2004 February 2015

This month, your Richmond AGO Chapter is pleased to offer two great programs!

Sunday, February 8, 2015

CELEBRATION OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Organ and Choral Concert E. Carl Freeman Concert Series

River Road Church, Baptist 8000 River Road Richmond, VA 23229-8415

Schedule: 3:00 P.M. Concert

Lynn Atkins, director of the One Voice; and, Rasaan H. Bourke, organist from NYC, will present an Organ and Choral Concert at River Road Church, Baptist. This celebration of Black History Month is part of the E. Carl Freeman Concert Series.

Lynn G. Atkins, JR Rasaan H. Bourke

The Richmond Chapter’s ORGAN REPERTOIRE RECITAL SERIES

Presents

CHELSEA CHEN

Concert Organist Friday, February 27, 2015

7:30 P.M.

Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church 1627 Monument Ave, Richmond

2005 Schantz organ, Opus 2257, IV+P/80 stops Organist and composer Chelsea Chen has become internationally renowned for her concerts of “rare musicality” and “lovely lyrical gran-deur,” and for a compositional style that is “charming” and “irresistible” (Los Angeles Times). She has electrified audiences throughout the U.S., Europe, Australia, and Asia in venues such as Singapore’s Esplanade, Hong Kong’s Cultural Centre, Kishinev’s Na-tional Organ Hall, and Philadelphia’s Kimmel Center. As a composer she is broadening the classical organ repertoire with her own works based on Asian folksongs. Her program will include her acclaimed “Taiwanese Suite” (2003), her organ transcription of Debussy's “Children's Corner,” and organ works by Dupré, Duruflé, Alain, Ad Wammes, and Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo. Additionally, an ar-rangement of Gershwin's “I Got Rhythm” is bound to get some toes tapping.

DEAN’S MESSAGE Dear Colleagues: I want to draw your attention to a newly added feature on our chapter’s website: The online Area Events Calendar. The embedded photo shows where to find the link on our chapter’s website. When you open the Area Events link, you will be directed to a chronological listing of submitted events by chapter members and guests. There are two main benefits to having an online Area Events page:

Publicity: chapter members can promote concerts and other related events. Planning: chapter members can readily see which days work best for presenting an event.

Publicity. In our post-modern culture, one of the things we know is that people receive notices about concerts in several ways. While many prefer the traditional methods of publicity (reading concert listings in newspapers and newsletters, or hearing notices on television or radio media), others favor the internet, smartphones, texting, and social media to receive notices about concerts. The Area Events Calendar provides just another avenue for publicity, specifically targeting organ music enthusiasts.

Planning. Have you ever planned a concert and later realized that you scheduled your event at the same time as another major AGO program, or a colleague’s recital, or a major French organ recitalist, or a Richmond Symphony Chorus concert, or a NASCAR or international bicycle race? If everyone in our chapter posted concerts or special worship services on the Area Events Calendar, other members could easily see which dates have been already selected and avoid scheduling conflicts.

Not every event submitted to the online calendar needs to be “organ related,” nor does it need to feature a chapter member in performance. We encourage our chapter members to be proactive in submitting known events from the community to the calendar. For instance, concert listings by area choral ensembles (Richmond Choral Society, Richmond Symphony Chorus, Richmond Renaissance Singers, The James River Singers, etc.) are welcomed and encouraged to be submitted. All submitted events are subject to review before being posted to the website.

I hope you will take advantage of the online Area Events Calendar to help promote your event. Not only does it promote your event and assist others when scheduling their events, it shows the community that the Richmond AGO scene is active and promoting quality programs throughout the city.

Chris Martin

Dean

DEAN’S LUNCH

The next Dean’s Lunch will be Thursday, February 19, 12:15 p.m., at Kitchen 64, 3336 North Boulevard, Richmond, VA 23230. RSVP to Chris Martin at (804)359-2463, x204, or martingcpc@gmail.com

Stay connected with Richmond AGO members and notices of meetings, recitals, and other events through the chapter's official Facebook page. Look for us on Facebook: Richmond Chapter - American Guild of Organists, or go to the Richmond AGO webpage www.richmondago.org and click on the Facebook icon.

