Informal gatherings
Sharing and dialoguing with your colleagues
Common-interest topics
Sign up at the registration desk for meal functions so we have counts for reservations.
Monday, June 23
3:00–3:30 p.m. First-Timers Orientation Brandeis Room, 3rd Floor
Welcome! If you are a first-time AGO convention attendee, join us as we review strategies for maximizing your experience.
3:30–4:00 p.m. Using the Subway Brandeis Room, 3rd Floor
Joe Scolastico answers all your questions about using the metro system (the “T”) to travel from one convention site to another.
Tuesday, June 24
11:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Using the Subway Brandeis Room, 3rd Floor
Joe Scolastico answers all your questions about using the metro system (the “T”) to travel from one convention site to another.
4:15–5:15 p.m. Fundraising Strategies MIT room, 3rd Floor
Join hosts Mary Schaefer and Brian Raiche as they discuss their fundraising drive to assist St. Mary’s Church, Charlestown, with their historic organ restoration with Andover Organ.
10:30–11:30 a.m. Fisk Organ Documentary Salon C&D, 4th Floor
Come view the new documentary film by Dennis Lanson, To Hear the Music. It chronicles the life of the complex man who was Charles B. Fisk, the craftspeople who now comprise the esteemed organ-building firm bearing his name, and the journey of constructing a new instrument for his alma mater, Harvard University. From inception to inauguration, the process of designing, building, installing, and voicing C.B. Fisk, Opus 139 in The Memorial Church at Harvard is examined in this sixty-minute film.
Wednesday, June 25
7:15–8:15 a.m. So, I’m Thinking About Retirement Breakfast
Michael Bedford looks to engage those considering retirement to discuss how to fill the new-found time, saving enough money for retirement, and good health coverage. MEET AT REGISTRATION DESK at 7:15 a.m.; breakfast at own expense.
9:45–10:45 a.m. Organists as Substitutes MIT Room, 3rd Floor
Working as a substitute can be quite fulfilling, yet it presents other areas of concern, such as heeding 1099/W-2 tax rules. Kevin Galiè hosts this discussion.
12:00–1:00 p.m. Organists in Non-Religious Settings Lunch
Join Peter Krasinski to discuss issues and concerns of organists whose careers center in non-religious settings. MEET AT REGISTRATION DESK 12:00 p.m.; lunch at own expense.
12:00–1:00 p.m. Reaching Out to Students in K-12 Schools Lunch
Share your interest or experiences in teaching about the pipe organ to students in K–12 settings. Elsa Geskus, education coordinator for Friends of the Kotzschmar Organ, hosts this discussion. Contact Elsa at (207) 518-3617 to leave your name or sign up at the registration desk. MEET AT THE REGISTRATION DESK 12:00 p.m.; lunch at own expense.
Thursday, June 26
7:00–8:00 a.m. Teachers of Organ Students High-School Age and Younger Breakfast
Join Leslie Robb to discuss ideas for inviting and encouraging young people to study the pipe organ. Learn from others how your chapter can excite young people in your community about the organ. Share your favorite pieces, resources, and teaching tips for working with the eighteen-and-under crowd. Contact Leslie at lesliewolfrobb@mac.com to leave your name and email address, or sign up at the Registration Desk and you will be notified of the breakfast gathering location. MEET AT THE REGISTRATION DESK AT 7:00 a.m.; breakfast at own expense.
9:45–10:45 a.m. Clergy and the AGO Brandeis Room, 3rd Floor
Carl Daw, chaplain for the Boston AGO Chapter, hosts a conversation with clergy attending the convention to discuss clergy’s role with the AGO and church organists.
11:00 a.m.– 12:00 p.m. Success Stories of Community Choirs MIT Room, 3rd Floor
Come share your success stories of community choirs that you direct, or ask questions about how to establish a community choir. How to build membership, produce good sound, and build team spirit are within the scope of this discussion hosted by Kevin Galiè.
12:00–1:00 p.m. Organists Who Play in Synagogues Lunch
Join Peter Krasinski to share your experiences as an organist who serves a synagogue. MEET AT THE REGISTRATION DESK AT 12:00 p.m.; lunch at own expense.
12:00–1:00 p.m. Organ Festivals in Europe Lunch
Have you attended or wished to attend European organ festivals? Talking with someone who has been there demystifies the process of planning to go. Come share your experiences and questions on this topic. Contact Joyce Painter Rice at joyceorganist@aol.com to leave your name and email address, or sign up at the Registration Desk and you will be notified of the lunch gathering location. MEET AT THE REGISTRATION DESK AT 12:00 p.m.; lunch at own expense.
Friday, June 27
1:00–2:00 p.m. Chamber Music with the Organ Brandeis Room, 3rd Floor
A round-table discussion of making music with others, repertoire suggestions, balance issues, loft logistics, and much more, hosted by Heinrich Christenson.
1:00–2:00 p.m. Fisk Organ Documentary Harvard Room, 3rd floor
Come view the new documentary film by Dennis Lanson, To Hear the Music. It chronicles the life of the complex man who was Charles B. Fisk, the craftspeople who now comprise the esteemed organ-building firm bearing his name, and the journey of constructing a new instrument for his alma mater, Harvard University. From inception to inauguration, the process of designing, building, installing, and voicing C.B. Fisk, Opus 139 in The Memorial Church at Harvard is examined in this sixty-minute film.
4:00–5:00 p.m. AGO National Headquarters: Your Questions Answered Brandeis Room, 3rd Floor
James Thomashower, executive director of the AGO, hosts a question-and-answer session on what is happening at the organization at the national level. Bring your questions and concerns.