One
reason the American Guild of Organists exists is “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.” (Want to know more about the purposes of the
AGO? Visit www.agohq.org and click the
“About” tab.)
I
would like to personally say “Thank you” to St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran
Church for your part in helping us to fulfill our purpose. For the last two years our local AGO chapter
has worked hard to sponsor a convention for the Southeast Region of the guild.
Conventions include workshops and concerts that provide education and
inspiration for our members.
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| Sunday night included a hymn festival at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd |
On
Monday of the convention, June 12, 2017, we spent the entire morning in San
Marco between All Saints Episcopal Church, Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church, and
St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Special thanks goes to Loree M. and to Mark and Lynette W. who served as
hosts by pointing the way to restrooms, directing conventioneers to the nave
for sessions, and helping as needed. They
were truly gracious and met each person with a smile.
St.
Mark’s was the location for a workshop on body mapping which teaches musicians
how to map (align) their bodies for better physical well-being, better practice,
and better music. It was led by Rhonda
Cassano who has been a member of Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra and currently
teaches flute at the University of North Florida. Ms. Cassano has also appeared
at St. Mark’s with the San Marco Chamber Music Society.
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| Rhonda Cassano teaches Body Mapping |
Another
workshop at St. Mark’s was led by Dr. Cara Tasher, Director of Choral
Activities at the University of North Florida.
Her engaging presentation gave choral directors tips on getting the
accuracy and expression they want from their singers.
Finally,
Donald McCullough led a reading session at St. Mark’s. Reading sessions are an important part of any
convention because they introduce new music to directors. Each participant receives a packet of music
and then we all sing through each title. The session included several pieces
composed by Mr. McCullough who is a well-known composer, Director of the
Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra Chorus, and the Organist and Choirmaster of
Jacksonville’s Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd.
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| Don McCullough conducts a reading session at St. Mark's |
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| The program book |
I
chaired the program book committee. Our
book had to include schedules, concerts, workshop descriptions, artist and presenter bios – and lots of other things.
I am really happy that our cover featured the photography of our own
Bill D.
All
these events happened at St. Mark’s. Thank you to St. Mark’s for making your
space available. As your Cantor, I am
always happy and proud to share our facility with my AGO colleagues.
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| Raúl Prieto Ramírez at St. Augustine's Catherdral Basilica |
Thank
you also to the St. Mark’s Foundation.
Their gift to the convention of $1,000.00 was one of the first gifts we
received. It partially funded a concert
by Raúl Prieto Ramírez who came from Spain to play a thrilling concert at the
Cathedral Basilica in St. Augustine.
The
full impact of conventions like ours can never truly be knows. Organists and directors take new techniques
and ideas home to their own churches, schools, and other venues. They teach them to their students and share
them with colleagues. It is a great gift
not just to the individual organist, but to the greater church and to the
community.
Photos of Rhonda Cassano and Raúl Prieto Ramírez were taken by a member of the Central Florida AGO Chapter and are taken from Facebook.