The Churches Of Richmond and Central VirginiaThe Churches Of Richmond and Central VirginiaThe Churches Of Richmond and Central VirginiaThe Churches Of Richmond and Central Virginia A site featuring detailed photographs of historic churches, organs and organ specifications in Central Virginia. Take a virtual tour of your favorite house of worship, or check out the specifications and background of our area’s historic organs, as compiled by Donald Traser and John DeMajo.

WWW. CHURCHESOFVIRGINIA.ORG

EDUCATIONAL CONCERNS From the Education Concerns Committee: You still have time to apply for the Colleague Exam if you are interested in playing it. Deadline is March 1, 2015 to National Headquarters. Play date is May 15, 2015. Feb. 1, 2015 is the deadline to get applications in for the Service Playing Exam and you play on or before March 31, 2015. Re-member, "Happiness is being Certified!" Mary Elizabeth Campbell, SPC (804) 288-4098

MEMBER CONCERNS

As the February issue of The “Stoplist” was about to go to press, we received the following news item concerning one of our members: On the way to last evening's AGO meeting, chapter member Tom Bailey was involved in a serious car accident on I-95. Tom had to be cut from his car which was totaled. Unfortunately, Tom is suffering with several broken ribs and a broken shoulder. He is at MCV (VCU Medical Center) hospital and is expected to be there several days. Tom would greatly appreciate your thoughts and prayers as he begins his difficult road to recovery ahead of him.

Support the AGO Annual Fund Please consider making a donation this year to the AGO Annual Fund. In the November 2014 TAO, Barbara Adler (Treasurer/Councillor for Finance and Development) offered a clever suggestion of chapter members giving $1 per month to the Annual Fund. If you calculate $12 from each of 15,000 members in the AGO, this annual revenue would total $180,000!

Some of the programs the Annual Fund supports include: Certification programs

Catalogue of educational materials Support for POEs (Pipe Organ Encounters)

Support for January Jubilees Travel for volunteer leaders’ meetings and visits to chapters

Chapter Management Handbook Website and job postings

National Online Collection and Remittal of Dues (ONCARD)

A Contribution envelope can be found in your November 2014 TAO, pp.8-9.

REGIONAL CONVENTION NEWS

Chris Martin (as Dean) and I have been working to get the convention Committee Chairs and Steering Committee in place, and they will be submitted to the chapter Executive Committee and the AGO national office for approval in February. Once the committee chairs have said, “YES, Thank you for asking me!” we will begin getting organized and start working. One of those tasks is to fill out the members on each of the committees.

I’m sure everyone realizes that this is a big undertaking for our chapter. It is already apparent to me that each chapter member will be asked to do something for the convention – there will be a variety of ‘somethings’ to be done! This may not be as daunting as serving on a committee, although we certainly do hope that many of you will be interested, willing, and able to serve in that manner. If you aren’t able to serve on a committee, we will also need volunteers to help greet and check attendees in, perform some task at an event (usher, greet, serve as host at an event, etc.), and/or other tasks during the convention that aren’t currently known. Prior to the convention, we may need people to help with an unusual task, such as gather and prepare a mailing (collate, stuff, seal envelopes). And we will need financial support, beginning very soon. Today I ask that everyone please put the chapter and the convention on your list of charitable contributions for the next three years. Checks can be mailed to me at my address below.

There will be plenty of work to be done, and I’d love to have all able members contribute in some manner. We need everyone to help, including YOU!

MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK

John Heywood, English dramatist, 1497 - 1580

Kenna Payne

4261 Saratoga Road, Richmond, VA 23235 |Phone 272-9656 (home) | Email: Kennajohnp@aol.com

Cathedral of the Sacred Heart Concerts On Sunday, February 15, 2015, at 2:00 P.M., trumpeter Dr. Michael Davison, flutist & vocalist Anthony Smith, vocalist Mich-ele Orr, and organist-pianist Patrick Carlin will present a free one-hour concert of “Music for Weddings and Other Festive Occasions”, at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. 359-5651 The complete concert program may be viewed on the Music Page of the Cathedral Web Site. www.richmondcathedral.org 359-5651

AROUND THE TOWN

Please note: To insure inclusion, all articles for Around The Town must be received no later than the 16th of the month before the month of publication. When submitting items to “Around The Town,” please also remember to submit items separately to our chapter’s Community Calendar.

