HIGHLIGHTS FROM CHAPTER PROGRAMS
BACH AND BEYOND AT THE ABBEY
ORGAN CONCERT
Friday, July 31, 2020 at 7:30 PM on our “YouTube Livestream Channel”
CONCERT PROGRAM: https://bit.ly/2020MarmionAbbeyProgram
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 CONCERT
David Jonies, concert organist
Friday, August 21, 2020 at 7:30 PM on our “YouTube Livestream Channel”
CONCERT PROGRAM: https://bit.ly/DavidJonies08212020
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
393 N Main Street
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
Click “HERE” to see additional information about the organ at St. Mark’s.
YES, YOU REALLY CAN IMPROVISE
Workshop and Masterclass on Liturgical Improvisation
Saturday, September 19, 2020 at 10:00 AM
On September 19th at 10:00 AM, we will be hosting Vincent Carr from Indiana University via Zoom for a masterclass and presentation in organ improvisation. Organists often have to extemporize transitions, preludes, postludes and hymn introductions. Professor Carr will present improvisational techniques for organists of all skill levels.
DID YOU MISS THIS PROGRAM? NO NEED TO WORRY, WE HAVE THE HANDOUT AND THE VIDEO FROM THIS EVENT:
Handout: http://bit.ly/ImprovisationHandout091920
Video: http://bit.ly/ImprovisationVideo091920
More information on Vincent Carr can be found on his website:
https://www.vincecarr.com/bio-professional-materials
A VIRTUAL WORKSHOP TO IMPROVE YOUR ORGAN MASTERY
Workshop and Masterclass
Saturday, October 17, 2020 at 10:00 AM
DID YOU MISS THIS PROGRAM? NO NEED TO WORRY, WE HAVE THE HANDOUT AND THE VIDEO FROM THIS EVENT:
Video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OTEGSANXohIKgkqkI0qPW2vNbEXX7Cz2/view?usp=sharing
COVID-defined times may provide opportunities to work on our skills. This workshop will discuss effective rehearsal techniques and accessible repertoire by major composers easy to prepare for use in worship services or recitals. The workshop will conclude with a question-and-answer session.
While we had planned to have an in-person program and recital featuring Dr. Jan Kraybill, COVID has necessitated a change. Nonetheless, we are delighted to welcome Dr. Kraybill to the Fox Valley AGO community with this virtual program, and look forward to next year when we can hopefully welcome her in person for a masterclass and recital. She is a brilliant, Grammy-nominated organist. Please join us on Saturday, October 17 for this virtual program with one of the outstanding recitalists of our time.
Read about Dr. Kraybill here: http://bit.ly/Kraybill_bio
***** POSTPONED *****
ORGAN RE-DEDICATION RECITAL – Saturday, January 30, 2021 at 7:30 PM
MASTERCLASS – Sunday, January 31, 2021 at 3:00 PM
Emmanuel Episcopal Church, LaGrange will unveil its fully renovated Casavant 3062 pipe organ with a re-dedication recital by Clive Driskill-Smith on Saturday, January 30 @ 7:30pm followed by an AGO masterclass on Sunday, January 31 at 3pm.
Both webcasted events are FREE and available directly from the parish website: http://www.emmanuel-lagrange.org.
The recital will feature works of Bach, Widor, Willan, Mulet and Dupre among others. Driskill-Smith’s masterclass on “Preparing New Organ Works” will share techniques in preparing for Sunday as well as your next recital. Related topics include; enjoying your practice time, how musical structure may inform your decisions, interpretation, experimentation, use of a metronome and playing from memory. Have you ever wondered “is it okay to cheat” (e.g. miss out a note; or use pedal for manual only works)? Have you ever asked, “how do I even approach this big work and how long should it take to master?” Driskill-Smith will offer many insights! Enjoy this recital and masterclass from the comfort of your living room. Should you have any questions, Emmanuel’s organist, George Tarasuk will be taking text messages from our members. A full press release, recital program and information on Clive Driskill-Smith can all be found on the parish website.
Click “HERE” for more information about the performance on Saturday.
Presenters – Ryan Thilgen and Dave Cesario
FOCUS ON FITNESS
A VIRTUAL FITNESS PROGRAM – Sunday, February 7, 2021 at 3:00 PM
Playing the organ requires a level of muscular strength, agility, and balance not needed to play many other instruments. In addition to finger strength and dexterity, larger muscles need systematic strengthening to
achieve optimum musical performance. Organists should also include a program of nutrition and wellness.
Ryan Thilgen, owner and CEO of Thrive Fitness Club in St. Charles, and Dave Cesario, a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist at Thrive, will present a 35-minute program that will include a fitness regimen designed especially for organists, followed by a webinar discussion for 20 minutes, whereby viewers can type questions which
will then be answered virtually by Ryan and Dave. Only the presenters will be viewed on screen during the program (i.e. no web cams for participants). Before the Super Bowl, get your own physical conditioning in shape!
PRESENTERS:
Ryan Thilgen is a graduate of NIU in Exercise Science, a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, and an
ACE Certified Trainer.
Dave Cesario, M.S. CSCS; Master’s of Exercise and Sport Sciences from Ithaca College, New York. NCSA; Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist; Coach at Thrive Fitness Club.
How to Connect to the Zoom Fitness Webinar
Log on to http://bit.ly/FVAGOFebruaryFitness
MEETING ID: 978-8879-0380
PASSCODE: not needed
PHONE: 1-312-626-6799
For those that are able to access the internet link, you can
dial in to the meeting at the above number.
