A community of musicians who share their passion for the organ
A Message from The Dean of the Chapter
October 14, 2026
Dear Members and Friends of the Central New Jersey Chapter of the American Guild of Organists,
Join us on November 6 at Princeton Theological Seminary, where chapter member Joyce Irwin will present an illuminating discussion on 18th-century German hymnody. She will discuss differing positions of the time concerning the retention of old hymns and the creation of new ones, as well as the contentious debate that emerged on the appropriateness of new musical styles in worship. You are invited to learn more about how these debates between representatives of Lutheran Orthodoxy, Pietism, and the Enlightenment would enrich the hymnological tradition for centuries to come.
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,
Martin Tel, Dean
Upcoming Chapter Events
November 6, 2026
Academic Lecture
5pm
-
6pm
Princeton Theological Seminary, Gambrell Room
Event Details
November 6, 2026
Academic Lecture
Topic: Reasonable Worship and Spirit-rich Hymns: Themes in 18th-Century Hymnology
Lecturer: Joyce Irwin
Free and open to the public
5pm
-
6pm
Princeton Theological Seminary, Gambrell Room
December 13, 2026
Seasonal Concert (followed by dinner)
2pm
-
5pm
Princeton University Chapel
Event Details
December 13, 2026
Seasonal Concert (followed by dinner)
Yuletide Feast for Organ and Brass at Princeton University Chapel followed by dinner at Winberie's restaurant and Bar.
Concert is free and o...
2pm
-
5pm
Princeton University Chapel
February 6, 2027
Forscore for Church Musicians
4pm
-
6pm
All Saints Episcopal Church, 16 All Saints Road, Princeton, NJ 08540
Event Details
February 6, 2027
Forscore for Church Musicians
Tutorial in the use of the Forscore app (geared toward organists and choral directors).
Presenter: Andy Brown
4pm
-
6pm
All Saints Episcopal Church, 16 All Saints Road, Princeton, NJ 08540
June 13, 2027
Picnic/Annual Meeting
4pm
-
6pm
Home of Martin Tel
Event Details
June 13, 2027
Picnic/Annual Meeting
End-of-year picnic and annual meeting.
4pm
-
6pm
Home of Martin Tel
Upcoming Local Events
October 25, 2026
Choral Compline
5pm
-
7pm
Trinity Church Princeton, 33 Mercer Street, Princeton, NJ 08540
October 25, 2026
Choral Compline
5pm
-
7pm
Trinity Church Princeton, 33 Mercer Street, Princeton, NJ 08540
October 29, 2026
After Noon Organ Concert
12:30pm
-
1pm
Princeton University Chapel
Event Details
October 29, 2026
After Noon Organ Concert
Organist: Clair Rozier
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church
Ardmore, PA
Free and open to the public.
12:30pm
-
1pm
Princeton University Chapel
October 30, 2026
Organ Concert: Dr. Gail Archer
7:30pm
-
9:30pm
Princeton University Chapel
Event Details
October 30, 2026
Organ Concert: Dr. Gail Archer
A concert organist and recording artist, Dr. Gail Archer teaches at Barnard College of Columbia University and is College Organist at Vassar...
7:30pm
-
9:30pm
Princeton University Chapel
November 1, 2026
Mozart "Requiem"
5pm
-
7pm
Trinity Church Princeton, 33 Mercer Street, Princeton, NJ 08540
Event Details
November 1, 2026
Mozart "Requiem"
Mozart's Requiem in context of Requiem Mass for All Souls' Day.
Featuring the Choirs of Trinity Church Princeton with Orchestra and Organ.
Fre...
5pm
-
7pm
Trinity Church Princeton, 33 Mercer Street, Princeton, NJ 08540
November 1, 2026
Youth Choir Festival: "Jesus Loves Me, This I Know"
6pm
-
8pm
Nassau Presbyterian Church, 61 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ 08542
Event Details
November 1, 2026
Youth Choir Festival: "Jesus Loves Me, This I Know"
Nassau's youth join choirs from Princeton and Pennsylvania for a worship service of song and prayer.
Free admission.
Church is handicapped acc...
6pm
-
8pm
Nassau Presbyterian Church, 61 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ 08542
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.
Chapter Newsletters
Our Central NJ Officers
Martin Tel, Dean – Email
Kevin O'Malia, 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
John Cavicchio, 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
Steven Russell, steven@becoming-sound.com or (732) 939-1909
This organist is available Monday through Saturday:
Michael Diorio, DMA Michael.Diorio@aya.yale.edu or (609) 947-5112
This organist is available Saturday or Sunday:
Lauren Park, LaurenHPark02@gmail.com or (610) 639-4067
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