CANDLEMAS PROCESSION

Sunday., February 1, 2015 at 4:00 P.M. St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Richmond will hold a Candlemas Procession with Choral Eucharist. (Please note special time to accommodate a major television broadcast.) This liturgy, which includes a candlelight procession for all present, commemorates the time when Jesus was pre-sented in the Jerusalem Temple by his parents (Luke 2:22-40).

ST. LUKE LUTHERAN CHURCH Tuesday, February 3, at 7:00 P.M. St. Luke Lutheran Church presents The Virginia Benefit Chorale singing "Five Centuries of Music in 60 Minutes." under the direc-tion of Music Director: Steve Davis. Free will offering will be accepted. St. Luke’s is located at 7757 Chippenham Parkway, Richmond, VA 23225. For more informa-tion, 272-0486, x14.

SAINT BEDE CHURCH, WILLIAMSBURG Wednesday, February 4, at Noon. Masterworks Concert Series. Organist Michael Steven Lianos will perform Beethoven’s Sonata Appassionata and Franck’s Grande Pièce Symphonique during this opening concert of the series. Michael also will explain the unique background of where these great, monumental musical works stand in history. The concert is free. Saint Bede Catholic Church, 3686 Ironbound Road in Williamsburg. For more information, please call (757) 229-3631, or visit www.bedeva.org/concerts.

BRUTON PARISH AND FIRST BAPTIST CHOIRS TO PRESENT JOINT CONCERT Saturday, February 7, at 8:00 P.M. The choirs of Bruton Parish Church and First Baptist Church, Scotland Street, will join together to present a program of spirituals, gospel music, and hymns, directed by Reginald Fox and Rebecca Davy. First Baptist Church, now located on Scotland Street, was the first Black American congrega-tion in Williamsburg, emerging in the 1700s. The concert will be given as part of festivities surrounding the 300th anniversary of Bruton's historic church building and in honor of Black History month, celebrating our common faith. The concert will take place at Bruton Parish Church, Duke of Gloucester Street, . Doors will open to the public at 7:30. No tickets are required, and a freewill offering will be taken and donated to FISH. Following the concert, a reception will be held in Bruton Parish House. Parking will be permitted on Duke of Gloucester Street for the event.

SECOND SUNDAY SOUTH OF THE JAMES CONCERT SERIES Sunday, February 8, 2015 at 4:00 P.M. Francis LaBarron Church Memorial Concert. A variety of artists will perform Organ, Instrumental, Piano & Choral works. Bon Air Presbyterian Church, 9201 W. Huguenot Road, Richmond, VA 23235. 804-272-7514 ext. 312

ST. PAUL'S SECOND FRIDAY Friday, February 13, 6:30 P.M. St. Paul's “Second Friday” presents The Wren Singers Choral Ensemble from The College of William and Mary, Emerson Sieverts, Director. St. Paul's Church, Bristol Parish 110 N. Union St., Petersburg. Reception to follow. The concert is free but a freewill offering will be taken.For more informa-tion, e-mail charleslindsey15@gmail.com

UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND FACULTY ORGAN RECITAL Monday, February 16, 2015, 7:30 P.M. Bruce Stevens, organist. Cannon Memorial Chapel • University of Richmond. Program will include:

Prelude and Fugue in G Major, BWV 541 J.S. Bach Sonata in D Minor, op. 65, no. 6 Felix Mendelssohn

Partita on Christus, der ist mein Leben Johann Pachelbel In Festo Corporis Christi Anton Heiller

