$15,000 Grant to AGO from The National Endowment for the Arts

I just received this press release from the national office of the AGO. It's great news! Jan 

NEW YORK CITY — The American Guild of Organists (AGO) has been awarded a grant by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to support the 2012 AGO National Convention in Nashville, Tenn., July 1–6, 2012. The $15,000 NEA “Art Works” grant is directed to new music, workshops, and performances, and carries a mandate that it be matched dollar for dollar from other funding sources. The 2012 AGO National Convention is the third consecutive AGO National Convention that has garnered funding from the arts endowment.

AGO President Eileen Guenther stated, “The recognition by the NEA reaffirms the importance of new music commissions to increase organ and choral repertoire available to future generations, and to increase the American public’s knowledge of and appreciation for contemporary classical music. The AGO is especially interested in supporting new music for the concert stage, as there are increasing numbers of American concert halls, including the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville, with new concert organs.”

AGO Executive Director James Thomashower added, “It is an honor to be recognized by the NEA. We are highly grateful for this grant that will enable us to continue our tradition of presenting outstanding musical performances when we meet for our 2012 AGO National Convention in Nashville.”

NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman announced that the agency will award 863 grants to organizations and individuals across the country. The 863 grant awards total $22.543 million, encompass 15 artistic disciplines and fields, and support projects in 47 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. “Art Works is the guiding principle at the NEA,” said Agency Chairman Landesman. “And I’m pleased to see that principle represented through the Art Works-funded projects that demonstrate the imaginative and innovative capacities of artists and arts organizations to enhance the quality of life in their communities.”

For its 51st biennial National Convention in Nashville, Tenn., the AGO has commissioned new compositions from Diana Burrell, David Conte, Eleanor Daley, Craig Phillips, Rosephanye Dunn Powell, and Roberto Sierra. The NEA grant will support these newly commissioned works and their premier performances, as well as educational workshops and concert programming during the convention. The roster of convention performers will include organ recitalists Sophie-Véronique Cauchefer-Choplin, Matthew Dirst, Ahreum Han, Hector Olivera, Jane Parker-Smith, Craig Phillips, Raul Priéto Ramirez, Cherry Rhodes, Tom Trenney, and Thomas Trotter, plus winners of the AGO National Young Artists Competition in Organ Performance, the AGO National Competition in Organ Improvisation, and the AGO/Quimby Regional Competitions for Young Organists; choral ensembles Choir of Trinity College (Cambridge) and Nashville Chamber Choir; and instrumental ensembles Nashville Baroque Ensemble, Nashville Symphony (with organists Nathan Laube and Todd Wilson), and Joseph Gramley/Clive Driskill-Smith (organ and percussion duo).

For further information about the 2012 AGO National Convention, please visit www.Ago2012.org. For further information about the National Endowment for the Arts, please visit www.Nea.gov.

Your future and that of the Guild

I receive multiple chapter newsletters each month, both in regular mail and via e-mail, and I am always impressed with the activities, issues, and opinions mentioned in these publications.  Below is a Dean's Message from Larry Wheelock, Dean of the Milwaukee chapter, which greatly inspired me when I read it in the November issue of their chapter newsletter.  I hope it inspires you as well!  Jan 

One of the perks of the role of Dean is that one sometimes gets to spend time taxiing artists to and fro and once in a great while to sit-in on practice sessions.  As I write this I am being bathed in the splendor of Bach, Wagner, Reger and Laurin and saturated with the wonderful sonorities of the new Schantz organ at Gesu Church as Isabelle Demers rehearses for the upcoming recital.  It is difficult to express the emotion; the delight and awe I feel hearing this young woman, less than half my age, owning this music and shaping it with her own substantial creative power and then channeling it into sound through this great organ.  I am near tears.

This has triggered in me a reflection on the last half-century or so of organs and organists and the role and future of our profession.  Just thirty years ago we were in the midst of the great plague of AIDS which robbed our profession of so many of its best and brightest.  At the time there was speculation that this tragedy, added to the changing role of music in the church, was likely to spell the end of our art.

