FOX VALLEY CHAPTER 2023-2024 PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
UPDATED: January 8, 2024
Click on this link to download a complete list of our 2023-2024 Chapter Program Highlights as a PDF
Click on this link to view our 2022-2023 Past Events (this page is forthcoming.)
Click on this link to view our 2021-2022 Past Events
Click on this link to view our 2020-2021 Past Events
Click on this link to view our 2019-2020 Past Events
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT OUR 2023-2024 PROGRAMS IS FORTHCOMING.
PLEASE CLICK THE LINK ABOVE TO DOWNLOAD A PDF OF ALL OF OUR 2023-2024 PROGRAMS.
NATHAN LAUBE, CONCERT ORGANIST
Sunday, September 10, 2023 at 3:00 PM
Marmion Abbey, 850 Butterfield Road, Aurora, IL 60502
A Celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Martin Ott Pipe Organ
Co-sponsored by the Fox Valley Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, the Southwest Suburban Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, and Ericksen, Christian, & Associates.
Marmion Abbey presents concert organist Nathan Laube on Sunday, September 10, 2023, at 3:00 p.m.
This concert is in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the installation of the Martin Ott pipe organ Op. 89. The program is free, and a reception will follow with an opportunity to meet the artist.
DOWNLOAD THE POSTER: “CLICK HERE”
CONCERT PROGRAM: “CLICK HERE”
Marmion Abbey
393 N Main Street
850 Butterfield Road
Aurora, IL 60502
https://www.marmion.org/s/1356/abbey/index.aspx?sid=1356&gid=1&pgid=391
ORGAN CRAWL – OAK PARK & RIVER FOREST
Saturday, October 14, 2023 beginning at 9:00 AM (click “HERE“ to add this event to your calendar)
On Saturday Morning, October 14, 2023, the Fox Valley AGO Chapter will be visiting three organs on this year’s “organ crawl.” These three churches all have significant four-manual pipe organs.
The locations are in Oak Park: Grace Episcopal Church (924 Lake Street), and First United Church (848 Lake Street); and First Presbyterian Church in River Forest (7551 Quick Avenue).
At 9:00 AM we will start at Grace Episcopal (and park in their parking lot).
We will then walk to our second stop, First United Church, just one block away. (You will not be able to park in the lot behind the church due to Food Pantry activity that day).
Then drive to our third stop, First Presbyterian in River Forest.
For those who have some time for fellowship, we will then go out for lunch and share food and stories.
If you have any questions you can contact our Program Chair Karl Bruhn at karl.bruhn.ago@gmail.com
VETERANS DAY PROGRAM
Sunday, November 5, 2023 at 4:00 PM (click “HERE“ to add this event to your calendar)
St. Michael Catholic Church, 310 S Wheaton Ave., Wheaton, IL 60187
On Sunday afternoon November 5th at 4:00 PM our Fox Valley AGO Chapter will be presenting a program in “Tribute to Our American Veterans”. The program will feature Patriotic music, with additional selections by American Composers. Come and join us when a number of our members will be playing many familiar melodies/ arrangements, and we will be singing several patriotic hymns. All will be played on St. Michael’s majestic Rodgers 4M pipe and digital organ (with over 100 combined ranks) in an amazing space.
Before the first note is played a Cub Scout troop will be “Presenting the Colors.” Be sure to invite any veterans that you may know—neighbors and / or church members. This program is to honor our country, and their service in keeping us free. There will be a freewill offering that will go to one of the local Veterans’ organizations.
Veterans Day is commemorated on Saturday, November 11, 2023. If you have any questions you can contact our Program Chair Karl Bruhn at karl.bruhn.ago@gmail.com
LEN BERGHAUS ORGAN TRIBUTE CONCERT
Friday, January 26, 2023 at 7:00 PM (click “HERE“ to add this event to your calendar)
St. Raphael Catholic Church, 1215 Modaff Rd., Naperville, IL 60540
Please join us at this upcoming Organ Concert featuring Jonathan Rudy on Friday, January 26, 2024 at St. Raphael Catholic Church located at 1215 Modaff Road in Naperville, IL 60540.
We will also be celebrating a tribute to “Leonard G. Berghaus” of the Berghaus Pipe Organ from Bellwood, Illinois that built the 60-rank pipe organ at St. Raphael. The instrument will be celebrating its 25th year of service. A Gala Reception will follow the concert celebrating the instrument and the 60th Diamond Anniversary of St. Raphael.