Sonata 9 in B-flat minor, op. 142 Josef Rheinberger

CHORAL EVENSONG AT ALL SAINTS EPISCOPAL Sunday, March 1, at 4:00 P.M. Choral Evensong, sung by the Choir of Men and Boys followed by an Organ Recital at 4:45 P.M. by Dr. Brian J. Taylor, Interim Organ-ist—Choirmaster. High Tea will follow in Thornton Hall. All Saints Episcopal Church, 8787 River Road

SUBSTITUTES

The persons listed below have indicated a desire to be called for substituting at church services. No specific qualifications are implied by their inclusion on this list. The employer is responsible for determining that a substitute will adequately meet the needs of the church. Questions should be addressed to Betty Girardeau. If you no longer wish to be included on the substitute list, please ask that your name be removed from the list by emailing Betty Girardeau at bettyg@redfamiliar.com or by phone at 804-647-0825.

Substitutes Available for Sundays

Beck, Susan 804-353-3022 smillerbeck@hotmail.com Melvin (Mel) Burton 804 744-2325 or Cell 804 347-4673 Crafton, Coleen 804-334-8094 pipesnposaune@gmail.com Dersch, Bruce 804-861-0210 bedersch@gmail.com Jack Fox home 804-447-3863 cell 317-313-6233 jack_fox_1998@yahoo.com French, Agnes 757-345-6355 (Williamsburg, VA) jpk.alf@cox.net Freude, Sharon 804-353-4683 freudemusic@earthlink.net Gay, Esther 757-253-0391 (Williamsburg/Tidewater) esthergay@cox.net Grant, Cathy 434-293-0617 (Charlottesville, VA) mclgrant@centurylink.net Kerschbaumer, Evelyn 804-744-3147 ekersch@aol.com Martin, Liz 804-559-0898 (Summer only) Don Moro 804-652-9311 donmoro@gmail.com Neff, Joan 804-248-2522 (June-August only) jneff@richmond.edu Nowowieski, Adella 804-288-0917 delnow@yahoo.com Suerken, Ernest A. 804-272-5545 Yates, Elizabeth 804-965-6214 Eay143@yahoo.com

Substitutes Available for Special Non-Sunday Morning Events

Bailey, Tom 804-221-7549 Froberger@aol.com Candler-White, Laura 804-360-5754 lauracwhite@verizon.net Edwards, Beverly 804-794-6025 (available also for 11:00 AM Sundays) music.edwards@gmail.com Ferrell, Lia 513-687-3329 liaruhi9@yahoo.com Goldie, Amos, 770-286-8345 amosgold@gmail.com Hargrove, Elizabeth 804-798-1776 or 804-339-5701 f.hargrovejr@comcast.net Jonkman, Crystal 804-330-9976 (home) crystal.jonkman@verizon.net 804-301-9976 (cell) crjonkman@stmicaelsbonair.org 804-272-0992 x104 (church) Lindsey, Charles 804-370-7374 charleslindsey15@gmail.com Moro, Don 804-652-9311 donmoro@gmail.com www.donmoroorganist.com Norfrey, Lisa 434-806-2322 lisa.norfrey@gmail.com

Sachs, David 804-222-2494 Psalm100Pesach@comcast.net Schutt, Ed 804-564-4887 e.schutt@comcast.net Taylor, Margaret 717-419-4309 (cell) m.e.taylor003@gmail.com Van Ornam, Cheryl 804-814-6677 ago_stoplist_cvo@yahoo.com

GOOD HOME NEEDED Former member Jean Turner would like to find a new home for her Kimball Syntha-Swinger Fascination two manual organ. The organ also has a full pedal board. She will give the organ to anyone who would like to have it and can take it to its new home themselves. The organ is in need of some kind of maintenance work. Interested parties should contact Jean by phone at 804-746-2651.

