Montre Newsletter of the Sarasota-Manatee Chapter of the American Guild of Organists November, 2018 From the Dean What a wonderful Healthy Singing workshop it was Saturday morning, October 27th at St. Boniface on Siesta Key! Approximately sixty-five of us enjoyed a morning of inspired ensemble singing under the stimulating leadership of clinician Andrew Walker. Director of Music at St. Michael s Episcopal in Orlando and a wellknown choral clinician, Andrew gifted us with a potpourri of technical, organizational, communicative and musical ideas. Technique basics included: do s and don ts of posture, rib breathing, holes near the ears, and yes, alternatives to repetitive warmup exercises. It was enlightening to hear how we individuals came together in a short period of time to blend, balance and deliver a sacred message through sensitive singing. Andrew Walker A special thank you to Dr. James Guyer for organizing this clinic along with the rest of our Program Committee members: Jim Walton, Richard Benedum, Greg Chestnut and Jim Hawkinson. The Importance of Good Posture
Montré November 2018 Page 2 Thank you, also, to Janet Davis who accepted reservations and who, together with Linda Peterson, provided the mid-morning snacks. We will soon enter the busy Advent season with its multitude of musical events to participate in and/or to attend. Please save Sunday, December 9 at 5:00 PM to hear a choral concert by Sarasota Young Voices that our chapter is sponsoring along with Christ Church, Bradenton. If you wish to get a head start for our social-trivia evening January 7, consider the answers to these trivia questions; remember, you will not be allowed to use your smart phones to answer questions that night! What is the German name for chimney flute? How many editions of the Method of Organ Playing did Harold Gleason write? Nancy Siebecker, Dean
Montré November 2018 Page 3 Upcoming programs: From James Walton, Sub-Dean Many thanks to all who made the Choral Workshop with Andrew Walker come off so smoothly Host Dr. James Guyer and St. Boniface Church, Janet Davis for acting as registrar and refreshments coordinator, and Nancy Siebecker for coordinating the Friday night dinner with Andrew and members. Be sure to mark your calendar for our December co-sponsored event with Christ Church, Bradenton. Sunday December 9, 2018 @ 5:00 PM Sarasota Young Voices 4030 Manatee Avenue West The season in our area is heating up with many offerings from our colleagues. Check our chapter website for local church-sponsored concerts and services here. Chapter Events for 2018 / 2019 Sunday December 9, 2018 @ 5:00 PM Sarasota Young Voices 4030 Manatee Avenue West Monday January 7, 2019 @ 7:00 PM Epiphany Social and Trivia Night Faith Lutheran 7750 S Beneva Road Sarasota, FL 34238
Montré November 2018 Page 4 Sunday January 27, 2019 @ 4:00 PM Organist Andrew Kotylo St. Boniface Church 5615 Midnight Pass Road Sarasota, FL 34242 Sunday February 10, 2019 @ 4:00 PM Organist Stephen Hamilton 4030 Manatee Avenue West Monday Feb 11, 2019 @ 7:00 PM Lecture presentation The Magic Flute, Richard Benedum Gillespie Hall, Church of the Redeemer Sunday March 10, 2019 @ 4:00 PM Organist Gail Archer 4030 Manatee Avenue West Sunday May 5, 2019 @ 4:00 PM Organist Nathan Laube St. Boniface Church 5615 Midnight Pass Road Sarasota, FL 34242 Monday May 6, 2019 @ 6:00 PM Annual Banquet and Installation Service Faith Lutheran 7750 S Beneva Road Sarasota, FL 34238