PEDALS, PIPES, AND PIZZA EVENT
Monday, February 19, 2024 from 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM (click “HERE“ to add this event to your calendar)
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 4501 Main St., Downers Grove, IL 60515
JOIN THE FOX VALLEY AGO FOR A SPECIAL EVENT IN DOWNERS GROVE
The Pedals, Pipes, & Pizza event will be held at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 4501 Main Street in Downers Grove, Illinois on Saturday, February 19, 2024 from 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM.
The Fox Valley Chapter of the American Guild of Organists is presenting a program to introduce young people to the organ, called Pedals, Pipes, & Pizza. We will explain and demonstrate the pipe organ. The students will see the inside of an organ, and get to play a piano piece on it. The principal purpose of the day is to help students learn about the pipe organ and how it functions. We are not primarily interested in recruiting students for immediate organ study. If there happen to be students who would like to start organ study, and who are advanced enough in their piano study to start lessons on the organ, we would strongly recommend that they continue piano study while studying the organ.
PLEASE NOTE: All students under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the entire event. The parent or legal guardian must also agree to allow permission of photographs to be taken during the event. A “poster” is available for this event.
CONTACT FOR THIS EVENT: Please contact Barbara Masters if you have any questions. She can be contacted at masterspackhem@yahoo.com or at 630-834-8190.
Kindly complete the registration form by February 15, 2024 by doing the following: Register on-line by clicking on this link: http://bit.ly/2024-FVAGOPPP
ORGAN CONCERT
Sunday, March 17, 2024 at 3:00 PM
Trinity Episcopal Church, 218 E Benton St., Aurora, IL 60505
Please join us at this upcoming Organ Concert featuring Owen Tellinghuisen on Sunday, March 17, 2024 at 3:00 PM at Trinity Episcopal Church located at 218 E. Benton St., in Aurora, IL 60505.
Winner of the 2023 AGO/Quimby Great Lakes Regional Competition for Young Organists, Owen Tellinghuisen is a 21-year-old pianist, organist, composer, and improviser. His program will feature the spectacular Suite by
Maurice Duruflé. This program is free and open to all, with reception to follow.
HYMN FESTIVAL
Sunday, April 14, 2024 at 4:00 PM
New England Congregational Church, 406 W Galena Blvd., Aurora, IL 60506
Please join us at this upcoming Hymn Festival on Sunday, April 14, 2024 at 4:00 PM at New England Congregational Church located at 406 W. Galena Blvd., in Aurora, IL 60506.
Area organists including: Adam Gruber, Barbara Masters, Nicholas Hansen, Andrew Maya, Jeff Neufeld, Karl Bruhn, Marianne Kim , Daniel Schroeder
The Paul Semanic Brass Quintet
Each of eight variety of hymns will be sung by the congregation accompanied by the Brass quintet and organ. Each organist accompanying a hymn will play an introductory prelude based on that hymn. Prelude and Postlude will be played by the Brass Quintet. Narration will be provided by Dr. Jane Holstein.
There is a large parking lot adjacent to the west side of the church. Additional close parking is on streets, next to the strip mall on Galena and Chestnut, at Healy Funeral Chapel and Our Savior Lutheran Church on Downers Place.
ANNUAL DINNER, BUSINESS MEETING, AND CONCERT (PRE-EVENT ORGAN MUSIC SHARING)
Friday, May 17, 2024 beginning at 5:00 PM
St. Matthew United Church of Christ, 1420 S. Gables Blvd., Wheaton, IL 60189
Make your reservation and mark your calendar for an evening of good food and drink, amazing music, networking, meeting new people and reconnecting with your local FVAGO friends. This year’s work of your chapter will be reviewed in the meeting and we plan for our future together. We want you to have a seat at the table!
SCHEDULE OF EVENT FOR THE AFTERNOON / EVENING:
4:30 PM / Free music sharing tables open.
5:00 PM / Conversation and Gathering with wine and non-alcoholic beverages, cheese, fruits and crackers.
5:30 PM / Buffet Dinner catered by Caputo’s La Bella Romano
Lemon Chicken, Beef Burgundy with mushrooms
Mashed potatoes, Penne Pasta
Green Beans Almondine
Assorted Mini-pastries
Cold beverages, tea and coffee
6:30 PM / Annual Business Meeting
7:30 PM / Organ Concert with Dan Miller performing on Rodgers Artist 599 digital instrument.
Reception to follow the concert.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – PLEASE CONSIDER HELPING OUT: Sign-Up Genius Link.
DINNER RESERVATIONS: PLEASE USE PAYPAL TO MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS. NO REFUNDS AFTER TUESDAY, MAY 6, 2024.
UPCOMING EVENT
Friday, July 26, 2024 / 7:30 p.m.
The 25th Anniversary of Bach and Beyond at Marmion Abbey
Marmion Abbey, 850 Butterfield Road, Aurora, IL 60502