Greensburg Chapter
of the American Guild of Organists
When you join the American Guild of Organists, you are joining a national organization of people who share a passion for the organ.
Welcome to the Greensburg AGO webpage! We are happy that you are here and hope that you will find the information that you seek and also find inspiration for your musical journey! As a Chapter of the American Guild of Organists we aim to echo the mission of the Guild in all that we do. Our mission, as stated on the AGO National website is "to foster a thriving community of musicians who share their knowledge and inspire passion for the organ."
Locally, we do this by sponsoring events that focus on one of three areas: workshops to increase our skills in a wide variety of areas related to organ music and related topics, recitals for the pure enjoyment of hearing organ music as well as to support fellow talented musicians and social events where we gather to enjoy the company of other organists and to have the opportunity to share more informally about our shared passion for this magnificent instrument.
Through these events, we aim to locally echo the purposes of the national American Guild of Organists, which are:
· To advance the cause of organ and choral music, to increase their contributions to aesthetic and religious experiences, and to promote their understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment.
· To improve the proficiency of organists and choral conductors.
· To evaluate, by examination, attainments in organ playing, choral techniques, conducting, and the theory and general knowledge of music, and to grant certificates to those who pass such examinations at specified levels of attainment.
· To provide members with opportunities to meet for discussion of professional topics, and to pursue such other activities as contribute to the fulfillment of the purposes of the Guild.
You can contribute to creating a vital chapter by attending and participating in our upcoming events:
November 22nd, 7PM First Presbyterian, Greensburg: Recital by AGO National Treasurer, John Dixon
November 23rd, 10:00 AM First Presbyterian, Greensburg: Workshop with John Dixon on the operations of small chapters
The vision of the American Guild of Organists is to engage, support, and uplift every organist.
Education
Enhance your skills as an organist and choral conductor through our chapter. Learn about the organ in historic and evolving contexts and discover news of the organ and choral world. Consider joining us for one of our events!
Connection
Meet other organists while enjoying camaraderie at chapter events and conventions. Find inspiration and challenge though experiences of great organs and organists. Stay up to date by checking out our newsletter.
“I learned how rich and how valuable this membership is. Through the years, I’ve been honored to meet people that I can call both friends and colleagues. The best part of that is we learn from each other. When I don’t know what to do with that Alto or am trying to find an obscure organ piece, I now have a network to call on to guide me or give me advice.”
— John Salveson, D.M.A., CAGO
2023-2024 Chapter Officers
Dr. Jeffrey Jones, Dean
Bridget Deveney, Sub-Dean
Xenia Yelovich, Secretary
Jim Hutchinson, Treasurer
Rev. John Smaligo, Chaplain
Dennis Bell, Board Member
Ruth Hughes, Board Member
Regina Fenton, Board Member
Chaz Bowers, Board Member
Chris Loughran, Board Member
Mike Long, Seton Hill Faculty Advisor
Kelly Doman, Past Dean
Edgar Highberger, Faculty Advisor Emeritus
EMPLOYMENT
Title: Church Music Director/Organist
Objective: to develop, play, and lead the worship and music ministry of St. James
Evangelical Lutheran Church, 300 West Main Street, Ligonier PA
Time Type: Part-time
Denomination: Lutheran
Worship Style: Traditional/Contemporary
Church size: 40 - 50 attending members
Salary: Negotiable commensurate with experience
Time off: Four Sundays and four choir rehearsals and bell practices
Responsibilities:
*Play weekly services at 10 am as well as Ash Wednesday /Holy Week/Christmas Eve services
*Preference is for the applicant to direct the Choir and Handbell Choir, if not desired the candidate would provide direction to, and coordinate with the Choir and Bell Choir director(s) on the music for services.
*Provide music for funerals/weddings as available (reimbursed per service)
*Maintain strong prayer/liturgical knowledge
*Select/plan music utilizing liturgical/scriptural base appropriate to season
*Participate in creative planning of Festival Sunday/special worship services
*Collaborate faithfully with Pastor and Worship and Music committee
*Serve as advisor on care and maintenance of church instruments
*Support and expand the music program of the church
Qualifications:
*Attested musical skills and competencies
*Dependable, responsible, and self-motivated
Music Competencies:
*Musicality with a range of styles including traditional Christian Classic (hymn and liturgy), and Contemporary Christian
*Keyboard experience with 2-manual pipe organ, piano, and keyboard
Instruments:
*2-manual Mahler pipe organ
*Steinway Baby Grand Piano
*Yamaha Keyboard
Contact:
office@StJamesLigonier.org
Please provide resume and qualifications
Contact
Feel free to contact us with any questions.
Email
greensburgago@gmail.com