Welcome to our website!
We serve the area more or less north and west of Boston, MA.
Dean: Hugh Hinton - Sub-Dean: Jay Lane
(2020 - 2022)
Treasurer: Randy Steere (2021 - 2023)
Secretary: Cyndi Bliss (2021 - 2023)
Members at Large: Abby Schoppe (2024); Cynthia Arsenault (2022); and Raymond Hawkins (2023)
Newsletter Editor and PR: Alain Bojarski - Scholarships: Denise Ann Shea
Auditor: Shirley MacKenzie - Placement: Cynthia Arsenault
Librarian: Barbara Owen
Organ Restoration/History: Bob Reich
Chaplain: Dr. Richard Hughes
Webmaster: David G. Baker
(Click on his name to email the Webmaster)
About the American Guild of Organists
The mission of the American Guild of Organists is to foster a thriving community of musicians who share their knowledge and inspire passion for the organ.
The vision of the American Guild of Organists is to engage, support, and uplift every organist. For more information, visit the National Office website.
For a list of the National Officers and Councillors, click here to go to that page on the National website.
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MVAGO Events 2021-2022
Saturday October 16, 10:00 am-12:00
Visit to 1870 George Stevens Organ at Harvard (MA) Historical Society. This significant 19th organ has received an OHS citation and preserves its original voicing. It has recently been restored by the Andover Organ Company. Matthew Bellocchio from Andover Organ and Barbara Owen will lead a tour and demonstration of this unique instrument. There will be open console time at the end for people who wish to try the organ. Masks will be required, as well as proof of vaccination or a recent negative Covid test. Limit 15, registration required.
Sunday November 21, 2:00 pm
Didier Grassin, president of Noack Organ Company: Organ Design and Casework. Didier Grassin has designed organs in prestigious venues around the world. He will lead us through a presentation (including lots of photos) of beautiful organs from around the world, and will explain the philosophy behind organ design.
December: No event
January 9, evening time TBA
Annual Twelfth Night Party (Post-Christmas social)
Either in person (at Maggie Marshall’s house) or on Zoom, depending on conditions.
February, date and location TBA
Raymond Hawkins: Creative Hymn Playing and Harmonization
Either in person or on Zoom, depending on conditions.
Saturday March 5, 8:00-4:00
First Calvary Baptist Church, North Andover
MVAGO Mini-Convention
We are planning to hold this in person with safety precautions, conditions permitting. Four presentations and lunch!
Sunday April 24, 2:00 pm, location TBA
Members’ Recital - We are planning to hold our annual recital in person.
Saturday May 21, all day
Scott Dettra: Franck Complete Organ Music Recitals at Methuen Memorial Music Hall
MVAGO co-sponsoring with Boston AGO. Scott Dettra, concert organist and music director, Church of the Incarnation, Dallas (TX). In celebration of Franck’s 2022 bicentennial, the 12 major organ works (not including the pieces for harmonium). Morning recital at 10:15 am Lecture at midday and Lunch. Afternoon second recital 2:30 pm.
Sunday June 5, 2:00 pm, First Parish Concord
John Dixon: Organ Recital of Accessible Service Music
MVAGO co-sponsoring with Boston AGO. John Dixon, national treasurer of the AGO, will present a recital of his original compositions: quality, accessible service music published by Lorenz, St. James Music Press and others.
Jay Lane Interview on WGBH
During the past twelve months, Jay Lane, MVAGO Sub-Dean, found an innovative way to continue rehearsing with his church choir and recording choir music for his church's services. The Boston Globe wrote an article about Jay's experience some time ago.
More recently, Jay was interviewed by Arun Rath on WGBH radio. The recording of his interview can be found at this link.
Congratulations, Jay!
Want to add an event to the calendar? Click here.
Some events are live-streaming. Click the link below to find out about them.
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Interested in knowing about organs in our area? Here are links for pages in this site for organs in Lawrence and Lowell. The Boston Chapter also has a page for Boston organs.