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!

☕ We’re trying something NEW this month!

We’re switching things up in hopes of making Coffee with Nancy easier for more of our members and friends to attend and moving our gathering to Saturday morning.

Join us on Saturday, October 17th at 10:00 AM at Highfalutin Coffee Roasters in West Ashley on Magnolia Road for a relaxed morning of coffee, conversation, fellowship, and plenty of laughs.

No agenda. No program. Just a chance to slow down, grab a cup of coffee, catch up with friends, and enjoy some good conversation.

We hope this new Saturday morning time will allow even more of you to join us!

☕ Coffee with Nancy

📅 Saturday, October 17th

🕙 10:00 AM

📍 Highfalutin Coffee Roasters — West Ashley, Magnolia Road

Come grab a cup and spend the morning with us. We’d love to see you there!

We’ve all been there—you need something to play, and you need it in a pinch!



Join the Charleston Chapter of the American Guild of Organists for a practical and relaxed educational opportunity featuring chapter members of all different skill levels sharing accessible, approachable organ repertoire that you can truly pick up and play.

Presenters will introduce favorite pieces and resources that are useful for real-life church musicians—music that sounds effective without requiring weeks of preparation. Whether you’re a seasoned professional, a developing organist, or someone who occasionally finds themselves on the organ bench, you’ll leave with fresh ideas and new repertoire to add to your library.

Come listen, learn, share, and discover your next “In a Pinch!” piece!

An educational half-day outreach program created by the American Guild of Organists to introduce children and youth to the pipe organ. The day will have an interactive introduction to the organ with performances, console time, demonstrations and PIZZA! Perfect for music students of ALL ages and anyone interested in learning about the King of Instruments!

WHAT IF YOU COULD BUILD A PIPE ORGAN WITH YOUR OWN HANDS?

The Charleston Chapter of the American Guild of Organists is excited to launch the Charleston AGO Orgelkids Initiative!

Our goal is to raise $12,000 to commission an Orgelkids organ—a real, playable pipe organ that can be assembled, explored, and played by children and adults alike.

Imagine taking the organ beyond the organ loft and putting it directly into the hands of young people at schools, churches, libraries, community events, and educational programs throughout the Charleston area. They won't just hear about how a pipe organ works.

They'll build it.

They'll discover it.

They'll play it.

And perhaps, for one young musician, that first experience will begin a lifelong love of the organ.

We believe that when this extraordinary instrument becomes accessible, it can become lovable.

Over the next few months, we'll introduce you to Orgelkids, show you how it works, share why this project matters, and invite you to help us make it a reality.

🎶 Our goal: $12,000

Every gift—large or small—brings Charleston one step closer to putting a pipe organ into the hands of the next generation.

Help us keep the music playing!

Layne Thompson

Your membership is important to the Charleston Chapter and it’s easy to keep up to date!

• Watch for your renewal notice from the National Office.

• Check your renewal date on the back outside cover of The American Organist magazine. In the white box with your address, you’ll see your 4-digit membership number followed by your renewal date (example: 1234 1/1/20).

• Renew online: Visit the American Guild of Organists website and click “Membership.”or click HERE to renew now.

• 📞 Renew by phone: Call the AGO headquarters at 212-870-2310.

Emily Remington (1916-2020) was a renowned pianist, organist, and influential choral conductor known for her vibrant personality and dedication to the Charleston music community and beyond who significantly shaped Charleston's music scene after moving here in 1976; she founded the Charleston Symphony Chorus (originally the Singers Guild) in 1978, served as Choirmaster and Organist at Grace Episcopal Church for almost 20 years, taught at the College of Charleston, and established the Remington Concert Series at her retirement community, leaving a lasting legacy in the arts.

Emily studied at Coker College, the Peabody Conservatory, and the Juilliard School. Before moving to Charleston in 1976, she was a major figure in Augusta, GA, where she founded the Augusta Choral Society in 1951 and taught at Paine College and Augusta College. Notably, she was an early mentor to world-renowned opera star Jessye Norman. She was named the second runner-up for NPR’s Classical Woman of the Year on Performance Today and was honored by the Taylor Festival Choir as one of the "6 Pillars of Charleston Music".

Miss Emily left us in 2020 at the age of 103 and the Remington Fund was established in her name to help sponsor and encourage organ study by young organ students in the Charleston area. Donations of any size are welcomed and encouraged to help the Charleston AGO invest in a younger generation of upcoming organists and continue her legacy.

An Invitation from the Music Ministries of Holy Spirit Lutheran Church

The Music Ministries of Holy Spirit Lutheran Church warmly invite you to join us for a special evening of remembrance, hope, and beautiful music as we observe All Saints Day.

Sunday, November 1, 2026 • 7:00 PM

This candlelight service will feature Heather Sorenson’s Requiem, a moving musical journey through grief, remembrance, faith, and the promise of eternal life.

Through scripture, prayer, candlelight, and music, we will remember the saints who have gone before us, give thanks for their lives, and proclaim the hope we share in Christ.

Whether you come to remember someone dear to you, to experience the beauty of this extraordinary music, or simply to share in this sacred evening, you are welcome.

All are welcome.

Please plan to arrive early. We are anticipating a full congregation, with standing room only. We look forward to welcoming you for this meaningful evening of music, remembrance, and hope.

Blessings,

Justin Wham

Director of Music/Organist

Holy Spirit Lutheran Church

music@holyspiritcharleston.org

What: MICHAEL HEY, ORGAN DEDICATION RECITAL

When: November 6, 6:30 p.m.