It hasn’t happened that way.  Thanks to the strength of our profession, to the dedication of myriad outstanding teachers and the constant outreach by our Guild there are literally dozens of exceptionally talented and dedicated young artists making careers and creating music-filled lives -- and more each day; artists like Isabelle Demers, Dongho Lee, Christopher Houlihan, Nathan Laube, Ken Cowan, Cameron Carpenter, Felix Hell, Dan Sullivan, Chelsea Chen, our own Michael T.C. Hey, and dozens and dozens more -- far too many to name.  Right beside them are literally thousands of people who make this music for love of the art -- people who will never make music their profession, but will value it and share it with all those whose lives they touch in parish and chapel, school and home.

I hear almost constantly that there is a shortage of organists at the parish level but I dispute that claim.  I would propose instead that there is a lack of adequate support for music which has lasting value and for organs and organists who interpret, share and value that music in our churches and schools.  We are a society which is quick to discard and to move on to the next new thing to discover only later the intrinsic value of that which we set aside.

How do we, then, teach our congregations -- our people -- to value what is sacred, good and beautiful about the music we professionals, and semi-professionals and amateurs and lovers of the music proclaim?  Leland Sateren said, speaking to choral directors, “Your choir can do anything you can teach it to do.”  I firmly believe that could be “Your congregation can do anything...,” “Your clergy can do anything...,” “Your students can do anything...” and of course, “Your people can love anything you can teach them them to love.”  The important part is, of course, “you can teach.”

One of the ways we can teach all of these is by example; by showing our love and excitement about the art we share and our commitment to what we do.  This is where the AGO, both National and Chapter, comes in.  It is among our colleagues that we can share and learn to be the best we can -- not only as performers, but also as teachers and learners.  At the national level our numbers make it possible to join in the discussion at a higher plane.  The Chapter is where we commiserate with colleagues, share our triumphs and trials, and get inspired by each other’s success.  Participation in both allows us to be a part of the great discussion both at the national level and right in our own back yard.  One can only influence the discussion if one is a part of it.  One can only influence the future if one participates in shaping it.

I sometimes hear from chapter members that the fees are too high.  The easy response is for me to say, ‘it is a matter of perspective and priority.’  Really, though, how much is it worth to have a part in shaping the future of our art and our profession?  If you see your AGO dues as merely the chance to claim membership or to put some letters behind your name or as a magazine subscription, perhaps it seems expensive, but having been a member of another profession and its professional organization (ASTD) I can honestly say that the AGO dues are a bargain by comparison even if your membership is only used casually.  If one really takes advantage and participates the value is increased many-fold.

Do yourself a favor; make an early New Years resolution to get full-value for your dues (and pay your renewal if you have not).  Claim your voice in the discussion and your part in shaping the future. It’s worth it!

Free Certification Webinar

Please see the invitation below.  Free webinars are a new tool being incorporated into AGO offerings to members.  If you have a computer with speakers, you will be able to access experts on a wide variety of topics.  I encourage anyone interested in the Guild certification program to "virtually attend" this webinar!  Jan

You Are Cordially Invited to Attend 

A Complimentary AGO Webinar on Professional Certification 

Thursday, November 3, 2011, at 12 Noon EDT 

Presented by Dean Billmeyer, DMA, FAGO 

Learn about the Service Playing Certificate (SPC), Colleague (CAGO) Associateship (AAGO), Fellowship (FAGO), and  Choir Master (ChM).

The July issue of The American Organist magazine announced the requirements for the AGO certification program for the coming year. Do you want to learn more about these programs? Are you interested in the changes that will be occurring in the next exam cycle? Would you like your questions on certification answered in real time by an expert?

If your answer is YES to any of these questions, then please join us for a webinar on the AGO Certification Program on Thursday, November 3, 2011, at 12:00 Noon EDT. The webinar will be led by Dean Billmeyer, a member of the AGO's Committee on Professional Certification. Dr. Billmeyer will present a one-hour webinar on all of the AGO certificates and will be able to answer any questions you might have.

No pre-registration is required in order to attend the webinar; all you need is a computer with speakers.  However, attendance at the live webinar is limited to the first 100 people who log on.

To attend the webinar:

• Follow this link on November 3. 
• Type in your name in the "guest" field—no password is necessary! 

The webinar will be recorded for playback by any AGO member at a later date.

