A community of musicians who share their passion for the organ
A Message from The Dean of the Chapter
May 8, 2025
What a concert! On May 4th, twelve of our chapter members showcased their talents in the annual Members’ Recital, held in the stunning chapel of Princeton Theological Seminary. We had the pleasure of hearing the magnificent Paul Fritts & Co. Opus 20 (2000) mechanical action organ in full voice—and even, at one point, in a more historical voice! For one memorable piece, Seminary Music Director Martin Tel gave the electric blowers a rest and pumped the organ himself. It was a rare and captivating moment that brought us closer to the roots of our craft.
Looking ahead, mark your calendars for our next gathering: the chapter’s annual meeting and picnic, happening Sunday, June 1, from 4 to 7 PM, at the home of Colton Martin. It’s a great time to relax, reconnect, and enjoy each other’s company in a more casual setting—I hope to see many of you there.
Also, if you have the May issue of The American Organist nearby, flip to page 44. There you’ll find an article titled “Pipes Virtually Speaking,” written by a friend of mine—at my nudging, no less! It all started when I visited him in Connecticut for a Super Bowl party (yes, organists do watch football). He told me about sampling an organ in New Haven for Hauptwerk, which was eventually sold to a church in Pennsylvania. Here’s the kicker: the very next day, at our own Hauptwerk Zoom workshop, one of the presenters described using a sampled organ—from a church in New Haven, now in a Pennsylvania church. Same organ! Sometimes the world of pipes, pistons, and pixels is smaller than we think.
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 Local Events
May 13, 2025
Wind and Spirit: Music for Organ, Flute, and Voice
7:00pm
-
8:30pm
Princeton Theological Seminary, 64 Mercer Street, Princeton, NJ
Event Details
May 13, 2025
Wind and Spirit: Music for Organ, Flute, and Voice
The Joe R. Engle Concert will take place in both the Gambrell Room (second floor of Scheide Hall) and the Seminary Chapel. The concert featu...
7:00pm
-
8:30pm
Princeton Theological Seminary, 64 Mercer Street, Princeton, NJ
May 23, 2025
Reunions Organ Concert
3pm
-
4pm
Princeton University Chapel, Princeton, NJ
Event Details
May 23, 2025
Reunions Organ Concert
As part of the many, varied offerings during Reunions at Princeton University, Eric Plutz will offer a less-formal, yet enjoyable and entert...
3pm
-
4pm
Princeton University Chapel, Princeton, NJ
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