About Us
The Holland Area Chapter of the American Guild of Organists was formed in September of 1985. We are made up of around 30 organists, music directors, church musicians, and organ enthusiasts. Our programs are open to all, and we seek to support one another professionally and provide avenues for organ music to thrive in the Holland area.
The mission of the American Guild of Organists is to foster a thriving community of musicians who share their knowledge and inspire passion for the organ.
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 - 2019 - 2020
September 23, 2019 (Mon) - 7pm - Sharing Advent and Christmas Favorites - Hope Church
plus special guest Bob Houskamp, founder and director of Summer Organ Event
Bring your favorite Advent and Christmas organ music to share with members, as we play for one another. We will also hear from Bob about an innovative program he's begun, running and funding it himself, which introduces young people to organ lessons - 35 high school students over 7 years have been given their first organ lessons!
October 17, 2019 (Fri) - 7pm - Music of Japan for Organ, Marimba, and Taiko Drums - Hope College Dimnent Chapel
Partnering with the department of Asian Studies and other groups at Hope College, our chapter is cosponsoring a concert that brings together classical and world music from Japan. Rhonda Sider Edgington, organ will be joined by Mark Lopez (Hope College) on marimba, and Carolyn Koebel (Kalamazoo College) on Taiko drum, along with special guest from Arizona, renowned in Taiko drumming circles, Ken Koshio. In addition to solo and ensemble pieces, the program will conclude with a special commission, written for this group by Carson Cooman (Harvard University) supported by a special grant from the San Francisco AGO.
November 16, 2019 (Sat) - Organ Tour of Grand Rapids - LaGrave CRC, St. Adalberts, St. Marks - time TBD
Bring your organ shoes and music, or come to just listen. We will travel to three important and notable organs in Grand Rapids, where we will hear the instruments and have a chance to play. Also at St. Mark's we will be able to see and play some of Greg Crowell's wide-ranging early keyboard instrument collection, including harpsichords and clavichords.
December TBD - Possible visit to Freedom Village and carol sing with AGO members in residence there
January 6, 2020 (Sun) - 6pm - Holiday Potluck - Linda Fulton's house
Bring a dish to share and let's celebrate having made it through December! Linda will provide soup, bring a side, or dessert. We will also sing together from the Oxford Book of Carols.
February 4, 2020 (Tues) - 7pm - Clergy-Musician Forum with Dan Gillett and Rick Van Oss from First Reformed - at First Reformed in Holland
In the third installment of this successful series, we will hear from another local musician-clergy team who have an enviable relationship - Rick and Dan will discuss what works well, how they have collaborated so successfully together for decades, offer tips for the rest of us, and answer questions about their working systems and relationships
March 23, 2020 (Mon) - 7pm - Local Composers Forum with Larry Visser - Second Reformed Church in Zeeland
Following the success of our local composers forum last year, we invite Larry Visser of LaGrave CRC in Grand Rapids and accomplished composer to share the evening with us. Members will play their Visser favorites, and Larry will share with us about his compositions and musical journey.
April 20, 2020 (Mon) - 7pm - The Aging Voice with Prof. Linda Dykstra - Hope College, Jack Miller, Choral Rehearsal Room
Many of us work with aging singers in our church and community choirs. Prof. Dykstra will share best practices for singing as we (all!) age, and how to get the best sound from a group, no matter what their age.
May 18 (Mon) - 7pm - Handbells with Larry and Carla Sue - Third Reformed in Holland
Larry and Carla Sue moved to Holland, MI recently, but are well-known in handbell circles nationally and internationally, and they travel around the country to perform and lecture, as well as composing for handbells. We'll learn handbell techniques from them, hear how they found love through handbell playing, and have the opportunity to ask our burning handbell questions!
June TBD - Spring Potluck
If you have events for this page, please email dean Rhonda Edgington, or newsletter editor Paul Dalman (see the Contact Us page).