As I write this column, Thanksgiving and the first Sunday of Advent have already passed. Due to the busy nature of our profession at this time of the year, the Board has wisely decided not to hold any events during December. Although we will not have any visible events in December, that does not mean that the Board is not busy at work on behalf of the chapter:

Sub-Dean David Enlow and his program committee are putting finishing touches on our next two chapter events: an Improvisation Festival featuring Justin Bischof, Bruce Neswick, and McNeil Robinson that will be held on Tuesday, January 17 and our Presidents’ Day Weekend 2012 conference “Les Autres”. You will be learning more about these exciting events in dedicated emails and via our website.

Board member Bernadette Hoke and Registrar Christopher Jennings are busy at work on our Annual Directory. This handsome volume, again expertly designed by Len Levasseur, will be distributed on or before the Presidents’ Day activities on Monday, February 20. If you have not yet placed an ad for this directory, you may still do so within the next few days. Additional information may be found later in this newsletter. We greatly need your support to offset the cost of producing the directory. The Board joins with me in sending our thanks and appreciation to all of our advertisers.

Board member Louise Basbas has agreed to chair the chapter’s Nominating Committee. Louise and her committee will be preparing a slate of officers and board members for the 2012 election.

I am happy to announce that our chapter’s Operating Procedures document that was recently ratified by the membership has now officially been approved by AGO National Vice President John Walker and Region II Councillor Agnes Armstrong. Vice President Walker commended the chapter and its leadership on this fine document. With the approval by the National Vice President and Regional Councillor, our Operating Procedures are now in effect. Thanks to the Board and the membership for your steadfast assistance in bringing this document to fruition.

In closing, I would like to wish all of you the very best during this hectic and festive holiday season. May you find many opportunities to make and enjoy fine music. May you also have an appropriate time for festivity and relaxation after the rigors of the season. Please also accept my very best wishes to you for a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2012!

Respectfully yours,

Keith S. Tóth
Dean

Presidents Day Conference: “Les Autres”

Special Topics in French 19th and 20th Century Music

Church of the Ascension (Episcopal), Fifth Avenue at 10th Street
Brick Presbyterian Church, Park Avenue at 91st Street
Church of St. Mary the Virgin, 145 West 46th Street (Broadway & Sixth Avenue)

Partners: Church of the Ascension
Palazzetto Bru-Zane – Centre de Musique Romantique Française

Vierne & Widor Chamber Music and Music of Batiste & Dubois – Recital
Bernadette Hoke, piano; Daniel Kirk-Foster, piano; Diego Innocenzi, organ
Brick Presbyterian Church

Organ Recital – Stephen Tharp, Church of St. Mary the Virgin

19th C. French Church Music & Interpretation
Diego Innocenzi, Rémy Campos

Marie-Madeleine Duruflé-Chevalier – Remembrances
Dr. Dennis Keene, Dr. Matthew Lewis

Early Organ Works of Tournemire – Lecture–Recital
Dr. Andrew Henderson

Jehan Alain: Life and Works – Lecture–Recital
Renée Anne Louprette

Clarion Music Society; Steven Fox, director
with Diego Innocenzi, organ & chamber ensemble