TCAGO Chapter Events

2021-2022 Program Year

Winter Workshop 2022
Saturday, January 22, 2022
9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Central Lutheran Church
333 South 12th Street, Minneapolis
Note: covid-19 safety precautions will be taken

Mark your calendars for the TCAGO Winter Workshop! Participants will enjoy an inspiring day of learning, development, and exploration in sessions, including:

• Mindful Self-Coaching for Musicians, led by Vanessa Cornett, Director of Keyboard Studies and Associate Professor of Piano and Piano Pedagogy at the University of St. Thomas and author of A Mindful Musician: Mental Skills for Peak Performance
• Technology and Recording, led by Jeff O’Donnell, Director of Broadcast/Media Services at St. Olaf College and Executive Producer of the college’s sacred music radio program, Sing For Joy
• Hymn Leadership, led by David Cherwien, Artistic Director of the National Lutheran Choir, and nationally known conductor, composer, and organist
• A children’s choir presentation, led by Linda Armstrong, Director of Music Ministry at St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church in Plymouth, and Chris Cherwien, Director of Worship and Music at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Saint Paul
  

and more!

Additional information will be shared in the coming days, including the registration process. Safety precautions for Covid-19 will be taken, including wearing masks and verifying proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test from the prior 72 hours.

Pipe Organ Discovery Day 
Saturday, February 5, 2022
9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
St. Clement’s Episcopal Church
901 Portland Avenue, Saint Paul

Pipe Organ Discovery Day provides students an opportunity to learn more about the pipe organ and, very importantly, to expand their knowledge with "hands-on" experience on a variety of instruments. The event is free to participants. Family members welcome. Prior keyboard experience is needed to play the instruments; all are welcome to come and learn. A pizza lunch is provided courtesy of the Twin Cities Chapter of the AGO.

Students will be able to play St. Clement’s Aeolian-Skinner organ and also to play our Chapter’s demonstration organ, "mini opus".

In addition to the hands-on playing opportunities, students will also participate in short classes about how the pipe organ works to gain a better understanding of the instrument and its history. Pipe Organ Discovery Day starts at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 3:00 p.m.

Registration is required for Pipe Organ Discovery Day. Complete schedules for the day and registration information will be available here on this page by early January 2022.

Students participating in the 2018 Pipe Organ Discovery Day at Trinity Episcopal Church in Excelsior

Schedule for Pipe Organ Discovery Day 2022

9:00 a.m. Parish Hall: Registration

9:15 a.m. Sanctuary: Demonstration of Aeolian Skinner organ by Nils Halker

9:30 a.m. Morning track #1 – two activities in rotation

• Sanctuary: Hands-on playing time – Aeolian Skinner organ
• Choir Room: History of the organ, how it works; science, sound, and the organ

Noon Parish Hall: Pizza lunch 

12:15 p.m. Parish Hall: Pizza lunch speaker, Michael Barone of Pipedreams

1:00 p.m. Sanctuary: Lesson on the Fugue with performance by Pascal Givot, St. Clement’s Organ Scholar

1:30 p.m. Afternoon track #2 – two activities in rotation

• Choir Room: Hands-on playing time – mini opus
• Library: Exploring the Organ – new video, and slide show by Phil Radtke

2:50 p.m. Sanctuary: Closing announcements

3:00 p.m. Event ends

Download the PDF of the schedule for a printable version.

Before Bach's Birthday Bash
Saturday, March 19

Details to be announced

Student Competition
Saturday, April 30, 2022
Virtual Format

The annual student competition will be in the same virtual format as last year. Competitors will submit recordings electronically and judges will gather on the competition date to review the recordings and choose the first- and second-place winners.

The application deadline is Monday, February 7, 2022.

The decision to hold the competition virtually was based on the unpredictability of the pandemic and not knowing what conditions will be like in the spring. Having a virtual format offers the safest and most reliable option for everyone involved with the competition.

Be sure to check your email for an e-blast that outlines the repertoire requirements and other pertinent details regarding the competition. Information will also be posted here on this page. All questions can be addressed to Mary Newton (mayanewton@yahoo.com).

Pipedreams Organ Scholarships Auditions
Saturday, May 14, 2022
10:00 a.m.
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church
500 Blake Road South, Edina

Please see the Pipedreams Organ Scholarships page for details on eligibility, the application process, and the audition requirements. 

Northrop and Twin Cities American Guild of Organists present the Closing Event:

Hector Olivera: Tantalizing Transcriptions and Tangos

Sunday, June 5, 2022
2:00 pm CT
Carlson Family Stage
Northrop Memorial Auditorium
84 Church Street SE, Minneapolis

Purchase tickets and event registration details here through the Northrop website.

Internationally acclaimed organ virtuoso Hector Olivera makes his Northrop debut in a program that features works by Meyerbeer, Elmore, Franck, Vierne and more. Beginning years ago as a child prodigy in Buenos Aires, the Juilliard-trained organist now commands the finest organs on the world stage. Acclaimed for his prodigious technical proficiency and the uncanny effect he has on his audience, Maestro Olivera is a passionate, gifted, and unique musician, whose personal interpretations of both classical and popular music have amazed and delighted audiences around the world.

The event will begin with the premier of a 45-minute documentary, The Northrop Organ: Past, Present and Future. The film tells the story of Northrop’s Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ, Opus 892, from its beginning in 1932 to the present day. The documentary is produced by the Twin Cities Chapter of the American Guild of Organists in anticipation of the regional convention in the Twin Cities coming July 2023.

A Celebratory Reception

Immediately following the concert, join us for a celebratory reception at the Campus Club in Coffman Memorial Union hosted by the Twin Cities Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. Connect with friends, colleagues, and lovers of organ music while enjoying a complimentary beverage and an inspired menu of locally sourced food prepared by executive chef, Beth Jones. Space is limited, early registration is recommended. Register for the reception when ordering your concert tickets.

Remember, this is the AGO Year of the Young Organist and we encourage you to consider extending an invite to these and other events.

The Art of Transcription:
Vivaldi’s "Seasons" and The Tangos of Astor Piazzolla
Monday, June 6, 2022
7:00 pm CT
Northrop Memorial Auditorium
84 Church Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Presentation by Hector Olivera for TCAGO and open to the public.

Event registration links to follow.

ACCESSIBILITY: This event will be captioned, with other accessibility services available upon request.

More event links:

Previous Events

Composition Competition

Conventions

Pipedreams Regional Calendar