If you have any questions, please e-mail AGO Webinar facilitator Claire DeCusati.

Sincerely,

AGO Committee on Professional Certification
     Kathleen Thomerson, MM, FAGO, ChM, Director
     Dean W. Billmeyer, DMA, FAGO
     David Enlow, MM, FAGO
     Joyce Shupe Kull, DMA, FAGO, ChM, Councillor for Education

Progam ideas for chapters

Now is the time of year that many chapter program committees are meeting to plan programs for the upcoming program year.  I am grateful to Paul H. Hesselink, AGO District Convener who lives in Las Vegas, for compiling the following list of program ideas, and to Leslie Wolf Robb, Councillor for Region IX, for forwarding it to all of her fellow Councillors, including me.  I hope it's helpful to your chapter!  Jan

Program Ideas Gleaned from Issues of The American Organist  

August 2010 through July 2011 

I suspect that the “Chapter News” sections of TAO may be among the most “under-read” parts of the magazine.  There are many creative ideas contained in these reports of chapter activities.  In compiling this list of program ideas, the more “usual” events such as member recitals, student recitals, Halloween Spooktaculars, organ crawls, and other events often part of regular chapter programming were not included. In order to qualify for the list, the program reported had to have a unique or creative quality. The programs are referenced by issue, page numbers and chapter report so you can go back to the original description for the details.  


August 2010—pp.18-30
A presentation (DVD) of early American organs and organ music. (Monmouth, N.J. Chapter)
A workshop on “registration.” (Binghamton, N.Y. Chapter)
A “Members’ Choice Recital” (Westchester County, N. Y. Chapter)
“The Music of Canadian Composer, Denis Bédard” (District of Columbia Chapter)
“Chant Based Works for Organ” (Pittsburgh, Pa Chapter)
A program of organ music for four hands and four feet. (Northern Virginia Chapter) (See also January, 2011, Savannah, Ga. Chapter.)
Workshop on “What to Do with a New Piece.” (Oklahoma City, Okla. Chapter)
“Organ Music 2010: What’s New for Sunday Morning? And Some forget-Me-Nots” (Austin, Tex. Chapter)


September 2010 – pp. 18-32
Dessert buffet and viewing of AGO video Pulling Out All the Stops. (Lancaster, Pa. Chapter)

October 2010 – pp. 20-29

Not necessarily a “program idea” but perhaps useful:  “Getting to Know You.” Members are encouraged to submit brief bios and each newsletter will feature a number of them. (Greater Hartford, Conn. Chapter)

“Nordic Delights” – a program of Scandinavian organ music (Central New Jersey Chapter)

“Taize: How to Make it Work for Your Congregation” (Southern Indiana Chapter)

November 2010 – pp. 22-26

“Bach’s Schübler Chorales.” Program included singing of each of the chorales, a performance of the cantata movement, and playing of the organ setting.   (Louisville, Ky. Chapter)

December 2010 – pp. 26-36

An anthem reading session of works representing American folk, spiritual and gospel styles. (Miami, Fla. Chapter)

A panel of clergy and musicians discussing trends in liturgy and church music. (St. Petersburg, Fla. Chapter)

Workshop on “Music for Solo Voice and Organ.” (East Central Illinois Chapter)

January 2011 – pp. 22-39

“Improvisation workshop” based on Robert Lau’s new book, A Practical Approach to Improvisation for the Church Organist. (Suffolk, N.Y   Chapter) (See also June 2011 issue, York, Pa. Chapter)

“Improve Your Skills Workshop” covering subjects “Reducing Orchestral Scores for Organ,” “Choral Repertoire,” “Organ Repertoire,” and “Music Technology for the Uninitiated.”  (Southwest Jersey Chapter)

“A hymn and service-playing workshop.”  (Cumberland Valley, Md. Chapter)

“Workshop/master class on Couperin’s Messe pour les Couvents. (Pittsburgh, PA Chapter)

Hymn festival based on Hal Hopson’s The Writers Tell Their Stories (Monongahela, W. Va. Chapter)

Hymn festival “”We Believe in One God—Hymns of the Church Year Through the Nicene Creed.”  (Columbus, Ga. Chapter)

