A community of musicians who share their passion for the organ
A Message from The Dean of the Chapter
February 26, 2025
Greetings Central New Jersey AGO,
We recently joined with the Middlesex Chapter to present a workshop on the Hauptwerk Virtual Pipe Organ. The workshop was held on Zoom, where three Hauptwerk Organ owners talked about and showed their Virtual Pipe Organ installations in their homes. Several members attended online, and one member attended in the home of one of the presenters. It was fascinating and enjoyable to learn about this amazing system. I'm looking forward to our next event, the Members' Recital on May 4th. Please sign up to perform using the link below. I hope to see you there! And please bring your friends and colleagues to the performance on the Paul Fritts Organ at the beautiful Princeton Seminary Chapel.
Follow the link to sign up to play at the members' recital:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050E4CA5A92FA4F85-54345744-members
We live in an area rich in organ tradition, and full of active, talented organists. Reach out to those you know who may not be members of our chapter and invite them to attend an event.
If you are not yet a member of our Chapter and would like to join us, we would love to have you. Please see Membership information below or join us at www.agohq.org
Sincerely,
Steven Russell, Dean
Upcoming Chapter Events
May 4, 2025
Members' Recital
4pm
-
6pm
Princeton Seminary Chapel, Princeton, NJ
Event Details
May 4, 2025
Members' Recital
Annual members' recital.
Follow the link to sign up:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050E4CA5A92FA4F85-54345744-members
Information is at the ...
4pm
-
6pm
Princeton Seminary Chapel, Princeton, NJ
June 1, 2025
End-of-year Picnic and Annual Meeting
4pm
-
7pm
Home of Colton Martin
Event Details
June 1, 2025
End-of-year Picnic and Annual Meeting
Annual meeting of the chapter and end-of-year picnic. Details forthcoming.
Home of Colton Martin.
4pm
-
7pm
Home of Colton Martin
Upcoming Local Events
March 27, 2025
After Noon Concert, Princeton University Chapel
12:30pm
-
1pm
Princeton University Chapel, Princeton, NJ
Event Details
March 27, 2025
After Noon Concert, Princeton University Chapel
James D. Hicks, organist
(Clifton, NJ)
12:30pm
-
1pm
Princeton University Chapel, Princeton, NJ
April 3, 2025
After Noon Concert, Princeton University Chapel
12:30pm
-
1pm
Princeton University Chapel, Princeton, NJ
Event Details
April 3, 2025
After Noon Concert, Princeton University Chapel
Mina Choi, organist
(Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ)
12:30pm
-
1pm
Princeton University Chapel, Princeton, NJ
April 4, 2025
Organ Concert: Dr. Jan Kraybill
7:30pm
-
9:30pm
Princeton University Chapel, Princeton, NJ
Event Details
April 4, 2025
Organ Concert: Dr. Jan Kraybill
Dr. Jan Kraybill is a Grammy-nominated organist, based in Kansas City, MO. She plays and oversees three major instruments in that area: one ...
7:30pm
-
9:30pm
Princeton University Chapel, Princeton, NJ
April 5, 2025
Choral Evening Service
5pm
-
7pm
Nassau Presbyterian Church, 61 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ
Event Details
April 5, 2025
Choral Evening Service
The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass, by Carol Barnett
Adult choir and soloists with The Brooklyn Bluegrass Collective
5pm
-
7pm
Nassau Presbyterian Church, 61 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ
April 10, 2025
After Noon Concert, Princeton University Chapel
12:30pm
-
1pm
Princeton University Chapel, Princeton, NJ
Event Details
April 10, 2025
After Noon Concert, Princeton University Chapel
Margaret Harper, organist
(Trinity Episcopal Church, Princeton, NJ)
12:30pm
-
1pm
Princeton University Chapel, Princeton, NJ
More Events
About The Central NJ Chapter, American Guild of Organists
Our Mission
The mission of the American Guild of Organists (AGO), and its Central New Jersey Chapter, is to foster a thriving community of musicians who share their knowledge and inspire passion for the organ--"The King of Instruments." The vision of the American Guild of Organists is to engage, support, and uplift every organist, and every organ enthusiast.
Our History
Founded in 1896 as both an educational and service organization, the American Guild of Organists (AGO) seeks to set and maintain high musical standards and to promote understanding and appreciation of all aspects of organ and choral music. The Guild is the national professional association serving the organ and choral music fields. The Guild serves nearly 15,000 members in more than 300 local chapters throughout the United States and abroad.
On October 7, 1919, a meeting of organists from Trenton was held at the residence of Paul Ambrose, organist of the First Presbyterian Church of Trenton, for the purpose of forming the local chapter of the National Association of Organists (NAO). On November 20, 1919, the local chapter of the NAO was formed and adopted the name of the Central New Jersey Chapter of the NAO. The chapter name was changed in 1935 to the Central NJ Chapter of the AGO when the two organist associations merged.
Our Central NJ Officers
Steven Russell, Dean – Email
Martin Tel, Sub-Dean – Email
Mina Choi, Secretary – Email
Mina Choi, Public Relations – Email
Kathleen Connolly, Treasurer – Email
Eric Plutz, Professional Development – Email
Mina Choi, Chaplain – Email
Joyce Irwin, Newsletter Editor – Email
Colton Martin, Hospitality – Email
Bill Garrett, Webmaster – Email
Bill Garrett, Archivist – Email
Membership
If you are an organist new to the central New Jersey area and are interested in becoming a member of the chapter, please click on the following link to be redirected to the membership area of the National AGO website: AGO Membership Info
If you are not an organist, but would like to be affiliated only with our chapter, please join as a Chapter Friend. Chapter Friends support the local chapter, receive our chapter newsletters, and participate in chapter events. As a Chapter Friend, you do not have national voting privileges, membership benefits, or a TAO subscription. Please email Kathleen Connolly and she will be glad to forward you membership information.
Organ Substitutes and Job Placement for Central NJ
Below is a list of current members who are available as substitute organists.
Please contact them directly if you are in need of a substitute organist.
Should you need further assistance, please contact Eric Plutz, Professional Development Officer, louis.vierne.1870@gmail.com
These organists are available Monday through Sunday:
Thomas Borkowski, tebdiapason@gmail.com or (908) 451-4456
Steven Russell, steven@becoming-sound.com or (732) 939-1909
Edgar Newton, EdgarMNewton@gmail.com or (267) 261-8919
Lauren Park, LaurenHPark02@gmail.com or (610) 639-4067
These organists are available Monday through Saturday:
Michael Diorio, DMA Michael.Diorio@aya.yale.edu or (609) 947-5112
Employers and job seekers are invited to post and search listings of available positions on the Guild’s National Website.
Central NJ AGO Chapter Members with AGO Certification
Ronald Hemmel, FAGO
Dennis Dell, CAGO
Kathleen Connolly, CAGO
Joyce Irwin, CAGO
Noel Werner, CAGO
Mary Giordmaine, SPC
Alice Lee, SPC
Links to other Organ and Choral websites
Central New Jersey Chapter on Facebook
Central NJ AGO Youtube channel
Patrick Murphy & Associates – http://www.PJMorgans.com
Zarex Corporation – http://www.zarex.com
Longwood Gardens – http://www.longwoodgardens.org
Peragallo Organs – http://www.peragallo.com
Friends of the Wanamaker Organ – http://www.wanamakerorgan.com
Ocean Grove Summer Music schedule
https://www.oceangrove.org
Free internet downloads of complete organ works of J.S. Bach http://www.blockmrecords.org/bach
Eric Plutz website - http://www.ericplutz.com
Central Jersey Choral Society - http://www.cjchoralsociety.org