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Welcome to the website of the
Suffolk Chapter of the American Guild of Organists (AGO).
We are a not-for-profit organization of professional musicians, educators, choir directors, organ builders, and amateur organists and enthusiasts from all walks of life. The Suffolk Chapter carries out the mission of the American Guild of Organists locally by sponsoring workshops, masterclasses, scholarship awards, recitals and other activities to promote the continuing education of organists and choir directors, as well as to create a fellowship of all people who love the organ and organ music. The chapter serves the western portion of Suffolk County on Long Island, New York, and is one of 28 chapters in the New York-Northern New Jersey area (Region II).
We meet on a regular basis throughout the year and hold annual events such as the Children's Choir Directors' Workshop and Children's Choir Festival, the Organ Expo, and the Scholarship Recital and Awards for students of the organ, in addition to other workshops and lecture/recitals led by members and guests. In some cases we partner with neighboring chapters in the Long Island/New York City area to organize activities. Meetings are educational and informal.
Next Chapter Program:
Sunday, May 20th, 2012 at 4 p.m. The Annual Scholarship Awards Recital featuring Dr. Carol Weitner, Organist
Carol Weitner holds the Doctor of Musical Arts degree and the Performer's Certificate from the Eastman School of Music, the Master of Music degree from Westminster Choir College, and the Bachelor of Music degree from The Mannes College of Music. She is the Organist at St. John's Church in Cold Spring Harbor and at First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Huntington. Dr. Weitner has performed extensively on Long Island, as well as in Chicago, St. Paul, Boston, and New York City. She has also presented recitals in France (at Chartres Cathedral and at La Madeleine in Paris) Germany, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic.
General Admission $15; Seniors and students $10. Scholarships will be presented to organ students at intermission. A reception follows the recital and all are welcome. At St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 500 South Country Road, Bay Shore.
Sunday, May 20th, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. Members' Dinner and Installation of Officers
The Dinner and Installation of Officers follow immediately after the Recital reception (see above). Members and friends of the Suffolk Chapter are invited to attend and show their support for outgoing and incoming officers. Please see the May 2012 newsletter for details.
Sunday, May 20th, 2012 at 4 p.m. The Annual Scholarship Awards Recital featuring Dr. Carol Weitner, Organist
Carol Weitner holds the Doctor of Musical Arts degree and the Performer's Certificate from the Eastman School of Music, the Master of Music degree from Westminster Choir College, and the Bachelor of Music degree from The Mannes College of Music. She is the Organist at St. John's Church in Cold Spring Harbor and at First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Huntington. Dr. Weitner has performed extensively on Long Island, as well as in Chicago, St. Paul, Boston, and New York City. She has also presented recitals in France (at Chartres Cathedral and at La Madeleine in Paris) Germany, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic.
General Admission $15; Seniors and students $10. Scholarships will be presented to organ students at intermission. A reception follows the recital and all are welcome. At St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 500 South Country Road, Bay Shore.
Sunday, May 20th, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. Members' Dinner and Installation of Officers
The Dinner and Installation of Officers follow immediately after the Recital reception (see above). Members and friends of the Suffolk Chapter are invited to attend and show their support for outgoing and incoming officers. Please see the May 2012 newsletter for details.
Chapter News:
Saturday, March 31th, 2012 Silent Film Screening: The Thief of Bagdad (1924)
About 100 people attended the program, co-sponsored by NYTOS (New York Theatre Organ Society), and the Queens, Nassau, and Suffolk Chapters of the AGO.
Bernie Anderson, Jr. provided amazing accompaniment on the theatre organ at Chaminade High School in Mineola, especially as the running time for the film is over two and a half hours, without intermission, during which time Bernie played the organ non-stop!
Special thanks to Robert Stehle (NYTOS) and Brother Robert Lahey of Chaminade HS for organizing the program.
Sunday, March 4th, 2012 Organ Expo: Fingers, Feet, Food, and Fun
Over 50 people, including children and families, attended Organ Expo this year at St. Anthony's High School in South Huntington. The children were treated to a demonstration and explanation of the organ, and after hearing some performances and a game of Name That Tune, all were invited for pizza and other refreshments.
We extend special thanks to Brother Joshua and St. Anthony's High School for hosting the program.
Sunday, February 26, 2012 Olivier Latry in Concert
A large and enthusiastic audience came to hear a concert by the renowned organist of Notre Dame in Paris, Mr. Olivier Latry, on Sunday, February 26th. The concert was co-sponsored by St. Peter's Church in Bay Shore and the Nassau and Suffolk Chapters of the AGO. At intermission, Tom Bailey, Organist and Choirmaster at St. Peter's, invited the Deans of the co-sponsoring chapters and the performer to join him in delivering a champagne toast to the Gress-Miles pipe organ in honor of its 40th anniversary.
In addition to playing a magnificent program, Mr. Latry performed an improvisation on three themes given to him by Mr. Bailey at the end of the program. Mr. Latry concluded the concert with an 'encore' performance of the Carillon de Wetminster by Louis Vierne.
