The mission of the American Guild of Organists is to enrich lives through organ and choral music. We encourage excellence in the performance of organ and choral music; inspire, educate, and offer certification for organists and choral conductors; provide networking, fellowship, and mutual support; nurture future generations of organists; promote the organ in its historic and evolving roles; and engage wider audiences with organ and choral music.

There's so many exciting things happening in our chapter and we have added a lot of content to this newsletter! If you are viewing this on a desktop or laptop computer, be sure to click "View entire message" at the bottom of this email so you don't miss out on job listings, upcoming events, suggested repertoire and more.

Don't miss any of the excitement!

O God, Beyond All Praising: A Hymn Festival featuring Composer David Cherwien 

Sunday, May 4th at 6pm 

St. Luke’s Lutheran Church 

206 Central Ave., Summerville, SC 29483 

The Charleston AGO is pleased to present our final event of the 2024/2025 season! Composer David Cherwien will be joining us for O God, Beyond All Praising: A Hymn Festival, featuring his beautiful improvisations on some of our favorite hymns and stunning choral works from various composers. 

This event is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!  

PROGRAM

David Friddle, dma2, organ

Andrew Atkinson, piano

Prelude and Fugue in G Major, BWV 541 (1708–1717)  J.S. Bach

By the Waters of Babylon, BWV 653b (1708) 

in five parts for two manuals & double pedal

Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise (St. Denio) arr. Mark Hayes

Romanze in F Minor, op. 5 (1868) Pjotr Ilyich Tschaikowski

Fantasy and Fugue on the chorale  Franz Liszt

 “Ad nos salutarem undam,” s. 259

I. Moderato · Allegro · Tempo giusto · Recitativo

II. Adagio 

III. Allegro deciso · Allegretto con moto (Fugue) · Adagio

Piano and Organ Concert

May 16th, 2025- 7:00pm

First United Methodist Church - Isle of Palms, SC 29451

Featuring: Anthony and Allison Williams

Anthony Williams has gained a wide reputation for his performances and promotion of modern African American organ repertoire. He has performed in cathedrals, churches, colleges, and universities throughout the United States as well as in Central America and Europe. Active as a lecturer, Dr. Williams has presented workshops on Organ Music of Black Composers for several chapters of the American Guild of Organists as well as for two of their national conventions. In 2018, he was the Service Organist at the Presbyterian Association of Musicians Worship and Music Conference held in Montreat, North Carolina. Dr. Williams is currently the Director of Music and Organist at First-Scots Presbyterian Church in Charleston, South Carolina. Dr. Williams spent over thirty years in the academic world having taught at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee and Dillard University in New Orleans, Louisiana. A native of Nashville, Tennessee, he began his teaching career at Fisk University in the late 1980s where he served as Director of the Fisk Jubilee Singers® and was the youngest person in the history of this ensemble to hold that position. From 1990 to 2005 he was a member of the music faculty at Dillard University in New Orleans, Louisiana. Dr. Williams returned to Fisk in the fall of 2005 as Visiting Artist in Residence following the evacuation from New Orleans, Louisiana due to Hurricane Katrina. In the fall of 2022, Dr. Williams was named Interim Director of the Fisk Jubilee Singers® following the untimely passing of their longtime director, Dr. Paul T. Kwami. Dr. Williams earned the Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, the Master of Music degree from the University of Michigan and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the American Conservatory of Music. His principal teachers have included Robert Glasgow, Marilyn Mason, David Mulbury, Peter Fyfe, and Paul Jordan. Anthony Williams is married to Allison Boccia Williams, who is also an organist and church musician. They often perform organ and piano and organ duets together as well as joint performances with their church choirs. In his spare time, Dr. Williams enjoys cooking, ballroom dancing, and spending time with Allison and his four Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. 