Where: Kingston Presbyterian Church, Conway

Michael Hey, Organist/Director of Music at Marble Collegiate Church in New York City, will present an organ dedication recital. This is a concert not to be missed!

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.

Organist Position - St. Joseph Catholic Church

St. Joseph Catholic Church in Columbia, South Carolina is seeking a highly skilled and collaborative Organist to support the liturgical and musical life of our parish. This position comes at an exciting and historic moment for St. Joseph, as the parish prepares for the installation of a new three-manual Mascioni pipe organ with approximately 52 ranks and 2,744 pipes, the first Mascioni organ ever installed in North America.

The Organist will serve as principal organist for weekend Masses, Holy Days, major liturgies, weekly rehearsals, weddings, funerals, and other parish celebrations. The position may be structured according to the candidate’s experience, qualifications, and desired level of involvement in the music ministry. For a candidate interested in a broader role, additional hours and compensation may be available, including the possibility of conducting one of the parish’s children’s choirs, if qualified. Candidates whose primary interest is serving as weekend organist are also encouraged to apply, with hours and compensation adjusted accordingly. Depending on the final scope of responsibilities, the position may range up to approximately 30–35 hours per week.

Salary is $45,000–$66,000, commensurate with experience and final scope of responsibilities, with an hourly option available. Additional compensation opportunities are offered for weddings and funerals. Benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance with 50% employer-paid premiums, a 403(b)-retirement plan with employer match, paid vacation including five weekends off annually, and $2,000 annually for continuing education, professional development, conferences, memberships, and workshops.



Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter, résumé or curriculum vitae, and three professional references to Worth Lewallen, Director of Music, at worth@stjosephcolumbia.org.

Church Name: Ann Street United Methodist Church

Church Address: 417 Ann St. Beaufort, NC 28516

Church Phone: 252-728-4279

Contact for Employment: Faith Garner

Contact Email: choir@annstreetumc.org

Contact's Phone Number: 252-725-5664

Title of Open Position: Church Organist/Pianist

Full or Part Time: Part Time

Hours Per Week (including prep time): 10-20

Salary: 18,000-22,000+

Sick Days Per Year: Flexible

Number of Rehearsals Per Week: 1

Extra Services Per Year: 4-6

Additional Compensation for Weddings: Yes

Organ Builder: Schantz

Year Built: 1963; refurbished 2026

Number of Manuals: 2

BLUFFTON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

is seeking a part-time Organist/Accompanist for Sunday worship services (48 of 52 Sundays each year) and all music ministry rehearsals and/or additional services during Lent and Holy Week. Qualifications: Professional level of musical talent from training and experience, Bachelor degree in Music is desirable. For more information, send resume and letter of interest to: Bluffton United Methodist Church, Attn: SPPRC Chair, P. O. Box 368, Bluffton, SC 29910-0368 or email to: sprc@blufftonumc.org.

Covenant Presbyterian Church

3131 Walton Way, Augusta, GA 30909

706-733-0513

covenantaugusta.org

Contact for Employment:

Brock Daniels, Search Committee Chair

kcdjbd@gmail.com

706-825-0961

Title of Open Position: Director of Music & Organist

Full or Part Time: Part Time

Hours Per Week (including prep time): 20

Salary: 29,000-31,500

Continuing Education Days Per Year: 1 week

Sick Days Per Year: 1 per month (12 days accumulated)

Additional Benefits: 1. Two weeks vacation; 2. Use of facilities & instruments to teach private lessons; 3. Preschool Tuition Discount - staff employed at least 20 hrs/wk are eligible tor receive 50% tuition reduction of 1st child & 25% reduction for 2nd child.

Number of Rehearsals Per Week: 2

Extra Services Per Year: 6 - Ash Wed., Maundy Thursday, Easter Sunrise, Longest Night, 2 Christmas Eve services

Additional Compensation for Weddings: Yes

Organ Builder: Zimmer & Sons

Year Built: 1989, Opus 418 (8 memory levels)

Number of Manuals: 2

Number of Ranks: 31

Church of the Holy Cross, Sullivan’s Island, is prayerfully seeking a temporary and/or permanent Pianist/Organist.



This person will rehearse with our praise band and choir on Wednesday evenings and play on Sundays, a prelude, hymns, offertory, and postlude for two services. 

We have two different organs, one in our Historic Chapel (Baldwin) and one in our Main Sanctuary (Johannus). The salary is based on experience both with organ and piano so the range would be $18-22K but negotiable for the permanent position.

Please contact Eddie Schorder if you would like to apply, or have any questions.

Eddie Schroder

Operations Associate

843-883-3586 dial 3 (office)

760.889.7742 (mobile)

eddie@holycross.net

holycross.net

Organist/Pianist Wanted

St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, a member of the ELCA, located on the Isle of Palms, South Carolina.

Our organ is a Rodgers, and we have a Clavinova as well.

Salary of $325 weekly includes

    •    10 a.m. Sunday Service

    •    One practice session per week

    •    Meet quarterly with Worship committee

Additional compensation for Weddings, Funerals, and Holiday Services.

We would be delighted to discuss further opportunities as we restructure and expand our church.

Contact Pastor Denise Seymour 864-431-8117

10/7 Miranda Reed

10/18 Laura Ball

10/22 Edward Moore

10/23 Katie Holland

10/25 Julia Harlow

10/25 Mylene Suzara

More music has come into the Exchange over the summer, so if you are interested in checking it out, please contact Julia!

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