CHAPTER NEWS

July 2024

June 2024

May 2024

Local Event

Organ Virtuoso Concert

May 3, 2024

Diane Belcher, Organist

Tabernacle on Temple Sqaure

Click for details

Chapter Closing Social

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

May 23, 2024

7:30pm

Join us for an evening of music, socializing, and refreshments

Presentation about the organ at St Paul’s Church, a three-manual, 37 rank instrument built by H. Ronald Poll in 2002
Highlights from our annual history will be shared
Members and friends will be able to gather, enjoy refreshments, and play a piece on the organ in St. Paul’s

Click for details

April 2024

Chapter Update

Chapter Elections

2024 Board:

- Shelby Fisher, Dean
- Halden Toy, Sub-Dean
- Mark Atencio, Secretary & Archivist
- Scott Rowley, Treasurer
- Kenneth Udy, Membership & Historian
- Emily Spencer, Youth Education Coordinator
- Ryan North, Education Coordinator
- Heidi Argyle, Education
- Lora Kelly, Webmaster

Click for details

March 2024

Local Events

Eccles Series Masterclass

March 8, 2024

Tabernacle on Temple Square

Pieces Performed:

- Alleluyas, Simon Preston
- Organ Sonata in C minor Op.65 No.2, Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy
- Prelude, Fugue et Variation, Cesar Franck
- Meditation, Gabriel Dupont
- Symphony II, Movement 1, Allegro Risoluto, Louis Vierne
- Cortège et Litanie, Marcel Dupré

Click for details

Eccles Festival Concert

March 11, 2024

Cathedral of the Madeleine

Click for details

All-Bach Recital

March 15, 2024, 7:30 pm

St. Mark’s Cathedral

February 2024

Chapter Event

FRESCOBALDI UNVEILED:

Keys to understanding the influence and works of the great Italian master

Click for details

January 2024

Chapter Event

Super Saturday

January 6, 2024

University of Utah Campus

Past Newsletters

April 2024

Dean's Message

April 2024

Dear Organists,

Spring greetings! At this time of year, so rich in tradition within the realm of liturgical music, my mind is drawn to the German and Swiss countries, where I have had the opportunity to play many great instruments, both large and small. As I consider the vast array of instruments I have explored, from the ancient Basilica of Valère in Sion to the renowned Schnitger instruments in north Germany, to the many charming, small village organs of Thüringen (Bach country), I am struck by the uniqueness and special qualities of each of these instruments.

Each pipe organ is an unicum. A brilliant and fascinating work of art, whose value is not determined by its size alone, but rather by its artistry and individuality. I see a parallel within the world of musicians. Just as no two hand-crafted organs are alike, no two musicians are alike, and no one’s contribution is the same as another. I challenge you to celebrate your individuality as a musician, and the individuality of others. Comparison is the thief of joy. At its best, art is not about competition or hierarchy, but rather enrichment and preservation. Every organist is a culture bearer, a distinct voice, preserving and amplifying a unique heritage. As colleagues, each one of us offers something of great value that cannot be replicated by anyone else. A friend and colleague recently shared his frustration in having a “bad playing day” (how many of those have we all had!). When he shared this, all I could think about was his many positive qualities—the unique and remarkable contribution he has made to our organ community over many years.

In that spirit, I am so happy to see the friendship and artistic exchange between so many of our members, both in joining together for group concerts on various instruments, and in joining together to support and mentor children, youth, and other emerging organists. Before the close of the season, SLCAGO has one more event on the horizon—a closing social at St. Paul’s Episcopal on Thursday, May 23rd, where we will hear a selection of organ works from the St. Paul’s organists, with open console time following their presentation. Thanks in advance to St. Paul’s, and I hope to see many of you there! For those of you with service playing duties, congratulations on surviving the rigors of Holy Week, and best wishes to you for the rest of Eastertide.