“How the Pipe Organ Works” for non-organists (but it could be helpful to organists as well). (Greater Greensboro, N.C. Chapter)

A Program of Music by Benjamin Britten (Knoxville, Tenn. Chapter)

Daniel Gawthrop’s tongue-in-cheek Pie Carols, sung to well-known tunes. (Northeast Tennessee-Southwest Virginia Chapter)

“Practice Techniques That Pay Off” (Chicago Il. Chapter)

“Organ Music by Women Composers” (Chicago, Il. Chapter)

Master class on the Organ Works of Paul Hindemith (Lexington, Ky. Chapter)

Master class on the Organ Works of César Franck (South Dakota Chapter) (See also May 2011 listing for South Dakota Chapter where it is stated that the organ works of Franck was the study focus for the chapter during the year)

February 2011 – pp.18-32

Video night—numerous videos on the pipe organ, its history, construction, etc. available. The video on the Life and Music of Jean Langlais, produced by the Mistrettas of the LA Chapter as an outgrowth of the Region IX Conclave in Las Vegas in 2006 (Ann Labounsky) would also be an excellent choice.    (Westchester County, N.Y. Chapter) See also: documentary video about J.S. Bach and The Art of Fugue (Knoxville, Tenn. Chapter)

Workshop with Susan and David Cherwien on “How they write words and music for their hymns.” [Ed. Another possibility might be Susan Bentall Boersma, anthem lyricist-in-residence for Beckenhorst Press.] (Lehigh Valley, Pa. Chapter)

Presentation  “The Organist as Pastor—Creative Hymn and Service-Playing.” (Pittsburgh, Pa. Chapter)

The Music of Craig Phillips, including newly commissioned work Scenes from a Gallery for organ, violin and flute. (Nashville, Tenn. Chapter)

Dramatic enactment of Mark Schweitzer’s The Organist Wore Pumps, a liturgical mystery (Louisville, Ky. Chapter) (See also June 2011 issue, Northeast Tennessee-Southwest Virginia Chapter for additional possibilities).

A Service of Psalms and Songs (Saginaw Valley, Mich. Chapter)

Open console session, perhaps on the newest organ in town or one that usually isn’t very accessible. Important is that the individual organists be scheduled for a certain amount of time and that they have the time alone with the organ without listeners…for those who might be more timid! (We have done this   at UNLV in Las Vegas and should probably do it again now at Christ Church Episcopal on the new 54-rank, four manual Schantz.) (Sioux Trails, Minn. Chapter)

Organ Music 2010 – What’s New for Sunday Morning? a survey of newly-published organ literature. (Oklahoma City, Okla. Chapter)

March 2011 – pp. 14-26

The Care and Feeding of Small---and Even Smaller--- Choirs. (Portland, Maine Chapter)

Teaching New Music to Congregations (Harrisburg, Pa. Chapter)

Celebrating a Chapter Anniversary (Richmond, Va. Chapter)

Exploring: Organs and Organists—Where we have been—Where we are now---  Where are we going?  (St. Petersburg, Fla. Chapter)

Ways in which organists can avoid physical stress and injury at the keyboard. (Taubman technique) (Spartenburg, S.C. Chapter)

Cookies and Carols an informal meeting in a member home featuring seasonal organ and piano music, carols old and new.

April 2011 – pp. 20-32

Elements of the Service Playing and Colleague Exams (Suffolk, N. Y. Chapter)

“AGO Gives Back,” an evening of caroling at a retirement home (Spartanburg, S.C. Chapter)

Used organ music sale before and after a session/meeting. Perhaps proceeds could be used to support a scholarship fund. (Ann Arbor, Mich. Chapter)

“A Digital Saturday,” an opportunity to hear three electronic organ installations. (Los Angeles, Calif. Chapter)

May 2011 –pp. 16-28

Creative Use of Handbells in Worship (Miami, Fla. Chapter)

Jehan Alain Centennial Celebration (Charlotte, N.C. Chapter)

A Trip Down Memory Lane—Reminiscences by AGO Members and Friends (Knoxville, Tenn. Chapter)

Program of Organ Music and Vocal Selections Suitable for Weddings.  Wedding “horror” stories were shared over dinner. (Northeast Tennessee-Southwest Virginia Chapter)