Allison Boccia Williams is the Director of Music and Organist at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Charleston, SC. Prior to moving to Charleston in April, Allison was the organist and choir director at St. Joseph of Arimathea Episcopal Church in Hendersonville, TN. She was formerly the Music Associate at West End United Methodist Church in Nashville, TN where she directed a children’s choir, the youth choir, and was one of three organists. It was there that she studied organ with Dr. Wilma Jensen. After retirement, Allison taught music education and piano courses at Fisk University. Allison retired in 2015 from teaching music at Lundahl Middle School and McHenry County College in Crystal Lake, IL where she taught organ and piano. For 19 years, she was the Director of Music/Organist at Bethany Lutheran Church in Crystal Lake, Illinois. Her duties at Bethany included overseeing the installation of a new Gober tracker organ, directing the handbell choir, children’s choir, youth choir, directing a Global Music Drum ministry and organizing and managing a successful concert series. Allison holds the Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from Concordia College in Bronxville, New York, the Master of Music degree in Music Education from the Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., and the Performer’s Certificate in organ from Northern Illinois University. Allison studied organ in the Chicago area under Richard Hoskins, Dr. David Schrader, Dr. H. Ricardo Ramirez, James Russell Brown, and Colin Andrews. Allison is a Colleague of the American Guild of Organists (CAGO), a former board member of the Nashville Chapter, and the former secretary of the Chicago Chapter. She held the latter position for approximately 12 years. Allison resides in North Charleston with her organist husband, Dr. Anthony Williams, and their four Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Allison and Anthony often perform organ and piano and organ duets together and have given joint performances with their church choirs. 

Did you know...

L’Organo is run by a volunteer committee and non-profit entity under the auspices of the Office of Cultural Affairs of the City of Charleston to promote organ concerts for Piccolo Spoleto.

This year there are 12 organists totaling $5,500.00 in honorarium, travel, lodging and meal expenses. Other expenses include printing of program books, advertising and website.

Design work is done by Katie Holland (volunteer), Program editing and layout is done by Julia Harlow (volunteer), and our new website was done by a local volunteer. 

Last year's attendance totaled 1,325 people over 14 concerts, with donations totaling about $6000. Attendees were generous! The city issues a yearly budget based on last years' donations, which must be spent in the calendar year. 

Your Charleston Chapter board voted to contribute $250 for the 2025 series along with asking our membership for donations. Please consider giving to this wonderful concert series if you are able. Your support is needed to help keep this series going and expand on the offerings for next year!

Clicking the button below will take you to our online giving platform called Tithely. Please choose "Piccolo Spoleto L'Organo Fundraiser" from the drop down menu to ensure your donations go to the appropriate category.

The new Charleston AGO chapter website is finally up and running! We have a new web address www.agocharlestonchapter.org, so be sure to check it out and see all of the wonderful things we have going on, renew your membership, register for upcoming events, explore the membership directory and more! This is a work in progress and information will be continually added, so check back often.

AMERICAN GUILD OF ORGANISTS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS, CHARLESTON CHAPTER

MINUTES

MEETING DATE:  MARCH 10, 2025

Call to Order: A regular meeting of the Board of Directors, Charleston Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, was held at Grace Church Cathedral, Charleston, SC, on March 10, 2025. The meeting convened at 5:30 P.M., Sub-Dean Daniel Damaschke presiding for the Dean who was on vocal rest. Members of the Board in attendance were Lee Kohlenberg, Dean, Ed LeRoy, Acting Secretary, Janet Kelly, Treasurer, and At-Large members: Justin Wham, Anthony Williams, and Nancy Lefter. Absent: Laura Ball.

Minutes. There being no amendments to the minutes for the February 10 board meeting, Lefter moved that they be accepted, and Kohlenberg seconded. The motion carried.

Membership Report: LeRoy gave A brief overview of the current membership: 60 voting members and 9 friends of the chapter. Special members (over age 65) constitute 43%, contrasted with Regular members at 40%. Wham will compare the list to his and delete non-paying subscribers.

Treasurer’s Report:  Kelly presented the Treasurer’s report (attached). From a starting balance of $2,418.67 on February 1, 2025, the ending balance on February 28, 2025 is $2,626.22, after deposits of $245.00 and marketing expenses of $37.45.

Old Business:

     Hymn Fest Update: The Market Pavilion Hotel has offered a 50% discount to house Cherwien. Oboist Frank Miley has been approached and has offered to play for free. Laura Ball also knows an oboist who is also a singer. There was some interest in pursuing that lead to find out more. Flautist Alison Beskin’s fee of $250 seemed reasonable. Both instrumentalists will only need to attend the rehearsal immediately before the event.

     Regarding car rental, Cherwien will rent the car and be reimbursed.

     Nick Quardokus will be asked to play for the event. If that is not possible, Tony Williams has offered to play.

