About Us
The Holland Area Chapter of the American Guild of Organists was formed in September of 1985. It is a group of organists, music directors, and organ enthusiasts that exists 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.
The American Guild of Organists (AGO) is the national professional association serving the organ and choral music fields. The Guild serves approximately 20,000 members in 330 chapters throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Founded in 1896 as both an educational and service organization, the Guild seeks to set and maintain high musical standards and to promote understanding and appreciation of all aspects of organ and choral music.
Schedule of Guild Events - 2017 - 2018
September 24, 2017 (Sun) - Evensong and Installation of Officers, with Grand Rapids, Muskegeon, and Southwest MI Chapters - 5pm
St. Adalbert's Catholic Church, Grand Rapids - Choral Evensong with Dr. Huw Lewis, brass and choir, followed by dinner
October 18, 2017 (Wed) - Dedication Recital for Holland's newest pipe organ - Martin Pasi, Op. 26, Grace Episcopal - 7pm
Join organists Dr. Craig Cramer, Dr. Huw Lewis, Rhonda Sider Edgington, and Grace's Director of Music Steve Jenkins, as well as organbuilder Martin Pasi, for this special dedication recital
November 6, 2017 (Mon) - Wedding Music - sharing our favorites, finding new treasures - Hope Church - 7pm
Bring your favorite wedding repertoire to play for each other, or just come to listen and get ideas (we will share the list in an upcoming newsletter)
December - no meeting!
January 8, 2018 (Mon) - 6pm - Holiday Potluck - Marie Blauwkamp's house
Bring a dish to share and let's celebrate having made it through December!
February 6, 2018 (Tues) - 7pm - Dr. Huw Lewis - Hope College - Preparing for the AGO Service Playing Exam - Hope College Organ Studio
Too many of us have always meant to get around to taking one of those AGO exams! Dr. Lewis will walk us through the skills needed to pass the Service Playing exam, and help us prepare, either to take the exam, or simply brush up on the useful skills and techniques included in this exam
February 19, 2018 (Mon) - 7pm - Tony Monaco and the Hammond B3 - Hope College chamber music hall
Hope College's instructor of jazz organ will explain the history of the Hammond - how it evolved from a church instrument to a mainstay of jazz. He'll also explain to us not so familiar with the instrument, just what to do with those draw knobs!
February 10, 2018 (Sat) - 9:30am - Aaron Tan, "Serving Two Masters: thoughts on being a dual-career musician"
Aaron is a research scientist who earned a a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Michigan, and afterwards worked as a postdoctoral researcher in the University of Michigan's Laboratory for Complex Materials and Thin Films Research. He is also an accomplished musician who recently completed a four-year position as Organ Scholar at St. John's Episcopal Church in Detroit, Michigan, working with Huw Lewis. He was soon afterwards appointed Artist in Residence at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Detroit, and currently serves as Assistant Organist at Christ Church Cranbrook. Come hear Aaron speak on how he combines his gifts and interests in very diverse areas into a fulfilling career.
April 23, 2018 (Mon) - 7pm - Clergy-Musician Relations - Rev. Jen Adams and Steve Jenkins from Grace Episcopal - at Grace Episcopal
In what will hopefully be the first part in a series, we will hear from local musician-clergy pairs who have enviable relationships - Jen and Steve will discuss what works well, how they collaborate so successfully together (as evidenced by the new wonderful instrument at Grace!), and tips for the rest of us
June 1 (Friday) - Spring Potluck - Home of George and Roberta Kraft
June -Date TDB- Trip to Greg Crowell's home in Grand Rapids to hear and play his musical instrument collection (Harpsichords, clavichords, etc)
Other Local Organ Events of Note
Nov. 12 (Sun) - 3pm - Annual Rietberg Recital at Third Reformed - Dr. Kevin Vaughan (Goshen College)
Nov. 18 (Sun) - 3pm - Grace Notes at Grace Episcopal - Nick Palmer and friends - playing original compositions
Dec. 3 (Sun) - 3pm - Free at Three - Rick Van Oss' annual Advent recital - with Cheryl van Oss, organ and piano duets
Dec. 10 (Sun) - 4pm - Rhonda Edgington's Advent recital - with Julie Sooy, flute and Cormier, soprano - Frank Martin's Chants de Noel, along with congregational hymns, and solo organ works by J. S. Bach, Rachel Laurin, Bert Mater, Charles Callahan, and Robert Powell
Jan 14 (Sun) - 3pm - Grace Notes, Linda Stouf - Music for the liturgical year
Feb. 3 (Sun) - 3pm - Music for Organ, Trombone, Bassoon, and Saxophone - Rhonda Sider Edgington and friends, Hope Church
March 9 -11 - Jazz Organ Summit - Hope College's 2nd Annual Jazz Organ Summit, with Dr. Lonnie Smith
March 13 (Tues) - 7:30pm - Aaron Tan - Dimnent Chapel at Hope College, the annual Donia recital
March 18 (Sun) - 1pm - Grace Notes - Peter Kurdziel - Grace Episcopal's new Pasi organ
If you have events for this page, please email dean Rhonda Edgington, or newsletter editor Paul Dalman (see the Contact Us page).