December Pipings A Note from our Dean Dear Friends, Low Country Chapter Officers Chad Martin Dean 803.671.1791 cmartin2048@yahoo.com Debby Graves Sub Dean 843.422.9002 debbygraves@yahoo.com Gilbert G. Campbell Secretary 843.681.6751 gilonhhi@gmail.com Gary R. Rakestraw Treasurer 843.521.4060 grakestraw@hotmail.com Beth Corry (2017) Greg Hollinger (2018) Art Perry (2019) Members at Large Dr. JooSoo Son Director Placement & Substitutes mlmhsk@hotmail.com Chaplain Rev. Richard McDonnell moebird@live.com Chapter Web Site www.lccago.org I hope the Thanksgiving holiday was special and memorable for you all. The month of November was very productive for our chapter. I wonderful Noon Recital was presented at Holy Family on Hilton Head with great attendance and marvelous music by four local organists. That evening, we held a concert using strings, organ, and harpsichord in Bluffton at Lowcountry Presbyterian Church. It is very exciting to me that our chapter is holding performances and gatherings throughout Beaufort County this year. On December 8th, we will have a Noon Friday concert at St. Luke's on Hilton Head. This will be a member's recital and filled with a variety of music. I hope each of you can attend and/or participate in this wonderful holiday concert. In January, we will have an Epiphany Party at the home of Beth Corry. Debby Graves has information listed below as to the details of this gathering. If it is anything like last year, it will be loads of fun! We will also be having a noon concert at All Saint's Episcopal Church under the leadership of Dr. Jason Wright. As organist at All Saint's, he has truly made a mark in the musical community of the Lowcountry. I know this will be a marvelous concert and a wonderful way to start the new year. As Christmas approaches, I know that each of us have calendars that are filled with rehearsals, family gatherings, church services, and performances. Let each of us take time to breathe, remember the reason for the season, and enjoy the holiday spirit that is filling the air. In fancy footwork, Chad A. Martin, Dean, Lowcountry Chapter AGO National AGO Web Site www.agohq.org
A Note from our Sub-Dean A December is a busy month for all church musicians and it is also a time for making and listening to Joyous Music. The Low Country Chapter of the AGO's Friday noon concert on December 8th will be performed by various AGO friends and members at St. Luke's Church on Hilton Head Island. Looking ahead, our January event is an Epiphany Party on January 6th at 6PM at the home of Beth and Jeff Corry. The Corry's will provide our liquid libations and a main course. We will need side dishes such as appetizers, salads, vegetables, potatoes and dessert. Please RSVP to the Corry's informing them of what you will bring and how many people are coming with you. The Corry's phone number is 703-946-7750. Their address is 58 Crossings Blvd., Bluffton. Our January Epiphany Party last January was very festive and a great way to start off the New Year. Please bring some music to play if you are so inclined. Looking a little further into January, our Friday noon concert on January 12 will be performed by Dr. Jason A. Wright and others at All Saints Episcopal Church on Hilton Head Island. Jason is performing with some very talented musicians. This is a noon concert you won t want to miss! Have a Blessed and Happy Holiday Season. Debby Graves
November Noon Recital at Holy Family final piece, Patriotic Rhapsody by Charles Callahan: Debby Graves at the piano, Chad Martin, Linda Hamilton, and JooSoo Son. Please submit your news, events, comments, updates, interesting or funny stuff to: NEWSLETTER EDITOR Linda Hamilton liturgicalinda@hotmail.com. Please submit material for the next newsletter at least 5 days before the end of the month so that Pipings can be published by the 1 st! WEBMASTER Gary Rakestraw grakestraw@hotmail.com Our chapter website is lccago.org. Have you visited it lately?
Member Profile: Andre Rakus Andre Rakus began his musical studies with the violin at the age of five. At eight years of age, he attended St. Michael s Choir School in Toronto, Canada adding voice and piano to his studies. During high school at St. Michael s College School in Toronto, he studied trumpet. While attending St. Paschal Baylon Roman Catholic Church in Thornhill, Ontario he met the late British concert organist, Stanley Arthur King, under whom he studied organ from the age of twelve. At thirteen, Mr. Rakus became Assistant Organist at St. Paschal s. At seventeen, he began directing a variety of choral groups including Junior, Youth, Senior and Massed choirs both for worship and concerts. He holds the Associate and Licentiate Diplomas in organ, both With Distinction, from Trinity College, London U.K. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Education, and Registered Nurse Diploma. Prior to accepting a full time Music Director/Organist position in the USA, Andre was studying towards a Master of Sacred Music at Emmanuel College at the University of Toronto, where he was awarded the Billes Theological Support Entrance Scholarship. He plans to continue his studies in the future. A Fellow of two learned societies for musicians, Andre was awarded the Barwell Piano Student Scholarship from the Royal Canadian College of Organists. In addition, Mr. Rakus was awarded the 2008 Lillian Forsyth National Organ Scholarship from Knox Presbyterian Church, Ottawa. He has also studied under the late William Turnbull, and William Maddox. He is currently the Full Time Director of Music and Organist at St. Peter s Catholic Church in Beaufort, South Carolina. He has performed twice for ORGANIX (the annual organ festival in Toronto, ON), at Washington National Cathedral (Washington DC), St. Paul s Episcopal Cathedral (Buffalo, NY), Metropolitan United Church the largest organ in Canada (Toronto, ON), most recently with the Lowcountry Wind Symphony (Beaufort SC), to name a few of many appearances. He continues to perform regularly in both Canada and the USA. In addition, he gives dedicatory and anniversary recitals on new and restored instruments and performs with other soloists. He, together with his wife Bobbi (who also sings), also play in the percussion section with the Lowcountry Wind Symphony.
