A community of musicians who share their passion for the organ
A Message from The Dean of the Chapter
August 27, 2024
I trust that the summer has provided some rest and relaxation for everyone. We have an exciting season starting with a flourish right away in September. I look forward to seeing and chatting with everyone on Saturday, September 28 at 7 p.m. at Nassau Presbyterian Church for a very unique start to our season. Syracuse University organist Anne Laver will present a wide-ranging program exploring the organ's relationship with song and dance. Anne and choreographer Meagan Woods have teamed up to present Natalie Draper's Pattern Dances for Meantone Organ, featuring dancers Miriam Gabriel and Shawn Brush.
Other uncommon offerings will be in November, with chapter member Kevin O'Malia giving a workshop on Playing in the Jewish Tradition, which will include attendance at a shabbat service, and in February, with a hybrid online and in-person workshop on the Hauptwerk organ system.
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
September 28, 2024
Song and Dance -- Anne Laver, organist, and Meagan Woods, choreographer
7pm
-
9pm
Nassau Presbyterian Church, 61 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ 08542
Event Details
September 28, 2024
Song and Dance -- Anne Laver, organist, and Meagan Woods, choreographer
Join Syracuse University organist Anne Laver in a wide-ranging program exploring the organ's relationship with song and dance. The program w...
7pm
-
9pm
Nassau Presbyterian Church, 61 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ 08542
November 22, 2024
Organ in the Jewish Tradition
5:30pm
-
9pm
Temple B'nai Shalom, 15 Fern Road, East Brunswick, NJ 08816
Event Details
November 22, 2024
Organ in the Jewish Tradition
5:30 to 6:45 p.m., Workshop with temple organist Kevin O'Malia
6:45 p.m., dinner ordered from a local deli
8:00 p.m., attend shabbat service
5:30pm
-
9pm
Temple B'nai Shalom, 15 Fern Road, East Brunswick, NJ 08816
December/January
Holiday Performance and dinner
??pm
-
??pm
Place: to be determined
Event Details
December/January
Holiday Performance and dinner
Christmas or Epiphany Lessons and Carols with dinner.
Date and time: To be determined.
??pm
-
??pm
Place: to be determined
February 10, 2025
Hauptwerk organ workshop
??pm
-
??pm
Place: to be determined
Event Details
February 10, 2025
Hauptwerk organ workshop
Details forthcoming.
Place and time: to be determined.
??pm
-
??pm
Place: to be determined
May 18, 2025
Members' Recital
4pm
-
6pm
Princeton Seminary Chapel, Princeton, NJ
Event Details
May 18, 2025
Members' Recital
Annual member's recital.
4pm
-
6pm
Princeton Seminary Chapel, Princeton, NJ
More Events
Upcoming Local Events
September 19, 2024
After Noon Concert, Princeton University Chapel
12:30pm
-
1pm
Princeton University Chapel, Princeton, NJ
Event Details
September 19, 2024
After Noon Concert, Princeton University Chapel
Adam Cobb, organist
(Christ Church on Capitol Square, Raleigh, NC)
12:30pm
-
1pm
Princeton University Chapel, Princeton, NJ
September 20, 2024
Let's Dance! Organ Music for Hearts and Feet and Voices
7pm
-
8:30pm
Princeton Theological Seminary Chapel, 64 Mercer Street, Pinrceton, NJ 08542
Event Details
September 20, 2024
Let's Dance! Organ Music for Hearts and Feet and Voices
The Joe R. Engle Organ Concert will feature a wide range of repertoire linked to dance, from the sarabande and jig to the tango and cancan. ...
7pm
-
8:30pm
Princeton Theological Seminary Chapel, 64 Mercer Street, Pinrceton, NJ 08542
September 26, 2024
After Noon Concert, Princeton University Chapel
12:30pm
-
1pm
Princeton University Chapel, Princeton, NJ
Event Details
September 26, 2024
After Noon Concert, Princeton University Chapel
Isza Wu, organist
(Student, Curtis Institute of Music, Philadelphia, PA)
12:30pm
-
1pm
Princeton University Chapel, Princeton, NJ
September 26, 2024
Choral Evensong
7pm
-
9pm
All Saints Church, 16 All Saints Road, Princeton, NJ
Event Details
September 26, 2024
Choral Evensong
Parish Choir of All Saints Church, with members of Aura Polyphonica, New Jersey's Renaissance Collegium.
Music by Sarah Macdonald, Charles Wo...
7pm
-
9pm
All Saints Church, 16 All Saints Road, Princeton, NJ
October 3, 2024
After Noon Concert, Princeton University Chapel
12:30pm
-
1pm
Princeton University Chapel, Princeton, NJ
Event Details
October 3, 2024
After Noon Concert, Princeton University Chapel
Thomas Gaynor, organist
(St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Philadelphia, PA)
Live broadcast on WWFM planned.
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
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
http://www.oceangrove.org/music-and-entertainment/
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