Montré November 2018 Page 5 What is it that makes attending a presentation of The Magic Flute important to you as a member of our chapter? I m sure you can think of one or two reasons, can t you? After all we are (or were, LOL) bright intelligent committed musicians. We are committed in our dedication of professionalism, skill, and our over-zealous desire for perfection. Wow, this starts to sound like the man himself. You do know of whom I speak? Yes, Wolfgang Amadeus. Although you probably identify more with the likes of Johann Sebastian, remember that the little boy Mozart was only eight years old when he was already performing in the best palaces Europe had to offer. Do I have your attention yet? What a great opportunity we have to attend a fine presentation in a wonderful location. What may be missing, however, is a chance to do this with another like-minded person. I don t wish to be the one to make all of your arrangements, but I would like to offer you the chance to go with a friend. If you are interested in attending The Magic Flute and have not yet reserved your seating, will you please send me an email? I will compile a list of people who would like to attend, mail this completed list back to you, and let you choose who to go with. There should be quite a few surprises you will not want to miss. So, can you come up with one or two reasons to attend? Perhaps the best part will be the chance to spend time with a friend.. Susan Crumpler p.s. Seating chart and prices are at the end of the Montre. Welcoming Two New Members Since our last newsletter we have two new members in our chapter. First is Dennis Crowley who now lives and Sarasota but is driving to the Villages for work. I m sure he ll be looking for work close by shortly. Second is Michael Bodnyk, also from Sarasota. He is the new Minister of Music at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church. He is also what is called a Young Organist. We are excited to have three in our chapter this year. So glad to have both Dennis and Michael. Free Organ There is an opportunity for just the right person to pick up a small home instrument. Hammond (spinet) Organ Model T-582-C Serial Number E238752 There is also a box of religious and popular music to go with it. The organ is located in Venice, FL. Anyone interested can call Sarah Lester at 859-496-4929 or email her at sam_coburn@hotmail.com
Montré November 2018 Page 6 Peg Smith Gives Piano Concert On Lakehouse West Fine Arts Series A large crowd of Lakehouse West residents and friends enjoyed a half hour piano concert played by our very own chapter member Margaret (Peg) Smith on October 17. The program consisted of music by Chopin, Beethoven, Debussy, Joplin and Reinhold and was played entirely by memory. Peg is the founder and director of the Lakehouse West Patriots, a male singing group that performs for special events at Lakehouse West.
Montré November 2018 Page 7 Mozart s The Magic Flute - Tickets For Chapter Members The Program Committee has planned a special event for next February, different from the normal offerings of organ recitals, choral/organ workshops, or worship planning. Richard Benedum will give a lecture on Mozart s last opera, The Magic Flute, written in the last year of his life. He has taught 15 seminars on Mozart s music, especially his operas, sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities and held in Vienna, Austria. The lecture will be at 7:00 PM on Monday, February 11th, in Gillespie Hall at the Church of the Redeemer, and will give historical background, and briefly summarize the opera and introduce its characters, illustrated with selected recorded excerpts. He will also address the question of Masonic symbolism embedded in the plot and in Mozart s music. The Program Committee has also made arrangements with the Sarasota Opera for chapter members to attend the opera at a date convenient to their own choosing. Members can 1) call the Opera box office at (941) 328-1300 between 10:00 and 4:00 p.m.; 2) print the ticket order form included with this issue of the Montre, and send it to the address supplied on the form; or 3) order on-line again, see the URL listed on the order form. Tickets range between $19 and $145, so everyone should be able to find a seat in a preferred price range. The sooner you order your tickets, the more likely you are to get your first choice of date and seating location. And remember: the opera house is small enough so that there are no bad seats! Please see the ticket information sheet and seating chart at the end of the newsletter. Why not call an AGO friend and plan to go together?
