A community of musicians who share their passion for the organ
A Message from The Dean of the Chapter
August 25, 2025
Somehow, summer always seems to vanish in the blink of an eye. And here we are gliding through August and looking ahead to another season brimming with music, camaraderie, and inspiration.
Our chapter's new season will open on Friday, October 3 at 7:00 p.m. with a special evening of Chamber Music for Organ, Harpsichord, and Strings in the Gambrell Room of Scheide Hall at Princeton Theological Seminary. This program will honor the legacy of the late Joan Lippincott, whose generosity, along with her husband, Curtis, gifted the Seminary the Paul Fritts Opus 21 organ. The celebration of Joan's life will continue the following day, Saturday, October 4 at 11:00 a.m., with a memorial service in the Princeton University Chapel. I encourage you to mark this weekend as an important and meaningful one for our chapter.
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
Oct 3, 2025
Chamber Music Concert: Organ, Harpsichord, and Strings
7pm
-
9pm
Gambrell Room of Scheide Hall, Princeton Theological Seminary
Event Details
Oct 3, 2025
Chamber Music Concert: Organ, Harpsichord, and Strings
Gambrell Room of Scheide Hall, Princeton Theological Seminary
Kerry Heiman and Mina Choi, harpsichord and organ, with string quartet
7pm
-
9pm
Gambrell Room of Scheide Hall, Princeton Theological Seminary
Nov 9, 2025
Presentation by Nancy Graham on Researching the Erik Routley Archives
4pm
-
6pm
Talbott Library, on the campus of Rider University
Event Details
Nov 9, 2025
Presentation by Nancy Graham on Researching the Erik Routley Archives
Nancy Graham is the author of The Unfractured Faith of Erik Routley: From Brighton to Princeton (2024)
4pm
-
6pm
Talbott Library, on the campus of Rider University
Dec 10, 2025
Dinner and Carols Concert
7pm
-
10pm
Dinner at Nassau Diner (Princeton, 7 p.m.) Concert at Princeton Seminary Chapel (8:30 p.m.)
Event Details
Dec 10, 2025
Dinner and Carols Concert
Dinner at Princeton's Nassau Diner (7 p.m.), followed by Carols of Many Nations at the Princeton Seminary Chapel (8:30 p.m.).
Come for dinner...
7pm
-
10pm
Dinner at Nassau Diner (Princeton, 7 p.m.) Concert at Princeton Seminary Chapel (8:30 p.m.)
Mar 1, 2026
Members' Recital: Organ Plus One
4pm
-
6pm
First Presbyterian Church of Dutch Neck (Princeton Junction)
Event Details
Mar 1, 2026
Members' Recital: Organ Plus One
Performers to invite a young artist (high school or younger) to collaborate on an instrumental or vocal solo with organ accompaniment.
4pm
-
6pm
First Presbyterian Church of Dutch Neck (Princeton Junction)
June 7, 2026
Picnic and Annual Meeting
1pm
-
4pm
Cleveland Tower lawn (Graduate College, Princeton University)
Event Details
June 7, 2026
Picnic and Annual Meeting
Carillon Concert, performed by Lisa Lonie (Princeton University Carillonneur), will begin at 1 p.m. As we listen to the concert, we will enj...
1pm
-
4pm
Cleveland Tower lawn (Graduate College, Princeton University)
More Events
Upcoming Local Events
Sep 4, 2025
After Noon Concert
12:30pm
-
1pm
Princeton University Chapel
Event Details
Sep 4, 2025
After Noon Concert
Eric Plutz, organist
Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Concerts are free and open to the public.
12:30pm
-
1pm
Princeton University Chapel
Sep 11, 2025
After Noon Concert
12:30pm
-
1pm
Princeton University Chapel
Event Details
Sep 11, 2025
After Noon Concert
Ariana Corbin, organist
Washington National Cathedral, Washington, DC
Concerts are free and open to the public.
12:30pm
-
1pm
Princeton University Chapel
Sep 18, 2025
After Noon Concert
12:30pm
-
1pm
Princeton University Chapel
Event Details
Sep 18, 2025
After Noon Concert
Jessie Zixi Deng, organist
Student, Curtis Institute of Music, Philadelphia, PA
Concerts are free and open to the public.
12:30pm
-
1pm
Princeton University Chapel
Sep 19, 2025
The Joe R. Engle Organ Concert: Elements: the music of creation
7pm
-
10pm
Princeton Seminary Chapel
Event Details
Sep 19, 2025
The Joe R. Engle Organ Concert: Elements: the music of creation
The Joe R. Engle Organ Concert will feature a wide range of repertoire linked to the four elements, evoking the sounds of earth, water, wind...
7pm
-
10pm
Princeton Seminary Chapel
Sep 25, 2025
After Noon Concert
12:30pm
-
1pm
Princeton University Chapel
Event Details
Sep 25, 2025
After Noon Concert
Victoria Shorokhova, organist
First United Methodist Church, Montgomery, AL
Live broadcast on WWFM planned.
Concerts are free and open to the p...
12:30pm
-
1pm
Princeton University Chapel
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
Christopher C. Rios-Sueverkruebbe, 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