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DECEMBER 2008

From the Dean

What a great time we had with Joe Utterback at our November meeting. His workshop was informative and entertaining, and his jazz piano performance was spectacular. I suspect that we may hear jazz arrangements of "Fairest Lord Jesus" in several churches over the next few weeks. Joe obviously has fun when he performs and enjoys sharing his music with an audience. He was a delightful guest artist.

As we enter the holiday season, all of us feel a little pressure as we prepare for the extra church services in December. Our schedules are full of rehearsals and performances and, of course, parties. We may feel that we can't get it all done, and we may wonder if our congregations really appreciate all that we do. And on top of it all, we have to shop for gifts.

But we already give great gifts to our churches and their parishioners. I thought about this during the AGO convention this summer when I attended the workshop on "Quality Music for Small Church Choirs" led by Anton Armstrong of St. Olaf College. In between reading the selected anthems, which were excellent choices, Dr. Armstrong wove a considerable amount of philosophy. He reminded us that our choir rehearsals are much more than places to learn notes and prepare music for worship services. The rehearsal is a place where people who have worked hard all day, who may be under stress at the office, or who may have tensions in their homes, come to be with friends who have at least some things in common. It is a place where they can feel safe, where they are accepted and appreciated, and where they can engage in an activity which they enjoy an activity that renews their spirits and helps them through the week. My own choir members tell me how they have carried around in their minds for days a tune which we had rehearsed on the previous Wednesday night.

We also give gifts to our congregations every time we perform in a worship service. For many in the pews the choral and organ music we provide is the only art they have in their lives. In a world where commercial music is everywhere, the beauty of a well-played organ or piano composition or the sonorities of a well-sung anthem form a kind of oasis in the desert of noise pollution that surrounds us every day. Though many may not grasp the counterpoint in a Bach chorale prelude or the wonderful harmonies in a Mendelssohn anthem, I believe that they are aware that they are hearing something special, something that sets this time and place apart from the day-to-day activities of the world.

Finally, we give our churches our musical talents, performance skills and knowledge. We contribute to the leadership of the church a point of view about worship and an understanding of how music fits into worship that most likely others on the staff do not possess. We share our thoughts, our time, and our talents in ways that others in the congregation cannot.

So when during this season of giving you feel stressed and worn down, reflect on the many gifts you offer through your service and take satisfaction in the many people you touch through those gifts.

May each of you have a blessed Advent and a very merry Christmas.

Soli Deo Gloria,
Bill McCandless, Dean

SCHOLA CANTORUM PRESENTS LESSONS & CAROLS

The Greater Kansas City Chapter of the American Guild of Organists' Schola Cantorum will present their first work under the baton of new director Ken Walker. As our GKCAGO Chapter has no 'organ' event for December, we hope everyone will support the choral music by our members. Advent Lessons and Carols will be presented on Sunday, 7 December 2008, at 5 p.m., St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 1300 N. 18th St., Kansas City, KS. The music will include traditional favorites and new carol settings. Works by Bruckner, Mendelssohn, Conrad Susa, Francis Jackson, William Mathias, Elizabeth Poston, and Palestrina are offered. Free and open to the public.

GKC AGO DIRECTORY CHANGES: Please Note

Robison, Pamela (cell) 816.878.1233

p.3 (Standing Committee Chairs) Standing Rules/Bylaws.....Steven Hoover

For other changes, updates, or corrections, please contact Laura Griggs at huntersbirddog@comcast.net or call her at 913.782.7510

QUIMBY COMPETITION FOR YOUNG ORGANISTS

The Greater Kansas City Chapter of the American Guild of Organists will hold their chapter's Quimby Competition for Young Organists on Saturday, 28 February 2009. The place will be determined after all entries have been received. The official rules are given in the April 2008 issue of The American Organist, p. 96 and following. Applications must be postmarked no later than 17 January 17 2009. Applications may be sent to Ann Posey, 11418 Hwy A, Liberty, MO 64068. Questions may be directed to Ann Posey, 816.781.1132 or poseyannphil2@sbcglobal.net.