Montré November 2018 Page 8 Community Events for November and December 2018 November, 2018 Saturday November 3, 2018 @ 3:45 PM A Half Hour Informal Organ Recital Amy Cerniglia, Organist Peace Presbyterian Church 12705 Florida 64 East, Lakewood Ranch Sunday November 4, 2018 @ 4:00 PM Ana Rodriguez: Living Latin Rhythms First Church, United Methodist 104 South Pineapple Avenue Sunday November 4, 2018 @ 4:00 PM Evensong/Recital, St. Boniface Choir with Andrew Guaita-violin, Lesson Foullon-baritone. St. Boniface Episcopal Church 5615 Midnight Pass Road Sarasota, FL 34242 Sunday November 11, 2018 @ 4:00 PM & 5:30 PM Jazz at First Church: Tommy Goodman, Piano; Dominic Mancini, Bass; Johnny Moore, Drums; Dick Hamilton, Trombone; Jim Martin, Trumpet; Tony Swain, Sax & Clarinet First Church, United Methodist 104 South Pineapple Avenue Sunday November 11, 2018 @ 4:00 PM Chopin Project-Concert Artists, Piano-Matthew Graybil, Violin-Rhiannon Banerdt; Music Inspired by Nationalism & Exoticism Church of the Redeemer
Montré November 2018 Page 9 Sunday November 18, 2018 @ 3:00 PM Pat Stenberg Memorial Concert First Church, United Methodist 104 South Pineapple Avenue Sunday November 18, 2018 @ 4:00 PM The D Amore Duo St. Boniface Episcopal Church 5615 Midnight Pass Road Sarasota, FL 34242 Sunday November 18, 2018 @ 4:00 PM Klassika-Popera Quartet First United Methodist Church 603 11 th Street West Sunday November 18, 2018 @ 5:00 PM Solemn Evensong, The Benedicite-Andrew Carter; orchestra, choir, organ, children & youth Church of the Redeemer Sunday November 25, 2018 @ 11:00 AM Mozart, Mass in F Major, sung as the morning liturgy with Chorale, Soloists, and Chamber Orchestra 4030 Manatee Avenue W. Sunday December 2, 2018 @ 10:30 AM Messiah, Part I with Orchestra First United Methodist Church 603 11 th Street West
Montré November 2018 Page 10 Sunday December 2, 2018 @ 4:00 PM & 5:30 PM Jazz at First Church: David Lee Jones, Trumpet; Tommy Goodman, Piano; Dominic Mancini, Bass; Johnny Moore, Drums First Church, United Methodist 104 South Pineapple Avenue December, 2018 Wednesday December 5, 2018 @ 12:10 PM Advent Organ Recital, Laurie Vodnoy-Wright-Violin, Ann Stephenson-Moe, Organ Church of the Redeemer Thursday December 6, 2018 @ 12:15 PM Advent Recital, Dr. Julane Rodgers, Harpsichord 4030 Manatee Avenue W. Friday December 7, 2018 @ 7:00 PM Ring Sarasota St. James United Methodist Church 2049 Honore Avenue Sarasota, FL 34235 Saturday December 8, 2018 @ 3:30 PM & 7:00 PM Key Chorale with Organist Craig Williams Venice Presbyterian Church 825 The Rialto Venice, FL 34285 Saturday December 8, 2018 @ 4:00 PM Ring Sarasota Community Presbyterian Church 405 South McCall Road Englewood, FL 34223
Montré November 2018 Page 11 Sunday December 9, 2018 @ 11:00 AM Lessons and Carols for Advent, Christ Church Chorale 4030 Manatee Avenue W. Sunday December 9, 2018 @ 4:00 PM Ring Sarasota First United Methodist Church 603 11 th Street West Sunday December 9, 2018 @ 5:00 PM Sarasota Young Voices, Genevieve Beauchamp, Director 4030 Manatee Avenue W. Sunday December 9, 2018 @ 6:00 PM Lessons and Carols, St. Boniface Musicians St. Boniface Episcopal Church 5615 Midnight Pass Road Sarasota, FL 34242 Monday December 10, 2018 @ 7:30 PM Musica Sacra of Sarasota, Going Baroque at Christmas-Again Works of Heinrich Schuetz & JS Bach; chorus & Orchestra Church of the Redeemer Tuesday December 11, 2018 @ 7:30 PM Chopin Project-Concert Artist Arthur Greene, Piano Church of the Redeemer
Montré November 2018 Page 12 Wednesday December 12, 2018 @ 12:10 PM Advent Organ Recital, Dr. Richard Benedum, Organist Church of the Redeemer Thursday December 13, 2018 @ 12:15 PM Advent Organ Recital, James Walton, Organist 4030 Manatee Avenue W. Thursday December 13, 2018 @ 7:00 PM A Celtic Christmas- The Magic Within; FPC Music Ministry with virtuoso Celtic players First Presbyterian Church 2050 Oak Street Sarasota, FL 34237 Friday December 14, 2018 @ 7:00 PM A Celtic Christmas- The Magic Within; FPC Music Ministry with virtuoso Celtic players First Presbyterian Church 2050 Oak Street Sarasota, FL 34237 Sunday December 16, 2018 @ 5:15 PM Advent Lessons and Carols, Adult & RSCM Choirs Church of the Redeemer Sunday December 16, 2018 @ 7:00 PM First Church Christmas Gala and Carol Sing First Church Singers and the Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus and Orchestra First Church, United Methodist 104 South Pineapple Avenue
