The opening program of the year was an organ crawl in Muskegon jointly with the Muskegon/Lakeshore Chapter. Following dinner at the Masonic Temple we visited the First Church of Christ, Scientist, Central United Methodist Church and St. Paul's Episcopal Church. A brief service of installation of officers was also held at St. Paul's.

September Newsletter

Performers: Caron Farmer, Laura Masters, Jonathan Tuuk, Troy Carpenter, John Mattson

Westminster Presbyterian Church.  Chapter members demonstration of Christmas music. Brian Bartusch, Greg Crowell, Joel Gary, Helen Hawley, Carol McNally, Jonathan Tuuk and Bryan Westra each played a selection of Christmas related music.

October Newsletter

l-r Greg Crowell, Jonathan Tuuk, Carol McNally, Brian Bartusch, Joel Gary, Helen Hawley. front: Bryan Westra

Dr. Ken Bos presented a workshop at Calvin Christian Reformed Church on effective accompanying using a wide variety of choral and solo music to demonstrate

November Newsletter

Dr. Kenneth Bos

December Newsletter

The Rev. Dr. Trygve Johnson, Dean of the Chapel at Hope College in Holland, MI presented a thoughtful lecture on the role of leaders in today's church services.  Bypassing the issues of aesthetic divergence between the "traditional" and "contemporary" factions in today's worship wars, he outlined a pastoral role that music leaders should strive to assume.   Using examples from his own work at Hope College, he recommended "indigenizing" oneself with the congregation, while leading them on a "pilgrimage."  He stressed the important role of narrative, of a meaningful hymnology, of loving relationships, and of patience.   The full text of his inspiring talk is available by clicking on the link below.

Rev. Dr. Trygve Johnson's lecture.

February Newsletter

The Rev. Dr. Trygve Johnson

Mayflower Congregational Church.

Organ builder James Lauck brought several pipes he had fabricated for this demonstration of pipe scaling, voicing, and trouble shooting. He gave an extremely informative and engaging presentation. Organist Jonathan Tuuk and saxophonist Ed Clifford played Winter Comes by local composer Jack Normain Kimmel and Winter's Dream by Paul Halley. Mr. Tuuk also played Solemn Melody by Sir Walford Davies and finished with an improvisation which showed off the resources of the Tellers/Lauck organ.

March Newsletter

James Lauck

Ed Clifford and Jonathan Tuuk

Sunday Member's Recital at Trinity Lutheran Church  featured the following performers:

Gregory Crowell with Paul Austin, Horn, Elizabeth Claar, Micaela Bradley, Larry Visser with Calin Muresan, Cello, Christopher Dekker, David Heinze, Suzanne Tiemstra, Joan Ringerwole

The concert was recorded by Blue Lake Public Radio and is scheduled to be broadcast Sunday, June 26, at 1 p.m.

April Newsletter

Back row: Chris Dekker, David Heinze, Elizabeth Claar, Mikaela Bradley, Suzanne Tiemstra
Front row: Joan Ringerwole,Paul Austin, Gregory Crowell, Larry Visser, Calin Muresan

The Grand Rapids Chapter of AGO met for their final program of the season at St. Robert of Newminster Catholic Church in Ada.  The presenter was Dr. Nina Nash-Robertson from Central Michigan University.  She distributed two documents: "Score Study: Becoming the Composer's Advocate," and "Warming Up" - It's not Just the Voice."   Engaging both the choir from St. Robert's and GRAGO members, she demonstrated various techniques for vocal production, following the second document.  The time passed quickly as she had members experience many of exercises she uses with her choirs.  What a wonderful way to bring to a close the 2010-2011 season!

May Newsletter

Dr. Nina Nash Robertson