REGION VI CONVENTION in WICHITA

The Wichita Chapter of AGO announces the 2009 Region VI Convention, Pipes on the Plains, will be held in Wichita, Kansas, 15-18 June 2009. Regional conventions provide opportunities for members from the entire region to gather for education, inspiration, and relaxation. The 2009 convention in Wichita is being planned with all of these in mind, with an outstanding program of artists, workshop leaders, and social activities. More information, including a list of featured performers, is available on page 119 of the September issue of The American Organist or at www.pipesontheplains09.org.

PORTATIVE ORGAN AVAILABLE

Off and on during the past twenty years, executive boards and long-range planning committees have discussed the idea of our AGO chapter purchasing a portative organ that could be used by the Guild in performances and outreach endeavors as well as by members of the Guild who might need a small organ for special performances in their churches.

This summer a portative organ built by Martin Ott in St. Louis has become available. This small instrument breaks down into three parts for travel and can be loaded into a van in about ten minutes. The organ was built for a private individual but recently has been used by a small church. The church is dissolving, and the instrument is back in the Martin Ott shop. The instrument has six ranks, plus preparation for a seventh: Gedackt 8', Rohrflote 4', Principal 2', Mixtur III, and Regal 8' (prepared).

We are looking for Guild members who have an interest in a portative organ and who would like to serve on a committee to investigate the possibility of buying this instrument and to make a recommendation to the board. Perhaps there is someone who would love to have this instrument in their home and would want to purchase it themselves and make it available for Guild use. After our November meeting, one individual indicated an interest in seeing if his church would consider buying the organ and making it available to the guild when needed.

Please contact Bill McCandless by phone (660.747.6078) or e-mail (bmccand@embarqmail.com) if you are interested in this project.

Please Note February Meeting Place

A correction for the back of your new directory:

Our February meeting is at Rainbow Mennonite Church in Kansas City, KANSAS.

UPCOMING RECITALS OF NOTE

Sunday, 7 December 2008, 7 p.m., The Auditorium, Community of Christ, 1001 W. Walnut, Independence, MO. Graceland University Advent Concert presented by their Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, University Chorus, and Orchestra. Student and faculty soloists will be featured in a program of carols, seasonal songs, and expressions of hope and peace come to the world. Admission is free.

Sunday, 14 December 2008, 5 p.m, Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1700 Westport Rd. (at State Line Rd.) Bach Cantata Vespers: J. S. Bach's Advent Cantata #65, "Sie werden aus Saba alle kommen" (All They from Sheba Shall Come) with the Vespers Choir and Orchestra. William T. Stewart, conductor. Free. The public is invited. 816.931.8483.

Sunday, 21 December 2008, 3:00 p.m., Westport Presbyterian Church, 201 Wesport Road, KCMO, 64111. BUXTEHUDE ABENDMUSIK concert. Trio sonatas performed by Alex Shum, Francesca Manheim, Yeonsun Joo and Rebecca Bell, Advent and Christmas organ works performed by Marian Thomas, and two cantatas sung by the Westport Choir. The audience will sing three chorales: an Advent, Christmas, & Epiphany chorale. $10/$7 seniors and students. Co-sponsored by the church and The Westport Center for the Arts.

Sunday, 14 December 2008, 5 p.m., Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1700 Westport Rd. (at State Line Rd.) Bach Cantata Vespers: J. S. Bach's Advent Cantata #65: "Sie werden aus Saba alle kommen" (All They from Sheba Shall Come) with Bach Vespers Choir and Orchestra. William T. Stewart, conductor. The public is invited to this free performance. 816.931.8483.

DECEMBER PLACEMENT INFORMATION

Organist

Southminster Presbyterian Church (375 members) is seeking a part-time organist.3-manual Casavant, 28-voice Chancel Choir. Salary: $12,000 (no benefits); 10-12 hours/week; two Sunday services, 8:30am and 11:00am; one choir practice, 7:00pm Wednesdays. Position open until filled.Please send a resume and letter of interest to Dr. Stephanie Henry, Director of Music, Southminster Presbyterian Church, 6306 Roe Avenue, Prairie Village, KS 66208. Email to: stephhenry@sbcglobal.net.