Emily Spencer

Dean, SLCAGO

March 2024

Dear Organists,

At our recent Super Saturday event, I witnessed one of our established organists invite a young musician and his mother to his home to play his home organ and learn more about the “organ world”. The following week at an evening concert, I witnessed a prominent organist patiently and kindly answer the questions of a young person for a long period, and likewise invite him to visit and play a well-known instrument. I witnessed several colleagues of differing backgrounds join together as friends to present a phenomenal concert at one of our cathedrals. I witnessed one of our organ technicians working tirelessly behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly, not only with our instruments but within the community of colleagues. As 2024 unfolds, I have been impressed, even touched, by the service, collaboration, community-building, and team spirit of our members. I love this quote by Helen Keller: “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” Thank you for your support of the organ community; thanks to those with an intense performance schedule, to those who do so much to teach and mentor, and to the tireless technicians behind the scenes.

Looking ahead, I’m excited for our March events and concerts, and encourage you to attend as many as you are able. The Eccles Organ Festival continues with two events featuring Tom Winpenny of St. Albans Cathedral; a masterclass on Friday, March 8th, at 2 pm at the Salt Lake Tabernacle, and a concert on Sunday, March 10th, at 8 pm at the Cathedral of the Madeleine. March is a wonderful time of year to celebrate the music of Bach, and we’re grateful to Halden Toy, who will present an all-Bach recital at St. Mark’s Cathedral on Friday, March 15th. Please join us in this Bach celebration! Lastly, the American Guild of Organists has declared March 10th as Woman Composer Sunday, and I invite you to include a work by a woman composer in your service playing that day. I am selecting a piece to play, and I look forward to hearing what you chose to play that weekend, in observance of International Women’s Day.

Emily Spencer Dean, SLCAGO

August 2023

Thank you for your continued support of the Salt Lake Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.

As a reminder, a portion of your dues remain with the chapter and help us bring you events such as

The Eccles Organ Festival
Chapter socials
Educational events such as Super Saturday
Special programming for youth such as Pedals, Pipes, and Pizza, and
The Quimby Regional Competitions for Young Organists.

As a thank you to our members, we invite you to attend a special guided tour and open console at the Cathedral of the Madeleine on Sunday, August 27, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.

Summer 2023

Dear Organists,

I hope you are enjoying your summer! The chapter leadership has already been busy planning events for the upcoming season, and we invite you to save the date for the events listed below.

In gratitude for our support of the Eccles Organ Festival, the Cathedral of the Madeleine is providing us with a tour of the Cathedral, followed by an open console for SLCAGO members. Please RSVP soon for August 27th, as space is limited. Looking to September, Valerie Harris’ lecture-recital “How the West was Won: Tabernacle Organ Recitals” will take place on Sunday, September 24th, at Christ United Methodist.

I hope you have a wonderful, relaxing, and rejuvenating summer, and I hope to see you at these events in a couple of months!

Emily Spencer, Dean
SLCAGO

April 2023

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to welcome you to take part in The BYU Free Organ Music Exchange. This library is contained in several white crates placed above the twelve organs in the BYU Organ Lab (2217 Music Building). Having been donated by individuals who are downsizing their libraries or from estates, they are available to organists for free.

You are welcome to come to the lab, play through the scores, and take those that you or your students will use. Please do not remove them with the intent to resell. The lab door is unlocked Monday through Saturday between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., but you can stay after 6:00 p.m. if you wish.

Please avoid group organ class times:

Mondays and Wednesdays
- 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Tuesdays and Thursdays
- 9:00 – 10:00 am
- 4:00 – 5:00 pm 4-5
Fridays
- 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

If you have organ scores or books that you’d like to donate, please contact Don_Cook@byu.edu or Neil.Harmon@byu.edu to arrange for drop-off or pick-up.

Emily Spencer, Dean

SLCAGO

March 2023

Dear Organists,

In celebration of Women’s History Month, we will hold a chapter recital on Friday, March 31st, at 7:30pm at First Methodist, featuring works by female composers. I hope you will avail yourself of this opportunity to enjoy the beautiful organ and sanctuary at First Methodist, and to experience organ works by Florence Price, Nadia Boulanger, Emma Lou Diemer, Rachel Laurin, Anna Laura Page, and Cecilia McDowall.