POSITIONS AVAILABLE Listings in this column appear for a maximum of 90 days and then are removed unless an extension is requested. When a listing is removed, therefore, it does not neces-sarily mean that the position has been filled. To submit a listing, please contact our Referral Service Director, Betty Girardeau WESTHAMPTON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 6100 Patterson Avenue, Richmond, VA, 23226 Seeking part-time organist director for one traditional Sunday morning service and to direct the Sanctuary Adult Choir, seasonal handbell choir, and seasonal children's choir for an active congregation with a growing children's and youth ministries. Special services at Easter, Lent, Holy Week, and Christmas. The church is seeking some new creative energy to grow it’s music ministry. Allen (ADC-7300) 3-manual digital organ, Yamaha grand piano, and three octaves of Malmark handbells. Average annual salary approximately $16,000 depending on experience and qualifications. Two weeks paid vacation. Book and music allowance. Interested candidates should submit a resume with cover letter to the Music Search Committee, Westhampton UMC, at the church address above or via email to sprc@westhamptonumc.org. WILLIAMSBURG BAPTIST CHURCH 227 Richmond Road, Williamsburg, VA, 23185 Seeking part-time Organist/Choir Director. The position would include playing for one 11 AM worship service each Sunday; conducting a weekly Wednesday evening choir rehearsal with the adult choir; selecting the choir anthems and service music; providing input to the minister in the selection of hymns. In addition, throughout the year there will be additional services such as Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, and Maundy Thursday. There is the opportunity for additional income from weddings and funerals. During the months of June, July, and August the choir takes a break. The Church features a 37 rank Petty-Madden pipe organ. Salary range is $13,000 to $15,000 per year depending on training and experience. Two weeks paid vacation. Interested persons may contact Claire Buckle at cladav1@cox.net.

WELBORNE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 920 Maybeury Drive, Richmond, VA, 23229 Seeking half-time Director of Music Ministries to join staff and volunteers in a growing music program. Two worship services on Sunday include contemporary and tradi-tional church music. Currently there is one adult vocal choir, bell choir, and a praise band to support these services. Interested candidates should display strong organiza-tional and relational skills. Three manual, 55 rank Andrews pipe organ and a Yamaha 7 foot conservatory grand piano. Salary range is $18,000 to $20,000 per year. To inquire and/or receive a full job description, contact SPRC@welbornechurch.org.

ST. PETER'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH 8400 St. Peter's Lane, New Kent, VA, 23124 Seeking a part-time organist-choirmaster to play for one service weekly and for special occasions during the liturgical year, including Holy Week and Christmas. St. Peter’s Episcopal Church currently has a two-manual digitally sampled Rogers 760 electronic organ, as well as a Kawai CN-33 digital piano. Candidate should desire to can grow the music program, have a strong sense of Episcopal Liturgy, and can direct choirs from the console. Choral programs include an adult choir that practices every other week and a youth/children’s choir currently under lay direction and in need of supervision and expansion. Compensation is $13,000 per year with continuing education sup-plement, funds for additional musicians to enhance worship, and paid AGO dues. Generous vacation time during the summer and two paid vacation days during the tradi-tional school year. Additional income from weddings and funerals is also available. Resumes should be mailed to St. Peter’s Parish Church, 8400 St. Peter’s Lane, New Kent, Virginia 23124 or may also contact the Rector, the Rev'd Dr. S. Paul Rowles, at (804) 932-4846.

TOMAHAWK BAPTIST CHURCH 12920 Hull Street Road, Midlothian, Virginia, 23113 Seeking part-time organist for traditional Baptist service. Position is available January 1, 2015. One 11:00 service a week, weekly choir rehearsal attendance not required or expected. Contract is for 40 Sundays a year. Salary $150 a week. Organ is two manual Allen Vista, installed in 2008. Interested candidates should contact Susan Kish @susanrkish@gmail.com. FOREST HILLS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 4401 Forest Hills Avenue, Richmond, VA, 23225 Seeking part-time Music Director for one Sunday 10:30 AM service, one Sunday noon choir rehearsal, and working with the youth one Sunday per month. Wicks three manual pipe organ. Salary range is $200 to $250 per week with two weeks paid vacation. Resumes should be submitted to the Rev. Keith Johnston at rev.keithjohnston@gmail.com or Jeff Diehl at jeffdiehl@handcraftservices.com. Please contact Forest Hills Presbyterian Church at 804-233-4371 for more information.

