichita convention steering committee has proposed an excellent idea to choose a person from Region VI to honor at each Regional Convention. In 2008 I will ask for nominations for the first person to receive this honor, for excellent contributions to the goals of the AGO in Region VI: “to promote the organ in its historic and evolving roles, to encourage excellence in the performance of organ and choral music, and to provide a forum for mutual support, inspiration, education, and certification of Guild members.” (Quoted from the AGO mission statement).

Start thinking now of persons you would like to nominate. More information on the nomination procedure will come to you soon.

Welcome -- January 2008

Welcome to the Region VI blog!

I hope that your AGO chapter has enjoyed being together for various programs and projects as the 2007-08 program year reaches its midpoint at the beginning of 2008. The information in this blog will be helpful to you as you move forward.

I’m in the middle of my second year of my first two-year term as your Regional Councillor. Last year, my first in this role, I learned a lot about the job and about the Region and its members’ needs. This has helped me set goals for 2008 and beyond for the Region and for myself – goals that I hope will build enthusiasm for organ and choral music and inspire you. I look forward to hearing your feedback and opinions!

All best wishes to you for a happy and productive 2008!

Jan Kraybill
Regional Councillor for AGO Region VI