I’m excited to hear compositions that are new to me, and I express my thanks in advance to our performers for their work and preparation. Please join me for this wonderful concert. Also looking ahead, the Eccles Organ Festival will present Adam Brakel on Sunday, March 12th, at 8 pm at the Cathedral of the Madeleine. The final concert of the 29th season includes works by Sweelinck, Roberday, Bach, Bossi, Franck, Reger, Widor, Duruflé and Shearing. Brakel serves as Director of Music for St. James Cathedral in Orlando, Florida.
We continue to grow as musicians as we expand our awareness of the rich, diverse, and ever-expanding body of organ literature. In February (Black History Month), we added a tribute to two talented African American composers William Grant Still and Florence Price to our website. This spring, I challenge you to explore, expand, and experience composers and compositions that are new to you. I wish you joy in your journey of discovery!

Emily Spencer, Dean
SLCAGO

February 2023

Dear Organists,

As I watched the snow fall this morning, the words of Christina Rossetti’s beautiful poem “In the Bleak Midwinter” came to mind. “In the bleak mid-winter frosty wind made moan, earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone…”

As organists create a point of gathering and communion in church services and concerts during the long days of winter, we bring light in the darkness and warmth to cold places. I just received a very kind and sincere note of gratitude for a funeral service I played last weekend; it reminded me of the “why” to our hard, often isolated work, which is the connection, warmth and hope we can offer during dark or difficult times.

Organ historian Douglas Bush introduced me to these beautiful words of Oliver Hereford, “I heard a bird sing in the dark of December, a magical thing, and sweet to remember.” Musicians indeed usher in the light, warmth, and songs that help people forge through life’s winters into spring.

I wish to express my thanks in particular to Shelby Fisher and Linda Margetts for their work toward a very successful open console event last Saturday at the LDS Conference Center. Looking to upcoming events, please join us on Friday, February 3rd at 7:30 pm, for the Tabernacle Organ Virtuoso Performance Series concert featuring Hungarian organist Viktor Billa. The following Friday, February 10th at 7:30 pm at First Baptist Church, we will enjoy a lecture recital by Kurt Lueders, of the Protestant Church of the Holy Spirit in Paris, France. Please join me this weekend and next in supporting both of these gifted visiting artists.

I hope to see you there!

Emily Spencer, Dean

SLCAGO

Dean’s Message Summer 2023

Chapter News / By Lora

Dear Organists,

I hope you are enjoying your summer! The chapter leadership has already been busy planning events for the upcoming season, and we invite you to save the date for the events listed below.

In gratitude for our support of the Eccles Organ Festival, the Cathedral of the Madeleine is providing us with a tour of the Cathedral, followed by an open console for SLCAGO members. Please RSVP soon for August 27th, as space is limited.

Looking to September, Valerie Harris’ lecture-recital “How the West was Won: Tabernacle Organ Recitals” will take place on Sunday, September 24th, at Christ United Methodist.

I hope you have a wonderful, relaxing, and rejuvenating summer, and I hope to see you at these events in a couple of months!

Emily Spencer

Dean, SLCAGO

Guided Tour and Open Console

Chapter News / By Lora

Sunday, August 27, 2023

7:30 pm
Cathedral of the Madeleine
331 E South Temple Street
Salt Lake City, Utah

In appreciation of the chapter’s continued support of the Eccles Organ Festival, the Cathedral of the Madeleine will host a guided tour and open console night for members of the chapter.

Members are invited to prepare a short piece (no longer than five minutes).

If you do not wish to play, you may still join us for a tour led by one of the Cathedral’s docents.

RSVP Shelby Fisher

shelby@slcago.org

Open console limited to 15 organists

Valerie Harris Lecture Recital

Chapter News, Concerts & Recitals / By Lora

Sunday, September 24, 2023

7:30 pm
Christ United Methodist Church
2375 East 3300 South
Salt Lake City, Utah

FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

LECTURE RECITAL BY

VALERIE HARRIS, DMA

PRESENTED BY SLCAGO

The free Daily Organ Recitals at the Salt Lake Tabernacle are the longest running program of this type.

By 1901, a regular schedule of recitals was instituted with rail travelers visitng daily by the thousands.

Come learn about the impact of these recitals on the hearts and minds of their worldwide audience and on the state of Utah.