Montré November 2018 Page 13 Tuesday December 18, 2018 @ 7:30 PM Chamber Orchestra of Sarasota Winter Concert, Robert Vodnoy, Conductor; Comfort and Joy, a Holiday Concert Church of the Redeemer Wednesday December 19, 2018 @ 12:10 PM Advent Recital, Dr. Julane Rodgers, Harpsichord Church of the Redeemer Thursday December 20, 2018 @ 12:15 PM Advent Organ Recital, Richard Benedum, Organist 4030 Manatee Avenue W. Sunday December 23, 2018 @ 7:30 PM Messiah Sing Along, Tribute to Daniel Moe, with Chamber Orchestra Church of the Redeemer Monday December 24, 2018 @ 4:00 PM & 7:00 PM First Church Family Candlelight Service at 4:00 pm, Music of the Season at 6:40 PM, Traditional Lessons and Carols at 7:00 pm First Church, United Methodist 104 South Pineapple Avenue Monday December 24, 2018 @ 5:00 PM, 10:00 PM, & 10:30 PM Family Christmas Pageant, Music for the Holiday Season, Christmas Eve Mass 4030 Manatee Avenue W.
Montré November 2018 Page 14 Three Reasons to Invest in an Organ Career Amy Cerniglia Hello from Sarasota! This month, I m writing about the biggest source of stress for college students, and how to alleviate it while pursuing a field you love. As a post-graduate student finished with my education at Mississippi College, I often consider the stark numbers published in a recent issue of The American Organist regarding the number of organ performance majors in the country. It will not surprise anyone to hear that the numbers have dropped each year. This results from a variety of factors, but I hope to address the most stressful aspect of life as an American college student, according to a recent study by Ohio State University: money. Of 19,000 students surveyed, 70% voiced tuition costs and day-to-day expenses as their greatest source of anxiety. With majors such as visual arts and music topping many unemployment lists, and top music programs for organ performance costing more than $160,000 just to attain a Bachelor s, it seems inevitable that fewer students enter the field each year. According to the Guild, 90% of available organist jobs are part-time, which
Montré November 2018 Page 15 may not appeal to students spending up to $300,000 for top-tier graduate schools. But these numbers don t tell the whole story. While I can t guarantee scholarships or good jobs, I want to dispel the myth that organ degrees are too expensive and don t pay off. Many young college graduates in a variety of fields struggle to find jobs. According to Business Insider, majors that may appear more practical such as biology, mass media, environmental science, and communications yield the highest percentage of unemployed graduates. In fact, music did not appear on that list. Although music degrees can require a hefty price tag, many schools have noticed their suffering and increased scholarships accordingly. A degree in organ or sacred music with an emphasis in organ can often qualify for organ-specific endowments. 1. The availability of part-time jobs allows for students to work while in school. Just recently near my alma mater, five churches were offering part-time and two were offering full-time organ positions. Because Jackson, MS is not nearly as big as other metro areas, the multiple job openings tells me that other cities probably have equally large needs for organists, if not more. All the student organists I ve known have been steadily employed on Sundays and Wednesdays since sophomore year of my undergraduate degree a direct result of beginning to learn the organ in my freshman year. Many students across other work fields pick up minimum-wage jobs that require more hours, and often inflexible, but part-time church work tends not to interfere with school. A colleague of mine didn t study the organ until nearly the end of undergraduate career but picked up a job that fits his schedule within a short time of moving to MA. 2. Organ degrees often provide transferrable skills. As one of my fellow AGOYO-SE board members pointed out, many music majors who don t find full-time jobs in music after graduation generally succeed in non-