June 2011—pp. 16—29

J. S. Bach Birthday Marathon  (Richmond, Va. Chapter)

“How to Learn Vierne” (Wilmington, N.C. Chapter)

“Gregory’s Music: Magnificent Monody (A Whistle-Stop Tour of Western Plainsong).”  (Charleston, S. C. Chapter)

The Music of Calvin Hampton (1938-1984) (Knoxville, Tenn. Chapter)

A Festival Service Featuring the Music of Healey Willan (1880-1968) Saginaw Valley, Mich. Chapter)

July 2011—pp 20-27

“Bach Birthday Bash” – A performance of Orgelbüchlein by seven members of the chapter. (New Hampshire Chapter)

“Organ Expo 2011” An event for the public, parents and children, organ demonstration, with hands-on time after the presentation. (Suffolk, N. Y. Chapter)

“This Works for Me,” a workshop by members sharing favorite anthems and organ selections (Harrisburg, Pa Chapter)

“A Virtual Tour of the North German Baroque Organ.” “An interactive journey of some of the most beautiful organs in the world.” (Charlottesville-Albermarle, Va. Chapter)

“Bach Birthday Bash,” a progressive concert featuring local organists, instrumentalists and choral groups in three churches. (Tampa, Fla. Chapter)

“Great Hymns of the Faith: A Festival of Hymns.” Singing of nine hymns and playing of compositions based on the hymn tunes. (Wilmington, N.C. Chapter)

“Voluntaries Old and New” designed around the liturgical year featuring both well-known and contemporary composers. Followed by a “garage sale” of music donated by chapter members, proceeds to benefit the AGO Annual   Fund. (Columbia, S.C. Chapter)

Workshop on “Effective Accompanying” (Grand Rapids, Mich. Chapter)

“A ‘POP’ Concert” (preludes, offertories and postludes) (Fort Worth, Tex. Chapter

I may have “missed” some ideas for programming which could be perfect for your chapter.  Some of the program ideas above will depend on what sort of local talent you have in the chapter, what your chapter’s budget may allow for the importing of a specialist, etc.  I hope, however, that you may find some ideas useful for your chapter.

AGO National Conference on Organ Pedagogy

Improvisation and Organ Pedagogy
November 10–13, 2011, Rochester, N.Y.

You are invited to attend the 16^th biennial AGO National Conference on Organ Pedagogy, presented in cooperation with the 10th annual Eastman Rochester Organ Initiative (EROI) Festival, November 10–13, 2011, in Rochester, N.Y.

Join the growing number of your colleagues in registering for what promises to be an inspirational and informative conference held at the Eastman School of Music’s recently expanded campus. This year’s conference has something for everyone: hands-on workshops for students, presentations on improvisation resources and curricula for teachers, performances by world-renowned organists on stunning instruments, and plenty of networking opportunities.

A distinguished faculty of internationally renowned organists and teachers working in the discipline of organ improvisation will include Jeffrey Brillhart (Yale University), Tony Caramia (Eastman), Sophie-Veronique Cauchefer-Choplin (Royal College of Music, London), Hans Davidsson (Eastman), Michael Dodds (University of North Carolina School of the Arts), Gerre Hancock (Butler School of Music, University of Texas), David Higgs (Eastman), Denise Lanning (Denver Chapter, AGO), Rudolf Lutz (Schola Cantorum Basiliensis), William Marvin (Eastman), Bruce Neswick (Indiana University), David Peckham (Horseheads United Methodist Church, Horseheads, N.Y.), William Porter (Eastman), McNeil Robinson (Manhattan School of Music), Pamela Ruiter-Feenstra (author of Bach and the Art of Improvisation), John R. Shannon (Sweet Briar College), and Daniel Zager (Eastman).

Register today through November 1, 2011. Special discounts are available for teacher and student pairs and groups. Complete information, including online registration, is available online. For further information, please contact please contact EROI Festival Coordinator Annie Laver at 585-274-1564 or e-mail alaver@esm.rochester.edu.

The AGO’s Committee on Continuing Professional Education creates and promotes Guild programs as “education for a lifetime.” The primary responsibility of this committee is the planning of the biennial National Conference on Organ Pedagogy. In addition, the committee works through the AGO’s Councillors for the Regions to encourage and promote the Guild’s professional certification program in sacred music. They welcome your input on future topics for conventions. Visit them online at www.agohq.org.