Hear some of the favorites from the early recitals performed.

Dr. Valerie Harris

has performed on many notable historic organs in Europe and the U.S. She performs as a guest recitalist at the Tabernacle on Temple Square in Salt Lake City.

Other recent performances were given in Belgium and the Netherlands. She has given many national and regional workshops and presentations; she serves on the faculty of the BYU Organ Workshops Program.

She holds a Doctoral of Musical Arts Degree in Organ Performance from Arizona State University, where she studied with Kimberly Marshall.
She holds a Master of Music in Organ Performance from Shenandoah University and a Bachelor of Music degree from Brigham Young University. She has also studied in Europe with Hans Davidsson, Pieter Dirksen, Luc Ponet, and Johannes Ebenbauer.

She serves as Dean of the Central Arizona Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, as National Media Chair for the National Federation of Music Clubs, and as Associate Music Director and Organist at Pinnacle Presbyterian Church in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Pedals, Pipes and Pizza 2022

Chapter News / By Lora

Another Successful PPP!

This year’s Pedals, Pipes, and Pizza was held October 15, 2022 on Temple Square and was a great success! Dozens of children, together with parents and teachers, gathered Saturday, October 15, 2022 to listen to a demonstration of the Tabernacle Organ by Bill Hesterman, and play other organs on Temple Square, including the V/130 Schoenstein in the Conference Center and III/65 Sipe organ in the Assembly Hall organs. It was a a wonderful introduction to the pipe organ for many children and youth.

Jan Clayton and Emily Spencer worked tirelessly to organize and were assisted by chapter members as well as officials on Temple Square.

Super Saturday Flyer

Certification & Training, Chapter News / By Salt Lake City AGO Chapter

2020 SLCAGO Chapter Election Results

Chapter News / By Salt Lake City AGO Chapter

Our 2020 SLCAGO Chapter Election is now complete. Thank you for your participation. We had a stunning 72% voting participation! That’s unheard of. Thank you. It is clear that even with a simple retention election, you are engaged in the chapter and that it matters to you. That encourages your board more than you can imagine!

Results Summary

This was a retention election, meaning that all current chapter officers stood for retention with no additional candidates. With 72% of the active chapter members voting, here is your 2020-2022 Chapter Executive Committee / Board of Directors:

Dean: John Rice
Sub-Dean: Max Walker
Secretary: (vacant)
Treasurer: Kenneth Udy
Newsletter Director: Janet Folster
Education Director: Ryan North
Program Committee Chair: Emily Spencer
Program Committee Member: Jan Clayton
Membership Director: (vacant)
District Convener: Teresa Clawson

We also received write-in nominations and emails from members volunteering to serve in our two vacancies (above). Thank you! We will reach out to these individuals quickly.

Election Process

The 2002 election was run using the secure online voting system, ElectionRunner.com. As of 07 May, there were 83 active members of the chapter (down a little as a few had let their memberships lapse and had not yet renewed). On 09 May, 81 members received electronic ballots. 2 members did not have email addresses in their AGO profile and they received paper ballots. 60 members responded. The election closed 31 May.

What’s Next

The Board is actively working on the program plans for next season. We have envisioned our annual Pedals, Pipes, and Pizza and have confirmed locations for that event. We also have planned the much-anticipated return of our Super Saturday. We have that date confirmed also at the U of U. We have other events envisioned, too, but these are the focus events.

Obviously, the State’s guidelines regarding response to the COVID-19 pandemic continue to change and may still affect how we are able to have these events. For now, we’re holding back on disseminating details about these events. We will share details as soon as we can! Keep your eyes on your email for these details.

Renew Your Membership

Are you one of those few whose membership lapsed in the spring? It’s not too late to renew your membership! Your membership supports these events and keeps The American Organist (TAO) magazine coming to your mailbox or inbox. Stay connected to other organists through TAO, through our newsletters, and through our events. Learn from each other. Share with each other. Take what you learn in the AGO and in the chapter and share it with other organists in your circle of influence.

Click here to find information and links to renew online.

