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Chapter News: October 2022

Dean's Message

Thank you to all the participants in our evening prayer / installation service. Thank you Kathleen Turner and Justing Addington for organizing the reception. We had 15 in attendance, which is low for this event.

For those of you missed the service, Rev. John Ruehl's message was based on Romans 12:3-10: 4 For just as we have many parts in one body and all the body’s parts do not have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually parts of one another. 6 However, since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to use them properly.

To quote Rev. Ruehl, "... as each of us seek to live in the direction of a faithful witness to Christ, let us seek to discern how we might live in fellowship with the faithful ones around us as a collaborative witness to the vitality of Christ’s body. Let us be aware that how we hold ourselves matters. How we hold ourselves in relationship with one another is part of our testimony. And if we are able, with one another, to present something about Grace - the flavor of Grace that speaks of Jesus Christ - then we are holding the Gospel well. God help us to deal wisely with one another - especially with the ones who make it hard to hold ourselves with Grace. We certainly can use Divine help with that one. But by Jesus, with Jesus, and in following Jesus there is always a world-changing and restorative way to be found."

As church musicians and members of the AGO, we have the opportunity to share our spiritual as well as our practical gifts with our congregations and colleagues. Your organization needs your gifts of service, generosity, leadership, and love - and who knows, maybe even exhortation and prophesy, if you are thus gifted. Over the year, the varied events planned by your board should offer something for everyone. I hope that you will be able to join your colleagues as we strive to improve our skills and connectedness in our profession.

Jim Adams, Dean

Guild Service and Officer Installation

From the Sub-dean

I’d like to thank Justin Addington for hosting our event on such short notice after the organ at St Peter’s went down due to electrical surges on our campus at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. Thanks Justin!

Best,
Kathleen Turner

Upcoming Events

Rebecca McClain - Introduction to Prevention of Playing Injuries

Surveys have reported that at least half of all musicians have experienced a playing-related injury, discomfort, pain, or other dysfunction at some point during their careers, yet this is rarely discussed. How can we reduce our chances of being injured? At our October meeting, Rebecca McClain will lead us in an introduction to this topic, based on her recently completed Certificate in Injury-Preventive Keyboard Technique at Salem College. (Please wear comfortable clothes!)

Location:
St. Paul's Lutheran Church (Social Hall) 10 W. 31st St. Savannah, GA 31401

Dr. Janette Fishell

"So many stops, so little time: Tips on registering any piece on just about any organ"

Janette Fishell is professor of music in organ and chair of the Organ Department at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, where she teaches applied organ and organ pedagogy. She appears by arrangement with Karen McFarlane Artists.

Location:
Lutheran Church of the Ascension (Gallery) 120 Bull St. Savannah, GA 31401

Note: the gallery is not accessible. There is vertical access to the Nave (second floor) and the presentation will be broadcast over the PA system.

Guild Christmas Party

Location:
The residence of Dean James Adams
10 E. 44th St., Savannah, GA 31401

(Image: The Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ, part of the Nethercutt Collection Museum, Los Angeles, CA)

Full Schedule of Events
Monday, October 24 at 7:00 PM
Rebecca McClain - Introduction to Prevention of Playing Injuries
Social Hall, St. Paul's Lutheran 10 W. 31st St.

Saturday, November 12 at 10:00 AM
Dr. Janette Fishell - Workshop on Registration
Lutheran Church of the Ascension 120 Bull St.

Sunday, December 4 at 6:00 PM
James Adams - AGO Christmas Party 10 E. 44th St.

Sunday, January 15 at 5:00 PM
Ticketed Event
Cathedral of St. John the Baptist - 222 E. Harris St.
Four Organists Concert - Monica Dekle, Jacob Fuhrman, George Fergus, Paul Thornock

Saturday, February 11 at 10:00 AM
Anne Laver, clinician - Productive Practicing
St. Peter's Episcopal 3 West Ridge Rd.

Saturday, March 11 morning (TBA)
Low Country Chapter organ crawl to various Savannah churches

Friday, April 21 at 6:00 PM
Musician/Clergy Banquet, Dr. Eileen Guenther, speaker
Place TBA

May Date/Time TBA Members' Recital
Independent Presbyterian 207 Bull St.

Member Events

"Phantom of the Opera" - Silent Film with live Organ Accompaniment

On October 23rd at 5:00 pm, there will be a showing of the 1925 classic, "Phantom of the Opera" starring Lon Cheney. The showing will take place in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church (223 Bull Street), and will be accompanied live by theatre organist, Scott Foppiano. This event is being presented as part of the Organ Centennial Concert Series, which celebrates the 100th anniversary of the installation of the First Baptist Church E.M. Skinner pipe organ. The showing of the film is poignant because movies during the decade that the church's organ was installed would have been accompanied by organs in movie houses. The FBC organ contains some of the same "bells and whistles" as classic theatre organs because it is of the same vintage. This event is free and open to the public. Donations will be accepted at the door for the ongoing care of the organ. If you would like more information about the FBC organ and the concert series, please visit www.fbc-sav.org/music. If you would like more information about Scott Foppiano, please visit https://www.atos.org/artist/scott-foppiano. If you would like to know more about the film, please visit https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0016220/.

AGO Savannah Board

Dean: James Adams jima313@aol.com
Sub-Dean: Kathleen Turner kturner@saintpeterssav.org
Secretary: Justin L. Addington Justin@fbc-sav.org
Treasurer: Jacob Fuhrman jacobfuhrman@gmail.com
Executive Committee Members at Large: Suade Anderson, Julia Tucker, Tom White
Chaplain: Rev. John Ruehl john.ruehl@gmail.com