AGO St. Louis Chapter
Welcome to the new website for the American Guild of Organists St. Louis Chapter
As you can see, our new website is up and running! We're still finishing adding information to the site, including all of our many members, but everything should be up and running in a few days. If you are a member, you should have received an email with information to allow you to log in and access the members-only portions of the site. If you have not received this email yet, you can email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to retrieve it. You may need to change your bookmarks to access your favorite pages in the site.
Some new features of our site include:
- Substitute lists (public and members-only)
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- Members can modify their personal information
- Members can contact each other through the site
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The American Guild of Organists is the national professional association serving the organ and choral music fields. The Guild serves approximately 20,000 members in 348 chapters throughout the United States, and in Europe, Korea and Argentina.
Founded in 1896 as both an educational and service organization, the Guild seeks to set and maintain high musical standards and to promote understanding and appreciation of all aspects of organ and choral music.
At the national level the AGO offers a monthly periodical, The American Organist. It also offers educational materials, group insurance, certification tests, and more.
At the chapter level, we offer newsletters, concerts, recitals, workshops, social events, educational forums, as well as placement and substitute assistance.
All individuals interested in the organ and choral music fields are invited to join the American Guild of Organists. Membership is open to everyone, regardless of denominational affiliation or musical ability.
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How a Noted Organ Got Its Voice Back Is March Meeting Focus
| Date: | Monday March 22, 2010 |
| Event: | Rebuilding the Organ at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine — Michael Quimby |
| Location: | Kirkwood Baptist Church 211 North Woodlawn Kirkwood, MO 63122 |
| Time: | 6:30 Dinner 7:30 Program |
| Host: | Tom Pearce |
| Cost: | $10 for dinner - Pay now (+ $.50 for online payments) |
| Reservations: | Kathleen Bolduan (314-725-1251 or
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Directions: | |
This month, we will be joined by organ builder Michael Quimby who will give a lecture and slide presentation on the restoration of the Aeolian Skinner organ of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine - Episcopal in New York City.
Seven days before Christmas in 2001, a fire damaged the cathedral and its furnishings. A large restoration and cleaning project was implemented, which included the rehabilitation of the cathedral organ.
The Quimby organ company, headquarters in Warrensburg, Mo., some 60 miles east of Kansas City, was chosen for the project. The work included cleaning thousands of pipes, rebuilding of the mechanical apparatus and a new console. The 94-yearold organ was originally built by E. M. Skinner and rebuilt by the Aeolian Skinner organ company, under the direction of G. Donald Harrison, in the 1950’s. It has 141 ranks, 7,938 pipes and
is controlled by a four- manual console. The organ is renowned for its state trumpet stop, a large solo reed that speaks on 50” of wind. The completed project was rededicated in a service in November 2008.
Michael Quimby is the founder, president and tonal director of Quimby Pipe Organs, Inc., a 40-year-old firm that specializes in the building, rebuilding and restoration of pipe organs. They have built and maintain many organs in the St. Louis area, including the new organ at Trinity Episcopal Church, that we heard in November, as well at the three-manual, 46-rank organ at our host church, Kirkwood Baptist, installed in 2003 with the dedication recital played by Dr. Joyce Jones of Baylor University.
Quimby holds a bachelor of music education degree and master of arts degree in music history and literature (with applied emphasis in organ), from the University of Central Missouri. In 2008, the University conferred upon him the Distinguished Alumni award. He is a member of the American Institute of Organbuilders, of which he served as president from 1991 to 1994. He also served as dean of the Kansas City AGO chapter from 1988 to 1989. He is the organist of First United Methodist Church of Warrensburg and curator of the Aeolian Skinner organ at the Community of Christ Auditorium, Independence, Mo.
I hope you’ll be able to join us for this most informative evening.