A small group of thoughtful people

"A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."  -- Margaret Mead

Last Thursday I was invited to attend the signing of a proclamation by the Governor of the State of Kansas at the state capitol in Topeka.  Due to the ongoing efforts of a few in the Wichita AGO chapter, October has been proclaimed "Sunflower Organists Month" in Kansas!  See the official proclamation from Governor Sam Brownback, and a photo of the group, below.

Sunflower Organists Month is only one part of a project called the Sunflower Organists Initiative, designed and being implemented by the Wichita chapter.  In this, the state's sesquicentennial year, volunteers from the chapter are making efforts to contact organists in every one of the state's 105 counties, to become better acquainted, to share educational opportunities, and to express mutual appreciation of and enjoyment of music.  The main goal of the project is to increase awareness and appreciation for the organ throughout the state.  They are encouraging all Kansas AGO chapters to stage fun and informative local events for all ages, geared to interest the general public, with some designed especially to introduce young people to the instrument.  If you are a Kansas organist, I encourage you to be a part of the Sunflower Organists Initiative!

As I stood in line with three dedicated volunteers from Wichita, plus members from the Topeka and Greater Kansas City chapters who came to show support, what was most striking to me was what a small group of dedicated volunteers can do.  They came up with an idea, developed it, and followed it through -- because it's important.  And that is the strength of the Guild. 

Each initiative, each chapter meeting, each recital, each convention, each election of officers, each newsletter -- the list goes on and on -- is possible only through the ideas, efforts, and dedication of individual volunteers who work to make these things happen.  We all have contributions of time, talent, and finances that we can make to ensure the success of these efforts.  And when our individual efforts are combined, we can create huge changes!  We can change how the organ as an instrument is viewed by the public.  We can change how many organ programs are offered by our states' educational systems.  We can change the number of organs installed in churches, synagogues, and concert halls.  We can change what the month of October 2011 is called in the state of Kansas.

What can you change, today?

Pictured (L to R):  Roseann Penner Kauffman (Bethel College & Greater Kansas City chapters), Jan Kraybill (Region VI Councillor and Greater Kansas City chapter); Carrol Hassman (Wichita chapter Dean); Governor Sam Brownback; Carolyn Chambers (Wichita chapter Secretary); Sr. Nylas Moser (Wichita chapter Program Co-Chair); Donna Osborne (Topeka chapter Secretary).

Condolences to Lincoln Chapter and Burns Davis' Family

I received word last week that the new Dean of the Lincoln (NE) Chapter, Burns Davis, passed away unexpectedly. I know you join me in keeping Burns' extended family, her church families, her musical families, and her AGO chapter family in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. Below is the obituary that appeared in the Lincoln newspaper today. Jan

Burns Smith Davis, 63, Lincoln, died unexpectedly at home Sept. 8, 2011. She was born Bonnie Jill Reimer to Barney J. and Martha Louise Smith Reimer on Nov. 13, 1947 in Enid, Okla. Burns later took her first and last names from beloved and influential piano teachers. She received a Bachelor of Music and, in 1972, a Master of Library Science from the University of Oklahoma in Norman.

She held library jobs at the University of Arkansas, for the library system of Yakima, Wash., and Red Bluff, Calif. She earned an M.S. in Botany in Yakima. Burns was also a certified Nursing Home Administrator in Cupertino, Calif. where she was active with a ragtime piano group and Festival. In Los Gatos, Calif., she expanded her career to include Business Consulting and Design. Burns came to Lincoln to join the State Library Commission and developed Davis Business Systems.

In 1998, she attended the Myotherapy Institute to become a massage therapist and quickly became known for her gifted skills. Her business name, Ehaweh Arts, honored an Indian great grandmother known as a healer in Oklahoma.

Burns was an accomplished ragtime musician and presented annually at the Ragtime to Riches Festival in Omaha. She was substitute organist at St. Marks Episcopal, St. David's Episcopal, St. Paul's UMC, St. Pauls UCC, and was organist for a time at Trinity UMC. In 2000, she returned to the Central Christian Church in Enid, where she interned on the pipe organ while at Phillips U., and played a Fathers Day concert.