Some of the composers featured on the program (L-R): Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel, Clara Schumann, Florence Price, Dame Ethyl Smyth, June Nixon, and Jeanne Desessieux.
A CELEBRATION OF MUSIC COMPOSED BY WOMEN ORGANISTS
Sunday, March 7, 2021 at 3:00 PM on our “YouTube Livestream Channel”
The chapter’s March meeting will be a virtual event on Sunday, March 7th at 3:00 P.M. In celebration of “Women’s History Month” the program will highlight contributions by women organ composers. It will be a wonderful opportunity to hear selections dating from the late eighteenth century to those written very recently. Music by twelve composers will be featured including Fanny Mendelssohn, Clara Schumann, Florence Price, Jeanne Demessieux, June Nixon, and Marianne Kim. The program will include commentaries on each of the composers providing insights into their lives and music.
Individuals involved with the presentation of the program include host and facilitator Karl Bruhn, Director of Music at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Lombard, narrator Martha Lambert, videographer Theresa Goba, and the following performers: Barbara Masters, Carol Olmstead, Meg Cutting, Betsy Waldon, Marianne Kim, and Naomi Rowley, who also wrote the commentaries.
Two additional items will complement this virtual event: a program showing the order of the works being performed and a bibliography that provides information for obtaining published editions of the music played during the program. Both the program and bibliography will be available for viewing, downloading, or printing from the chapter’s website: foxvalleyago.org.
Mark your calendar and join us for this celebration!
DOWNLOAD THE PROGRAM AND BIBLIOGRAPHY: http://bit.ly/FVAGOProgramMarch072021
TONE ON TONE CONCERT
Sunday, April 18, 2021 at 3:00 PM on our “YouTube Livestream Channel”
Marsha Foxgrover and Timothy Botts have presented “Tone on Tone” concerts in the Chicagoland area and Colorado. Audiences have been enthusiastic as they view the creation of original works of calligraphy inspired by the texts associated with the organ works. This program features the music of composers G.F. Handel, Leo Sowerby, Guy Bovet and Dan Locklair.
Marsha is a Fox Valley AGO Board member and a well-known recitalist who has presented concerts around the country, including the Mormon Tabernacle. Her CD, “Barber’s Adagio and a Concert of Organ Classics,” has received wide acclaim. She has taught at several area colleges and also served as Artist-in-Residence at Aurora University. In 1992, Marsha played the re-dedication recital of the 1953 Casavant organ of 32 ranks at the New England Church. Previous positions include organist at Wheaton Bible Church in West Chicago, IL.
Timothy R. Botts, a nationally recognized visual artist, designed more than 700 books during his tenure at Tyndale House Publishers in Carol Stream. His eight books of calligraphy include Doorposts, Messiah, Proverbs, and Portraits of the Word. A graduate of Carnegie-Mellon University, Tim has taught at Regent College and the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn. Tim mentors young people in the arts through Masterpiece Ministries. More information on Tim’s publications is available at www.timbottscalligraphy.com.
In her position at Hope Publishing, Jane Holstein has edited several well-received hymnals and collections of keyboard arrangements. In addition to performing organ concerts, Jane is Director of Music Ministries at First Presbyterian Church in River Forest.
The presenters and the Fox Valley AGO are grateful to the New England Congregational Church for their generous assistance in hosting this event. Special thanks to the church’s technical production team.
ANNUAL MEETING AND ORGAN PROGRAM BY VINCE CARR
Friday, May 21, 2021 from 6:15 – 8:30 PM on our “YouTube Livestream Channel”
The Annual meeting will again take place over Zoom this year. The meeting will occur from 6:15 – 6:55 PM. Join other Chapter members to hear about all of the activities of the Chapter, learn the results of Chapter
elections, and have some connection with colleagues.
An e-mail with the details of the Zoom Meeting info will be sent to membership.
The meeting will be followed at 7:00 PM by an organ program by Dr. Vince Carr, played on the Schantz organ of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Newark, New Jersey.
Dr. Carr presented an improvisation workshop for our chapter last year, which can be view on our chapter website, where you also learn more about Dr. Carr. (https://foxvalleyago.org/chapter-events/#IMPROVE).
More information on Vincent Carr can be found on his website: https://www.vincecarr.com/bio-professional-materials
The Concert Program will be presented on our Chapter YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/FVAGOYouTubeLive.
DOWNLOAD THE PROGRAM: http://bit.ly/FVAGOProgramMay212021
ORGAN CONCERTO MARATHON
Sunday, June 13, 2021 at 3:00 PM on the First United Methodist Church “YouTube Livestream Channel”
First United Methodist Church, 100 W Cossitt Ave, La Grange, IL 60525
The Fox Valley Chapter is excited to present our season postlude with the Salt Creek Chamber Orchestra.
Organists Barbara Masters, Naomi Rowley, Betsy Waldon, and Kevin Wong will be playing organ concertos by Bach, Bédard, Haydn, and Vivaldi.
Our in-person audience seating is limited to 75 people. To reserve a spot on Signup Genius, use the following link: http://bit.ly/FVAGO_SaltCreek.
The event will be streamed live from the First United Methodist Church’s YouTube Channel – http://bit.ly/FUMClagrange
• Masks will be required at First United Methodist Church.
• Social distancing will be maintained.