Our January Meeting:
Upcoming Musical Events: ChoRuss Vocal Ensemble from St. Petersburg, Russia, Sunday December 3 at 7:00 pm at St. Peter s Catholic Church, 70 Lady s Island Dr., Beaufort, SC. Russian Orthodox music, folk songs and holiday songs. Freewill offering. Info 843-522-9555, www.stpeters-church.org. Charleston Symphony Orchestra Holiday Brass Quintet Concert. Family-friendly annual concert featuring favorite Christmas and holiday songs as well as hymn sing-a-longs. Appropriate for all ages. At Bluffton United Methodist Church, 101 Calhoun St. Bluffton, SC, Tuesday, December 12, 7:00 pm. Ticket prices are $10 for adults and $5 for children. Tickets are on sale at Markel s Card & Gift Shop in Kittie s Crossing, Bluffton. Only cash and checks made payable to Charleston Symphony Orchestra(CSO) will be accepted. Tickets are also available online at charlestonsymphony.org or by calling 843-723-7528(x110). Please plan to attend this fun, family-friendly concert of favorite Christmas and holiday songs as well as hymn sing-a-longs. For more information visit the Bluffton United Methodist Church web site at blufftonumc.org. Saint Gregory the Great Chorale presents the Bel Canto Singers, SGGCS Honors Choir, Joyful Praise Singers, Spanish Children s Choir, and the Angelus Ringers accompanied by orchestra, piano and organ Sunday, December 17 at 3:00 pm at Saint Gregory the Great Catholic Church, 333 Fording Island Rd, Bluffton. Call the church for tickets, $15 for adults and $5 for youth, 843-815-3100. Brian Luckett, classical guitarist from Georgia Southern University, in concert Sunday January 28 at 5:00 pm at Holy Family Catholic Church, 24 Pope Avenue, Hilton Head, SC. The concert is free; donations will be gratefully accepted. 2018 High School Organ Festival & Competition - Winston-Salem, NC The application deadline is December 15 which includes a recording of the following three works: A Bach Prelude (or Toccata or Fantasy) & Fugue (including the 8 Little ) or two movements from a trio sonata or concerto One or more contrasting movement(s) from a single work in the 19th 20th/21st century repertories A hymn chosen from the Competition Hymns - Available on November 1, 2017 from the website listed below. Entry into the competition as well as recitals, workshops, masterclasses, lessons, and two meals are included in the entry fee. Complete information including application materials can be found here: 2018 High School Organ Festival & Competition. December Job Placement Currently, the national AGO website is posting 3 jobs in Georgia and 2 jobs in South Carolina. Please check the national website for more information. Local Jobs: 1. The First Congregational Church United Church of Christ, located on Historic Whitefield Square (421 Habersham Street) in Savannah, is a very small but historic congregation located in downtown Savannah. There is a pipe organ, but mostly the piano is used in worship services (11AM on Sunday). Currently, there is no choir but the church hopes to start a new one.
If interested, please contact Ms. Helen Washington (234-5711), or the church office (912-236-6521). You are welcomed to leave a message. 2. Carteret Street United Methodist Church 408 Carteret Street, Beaufort, SC 29902 Phone (843) 524-3841 csumc@islc.net ~ www.carteretstumc.org Carteret Street United Methodist Church, Beaufort, SC, is seeking a part-time organist who will provide music in a worshipful spirit on Sunday morning and other occasions. Profile: Average worship attendance of 250. One service: 10:30AM (Year-Round), and weekly Adult Choir Rehearsals (Wed. Sept.-May), and Monthly on Sunday evenings (June-August). Other services as needed (Christmas Eve, Advent Lunch, Lenten Lunch, Hanging of the Green, funerals, weddings as needed) The choir is composed of 18-20 semi-professional voices who are faithfully committed to the ministry of music. Two cantatas are presented each year. The organ of 12 ranks and chimes was built by M.P. Moller in 1976. It was rebuilt by A.E. Schleuter in 2013 and includes 36 speaking stops with standard couplers. Console accessories include a combination action with 64 memory levels, swell and crescendo expression shoes, sforzando, transposer, and record/playback system. The organ is prepared for MIDI voices. A grand piano is also present in the sanctuary. Qualifications: Person who professes the Christian faith and exhibits Christian character. Degrees in music are preferred, but not required. Experienced in church setting. Works well with others as a member of a team. Responsibilities: Cooperate with Senior Minister and Music Director to provide music that enhances corporate worship. Play for all worship services to include weddings as requested and funerals. Consult with family regarding the selection of appropriate music and arrangements for weddings. The organist is paid for these services by the family according to the fee schedule adopted by the Wedding Policy of Carteret Street UMC. Approve, with consultation of the Senior Minister and Music Director, the use of the organ by any other qualified performer. Rehearse as necessary to play proficiently. Voluntaries from standard organ literature as well as hymn-based compositions are appreciated. Creative hymn introductions, registrations, and occasional harmonic variations are welcome. Secure a substitute organist when needed. The substitute will be paid in accordance with the procedures established by the Staff-Parish Relations Committee. Maintain music for the organ in an orderly manner. Attend meetings as requested by the Senior Minister or Choir Director. Compensation and Accountability: This is a part-time position consisting of 12-15 hours per week. The salary range is $16,000 to $20,500. The organist reports directly to the Director of Music and is under the supervision of the Senior Minister and Staff-Parish Relations Committee. The church will pay for AGO membership as a professional/educational benefit. FICA is paid by the church. Application Process: Persons interested in applying should provide a complete resume and no less than three professional references. Send resume and references to: Mrs. Cindy Keener, Chair, Staff-Parish Relations Committee CUMC@islc.net Church Office Phone: 843-524-3841