She was the current Dean of the Lincoln Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. She studied with Mary Murrell Faulkner and at St. Cecelia's in Omaha with Marie Rubis Bauer on the Pasi organ. She was preparing an October concert on the pump organ at St. Pauls UMC. She sang in St. Marks on Campus choir and in the High Holy Days Choir at South Street Temple. She recently converted to Judaism and was a cantorial soloist.

Music and healing were at the core of Burns' life. She was a renaissance woman known for her wit, broad analytical intelligence, commitment to personal growth, support of many communities, dependability, kindness, love of animals and nature and all things refined and beautiful.

Survivors: sister, husband, Elaine and John Zook; nephew, wife, Jody and Louise Zook; a host of dear friends; animal companions, Simon and Peter. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her Shih-tzu companion, Ernie.

Public services: 2 p.m. Wednesday, September 14, South Street Temple. Memorials will be designated later. Arrangements: Roper and Sons. Condolences: www.roperandsons.com.

Tax Filing Requirements for AGO Chapters

If you are a chapter Dean or Treasurer, please give your attention to the following post from James Thomashower, AGO's Executive Director. Handling this now will save you much hassle later! Chapters that fail to file will risk losing their tax-exempt status. Jan


As previously announced, the IRS has implemented a reporting requirement for nonprofit organizations with gross receipts of less than $50,000. 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, 2011. It will reflect the chapter's operations for the July 1, 2010 - June 30, 2011 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 (Typically the chapter's fiscal year is July 1 - June 30)

• Verification that your chapter's income is still normally $50,000 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 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.

To familiarize yourself with the process for completing the form online CLICK HERE. You should access this form and complete it after the close of your fiscal year.

If you have any questions, as always, feel free to call us during business hours, Monday - Friday, 9-5 Eastern Time at 212-870-2310. You can learn more about the requirements at the IRS website.

Sincerely,

James Thomashower
Executive Director

P.S. If your chapter's gross income during the tax year is more than $50,000, you will need to file IRS Form 990 (Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax). Form 990-N will not replace this requirement.

Giving Back

The Guild's fiscal year is drawing to a close and will end on August 31. If you have benefited, as I have, from the Guild in any way during the past year, now is an ideal time to give back. We are very close to making our budgeted income projections, which will enable the AGO's plans to move forward and cause the Guild to thrive. Each contribution makes a difference!

The AGO is the world's largest organization dedicated to organ and choral music. Our membership dues support only the bare-bones operations of the Guild. NONE of our best programs would be possible without generous donations from people like you and me to funds like the Annual Fund, Endowment Fund, and New Organist Fund.

No gift is too small. If you've never given before, please consider starting out at $5, $10, or more. If you've made a contribution in a previous year, consider renewing or increasing it. And if you have already made a donation this fiscal year, THANK YOU!

You may donate here or send a check to:
AGO Annual Fund
475 Riverside Drive, Suite 1260
New York, NY 10115
Contributions are tax deductible; all donations received by August 31 will be listed in the December issue of The American Organist.

I contribute to the Annual Fund and the Endowment Fund each year, in addition to my contributions to my local chapter's concert series, my region's conventions, and other programs. No one would call me a "major donor" but in these smaller ways I can show support for an organization that I believe truly is doing its best to promote and encourage the activities and instruments I care about. Multiple smaller contributions can add up to a major amount. I encourage all members, and especially all in leadership positions, to join me in considering donating today. Thank you for your careful consideration of this appeal!

Grateful for Dedicated Volunteers

The 2011 Region VI convention, June 20-23, was a huge success!

The Central Iowa chapter prepared a wonderful party for the Region, with everything that makes a great party great. They created plenty of chances for us to celebrate, to gather with friends, to meet new people, to explore new places and ideas, to have stimulating conversations, to commiserate with colleagues, to learn and be inspired, and to relax and have fun. Wonderful memories are made of the faces and the compliments of all of us who returned home inspired and motivated because we attended this party. It was a life-changing event for me personally, and I know I’m not the only one!