Special thanks to: St. Peter's Church; the Rev. Father David Sellery, Rector; and Tom Bailey for hosting, hopitality, and administering the program; Claire Klein and Chris Cusumano for assistance with ticket sales and print-programs; and Paul Elsener for publicity and photography.
Friday, February 3, 7:30 pm Children's Choir Directors' Workshop with clinician Teri Larson
Saturday, February 4, 9-4 pm Children's Choir Festival
The Suffolk Chapter joined with the Rockville Centre Chapter of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians (NPM) in co-sponsoring the annual Children's Choir Festival at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church in Centerport.
On Friday evening our Guest Conductor, Teri Larson, presented a Children's Choir Directors' Workshop, which included an anthem-reading session with music provided by the Choristers' Guild. On Saturday, approximately ninety children from eight church choirs gathered to rehearse from 9:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. At 3 the choir members presented the Festival Service before friends, relative and guests who had filled the church. A reception followed.
Many thanks to all who helped with the program, including: Deanna Muro, accompanist; Helen Kegerreis and Deanna Muro, Program Chairs; our co-sponsor, the Rockville Centre Chapter of NPM, and Chapter Director Chris Ferraro; Paul Elsener and Claire Klein for logistics and hospitality; Matt Koraus for organizing the children's readings; Don Reinertsen for
photography and handbell choir, Marianne Vandermeersch, flute accompaniment; Hugh Carroll, Organist at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church; Deirdre Kupka, Music Director; and Msgr. Gilmartin, Pastor.
Saturday, March 31th, 2012 Silent Film Screening: The Thief of Bagdad (1924)
About 100 people attended the program, co-sponsored by NYTOS (New York Theatre Organ Society), and the Queens, Nassau, and Suffolk Chapters of the AGO.
Bernie Anderson, Jr. provided amazing accompaniment on the theatre organ at Chaminade High School in Mineola, especially as the running time for the film is over two and a half hours, without intermission, during which time Bernie played the organ non-stop!
Special thanks to Robert Stehle (NYTOS) and Brother Robert Lahey of Chaminade HS for organizing the program.
Sunday, March 4th, 2012 Organ Expo: Fingers, Feet, Food, and Fun
Over 50 people, including children and families, attended Organ Expo this year at St. Anthony's High School in South Huntington. The children were treated to a demonstration and explanation of the organ, and after hearing some performances and a game of Name That Tune, all were invited for pizza and other refreshments.We extend special thanks to Brother Joshua and St. Anthony's High School for hosting the program.
Sunday, February 26, 2012 Olivier Latry in Concert
A large and enthusiastic audience came to hear a concert by the renowned organist of Notre Dame in Paris, Mr. Olivier Latry, on Sunday, February 26th. The concert was co-sponsored by St. Peter's Church in Bay Shore and the Nassau and Suffolk Chapters of the AGO. At intermission, Tom Bailey, Organist and Choirmaster at St. Peter's, invited the Deans of the co-sponsoring chapters and the performer to join him in delivering a champagne toast to the Gress-Miles pipe organ in honor of its 40th anniversary.In addition to playing a magnificent program, Mr. Latry performed an improvisation on three themes given to him by Mr. Bailey at the end of the program. Mr. Latry concluded the concert with an 'encore' performance of the Carillon de Wetminster by Louis Vierne.
Special thanks to: St. Peter's Church; the Rev. Father David Sellery, Rector; and Tom Bailey for hosting, hopitality, and administering the program; Claire Klein and Chris Cusumano for assistance with ticket sales and print-programs; and Paul Elsener for publicity and photography.
Friday, February 3, 7:30 pm Children's Choir Directors' Workshop with clinician Teri Larson
Saturday, February 4, 9-4 pm Children's Choir Festival
The Suffolk Chapter joined with the Rockville Centre Chapter of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians (NPM) in co-sponsoring the annual Children's Choir Festival at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church in Centerport.
On Friday evening our Guest Conductor, Teri Larson, presented a Children's Choir Directors' Workshop, which included an anthem-reading session with music provided by the Choristers' Guild. On Saturday, approximately ninety children from eight church choirs gathered to rehearse from 9:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. At 3 the choir members presented the Festival Service before friends, relative and guests who had filled the church. A reception followed.Many thanks to all who helped with the program, including: Deanna Muro, accompanist; Helen Kegerreis and Deanna Muro, Program Chairs; our co-sponsor, the Rockville Centre Chapter of NPM, and Chapter Director Chris Ferraro; Paul Elsener and Claire Klein for logistics and hospitality; Matt Koraus for organizing the children's readings; Don Reinertsen for
photography and handbell choir, Marianne Vandermeersch, flute accompaniment; Hugh Carroll, Organist at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church; Deirdre Kupka, Music Director; and Msgr. Gilmartin, Pastor.Monday, January 16, 2012 Long Island AGO Mini-Convention
The Mini-Convention in Douglaston, Queens, was a solid success, with close to 50 people in attendance from several area chapters including Nassau, Queens, Suffolk, and NYC AGO.
It takes a great deal of effort and coordination on the part of many members to plan and conduct this all-day event. Many thanks to all who shared their time and talent to make this program run so smoothly!