— Henry Evans
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When once asked what a conductor does, conductor Gordon Houssein of the Sevenoaks and Tonbridge Training Band (a wind ensemble) said, ‘I wave my arms about and hope for the best.’ What is a conductor?:A conductor is someone who leads and guides an orchestra or a group of singers in order to perform a piece to the best of their abilities. Conductors work in theater or stage plays, film or TV scores, lead orchestras and choirs that are either amateurs or pros. What does a conductor do?:The conductor makes sure that the music piece is interpreted properly by acting as the guide to the musicians or singers. He chooses and studies the music score, may make certain adjustments to it and relay his ideas to the performers so that when the music is played, there is unity and harmony. He schedules rehearsals, plans the orchestra's repertoire and attends What educational background should a conductor have?:Education and experience is what makes a good conductor, or for that matter, anyone who wants to attain a goal. Conductors often have degrees in music, knows how to play an instrument or several instruments, can sight-read, has a good ear, a broad knowledge of music history, styles and functions of various musical instruments, have taken post-graduate courses with emphasis on conducting and have experience leading ensembles whether they be amateurs or pros. What are the qualities of a good conductor?:A good conductor is one that is comfortable leading a group, a great motivator and communicator, has a strong stage presence, well-organized, flexible, especially in his schedule and loves to travel. He is able to build a connection with the musicians and uses hand gestures or signals that the musicians clearly understands. Why become a conductor?:Although this field is extremely competitive, becoming a conductor especially to well established orchestras, is both lucrative, gratifying and a position that is well-respected. So, the question:What is conducting? What is choral conducting? Important elementsLess is more BreatheConducting has more to do with singing and breathing than with piano-playing. ListenOne of the most important elements in teaching, conducting, and performing, all three, is listening. PrepareThe real art of conducting consists in transitions.
Reminders:The bigger your gestures get, the slower the orchestra plays. Smile always to the musicians. At the end of the day they are the ones who are playing. Not you!! Look the orchestra in the eyes even if you feel they are not looking back. There are no bad orchestras, only bad conductors. Make sure if you have metal cufflinks that they are secure. I once went on and started conducting furiously, and one of my metal cufflinks flew out towards the cellos. Luckily no one or any instrument was harmed! Never be rude, be diplomatic. Never forget, it’s the players who play the notes. Really know the music you conduct, in as much depth as you possibly can. The music needs to flow in to you, to take complete possession of you. Dr. Carter referenced the following website: Discover Conducting His personal website is www.jeffreycarter.us where you will find some fun links and some inspirational links, as well as all sort of ephemera. He suggested the book Teaching Choral Sight Reading by Jack Boyd, published by Mark Foster. Dr. Carter may be emailed at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . |
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The POE Steering Committee is pleased to announce the dates for the 2010 St. Louis POE. We will host young organists from around the country here from June 13-18. Housing for the students will be at Fontbonne University in St. Louis. Guest faculty include:
Marie Rubis Bauer, Omaha, Nebraska Michael Bauer, University of Kansas Douglas Cleveland, University of Washington Carla Edwards, DePauw University Wilma Jensen, Concert Organist Christopher Marks, University of Nebraska Lincoln
The backbone of the POE is daily private lessons for each student with a teacher. In addition to a daily lesson, each student will receive practice time. The week also features organ recitals (open to the public and our chapter members), an organ building session, workshop with faculty, an organ crawl, and a recreational event. The week will conclude on Friday morning with a student recital. Download a brochure and application to attend.
If you have any questions about the POE, please feel free to contact the POE Director, Andrew Peters at 314-367-0367 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Please also consider a contribution to the POE!Contributions will help defray some of the expenses from the week. In addition, extra income may provide scholarship assistance for some potential students. All contributors will be acknowledged in an upcoming issue of THE OPUS newsletter. Contributors will also be recognized in recital programs during the POE week. Select your desired level of donation and click the link below. Or to send a donation by mail, Download and print a donation form here. All contributors will be acknowledged in an upcoming issue of THE OPUS newsletter. Contributors will also be acknowledged in recital programs during the POE week. |
Here are some of Dr. Jeffery Carter's notes from the January meeting: