C h a p t e r   N e w s l e t t e r
  Vol. 57, No. 4
D e c e m b e r - J a n u a r y  
2 0 0 6 - 2 0 0 7  

Message from the Dean

Dear Colleagues,

'Tis the season to be very busy! 

As organists and choir directors the Advent/Christmas season is one of our most hectic times.  It is also a time that is filled with opportunity. At this time of the year, more of the general public is interested in hearing organ and choral music than at any other time, and we have a chance to touch their hearts and minds in a special way through our music making.

Since it is the season of giving, there are several ways that you can assist the Guild in its ongoing work at both the local and national levels. You should be aware that the New York City Chapter makes a contribution each year to AGO Annual Fund.  However, contributions from individual members are also vitally important.  Information can be found on the national website: www.agohq.org.  You can directly support the work of New York City Chapter in many ways during the year, but let me suggest two: A contribution in any amount to support the upcoming Region II Convention that our chapter is hosting would be greatly appreciated and is tax deductible.   Also, taking an ad in our chapter's annual directory would be a great help to us and would benefit you and/or your church music program as well.  You can find an order form on our chapter website: www.nycago.org.  Ad prices begin with a business card size at $50.   Bill Entriken, who is in charge of advertising for the directory, would be happy to hear from you. 

Looking ahead to the New Year, it' not too soon to mark your calendars for our Presidents' Day Conference. This year our special guest will be Marie Louise Langlais.  Why not invite a colleague or friend, or bring someone who has never attended an AGO event before.

Since it also the season for giving thanks, let me express our heartfelt thanks to Bruce Neswick for presenting a superb improvisation master class earlier this month.  Thanks are also due to the Church of St. Mary the Virgin - Robert McCormick and Robert McDermitt, hosts, and to the chapter members who improvised for Mr. Neswick: David Hughes, Katherine Meloan, Jason Roberts, and James Wetzel.  It was a great learning experience for all!

With very best wishes,

Frank L. Crosio FAGO
Dean

NYC Region II Convention Update

Make sure you have July 1-5, 2007 set aside in your calendars! 

The next Region II convention will be hosted by our chapter next summer: just under seven months away!  The brochure outlining our program (including no fewer than 11 ensemble concerts and solo recitals, 16 workshop sessions, choral reading sessions and social events) has been sent to our printer, and will soon be mailed to everyone in our region.  And continue to visit www.nycago.org/2007 for up-to-date information, including concert programs, artists' bios and venue details.

Within the next few months watch out for updates and features in the NYC AGO Newsletter regarding the recitalists and their programs, information about the workshops and our presenters, the July 4th dinner at Terrace in the Sky, and more.

Kent Tritle and Andrew Henderson,
Publicity Committee co-chairs  
Region II Convention Program Book Submissions

Chapter members are encouraged to submit professional cards ($70) for the Regional Convention program book. Although time is short, the deadline for these has been extended to February 15. Ads should be press-ready in an electronic format; further technical information is available on the chapter web site. Please send ads or questions to Arthur Lawrence.
 
Advertise in the 2006/07 Chapter Directory

The 2006/07 Directory of the New York City Chapter is in preparation, with publication expected on or before the chapter's Presidents' Day event in February 2007. An advertisement will bring your message to a wide readership and, at the same time, support the chapter by helping to defray the cost of the Directory. Click here for more information and order form.
 
 
Janette Fishell

Janette Fishell Concert

Janette Fishell, organist, from East Carolina University, will present a solo concert on the Music at Holy Trinity subscription series at The Church of the Holy Trinity,  316 East 88th Street, on Tuesday, February 6, 2007,  at 8:00 PM.  Her  concert is entitled: "A Tale of Three Cities: Prague , Weimar & Paris " with music by Eben, Bach, Franck, Vierne and Litaize performed on the Rieger pipe organ.   Dr. Fishell's New York City concert will be her first under the banner of the McFarlane Concert Management.  Tickets will be available at the door:  Adults $20.00; students and seniors $15.00.  For more detailed information contact Stephen Hamilton at 212-289-4100 ext 210.

From the Registrar

As of November 28, the NYC Chapter enrollment is at 455 members.

Welcome New Members:Nathan Fletcher (Student member from 2006 POE)

Zachary Fletcher (Student member from 2006 POE)
Jack Goddu (Student member from 2006 POE)
Nathaniel Gumbs (Student member from 2006 POE)
Irene Martinez (Student member from 2006 POE)
Brenna C. Sage (DM- St. John's Episcopal Church, Union City, NJ)
Sylvia A. Wall (former student-dual member with the Central North
Carolina chapter), now living in New York City.

Volunteers (ushers, hospitality hosts, and more) are needed for the Region II convention.  Your help is needed to help everything run smoothly.  If you can assist in any way, please contact me at 212-932-0551 or by email to:  registrar@nycago.org.

Eric Birk CAGO
Registrar
The next chapter newsletter is the February  issue. The deadline for submissions is January 15th. Material may be submitted to the Editor. Nine issues are published through the year on a monthly basis with combined issues for December/January, May/June, and July/August. To make changes in your email address or to subscribe to the e-newsletter, please contact Eric Birk.