The Erzähler

The mission of the American Guild of Organists is to foster a thriving community of musicians who share their knowledge and inspire passion for the organ.

- April 2024 -

Organ Academy Edition

- From the Dean -

Greetings, chapter members and friends!

O Love that will not let me go, I rest my weary soul in thee.

I give thee back the life I owe, that in thine ocean depths its flow

may richer, fuller be.

- George Matheson (1882)

With the demands of Lent and Easter behind us, take a moment to rest your weary souls; practice self-care. Follow the advice of Rev. Dr. Janet Ahrend recently offered to me, "Stop. Close your eyes."

With that said, we are hitting the ground running in April!

Attend one of the Bachathon performances at a venue near you. Invite friends to come with you.

Attend the Organ Academy Recital. The literature the talented, young organists are performing is astounding. They will give you hope for the future!

Very best regards, Ed

Bachathon

Go for Baroque this coming Sunday, April 7!

Read about our organists and the works being performed on the Bachathon webpage!

Many thanks to out venue hosts!

Whitworth Church - Rev. Jamie Fiorino and Debby McConnell
Messiah Lutheran Church - Floyd Czoski
St. Augustine Catholic Church - Heather Fuller-Johnson and Henry Bauer
Trinity Lutheran Church - Mark Haberman and Mark Grabenstein

The Organ Academy has worked diligently preparing a wide range of exciting and beautiful literature for their recital. This is an event you will not want to miss! We are going to see the names of these talented musicians in lights soon. Visit the recital webpage for complete information.

Saturday practice sessions have provided the opportunity to play on a variety of area organs. We are grateful for the support of:

Plymouth Congregational Church
Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church
St. Augustine Catholic Church
Trinity Lutheran Church
Central Lutheran Church

The academy teachers have joyfully shared their expertise with these fine young people:

Dr. Janet Ahrend
Dr. Henry Bauer
Dr. Joseph Schubert

The academy directors have gone above and beyond the call of duty, working behind the scenes and spending extra time with students on Saturday mornings:

Janet Ahrend and Carolyn Payne

None of the learning experiences would have been possible without supportive, involved parents! Thank you, parents!

This recital promises to be a memorable highlight of our musical year! Join us.

You are invited!

Clark Allred

Joseph Gaunt

Grace Harder

Lucia Harder

Mark Klimok

Radislav Kozlov

Faustina Sattler

Maria Truong

National and regional AGO Officer elections are open.

Vote online HERE. You will need your member number and last name, both found on the TAO mailing label. Your voice matters!

Chapter Events

2023-2024 Season - Mark your calendars!

April 7 - 1:00, 2:00, 3:00, 4:30 p.m.

A sixty-minute program of Bach performed throughout the area by a team of four traveling organists. Attend one of the performances near you! Full information.

April 28 - 3:00 p.m.

Organ Academy Recital

Location: Central Lutheran Church/City Covenant

Hear our young organists who give us hope for the future! Full information.

June 23 - 1:00 p.m.

Potluck and Election of Officers

Location: Manito Park (tentative)

Online Giving

Rolling out this week in time for Bachathon, the chapter will be securely accepting credit card payments for deposit directly to our Numerica accounts. This accommodates event attendees who are not carrying cash for the offering plate.

Open mobile device's camera app
Focus on a QR code printed in the program or available next to the (empty) offering plate
Follow the link which appears

So easy!

Your Spokane Chapter Officers are serving in the following areas:

Program – Henry Bauer, Nisha Coulter, Joseph Schubert, Mark Haberman
Communications/Marketing – Taylor Giese
Development/Finance – Marlys Meece
Membership – Marietta Hardy
Professional Concerns – Henry Bauer
Nominating – Mark Haberman