Dear Members and Friends of the Central North Carolina American Guild of Organists,

As we begin a new season, I would like to say thank you to the nominating committee, and to each one of you who has entrusted me as your new Dean.  I would also like to officially thank Dr. William Weisser for his many years of service in this position.  It was my pleasure serving as Sub-Dean under Dr. Weisser, and I know that he leaves big shoes to fill.  I will do my best to serve you well.

I would start by encouraging any of you, who have not yet renewed your membership through the ONCARD system online, to visit the renewal page, www.agohq.org, and click on “Membership,” so that you can remain active members.  As we make plans for the year ahead, I’m hoping that you will find many reasons to be excited about AGO this coming season.

I began my post as your Dean by updating my own membership in the Guild to a Life Member.  I highly encourage you to consider this option as well.  Our support of the Guild is most important at this time, in which the use of organs in worship needs encouragement.  For those of us who love the instrument, there is a need to foster youth and excitement in our organization, and expand our reach to others who love the instrument, but who may not play themselves.  There are also several opportunities being made available to join AGO at a reduced rate, if you are a student, or if you are a “Volunteer” organist (or an employed organist with smaller salaries).  I’ll be writing more about these programs in future newsletters.

Our new Board of Directors is working diligently on preparing a fine year of activities ahead, and you will be receiving news as those plans come to fruition, as planned by our new Sub-Dean, Dr. David Danielson Eaton and his planning committee.  I wanted to give you a “heads up” to save the date for two soon arriving events:  One in September, and one in October.  We are joining with the Durham-Chapel Hill Chapter for both events.  Both dates will give us an opportunity to see, hear, and play the  magnificent new CB Fisk pipe organ in the recently finished Raleigh Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral.  Those two dates are:

Friday, September 27th, 7:00 pm

Dr. David Eaton, Principal Organist, has arranged especially for Triangle area AGO members, and guests, to demonstrate the grand CB Fisk organ in the new Raleigh Cathedral.  We will gather in the choir loft at the console to hear a variety of selections, as well as discussion of approaches to registration in this massive space.  Several of our members will have the opportunity to play.

Sunday, October 13th, 3:30 pm

Dr. David Eaton will provide a demonstration of the organ.  We will hear selections for solo organ, featuring young organists, organ and voice, with Margaret Pate, Soprano, and organ/handbell with Lynn Andersen, renowned English Handbell soloist.

Please watch for further details as our planning committee firms things up.

Best wishes for a wonderful year ahead.

Mark Andersen