February is Black History month—a time to explore and celebrate the history and contributions of African Americans and other cultures of the African diaspora. Many of us don’t have a deep knowledge or familiarity with music written by black composers for the organ. We have two great opportunities this month to fill in that gap.

• Marvin Mills, our Sub-Dean, will present a concert of Organ Music by African American Composers at The Church of the Redeemer on Friday, February 16 (note the change of date to avoid the conflict with Paul Jacobs’ concert at Grace Methodist on February 9). Marvin’s concert will include music by David Hurd, Florence Price, William Grant Still and Baltimore native Thomas Kerr, Jr., among others. 

• On Tuesday, February 27 at 7:30 p.m., Dr. Roy Belfield will present a concert of Organ Music of Black Composers at Towson United Methodist Church.

We are lucky to have these two fine artists share their knowledge of this repertoire with us. I hope that you will join us, and plan to play some of this fine music in your future programs.

Bert

Come join us for a morning of learning and camaraderie! Both of our clinicians lead dynamic music programs in thriving churches and bring a wealth of experience to their sessions.

REGISTER FOR THE EDUCATION DAY HERE

Schedule - Monday 15 January 2024

• 9:30 – Fellowship/Coffee

• 10:00 – Organ Music for Worship – Julie Evans, Director of Music – Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church, Washington, DC

• 11:00 – Music for Small Choirs – David Schelat, Minister of Music - 1st & Central Presbyterian Church, Wilmington, DE

• 12:00 – Lite lunch sponsored by The Maryland State Boychoir

Notes

• A complimentary lite lunch will be provided by The Maryland State Boychoir and registration is requested so that we may have an accurate count.

• Choral Packets are $15 each. Payment can be made online (see below),
  or via check on January 15.

Please register by January 10

• Register online and reserve your choral packet at http://www.baltimoreago.org/2024educationday

• Register via email: Email Marvin Mills at VanMillsMusic@gmail.com (subject: January Ed Day 2024)

Location:

The Maryland State Boychoir Center for the Arts
3400 Norman Ave
Baltimore, MD 21213

REGISTER FOR THE EDUCATION DAY HERE

Dear Colleagues,

Happy New Year! I hope that you all had a wonderful Holiday Season and are ready to face 2024. 

Many of us make resolutions to improve our health, fitness, diet, etc. in the New Year. I encourage you to find opportunities not only to improve your health but also to hone your professional skills this year. One great way to start on this is to join us for the Baltimore AGO Education Day on Monday, January 15 at The Maryland State Boychoir Center for the Arts. (Thank you to Stephen Holmes and The Maryland State Boychoir for hosting us.)

We have an exciting program and superb presenters scheduled for the day. Sign-up right away, using the link in this issue of Pipe & Pedal. Not only will you have the opportunity to learn, but there is also time to connect and reconnect with your colleagues. I look forward to seeing you on January 15.

Bert

Read the January 2024 Pipe & Pedal here

Register for the January 15, 2024 Education Day here

As I have been preparing the music for our upcoming service of Nine Lessons and Carols, I keep being drawn to the story of the Annunciation. It is rather remarkable that this young girl of humble means is greeted by an other-worldly being and told of her role in an astounding prophecy. What is even more remarkable is that she doesn’t run and hide, or make up excuses that she is too busy (remember, she is planning a wedding), or say that it is someone else’s turn. Instead, she responds with “yes”. She was all in! “Let it be to me according to your word”, she says, and the world was changed.

This leads me to think of other important figures who, when asked to do something which would change their lives, responded “yes”, and the world was changed. Abraham, Moses (although he tried to wheedle out of it, he eventually agreed), Isaiah, and many others in various faith traditions changed the direction of their lives and the impact of their decision is still felt today. Secular figures, such as George Washington, also responded “yes” when asked by their colleagues to leave the comfort of their lives and do something revolutionary.

The Executive Committee of Baltimore AGO has just appointed a Nominating Committee to prepare the slate of officers, Executive Committee members, and others for our elections next year. We have a very strong Nominating Committee, made up of some long-time members and some who are relatively new to our chapter. Their task is to identify and recruit persons who will say “yes” to the possibility of a leadership role in our chapter. 

The Nominating Committee will not appear in your bedchamber in strange costumes and making astounding prophecies, but they may be calling you to ask you if you are willing to be put forward as a candidate for election. I hope that in the tradition of the great figures from history, you will say “yes” when asked, and our chapter, if not our world will be changed by your decision.

May you all have a blessed Advent, Christmas, Hannukah, or whatever holiday season you choose to celebrate.

Peace, 
Bert

The December 2023 issue of the Pipe & Pedal is now available.

As we journey through these last two months of the year, our faith traditions and society focus our attention on offering our thanks, ourselves, and our gifts to others.

One of the ways Baltimore AGO is responding to this is to participate in Maryland Public Television’s fund-raising. We have been offered a date in early December to attend to the phone lines. Our participation in this will help MPT to continue to deliver quality programming to our area and all of Maryland, it also will raise awareness of Baltimore AGO, and give those of us who participate an opportunity for fellowship and strengthening our community.

The date is Wednesday, December 6, the Feast of St. Nicholas (how appropriate is that!), and the schedule is as follows:

• Catered Meal at 6:00 p.m.

• Training at 7:00 p.m.

• Show from 8:00 – 9:30 p.m. The show will be a Nature program entitled “The Hummingbird Effect”. 

We are looking for 8-14 volunteers. Please email Marvin Mills at VanMillsMusic@Gmail.com if interested and able to help.

While I know that December is a busy time for all of us, I hope that you will respond to this opportunity to help another organization and to raise the visibility of Baltimore AGO.

Peace,
Bert