     Regarding advertising, Wham suggested asking churches to plug the event on their Facebook pages. Also, it was suggested that community choral groups such as the Singers of Summerville be approached to sing in the festival choir.

     It was agreed that the Board will take Cherwien to dinner following the event.

New Business:

     Expenditures Discussion: The Dean “sees the Board as legally approving expenditures and official things, but also as an advisory group for the Chapter’s activities.” A brief discussion revealed that the Board agrees with the statement.

     L’Organo Support. In the past, the Chapter contributed $500 to L’Organo, although that practice was discontinued in 2023 and 2024. Because the current election cycle began with diminished financial resources, Kelly suggested that the Chapter contribute $250 for 2025 plus free Internet coverage on the Chapter website, with a view to contributing $500 for 2026. It was also suggested that donations be solicited. Damaschke made the motion, and Wham seconded. The motion carried.

     Next Board Meeting. The next Board meeting will take place on May 26 at 11:30 at a site to be determined.

     Adjournment. Kohlenberg moved that the meeting be adjourned at 5:55 P.M. The motion was seconded by Wham and unanimously accepted.

Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church

302 Hibben Street

Mount Pleasant, SC

Due to growth in our congregation and music program, Mount Pleasant Presbyterian

Church will be replacing our current organ, and is looking for its next home. The organ is

currently in use during regular Sunday services, and will be available after April 5, 2026. It

was built by Hilborne Roosevelt in 1886 (number 233) for a private residence. It was rebuilt

and revoiced in 1982 by Andover Organs, then installed in our church where it has served

faithfully for over 40 years. See https://pipeorgandatabase.org/instruments/5899#details

for further information.

Stoplist:

Great: 58 notes Swell: 58

notes, enclosed

Open Diapason 8’ Stopped

Diapason 8’

Chimney Flute 8’ Flute

D’Amour 4’

Octave 4’ Principal 2’

Mixture (double draw) 2’/III Sesquialtera

II

Trumpet 8’

Couplers: Pedal: 27

notes

Swell to Great Bourdon 16’

Great Octaves (Gt. To Gt. 4’)

Great to Pedal

Swell to Pedal

Mechanical action (blower is electric)

Width: 8’

Depth: 8’ 8”

Height: 12’ 4”

The organ is currently listed on the Organ Clearinghouse website

(https://www.organclearinghouse.com/organs-for-sale#/3229-rooseveltandover-charleston-sc), with a suggested price of $10,000, which is negotiable. Recipient will bear

the costs of relocation (disassembly, transportation, reassembly). Please send inquiries to

mppcorgan@gmail.com.

Greetings colleagues—since I last sent this list out three months ago, I have added a lot of new things. Happy Hunting!

Used music and other items for sale. Packing/handling: $3.00 per order (not per item), plus postage. If paying with PayPal, 3% will be added to the total.

Ordering: please let me know what you would like to buy in an email. I operate on a first-come, first-served basis. All music is used unless noted. Normally the original owner’s name is written on the cover. I rate the condition of the musical score; covers are sometimes slightly damaged even if the score is in relatively good shape:

New—prices are 20 to 25% off the retail price

Excellent—like new. Might have writing on the cover

Very good—typically clean text or only lightly marked; could also have writing on the cover

Good—marked with other slight condition problems; could have writing on the cover; could have pages taped in to facilitate page turning; could be some minor cover damage or creasing

Fair—all of the above, plus other condition problems (creases, discolored covers, damage to the spine, for instance) and more heavily marked; faded; old; could have photocopied pages taped into the score; could be slightly musty.

Poor—all of the above, plus could be tattered, heavily marked; slightly musty; loose pages.

Old—items that you might find in your grandmother’s attic. Sometimes these are rare, even first editions.

I am always interested in purchasing used organ music. If you have things that you are interested in selling, please contact me.

Craig Cramer

ccramer@nd.edu

If you have or know of an open position and would like to be added to this list, email Justin at charlestonagocommunications@gmail.com with all of the information. The more information included, the better the outcome. Open positions will remain posted until we are notified they have been filled.

Santee Presbyterian Church is a Presbyterian Church USA. We believe all people

are equal in God’s eyes and it is the responsibility of all to share the good news

of the Gospel. We are a small congregation with a 5 member women’s choir.

