IMPORTANT NOTE: Due to the national American Guild of Organists changing website providers, this website will be decommissioned in the coming months, no later than Fall 2024. We invite you to follow our public Facebook page for upcoming events and updates.
Last updated September 6, 2024.
Welcome!
Greetings from the Wilmington (North Carolina) Chapter! Founded in 1989, the Wilmington Chapter currently has a growing membership. While the majority of its members live in the greater Wilmington area, the chapter spans a large geographic area that includes southeastern North Carolina and portions of eastern North Carolina.
The Chapter meets monthly September through June. Each meeting includes a program which often is a concert performed by chapter members for the community, a lecture on a topic of interest or a guest artist recital. Many meetings feature a catered meal. The Wilmington chapter prides itself on presenting many concerts and events for the greater community. Many years, chapter members present a Hymn Festival for the Church Year, and a members’ organ recital. In past years, chapter members have also formed the AGO Chamber Choir which performs a concert of the works of a major composer with chamber orchestra.
Historic Wilmington, North Carolina, is located on the Southeastern coast of North Carolina and is home to many fine pipe organs. Builders represented include Austin, Bozeman, Casavant, Estey, Goulding & Wood, Noack, Pilcher, Schantz, E. M. Skinner, Taylor and Boody, and Visser-Rowland.
For more information on the Wilmington Chapter, please contact Justin Smith, Membership Coordinator, at Email.
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.
Newsletter
Greetings from the Dean
Another year has begun! This fall is packed with exciting concerts and events. Whether you are employed or retired, I hope you can make time to enrich your soul and inspire your musical self by attending some or all of the below. Don’t forget to check out the churches and venues listed below for their concert schedules as well.
I hope to see you soon!
Blessings,
Nancy Novelly, Dean
Date: Sunday, September 8, 2024
Time: 5:00 p.m.
Place: Bill Weisser’s Home
Bill will provide:
two lasagnas (one meat, one vegetarian)
French bread
wine, lemonade, iced tea, water, coffee
all paper goods (plates, cups, cutlery, etc.)
We should bring:
a side dish, salad, or dessert
a drink of your choice, if you don’t like the above!
Bill will present his lecture on spiritually and hymnody!
Please RSVP as soon as possible to me:
nnovelly@gmail.com
by FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6.
•A welcoming and supportive environment for ringers who have prior experience and can read music.
•Opportunities to learn and perform a variety of beautiful secular and sacred handbell music.
•Collaborations with other local musical groups.
•6-7 weekly rehearsals to prepare for Thanksgiving-themed concert.
Why a Community Handbell Choir?
•Handbells add a unique sparkle to concerts, community events, and worship services. They create a sense of unity and joy, resonating with audiences of all ages. Handbells are a unique musical instrument that bring a deep joy and satisfaction for the ringers.
•Not all churches have the opportunity to form a Handbell Choir, and a community choir affords people from all walks of life and faith traditions to participate whether they are actively involved in a church or not.
More Information:
•Auditions are open to all. We ask that applicants have experience in bell choirs and can read music.
•Contact Mark Hellmann at markahellmann@gmail.com, Bill Weisser at wjweisser@gmail.com, or Justin Smith cjs@alumni.wfu.edu, for more information.
Upcoming Performances:
Stay tuned for more news of our first fall concert!
We’re excited about this new community music opportunity. Please help us reach those who might be interested in joining us.
Wilmington Community Handbell Choir Steering Team: Mark Hellmann, Bill Weisser, Justin Smith, Anna Richardson Smith, Sue Dixon, Jeannie Hellmann, and Jane Davis
Chapter member, Paul Janiczek, has a Rodgers Windsor 840 organ and speakers he would like to give away. Click here to see an organ brochure. For more information and photos, please contact Paul at the email address below.
AN INVITATION TO OPEN CONSOLE – NEW MARSHALL & OGLETREE ORGAN
Friday, September 27, 6:00 p.m.
Precious Blood of Christ Catholic Church
1633 Waverly Road, Pawleys Island, SC, 29585
A representative from Marshall & Ogletree will be in attendance to explain the organ process.
From Jackie Nappi, Music Director at Christ Episcopal Church, New Bern:
Christ Episcopal Church is thrilled to welcome its new Taylor & Boody Opus 85 to New Bern, North Carolina! We will celebrate with two Organ Dedication Events scheduled for the end of September: a Dedicatory Eucharist Service on Thursday, September 19th at 7:00 pm, and a Dedication Concert featuring concert organist Nathaniel Gumbs on Friday, September 20th at 7:00 pm.
Singers are invited to join the choir anthem at the Dedicatory Eucharist Service and should sign up in advance by emailing jacquelinenappi@christchurchnewbern.com
A rehearsal will be held at 5:15 pm in the nave on Thursday, September 19th.
Performing artist Nathaniel Gumbs is the Director of Chapel Music at Yale University and concert organist under McFarlane Artists, Inc. A reception will be held following the Friday concert.
Christ Church is located at 320 Pollock Street in downtown New Bern. Street parking is available.
Please join us in celebrating the completion of this wonderful instrument!
(from AGO Headquarters)
An invoice is created for your next membership year. “Renew Dues and Subscriptions” appears on your ONCARD menu. Your status changes to “invoiced not paid” on your chapter’s member roster. A renewal notice is sent from headquarters, either by email or postal mail depending on your preferences.