For any chapter, the biennial regional party is a lot to take on. But like any good party you might throw at your house, the end results are worth the sacrifice! My colleagues in Des Moines have told me they agree that this major accomplishment and the friends they made along the way are truly significant for their chapter and for the arts in their city. AGO members, the media, and the public responded to the chapter's offerings with terrific enthusiasm last month. The tremendous goodwill generated by this party will benefit Des Moines and the Central Iowa chapter for many months and years to come.

As I led the regional meeting during the banquet on the convention's closing evening, I was moved to tears by the dedication of the many volunteers who made this party possible. Their -- still smiling! -- faces and positive attitudes caused in me a feeling of immense gratitude for each of them and their talents. Despite the inevitable challenges that arose during their 3-1/2 year preparation for the party, the Central Iowa chapter and convention steering committee remained dedicated to the task and the bigger picture of why they were doing it all. And the results were STELLAR! If you missed this convention, visit the convention website to see photos and a summary of the week -- and plan to come to the next party, June 18-20, 2013, in Springfield, Missouri!

What immense gratitude we should all have for the dedicated volunteers at every level of the Guild! Just as one chapter, however large or small, can positively affect the arts in a city, the AGO, an organization full of dedicated volunteers, can and does positively affect our nation and world. Here is the list of the volunteers in regional leadership in Region VI. They were introduced at the regional meeting last month, and they began their two-year terms on July 1.

Regional Coordinator for Education: Jeremy Chesman

Regional Coordinator for Professional Development: Claudette Schiratti

District Conveners:
Eastern Colorado: Gerald Holbrook
Iowa: TBD (Do you live in Iowa? Are you interested in this volunteer opportunity? Contact me.)
Kansas: Gary Huffman
Minnesota: John Salveson
Missouri: Stephen Mager
Nebraska: Charles Cohen
North Dakota: Peggy Johnson
South Dakota: Michael Elsbernd
Wisconsin: TBD (Do you live in Wisconsin? Are you interested in this volunteer opportunity? Contact me.)
Wyoming: Beverly Reese

Their complete contact information will be available soon on the AGO's national website. I highly encourage you to get to know them as part of YOUR personal network of supportive colleagues. And please join me in grateful thanks for their dedication to the Guild and its members -- you and me!

Immensely grateful,
Jan

Program Year-End Musings

As our chapters' program years draw to a close, I want to say a big THANK YOU to all of the volunteers who keep Region VI's chapters running. The AGO thrives only because of many dedicated people who work together to contribute to the vibrant artistic life of the organization. I appreciate all of you who contributed in many and varied ways to this effort in your community!

Chapters traditionally take a break for the summer. But AGO business does not. The summer can be a time of renewal and inspiration for the year ahead.

A regional party is being planned for you! Come to the 2011 Organ Festival in Des Moines this summer. You will find in this regional conventions a celebration and gathering of people like you. Our region has such rich resources, musical and otherwise. Come and celebrate! Find out more at www.agodesmoines2011.org.

Pipe Organ Encounters are unique opportunities offered by the AGO to young pianists and organists. Region VI's POE in 2011 will be held in Colorado Springs. The young people who participate will be inspired to take the places of the current generation of organists, ensuring the rich tradition of organ music continues far into the future! Find out more at www.coloradospringspoe.org. Consider how you could support this year's POE with your presence or financial contribution. Consider hosting a POE or sponsoring a student scholarship in a future year.

Chapters are completing program and activity plans for the 2011-12 year. I encourage all chapter members to use the summer's contemplation time to consider ways that you could increase your support of your chapter next year: join and pay your registration in a timely manner; volunteer for chapter leadership roles; provide transportation, lodging or meals for a guest artist; invite a fellow church member or musician colleague to a chapter event; sponsor a student membership for a young pianist or organist; provide carpool transportation for elderly members ... there are hundreds of ways that EVERY chapter member can contribute.

If you are one of the many Independent Members of the AGO in Region VI, chapter life is always available to you. You can find the nearest chapter to you by using the AGO's national website at www.agohq.org. However, if you are unable -- because of geographical distance from a chapter or other factors -- to participate in a chapter, this blog and other technological tools can help us inspire and support each other.

May you have a summer full of opportunities for rest, rejuvenation, and renewal!