Salisbury Chapter

Message from the Dean

Greetings from the Salisbury chapter.  The mission of the American Guild of Organists (AGO) is to foster a thriving community of musicians who share their knowledge and inspire passion for the organ.  The AGO is the National professional association serving the organ, choral and sacred music fields.  Chartered in 1896, the AGO now serves over 15,000 members.  Our membership here in Salisbury includes musicians from a large geographic area, including the entire Eastern Shore of Maryland and parts of central Maryland.  Ordinarily, we meet for dinner and programs several times per year, and also sponsor many special projects including members’ recitals, organ restorations, youth choral festivals and hurricane relief. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we are currently meeting by Zoom and watching live-streamed recitals by our members and others. This is a great place to live, work and make music! Join us, or let us know when you visit.

Dr. Michael Stefanek, Dean

Local Events

Pipe Organ Encounters for Youth and Young Adults
Pipe Organ Encounters are invitations extended to young piano students and youth interested in the organ to get acquainted with the instrument via AGO Members.  This season the Guild announces six pipe organ encounters.  For more information go to    file:///C:/Users/rober/AppData/Local/Packages/Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe/TempState/Downloads/2019%20POE%20(2).pdf.

Newsletter

SALISBURY AGO CHAPTER NEWS

Dear Chapter Members,

Season Greetings! It’s been a very unusual and challenging year for all of us. But we will get through this pandemic together. Please continue to be safe, vigilant, and patient. It’s just a matter of time before we will be able to attend events and concerts together. These unprecedented times have certainly forced us to be innovative. For example, many churches have found creative ways to worship and share music ministry in ways that we never imagined. Thanks to technology, we are also able to stay connected with friends, family, colleagues, and enjoy virtual programs. This Advent season St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in downtown Salisbury has been featuring wonderful livestreamed organ recitals on Saturdays at 4:00 PM. A big thanks to their Director of Music/Organist, Daniel Cherrix, for organizing and hosting these meaningful performances.

In 2021 virtual programs will continue in our chapter. Please stay tuned for further information regarding events as it becomes available in the new year.

Thank you for continued support of our chapter and the A.G.O.

I’d like to wish you a warm holiday season and a happy new year!

Dr. Michael Stefanek

Dean, Salisbury Chapter (A.G.O.)

Greetings all,

Thank you, Michael, for the season message and for your work as Dean of our chapter.

I wish you all a blessed, safe, and healthy Christmas and holiday season. Susan, thank you for your continued good work for the chapter and for wearing many hats!

Here’s to gathering again in person in 2021.

Sincerely,

Dr. William M. Folger, Sub-Dean

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Chapter member Gerry Wood, Chairman of the Salisbury Cathedral Celebration Committee, reports that we are currently planning to reschedule the  Salisbury Cathedral Celebration for May 25, 26 and 27 of 2022.” Hold the dates!

In addition to events in our local chapter I would encourage you to occasionally visit the national A.G.O. website as they update resources to their education tab that might be of interest to you.

Salisbury Chapter Membership

Jenny Anderson
Janice Boettger
Kenneth Brown, AAGO
Cora Bruner
William Folger
Shirley Hailey
Taylor Harvey
Anne Hastings
Wendy Herr
Catherine Huey
Arthur Leiby
Jay Miller
Don Ruthig
Thomas Shores
Michael Stefanek
Jeffrey Todd
Joel Todd
June Todd
Gerry Wood
Susan Zimmer, SPC

Placement

Employers and job seekers are invited to post and search listings of available positions on the Guild’s National Website.

Certification

Any Salisbury Chapter AGO member who presently holds any AGO degrees, please let the webmaster know, so your AGO degree can be placed next to your name in the Chapter Membership List.

Contact Us

Links

Websites from Our Members Churches/Employers

Asbury United Methodist, Crisfield, MD, Thomas Shores, Director/Organist
Asbury United Methodist, Salisbury, MD, Michael Stefanek, Director of Music Ministries
Atlantic United Methodist Church, Ocean City, June Todd, Director of Music
Cathedral of the Incarnation, Baltimore, MD, Ken Brown, Canon for Music and Worship
Holy Name of Jesus Roman Catholic Church, Pocomoke, MD, Catherine Huey, Organist
St. Pauls by the Sea, Ocean City, Shirley Toms Hailey, Organist/Director
Salisbury University Music Department, William Folger, Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities
Wicomico Presbyterian, Salisbury, MD , Susan Zimmer, Director/Organist

Favorite Music Hotspots and Websites 🙂

AGO National website
Mid-Shore Maryland AGO
Christ Church Cambridge Concert Series
David M. Storey, Organ Builder
Delmarva Public Radio
The Diapason
Lewis & Hitchcock Organ Builders
Longwood Gardens Organ Performances
Mid-Atlantic Symphony
Patrick Murphy Organ Builders
pipedreams.publicradio.org
R. A. Daffer Church Organs: Ruffatti, Rodgers, Johannes, Makin Organs, Ken Brown, VP
Salisbury Symphony Orchestra
www.facebook.com/WithHeartandVoice
Walker Technical Organs, Skinner Organs and Additions
With Heart and Voice Broadcasts