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.

- October 2023 -

Greetings, chapter members and friends!

It was wonderful to see everyone at St. Mark's Lutheran Church on September 24. Plus there was food sufficient to feed 5,000!

For those of you unable to attend, view a two-minute video of the news-filled PowerPoint. You can imagine the narrative for each slide. Pause the video to study or capture any of the information, of course.

Floyd and Kathleen Czoski presented a fascinating travelogue/summary of their European adventures last summer. Thank you, Floyd and Kathleen!

Your chapter officers have been diligent in execution of their duties. With board members in Deer Park, Spokane, Spokane Valley, Post Falls, and Coeur d'Alene, it is easiest to meet via Zoom.

An important project they began considering during their October 7 meeting is the chapter's 80th Anniversary Season in 2025-2026. Find details later in this newsletter edition.

As you read through this Erzähler edition, words in "AGO Scarlet" and most images are links to external content. Click on the links for additional information!

I am looking forward to seeing everybody at the Hymn Festival on Sunday, October 22. Then return to Zion for Taylor's silent movie "The Magician" on Friday, October 27!

With best regards,

Sunday, October 22 - 3:00 p.m.

Zion Lutheran Church

Do not miss the Hymn Festival! Many new arrangements for trumpet trio, handbells, choir, and organ are featured on the program. Bits of interesting background on each hymn or its tune are interspersed throughout.

If you or any of your friends would like to sing in the choir, register HERE so we will be sure to have enough scores for everybody.

Download and print posters HERE. Post at church, school, work, or anywhere fellow music-lovers might see them!

Send an advertising image to your church office for the weekly service leaflet HERE.

Many thanks to Matthew Johnson at Ferris High School who is offering extra credit to his choral music students for participating in the festival choir!

Meine Freude

(My Joy)

Eastern Washington University Orchestra and Symphonic Choir

Dr. John Marshall and Dr. Kristina Ploeger-Hekmatpanah

Conductors

Monday, November 20 - 7:30 p.m.

Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes

1115 W. Riverside Ave., Spokane

The Eastern Washington University Orchestra and Symphonic Choir perform works by Bach, Vivaldi, and Corelli, with a premiere of a new arrangement of the motet BWV 227 Jesu, meine Freude.

A free-will offering is taken up to support the Cathedral Sacred Music Series.

Subscribe on the Sacred Music Series webpage to receive news about the sacred music events!

October 22 - 3:00 p.m.

An exciting program of glorious hymns and tunes. New arrangements for trumpet trio, handbells, choir, and organ. Works by: Ralph Vaughan Williams, Tom Trenney, Michael Burkhardt, Paul Manz, and more!

January 14 - 3:00 p.m.

Epiphany Party

February 25 - 3:00 p.m.

Video: The Great Organs of First Church

Location: St. Mark's Lutheran Church

A look at the astounding organ resources of First Congregational Church, Los Angeles. Presented on big screen with excellent audio. Popcorn will be served!

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

A sixty-minute program of Bach performed throughout the area by a team of four intrepid organists.

April 28 - 3:00 p.m.

Organ Academy Recital

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

June 23 - 1:00 p.m.

Potluck and Election of Officers

The official organization date of the Spokane Chapter is January 1, 1946. It is not too early to begin planning the festival 2025-2026 season!

There is much to be done in order to launch a memorable and successful season of amazing concerts and meaningful activities celebrating 80 years of positive impact in the Inland Empire. Ideas include:

• Performance(s) by nationally/internationally known young organist(s)
• Recitals by our chapter members
• Organ building seminar by a major builder who has or is about to contribute to the area organ scene
• Organ crawls through interesting instruments
• Events focused on young organists
• Proclamations from Governor and Mayor: "Spokane AGO Day"
• Letters of congratulation from elected governmental officials
• Massive media coverage

Along with all the activities, strategies for funding and sources need to be in place well in advance.

What ideas do you have? What would you like the 2025-2026 season to look like? Would you like to help with planning? We will need help from every chapter member to prepare and execute the plans!

Contact Henry Bauer, Program Chair, to give us your thoughts and volunteer to help.

Are you planning to attend the AGO 2024 National Convention? Visit the convention website. June 30-July 4, 2024 in San Francisco promises to be an inspiring and exciting time!

Member Directory

Download and view the latest chapter member directory at the links below:

• Mobile version
• Desktop/Print version

Digital availability of this document:

• allows for up-to-date contact information
• saves printing costs
• is friendly to the environment

Like and follow our new Facebook and LinkedIn pages!

News Items

Send news items and event announcements to be featured in Erzähler issues to Sub-Dean Taylor Giese. Items of sudden interest to the chapter membership may also be sent directly to Taylor.

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