MAY MEMORIAL BAPTIST CHURCH 3922 Old Buckingham Road, Powhatan, VA, 23139. Seeking part-time choir director (Music Director) for one Sunday morning service, adult Wednesday evening choir rehearsal, Monday evening handbell rehearsal, and a children's choir rehearsal. Special services on Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, and Christmas Eve. Salary range $10,000 to $16,000 per year with two weeks paid vacation and continuing education allowance. Interested candidates should contact Pastor Michael Edwards days at 804-922-0101 or evenings at 804-794-6025 via email at revmkedwards@gmail.com.

SAVE THE DATE Sunday, March 22, 2015 Fifth Annual J.S. Bach Birthday Marathon, featuring Celebrity Host Mike Goldberg; James River Singers; and Instrumentalists.

Saint Benedict Roman Catholic Church

300 North Sheppard Street Richmond, VA 23221

Schedule: 2:30-5:30 PM Concerts every 30 minutes Please plan to join us for the Fifth Annual Bach Birthday Marathon with Celebrity Host Mike Goldberg. The first hour will feature Organ Transcriptions and Arrangements including the Schübler Chorales; and Organ Concertos. The second hour will feature vocal and instrumental music including a Bach Motet by the James River Singers, David Pedersen, Conductor; plus arias from cantatas with instrumental obligatos; and movements from the (reconstructed) Concerto in c-minor for Oboe and Violin. Hour three will again feature various organ works. Martin Pasi Pipe Organ, Opus 5.

50th Anniversary Celebration for Austin Organ, Opus 2414, 1965, 3 manuals, 31 ranks

Sunday, March 1, 2015

Second Presbyterian Church

419 West Washington Street (corner of Lafayette) Petersburg, Virginia

Recital at 4 P.M. by Richard Cummins of Roanoke, Virginia, who designed the organ and played the

1965 dedication recital

Some works from the original program will be included

Reception to follow

Saturday, February 7 @ 8:00 pm 300th Anniversary Choral Concert Celebrating Black His-tory Month

Choirs from Bruton Parish and First Baptist Church, Scotland Street Reginald Fox and Rebecca Davy, Directors

Saturday, February 14 @ 8:00 pm

Choral Concert Georgetown Visitation Choir from Washington, DC

David Nastal, Director

Saturday, February 21 @ 8:00 pm

Choral Concert Jubilate Choir from Charlottesville, Virginia

Alba Beasley, Director

Saturday, February 28 @ 8:00 pm

Organ Recital Agnes French, Organist from Williamsburg, Virginia

Bruton Candlelight Concerts

Rebecca Davy, Music Director & Organist � Dr. JanEl Will, Organist � James Darling, Choirmaster & Organist Emeritus

Contact: or (757) 645-3431 Website: www.brutonparish.org

February, 2015 Candlelight Concerts at

Bruton Parish Church

Saturday @ 10:00 am on February 7 – Thomas Marshall, Organist

Saturdays @ 10:00 am on February 14 & 21 – Rebecca Davy, Organist

Saturday @ 10:00 am February 28 – Sarah Bland, Organist

Historic Organ Recitals - Wren Chapel, College of William & Mary

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ST. THOMAS’ AND ST. ANDREW’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH TO FEATURE

A WEEKEND WITH ANA HERNANDEZ

St. Thomas’ & St. Andrew’s Episcopal Churches, Richmond, Virginia are pleased to announce a weekend with Ana Hernan-dez, a nationally recognized leader in church worship music. Ana Hernandez will lead two Workshops on Sat., Feb. 28th, 2015 Practicing Presence -10 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. - is designed for, but not limited to, choir members, encouraging and enabling them to worship while leading in the worship. Sound as Prayer – 1:30 P.M. to 4:30 P.M. - is a time for people of any level of experience to come and experience making music as prayer. Workshops are held at St. Thomas’. Attend one or both! One workshop is $20 or $25 to attend both. A simple lunch will be offered to those who register by Friday, Feb. 20th. At 5 P.M. Saturday, there will be an open-to-all worship time at St. Tho-mas'. On Sunday, March 1st, Ana will be at St. Andrew's 11 A.M. service, and at St. Thomas' 5:30 P.M. service. Register online at www.stthomasrichmond.org. To learn more about Ana Hernandez visit anahermusic.tumblr.com or www.soundcloud.com/anahermusic.