Montré November 2018 Page 16 music fields. The discipline, flexibility, and resourcefulness that accompanies an education in organ will transfer to other employment opportunities. Within the field of music, organists can also compose, arrange, lead choirs, write liturgy, cantor, teach piano, and the list goes on. While majoring in organ doesn t mean that everyone will acquire every one of those additional qualities, it is likely that an organ degree will provide instruction in at least some of those areas. 3. An in-state or smaller school can offer unique opportunities. Everyone wants to attend the most prestigious schools, but this can result in overcrowded practice organs with outrageously low availabilities. Schools that don t offer doctoral programs also tend to have fewer TAs, and thus eliminate the issue of dealing with an inexperienced assistant for classes like theory or aural skills. Similarly, smaller classes sizes can allow professors more time to thoroughly evaluate lengthy assignments. Out-of-state tuition is responsible for some of the worst price tags, and nearly every state has at least one option for aspiring organists. If you live in the Southeast, check out our website database of local organ schools. Save the travel expenses and out-of-state tuition for your Master s, when you can nab a paying assistantship! And let s face it: departments for all majors can become highly competitive in areas where job positions fill quickly, and students are vying for particular professors studios. Smaller colleges promote camaraderie with less local competition. In a time when mental health among undergrads and graduate students is notoriously low, a welcoming and unified student body is essential to a positive experience. There s more than one way to receive a substantial music education, and even more ways to offset tuition. No matter what path you choose, there are probably more options than you think. In the post-recession economy, the idea of following one s dreams may seem impractical, but I knew from a young age that I wanted to make music in the church. The three above points are just some of the ways that can offset the cost, and why it s worth it. There are many myths surrounding a major in music, especially organ, but I hope this post has put at least some of them to rest.
Montré November 2018 Page 17 Chapter Leadership Nancy Siebecker, Dean James Walton, Sub-Dean Susan Crumpler, Treasurer Cynthia Roberts-Greene, Secretary The Rev. Charleston Wilson, Chaplain Executive Board John Ferreira, Bill Holt, Charles Wolf Class of 2019 Carolyn Reynolds, Dwane Grace Class of 2020 Janet Davis, Jamal Sarikoki Class of 2021 Others Janet Davis, Hospitality Vacant, Historian Phyllis O Keef, Registrar Bill Holt, Advertising Dan Crumpler, Webmaster John Ferreira, Placement/Substitutes Michael Trezise, Newsletter Paul Adams, TAO Reporter Chapter Information Website agosm.org Here you ll find the full chapter calendar of events the Dean s message, as well as the complete updated list of other concerts and events of interest planned for the wider Manatee and Sarasota county areas. Montre Dan Crumpler, Webmaster Email Dan.Crumpler@gmail.com Mail Address 3765 Summerwind Circle Bradenton, FL 34209 Michael Trezise, Editor Email Address mwtrezise@gmail.com
The AGO attends Mozart s The Magic Flute Sarasota Opera Part I. Choose a date and indicate the number of tickets (7:30 p.m. except for matinee performances) Feb 16 Mar 1 Feb 19 Mar 16 matinee Feb 21 Mar 21 Feb 24 matinee Mar 23 Feb 27 Part II. Choose your seat. Colored seating chart attached. For a b/w seating chart, see http://www.sarasotaopera.org/uploadedfiles/section_1/soh%20full%20seating%20chart.pdf Upstairs Mezzanine Upstairs Balcony Section P (peach seats) $145.00 Section C (pink seats) $88.00 Section A (yellow seats) $130.00 Section E (green seats) $46.00 Section F (purple seats) $29.00 Section G (orange seats) $19.00 Part III. Place your order. There are three options a) fill out this form and mail it to Box Office / Travis Rogers The Sarasota Opera 61 North Pineapple Ave. Downstairs Orchestra Section A (yellow seats) $130.00 Section B (blue seats) $105.00 Section C (pink seats) $72.00 b) call the Box Office at (941) 328-1300 between 10:00 and 4:00 c) order your ticket on-line at http://tickets.sarasotaopera.org/single/eventlisting.aspx?k=46,49,56,47,50,51 Part IV. Enjoy the opera! Name Address Phone No. of tickets x $ = $ Handling fee $5.00 (waived if you buy tickets in person at the Box Office) TOTAL $