A community of musicians who share their passion for the organ
A Message from The Dean of the Chapter
May 14, 2026
Dear Members of the Central New Jersey Chapter of the American Guild of Organists,
Join us Sunday, June 7, 1 p.m., for a festive picnic beside Princeton University's Cleveland Tower to celebrate the chapter's accomplishments this year and to plan for the year to come! The day's events will include an outdoor lunch featuring a recital by carillonneurs Lisa Lonie and Anton Fleissner, and a tour of the carillon tower. Chapter members, please RSVP by 12 noon on June 5, 2026.
After the carillon concert there will be an opportunity for 13 CNJAGO chapter members to tour the carillon with Lisa Lonie and Anton Fleissner. A wait list will be started if that number is reached. Reservations will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis, though preference will be given to those who have not toured the carillon before. Please note that this tour involves climbing 150+ steps in an enclosed space. All those climbing the tower will be required to sign a waiver. Reservations can be made using the RSVP link provided above.
After the tower tour has concluded, all members will convene in the Main Court of the Graduate College (or in the Coffee House if the weather is inclement) for our annual meeting.
I look forward to working with you as we continue this season of outstanding music-making and enriching social connections.
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
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)
July 19, 2026
Eric Plutz Organ Concert
4pm
-
6pm
Princeton University Chapel
Event Details
July 19, 2026
Eric Plutz Organ Concert
Co-sponsored by Princeton University, The Hymn Society in the United States and Canada (annual meeting in Princeton in 2026), and the Centra...
4pm
-
6pm
Princeton University Chapel
Upcoming Local Events
May 22, 2026
Reunions Organ Concert
3pm
-
5pm
Princeton University Chapel
Event Details
May 22, 2026
Reunions Organ Concert
As part of the many varied offerings during Reunions at Princeton University, University Organist Eric Plutz will offer a less formal, yet e...
3pm
-
5pm
Princeton University Chapel
June 5, 2026
Zion Organ Recital: Dylan David Shaw
7pm
-
10pm
Zion Lutheran Church, 301 Jefferson Ave, Bristol, PA 19007
Event Details
June 5, 2026
Zion Organ Recital: Dylan David Shaw
7pm
-
10pm
Zion Lutheran Church, 301 Jefferson Ave, Bristol, PA 19007
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.
Chapter Newsletters
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
Dennis Dell, bearcub6@aol.com or (732) 586-9427
Lauren Park, LaurenHPark02@gmail.com or (610) 639-4067
Steven Russell, steven@becoming-sound.com or (732) 939-1909
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
Dennis Dell, CAGO
Kathleen Connolly, CAGO
Joyce Irwin, CAGO
Noel Werner, CAGO
Mary Giordmaine, 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