First Baptist Church of Shawnee, KS. Seeking Organist, 3 manual Rodgers, blended service, responsible for Preludes & Postludes. 10:30 Sunday Service, no rehearsal. $100 per week. Contact Rev. David Weldy, Minister of Music, dweldy@fbcshawnee.com , or call 913.268.6500 church or 913.626.4412 (cell).

First Presbyterian Church, 100 N. Pleasant, Independence, MO 64050. 1S (+ 1/mo. Sunday p.m.), 1R, P (42-rank Kilgen), $N. Contact Barbara Graham at (816) 822-3014 or bgraham@burnsmcd.com. Send resume to email address.

Organist/Pianist

Leawood Baptist Church, 8200o State Line Road, Leawood, KS 66206, is seeking a part-time person to play organ or piano each Sunday morning, accompany choir rehearsals Wednesday or Thursday evenings, be available for periodic vocal and instrumental rehearsals. Must be comfortable with traditional and contemporary styles of worship. Salary: $175/week. Contact Michelle Patton, Director of Worship, Music & Young Adult Ministries. Phone 913.649.0100 or email: music@leawoodbaptist.com.

Pianist

United Methodist Church of the Resurrection. Pianist needed to accompany youth choir rehearsals and once a month and performance in Sunday morning services, $30/hr. For more information contact Barbara Eichenberger-816-373-6197

Music Director & Organist

Park Hill Christian Church, 6601 NW 72nd St., Kansas City, MO 64151. 2S (plus seasonal), 3R (choir, bells, praise team). Contact Rev. Kimi Whipple. Ch: 816-741-1851 or phcc@swbell.net; (cell) 816.516.4239.

ORGANS FOR SALE

Birchwood Church in Independence wants to sell a digital Allen MDS-45 with antiphonal speakers purchased in 1990. Would consider all reasonable offers. 816-353-4445 or allison@birchwoodchurch.com.

1980 Wick's pipe organ, 2 manual, full AGO pedalboard, 4 ranks "Forward Four." Enclosed section has glass swell shades. $10,000. This organ was originally in Our Lady of the Woods, RC church in Woodhaven, Michigan--a suburb of Detroit. Call 816. 738.1162 or e-mail VDEAN@aristotle.net for more information, or write to Virginia Strohmeyer-Miles, P. O. Box 25051, Little Rock, AR 72221.

SUBSTITUTES AVAILABLE FOR YOU

	Tom Atkin – org, lit, dir	913.722.2404
	Betty Bauer – org, lit	913.814.9021 or 913.488.8417
	Phyllis Curtis – org	(4th & 5th Sundays only) 913.839.8856, 913.406.5327 or 913.248.6600
	Doris Daniels – org, lit	816-431-3244, 816-721-3191 or 913.288.7129
	Sharon Davies – org	816.331.5581
	Kathy Hellwege – org, dir, lit, sop, alto	913.362.0594 or 913.706.0126
	Steven McDonald – org, dir, lit	785.841.4696 or 785.242.5200x5439
	Nick Mourlam – org, lit	913.488.1272
	John Pitchford – org	913.663.3768
	Dale Ramsey – org, dir	816.322.8985 or 816.797.3014 (cell)
	Ann Marie Rigler – org, lit	816.415.3792 or 816.781.7700x5199
	James Snyder – org, dir	816.765.1721 or 816.719.3289
	Nancy Stankiewicz – org., lit	913.642.8642
	Marilyn VanderLinden – org, lit	(very early or evening), 816.665.4441
	Ann Warzyn – org	816.453.5027
	Roger Wischmeier – org	(Wed & Sun. p.m.) 816.761.3811
	org=organist; lit=liturgical worship; dir=choral director; pian=pianist

The absolute deadline for submissions to Bombarde's editor is the 20th of each month. Please email your information to bombarde@kcago.com.

From The Dean
Member News
Recitals of Note
Placement Listings
For Sale
Substitutes

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