AMERICAN GUILD OF ORGANISTS AWARDED $20,000 GRANT FROM THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS

NEA Funding Will Support Educational Programming in 2015 and New Music Commissioned for the 2016 AGO National Con-vention in Houston, Tex. NEW YORK CITY — The American Guild of Organists (AGO) has been awarded a grant by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to support educational programming in 2015 and new music commissioned for the AGO National Convention in Houston, Tex., June 19–23, 2016. The $20,000 NEA “Art Works” grant will support Pipe Organ Encounters for youth and adults, performances and workshops at all seven AGO Regional Conventions, the Guild’s professional certification program for organ-ists and choral conductors, and new music commissions. While the Guild has benefitted from NEA support for the past five con-secutive AGO National Conventions, the 2015 grant represents the first support the Guild has received for its educational pro-grams and regional conventions. “This grant covers the full breadth of the AGO’s educational activities for current and prospective members as well as our pro-grams of outreach to the public,” stated AGO Executive Director James Thomashower. “The NEA’s funding sends an uplifting message to the entire organ community: our instrument and its music are vitally important to the American people. The award validates the AGO’s ongoing efforts to ensure that music for the organ is created by talented composers, performed by skilled musicians, and appreciated by the widest audience possible. It is an honor for the Guild to be recognized by the NEA, the most prestigious independent federal agency in the United States responsible for funding and promoting artistic excellence, creativity, and innovation.” NEA Chairman Jane Chu added, “I am pleased to be able to share the news of our support through Art Works including the award to the American Guild of Organists. The arts foster value, connection, creativity, and innovation for the American people. This grant demonstrates those attributes and affirms that the arts are part of our everyday lives.” Art Works grants support the creation of art, public engagement with art, lifelong learning in the arts, and enhancement of the livability of communities through the arts. The NEA received 1,474 eligible applications under the Art Works category, request-ing more than $75 million in funding. Of those applications, 919 were recommended for grants for a total of $26.6 million. For a complete listing of projects recommended for Art Works grant support, please visit the NEA website at Arts.gov. For further in-formation about the AGO’s educational programming, please visit the AGO website at Agohq.org. ■ F. Anthony Thurman, DMA Director of Development and Communications American Guild of Organists National Headquarters and THE AMERICAN ORGANIST Magazine 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 1260 New York, NY 10115 212-870-2310 212-870-2311 Ext. 4308 (Direct) FAX: 212-870-2163 E-Mail: fathurman@agohq.org Web: www.agohq.org

American Guild of Organists, Richmond Chapter John G. DeMajo, Editor

6001 Statute Street Chesterfield, VA 23832

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RICHMOND’S ALTRIA THEATRE PLANS FUND RAISING PROGRAM TO RESTORE

HISTORIC WURLITZER THEATRE ORGAN

The following news item is from Charles Hague, president of the newly formed Old Dominion Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society: As part of the Altria (formerly the Mosque and Landmark) Theatre's re-opening in November 2014 after renovation, the console of the 3/17 Wurlitzer has been moved to the lobby. This will give the organ needed public attention, and is the first step in raising funds to renovate this magnificent instrument. With the enhanced acoustics in the theatre, the organ will eventually sound even better than when it was installed in 1927. The Old Dominion Chapter (ODTOS) of the American Theatre Organ Society has begun working with Center-Stage, the foundation that manages several Richmond Venues including the Altria and Carpenter Theatres, to plan the fund raising campaign. Recently, a tour was conducted by the theater manage-ment to allow interested parties to view the organ in it’s present state.

The Wurlitzer console now occupies a prominent position in the theater lobby. Photo courtesy of Charles Hague.