Friday, January 6, 2012 Twelfth Night Celebration
Chapter members enjoyed an evening of good food, drink and conversation with new and old friends. Special guests were our Chaplain, Rev. Timothy Hoyt-Duncan, and District Convener Frank Crosio.
Friday, November 11, 2011 Organ Lecture-Demonstration
The Mini-Convention in Douglaston, Queens, was a solid success, with close to 50 people in attendance from several area chapters including Nassau, Queens, Suffolk, and NYC AGO.
It takes a great deal of effort and coordination on the part of many members to plan and conduct this all-day event. Many thanks to all who shared their time and talent to make this program run so smoothly!
Friday, January 6, 2012 Twelfth Night Celebration
Chapter members enjoyed an evening of good food, drink and conversation with new and old friends. Special guests were our Chaplain, Rev. Timothy Hoyt-Duncan, and District Convener Frank Crosio.
Friday, November 11, 2011 Organ Lecture-Demonstration
On the Veterans' Day holiday, Chapter members as well as the general public were invited to a lecture-demonstration of the 1920 Reuben Midmer & Son 2-manual, 20-rank instrument at St. Patrick Church in Bay Shore. The church, dedicated on September 7, 1919, is historic and beautiful, and provides a wonderful context for the instrument.Suffolk Chapter member Ray Henderson delivered a power-point presentation and provided a wealth of information about the evolution of the Midmer organ builders and the instruments they built on Long Island. In addition, new member Joseph Roenbeck demonstrated the instrument at St. Patrick's, improvising several pieces to highlight various stops.
We thank Ray and Joseph for a wonderful program, as well as Tom Bailey, Member-at-Large, for coordinating the event. Many thanks also to St. Patrick's Church, and to their Director of Music, Pat Marfoglio, and Organist Christopher Hopkins for allowing us the opportunity to visit.
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Monday, October 10, 2011 Members' Recital and Supper
On the Columbus Day holiday, chapter members presented an organ recital at the beautiful convent chapel of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Brentwood. The organ is a circa-1930 Kilgen 3-manual, 22-rank instrument that has not been tonally altered since its original installation. The reverberant marble walls and floors of the chapel enhance the warm and mellow romantic sounds of the instrument.
One of the chapter's newest members, Stephen Gamboa, started the program. He was followed by Eleanor Gould, Elizabeth Bailey, Janet Pinto, Virgil Barkauskas, Ray Henderson, and another new member, Joseph Roenbeck. The audience of approximately seventy attendees included AGO members and friends, as well as many of the sisters from the convent. Chris Cusumano and Paul Elsener provided commentary on the program.
Following the recital, thirty-three members of the chapter and their guests joined the sisters in their dining hall for a buffet supper. Thank you to all our outstanding performers for their time and cooperation in making this event a huge success!
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Friday, September 16, 2011 Potluck Supper
The Chapter launched the new year with a Potluck Supper. Many thanks to Cindy and Rex Holden for hosting the group. Close to 30 members, friends, and prospective members were in attendance!
The Chapter launched the new year with a Potluck Supper. Many thanks to Cindy and Rex Holden for hosting the group. Close to 30 members, friends, and prospective members were in attendance!
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2012 Suffolk AGO Scholarships
Learn about Suffolk AGO Scholarships by clicking here or by selecting Scholarships from the menu at the top of this page.
Learn more about this year's activities and upcoming meetings by clicking here or by selecting Chapter Programs from the menu at the top of the page.
Membership
You can learn more about the benefits of membership by clicking here or by selecting "Join the AGO" in the Menu at the top of this page.
Keeping your membership current means that you continue to receive an uninterrupted subscription to the national magazine, The American Organist, and our local chapter newsletter, Suffolk Soundings. The new membership year
started July 1st, 2011, and renewal forms were mailed to current members in early June.
If you're getting ready to join us for the first time, the membership application for 2011-2012 is available online. Click here for a copy. And Welcome!
If you're getting ready to join us for the first time, the membership application for 2011-2012 is available online. Click here for a copy. And Welcome!
You can learn more about the benefits of membership by clicking here or by selecting "Join the AGO" in the Menu at the top of this page.
AGO Placement List
Churches, temples, and other organizations who are searching for directors of music, organists, and choir directors advertise their open positions in our newsletter, Suffolk Soundings. If you have an open position to advertise, learn more about listing your position with the Suffolk Chapter of the AGO by clicking here or by selecting Placement in the menu at the top of this page.
For Sale
We occasionally list items that may be of interest to our members. Learn more about sale items by clicking here or by selecting Placement from the menu at the top of the page.
If you have any concerns, questions, or requests about this website, please contact the Webmaster.
Image: Bourdon pipe schematic, French Horns. From the Encyclopedia of Organ Stops by Edward L. Stauff. Permission granted under terms of copyright. For more information go to www.organstops.org.
Image: Bourdon pipe schematic, French Horns. From the Encyclopedia of Organ Stops by Edward L. Stauff. Permission granted under terms of copyright. For more information go to www.organstops.org.