The Director of Music is accountable to the Session through the Worship

Committee and supervised by the Pastor. The Director of Music is responsible

for the organization, implementation and direction of the overall music

program. The current music program consists of organ/piano music and choir

for the 1030 am Sunday Service and any special services (such as Christmas Eve,

and Holy Week Services). The position requires sufficient time to be spent in

planning and practice. This part time position is salaried.

Responsibilities

1. Work with the pastor and Worship Committee chair in planning and

selecting music.

2. Direct the choir rehearsal with a minimum 1 hour practice session.

3. Play selected music for worship and special services.

4. Purchase music within the budget.

5. Maintain the music library in an orderly manner.

6. Observe all copyright laws.

7. Oversee the use and maintenance of the sanctuary piano, the Allen

Organ, the Yamaha CLP745 and the practice piano.

8. Provide a minimum of two weeks’ notice for any planned absences.

9. Provide a minimum of thirty days’ notice to Santee Presbyterian Church is

a termination of employee is requested.

Qualifications:

1. A degree in music is not required if proficiency in sight reading and an

understanding of music theory is shown.

2. Either and ability to play an Allen Organ or the CLP745 is preferred.

3. Applicant should be familiar or willing to learn the traditions of the

Reformed Church worship and liturgy to guide selection and presentation

of music to better communicate the Presbyterian Church (USA)

understanding of the Gospel as God's news for ALL people.

4. Demonstrate the ability to conduct rehearsals with the choir.

5. Provide a resume of prior experience as a music director or high

recommendation from current or recent instructors.

6. A criminal background check is a requirement of employment.

Compensation:

1. The annual salary will be negotiated upon a Five (5) to hour work week.

State and Social Security taxes will be withheld in accordance with

applicable Federal and State law and any W-4 on file for the employee.

2. A travel allowance may be offered for those traveling over 25 miles each

way.

3. The Director of Music will be payed monthly by electronic deposit.

Benefits:

Vacation will be negotiated at the time of the interview. A minimum of 6 weeks

will be allowed and time of year determined by employees needs and

preferences.

Performance Review:

This document shall be reviewed annually by the Pastor and the Worship

Committee Chair to ensure it reflects expectations and duties of the Music

Director. A performance review will be conducted annually by the Employee

Committee of the Session.

Santee Presbyterian Church is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Part Time Choir Accompanist/Liturgy Accompanist: Holy Spirit Catholic Church

Saturday/Sunday liturgies shared with Director of Music: 2 choir services, 2 choir rehearsals (Wednesday, 2 hour rehearsal), 2 additional services monthly. Holy Days and Feast Day Services as available for additional pay

Holy Spirit Catholic Church is seeking an organist/pianist to accompany for Choir Rehearsals/Masses as well as assist with Funerals and Weddings. The Applicant should have proficiency in organ/piano, sight reading, choral rehearsal skills, as well as be able to play additional liturgies with staff and volunteer cantors as scheduled with Director of Music Liturgy. The number of services is negotiable and pay is competitive. Holy Spirit is a beautiful space with an Allen Renaissance Organ and a 7 foot Yamaha Concert Grand (Conservatory Grade). There are two choirs and seasonal chamber ensembles that join the choir for Feast Days and Holidays throughout the year. The congregation is highly supportive of music liturgy and enjoys a range of music from Latin chant, SATB Anthems, traditional Hymns, Gospel and Christian Contemporary. The full position is open beginning December, 2024; however, paid training and funeral/wedding services are available beginning September 2024.

Please contact the Director of Music, Laura Ball, for all inquiries. 

Lball@holyspiritsc.org

843-810-9708

Providence Church Daniel Island seeks an Organist to join our Music Ministry.

Providence Church is a 350 Member congregation located on Daniel Island affiliated with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.

The church is seeking an organist for our traditional worship service.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

1. The organist will provide keyboard music for all worship services and accompany the Adult Choir during worship in coordination with the Minister of Music and the Senior Pastor. 

2.The organist may direct the Adult Choir in the absence of the Minister of Music. This position includes special worship services such as: Thanksgiving Service, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Christmas Eve services.

3. The organist will accompany regular Adult Choir rehearsals on Wednesday nights and may lead the rehearsals in the absence of the Minister of Music.

4.The organist will assist the Minister of Music in special music presentations and rehearsals with guest musicians.