Two Months Before Your Expiration Date
A second renewal notice is sent from headquarters, either by email or postal mail depending on your preferences.
One Month Before Your Expiration Date
A third renewal notice is sent from headquarters by postal mail.
Two Weeks Before Your Expiration Date
Chapter officers receive notification of all members who have not yet renewed.
Bill Due Date
AGO dues payments are due on the last day of the month before expiration.
Expiration Date: Always the First of the Month
A membership expires, and a two week grace period begins at the time of expiration.
Two Weeks After the Expiration Date
The grace period ends and memberships are marked canceled. If a payment is received after this date, delivery of The American Organist may be delayed.
Chapter Events 2024-2025
1. Sunday evening, September 8, 5pm: social & dinner at Bill Weisser’s home (will include Bill’s presentation on hymnody and spirituality).
2. Saturday morning, October 26, 10am to noon, Choral Rehearsal Techniques workshop presented by Jerry Cribbs, Grace United Methodist Church, with lunch afterwards at Paddy’s Hollow, 10 Walnut Street (walking distance from the church)
**Jerry asks that you email him with specific questions you would like him to address in his presentation.**
jerrycribbs86@gmail.com
3. Sunday evening, November 3, 5pm: “Mozart and Friends” concert by organist Nancy Novelly, soprano Anne-Michele Yong, and alto/flautist Angela Harrington, at Frank H. Kenan Chapel, Landfall, TICKETS ARE FREE BUT YOU MUST REQUEST THEM. DEADLINE IS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18. Text Nancy Novelly to request: Reception following, OR dinner at a local restaurant.
4. Tuesday evening, December 10th, 7:30pm at Kenan Chapel in Landfall (not an official AGO event, but all are invited): Baroque concert presented by Jackie Nappe, Director of Music at Christ Episcopal Church in New Bern. Organ/harpsichord, violin and gamba/cello.
5. Sunday evening, January 5: Twelfth Night party/chili dinner at Sara Bryant’s home. After-dinner singing of carols from Oxford Book of Carols.
6. Tuesday evening, February 11: presentation by Brendan Conner on the subject of his doctoral dissertation, “The Teachings of Anton Heiller.” Place: Frank H. Kenan Chapel at Landfall, Preceded by dinner at a local restaurant
7. Sunday evening, March 2 or 16: brief presentations by individual Chapter members on a topic of their choice or “passion,” for example a particular composer, repertoire for a liturgical season, duets for organ and instruments, etc.
Further details TBD.
8. Sunday afternoon, May 4, 4pm: Robert Winston Bequest duo organ recital by John Cummins and Michael Messina, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Reception to follow.
9. A Sunday evening in June: dinner & social at the home of Martha Hayes
Local Events
Click on the following links for the most current concert information!
Membership
Membership in the Wilmington AGO is open to all who possess a love of organ and choral music. For more information on becoming a member, please contact Justin Smith, Membership Coordinator, at email. You may also join online by visiting https://old.agohq.org/oncard-login/.
Placement
Organist/Pianist/Adult Choir
Wrightsville Beach, NC
Open September 16, 2024
Position: Play the organ &/or piano and lead the adult choir. Part-time 20 hours/week
Organ: Rodgers, three manual digital
Adult Choir: Average attendance is about 15-19 voices. Christmas Cantata 2023: 27 voices. Summer: Approx 7-15 voices. Choir reconvened September 8th after summer break. Robed.
Current rehearsals: 9:30am Sunday mornings only. No weekday rehearsals.
Traditional Worship: 10:30am Sanctuary. This service is live-streamed. Average attendance: 85-125
Perk: Free parking space in church parking lot (one block from beach)
Contemporary Pianist/Vocal/Instrumentalist
Arise Worship – An Alternate Worship Service
Effective October 1, 2024
Music: More contemporary than traditional
Worship: Sundays, 8:30am, Fellowship Hall, lasting approximately 35-45 minutes. Casual
Average Attendance: 55-75
Perk: Free parking in church parking lot (one block from beach)
Organist/Choirmaster
Church of the Good Shepherd
Wilmington, NC
Retired, but still want to play the organ? This opportunity may be just right. At Church of the Good Shepherd, we are looking for an organist to play 2 Sundays a month. The job also includes being a choir master to a small choir. We have a 3 manual digital Allen organ and a George Steck 5’7” grand piano. Church of the Good Shepherd is an Episcopal Church at the corner of 6th Street and Queen Street in Wilmington. We would also consider full time position.
If interested please contact Alice Evans, senior warden, at Church of the Good Shepherd.
Mobile no 910-232-8057 and text.
Certification
For more information about certification, please visit http://old.agohq.org/certification or contact the Dean at Email.
Contact Us
Dean: Nancy Novelly – Email
Subdean and Program Coordinator: Bill Weisser – Email
Secretary: Bob Norem – Email
Treasurer and Membership Coordinator: Justin Smith – Email
Member at Large: Kira Garvie – Email
Member at Large and Chaplain: Barrett Ingram – Email
Member at Large: Julia Walker Jewell – Email
Links
AGO Southeast Region Facebook Page
