A Note from The Dean’s Corner -February 2024 – Roberta Rowland-Raybold
Don’t know where to start when your latest issue of The American Organist arrives?
I have solved that question for myself. I immediately look for “The Weekend Organist”, a valuable page or two written by J. W. Arnold. Most of us fit into this category; even those who are full-time staff members in their churches know that weekends are their busiest times. In the February issue of our journal, J.W. states that Holy Week (quickly coming upon us) is his favorite time of year. I have always hoped simply to get through it . . . a shame, when our faith is grounded in the events of that week. He points out that the stage is set on Palm Sunday with Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem followed by the Passion story. The washing of feet, the procession to Golgotha and Jesus crucifixion, Holy Saturday and the miracle of the empty tomb fulfill prophesies of a Messiah. These events are indeed dramatic and tell a beautiful story on which we have our hope.
On the second page of this article Timothy Cooper is interviewed about his interesting career as a musician. While he has a real “day job,” he has found time to gather his thoughts by sitting in the darkness of the churches he has served during evening or night hours when no one was there. Cooper says there is a special energy and peacefulness in places of communal worship when you are alone in the darkness of a sanctuary. This is some-thing that I have found myself doing on occasion . . . and it is a special time between me and God. If you have not experienced this, I suggest it as a Lenten exercise!
A Note from The Dean’s Corner – Roberta Rowland-Raybold
January 2024
As we begin this new year, I want to take the opportunity to ask for your continued support of AGO and our local Grand Strand AGO Chapter. Your financial support and your attendance at AGO events are greatly appreciated. We plan our programs for each year with YOU in mind; however, if you have ideas for programs that would be of interest and helpful to you, please let us know so that we can bring you a year of events that we can share with everyone. Your ideas are important. Do let us know!
I do want to take a moment to talk about membership. Our chapter is not large, but we are a very active chapter. If you have not attended meetings regularly, you are missing out on wonderful gatherings. Look on page 84 in the Jan. TAO for an example of our events.
Also I want to talk about your membership in our Chapter. Your membership renewal date can be found on the back cover of your monthly magazine right above your name and address. Also, you DO receive a renewal notice from our national AGO office. If your dues are not paid, they contact me and I have to call you to remind you to pay your dues. Please make my job easier by taking care of your membership when it comes up for renewal. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to let me know.
YOUNG ORGANIST COMPETITION
is open to students in grades 8 -12 on Saturday, March 9, 2024 in Columbia, SC. Prizes: $2500 First Place, $2000 Second Place, $1500 Third Place. Application and rules can be found on their website:
under Young Organist Competition. Frances Webb is Chair of this program. If you know of a young organist who might be interested in this competition please share this wonderful opportunity with them.