5. Time off is to be coordinated with the Minister of Music. The organist will have 4 paid Sundays off per year.

6. Salary is negotiable. Please email inquiries to Minister of Music David Richardson at: drichardson@dorchester2.k12.sc.us 

Instruments:

Hammerbourg tracker organ with Two manuals and Full AGO pedal board. 

Grotian Steinweg Grand piano in the sanctuary.

Yamaha U1D piano in the Choir Room.

Organist/Choir Master Open Position

Requirements:

- 15-hr per week Sunday duties

- 1 Sunday service – 10:30 AM

- Wednesday night choir practice – 6:30 PM

Organ:

- Cornel Zimmer hybrid (2000) pipe organ

- 25 pipe ranks, 37 digital Walker Technology ranks

- Great, Swell, Solo, Pedal

Compensation/Other:

- 15-hr per week including Sunday duties

- Approximately $30,000

- Details to be determined between church and applicant

Contact:

William Scott, Interim Organist

Scottwn2003@yahoo.com

or

Fr. Jack Hardaway, Rector

frjackh4@gmail.com

NOTE: Full job description available upon request

5/3 - Johanna Vroon

5/10 - Nancy Lefter

5/13 - Murray Somerville

5/18 - Loretta Haskell

5/21 - Hazel Somerville

5/23 - Robert (Bob) Gant

Organ and Sacred Piano

We have - lots - of free music in the AGO Music Exchange! Contact Julia Harlow at juliah.6@juno.com for more information. You are welcome to come and browse (downtown Charleston), I can also email you a pdf of the listings in in the Organ/Piano part of the Exchange. It isn't a library - you don't have to bring the music back. It's FREE. Also, if you have organ or sacred piano music you no longer use and would like to donate it to the Exchange, please let me know.

Choral and Vocal Music

Contact Larry Speakman at  larryspeakman@gmail.com

Won’t you be our Friend?

The late Fred Rogers taught generations of children that everyone is special and can be

a friend. The Charleston Chapter of AGO celebrates the same idea and wants to grow

our membership, including, and especially, our friends.



There is no profile of the “typical” AGO member. We are young and, er, mature. Many of

us are church organists, but not all. We have composers, arrangers, hymnists, and

liturgists. One member writes music for video games. Another teaches music to

elementary children. Some members have 50 years of experience on the organ and

others are beginners.

And a small but hopefully growing group of members just really like organ music and

hanging out with this diverse group. They are chapter friends.

Effective September 1, 2024 the designation of chapter “friend” will no longer require

using the national AGO portal to join. From now on, all local chapters can set the

membership dues for friends and manage the membership themselves. Our annual

dues of $45 are one of the lowest among the chapters, and we have lots of social and

service opportunities. For example, we needed all hands for the twelve (free)

performances of the Spoleto L’Organo series. Our members and friends helped the

performers, set up video equipment, passed out programs and “passed the hat” for

donations.

Chapter friends enjoy all the same privileges as members and are included in all

chapter activities. They receive the monthly newsletter that spotlights organ

performances in the Charleston area and our own special events. They are invited to

the monthly Coffee with Nancy (Lefter) where we share a cup and catch up on each

other’s news. They are invited to our lunches, dinners and cocktail hours. And our

friends are especially appreciated at our musical events such as the installation service

on September 16th.

So won’t you be our friend? Click the button below to join us. You can pay dues online with any credit card or by e-check. If you have questions or want to join the old-fashioned way with a paper check, call or text our treasurer, Janet Kelly, at 502-377-3449 and she will cheerfully assist you.

Do you know any youth or children musicians that might be interested in joining the Charleston chapter? Maybe a student musician you are currently teaching? In an effort to draw the interest of our youth to the organ, the Charleston AGO has decided to offer FREE memberships to anyone under the age of 18. This is such an exciting opportunity for the young musicians in the Charleston area to become more involved, find a mentor or just learn about the king of instruments! Contact anyone from chapter leadership if you would like assistance in registering someone or to answer any questions you may have.

Your financial support helps further the mission of the Charleston Chapter AGO.

You can make a one-time donation or set up recurring contributions to our general fund or the Remington Scholarship easily with your debit or credit card.

Thank you for your generous contribution!

Submissions for the next month's issue of the Voluntary Trumpet must be received no later than the 25th of each month. Email your submissions to Justin Wham at charlestonagocommunications@gmail.com