February 2023 Newsletter

Chapter News / By Lora

Dean's Message

Dear Organists,

As organists create a point of gathering and communion in church services and concerts during the long days of winter, we bring light in the darkness and warmth to cold places. I just received a very. kind and sincere note of gratitude for a funeral service I played last weekend; it reminded me of the “why” to our hard, often isolated work, which is the connection, warmth and hope we can offer during dark or difficult times.

I wish to express my thanks in particular to Shelby Fisher and Linda Margetts for their work toward a very successful open console event last Saturday at the LDS Conference Center. Looking to upcoming events, please join us on Friday, February 3rd at 7:30pm, for the Tabernacle Organ Virtuoso Performance Series concert featuring Hungarian organist Viktor Billa. The following Friday, February 10th at 7:30pm at First Baptist Church, we will enjoy a lecture recital by Kurt Lueders, of the Protestant Church of the Holy Spirit in Paris, France. Please join me this weekend and next in supporting both of these gifted visiting artists.

I hope to see you there!

Emily Spencer, Dean, SLCAGO

Upcoming Events

Tabernacle Organ Virtuoso Performance Series
Viktor Billa, Concert Organist
Friday, February 3, 2023
7:30 p.m.
The Tabernacle at Temple Square

Eccles Organ Festival
Loreto Aramendi, Concert Organist
Sunday, February 12, 2023
8:00 p.m.
Cathedral of the Madeleine
331 East South Temple Street
Salt Lake City, Utah
VIEW PROGRAM

CHAPTER EVENT
Lecture Recital
Kurt Lueders, Guest Artist
Friday, February 10, 2023
7:30p.m.
First Baptist Church
777 S 1300 E
Salt Lake City, Utah

Eccles Organ Festival
Adam Brakel, Concert Organist
Sunday, March 12, 2023
8:00 p.m.
Cathedral of the Madeleine
331 East South Temple Street
Salt Lake City, Utah

CHAPTER EVENT
SLCAGO Member Recital

in celebration of Women’s History Month

featuring works by Nadia Boulanger, Emma Lou Diemer, Rachel Laurin, Cecilia McDowall, Anna Laura Page, Florence Price

Friday, 31 March 2023, 7:30 p.m.
First Methodist Church
203 South 200 East, Salt Lake City
To play in the recital, contact Shelby Fisher, shelby@slcago.org.
Pieces should be five minutes or less.
Rehearsal time will be available the week prior to the recital.

Dean’s Message – May 2020

Chapter News / By Salt Lake City AGO Chapter

Our Chapter season concludes the end of this month. Sorry we could not have our May membership event with Dan Gawthrop. But he is on notice that he will present at our May 2021 membership meeting. (I haven’t asked him yet, but who has time to ask these days?).

Don’t forget we have an election going on and expect your vote. (If you don’t vote you could end with me again). We will reconvene in August. I express my gratitude to all of you who contributed your time, effort, and money in making our Chapter the Best in the West.

Your outreach to other Chapter members has been met with expressions of extreme gratefulness and thanks. Please keep reaching out. Each of us this coming summer can find a way to touch the life of others and bring a ray sunshine into what otherwise has been a sheltered life. (Sheltered not by choice of course, but then it has been nice to spend some time with the kids, although I’m getting pretty done with that). Call all you know, sing them a song, share some facetime, record an organ solo and send it over. (If you choose to do that, copy me on the recording please!).
Our programs and events this past year were exceptional, thanks to you. From Pedals, Pipes and Pizzas to the Pedals and Potpourri event and all the events between, I believe we as members got the best bang for the buck for membership in any Chapter.
Our programs and events for the coming year are in the works. With the quality of the members of our board and committees you can expect an even bigger bang for your buck. Some of our upcoming programs include a Halloween Ghoulish Pedals, Pipes and Pizza and a February Sweetheart Super Saturday. (I don’t think our board came up with those names, but I like them).

Please consider volunteering your time in one of the open positions on our board, like Secretary or Historian or Membership Coordinator. We could sure use your help and we won’t make you wear a dress.

In closing, again, my deepest appreciation to you all. Remember, you are not a proper organist until you have perfected a withering stare for people who insist on having a chatter during your precious practice hour.

Your Dean,
John K. Rice
john@slcago.org