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.

 
 
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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.

 
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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!

 
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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