Happy Spring, Tacoma AGO members!

It is my hope for all who lead or participated in the series of services related to the Christian festivals during Holy Week and Easter have had a good respite. This spring weather is glorious! I, for one, have been out on the golf course and driving range a couple of times in addition to turning my back patio into an oasis. Whatever self care looks like for you: do it!

Join us for our next chapter event on Monday, May 19 at 7:00pm at Spanaway Lutheran Church. The workshop, “The Church Musician as Composer in Residence”, will feature local composers and church musicians Dr. Dawn Sonntag and Sheila Bristow. They will share tips and tricks to compose for your choir, ensembles and congregation. We will also include an exploration of compositions for organ, choir, and more, by composers associated with the church, past and present. Many thanks to Cheryl Drewes for organizing and hosting this event! Check the calendar event for further details.

With many thanks to Tom Clark, the Tacoma AGO chapter has rolled out a robust, affordable local membership. Formerly classed as “Chapter Friend” by the National Office, our new Local Membership option gives you many of the same options as the full national membership, but is much more affordable. The primary differences are: as a Local Member, you will receive only the Tacoma AGO Newsletter and other announcements but will not receive The American Organist magazine or discounts to attend AGO conventions. Click here to visit our membership page to learn more about this membership offering. Consider inviting a friend to join as a local member!

As always, check out the TAGO events calendar for the latest lineup of concerts, workshops, and social events! Our next AGO Lunch is May 9 at 12:00pm at Cactus in Proctor. Please RSVP to me via text or email if you plan to join! Some highlights this month include: a couple return performances by Curt Sather in Tacoma and Olympia; a joint Choral Evensong and organ recital with the choirs of St. Luke’s Memorial, Tacoma and St. John’s, Gig Harbor; and a concert of Bach Cantatas with the Seattle Bach Festival at Christ Church, Tacoma. 

In music,
Wyatt Smith

Happy Spring, fellow members of Tacoma AGO!

Thanks to all who were able to participate in the March Chapter Meeting. Though few in number, we thoroughly enjoyed watching and discussing Fugue State Films’s documentary “Bach and Expression.” I highly recommend you all to check out this documentary (and the whole Fugue State Films library) on your own!

As we quickly approach the Christian celebrations of Palm Sunday, the Triduum, and Easter, I encourage you to take care of yourself. As the saying goes: “One cannot pour from an empty cup.” Self care looks different for each of us. You’ll probably find me on the golf course between practice sessions. If you are able to take some time for yourself, please do. Your communities will be all the better for it!

Our next Chapter Meeting will take place on the evening of Monday, May 19 at Spanaway Lutheran Church. The program, “The Church Musician as Composer in Residence,” will be led by members Dawn Sonntag and Sheila Bristow. They will discuss tips and tricks to compose for your choir, ensembles, and congregation. We will also include an exploration of relevant compositions by composers associated with the church, past and present. There will be more details in next month’s newsletter.

As always, check out the Tacoma AGO events calendar. There are a number of events coming up this month!

In music,
Wyatt Smith

Greetings, fellow members of the Tacoma Chapter!

These last days of sunshine and clear skies has brought a welcome winter reprieve to many in our area. The combination of sunshine and shared community only increase its effects! This past Thursday, I walked across the campus of the University of Puget Sound. The sun-driven renewal of energy was palpable from all enjoying the vast lawns at midday!

On Sunday, March 9, the AGO is sponsoring “Women Composer Sunday.” All members are encouraged to play music by women on this day. Though, I will say that one does not have to limit themselves to this one day of celebration when playing music by women. In April 2024, the Tacoma Chapter gathered at St. Luke’s Memorial to explore The Oxford Book of Organ Music by Women Composers. This is an important addition to the published literature and I encourage every Chapter member to acquire a copy, if you have not already done so!

The AGO Task Force for Gender Equity sponsored a composition contest last year to bring more works composed by women into the spotlight. The winners were announced a couple of months ago, including Brenda Portman, Miriam Reveley, and more. You can learn more about the winners and their compositions here. All five winners’ scores are available for free download! The first place winner, Brenda Portman, gave us an approachable concert piece in two movements. I recently played it as the opening voluntary to Evensong, which you can hear here.

March is also a beloved time to celebrate the life and music of Johann Sebastian Bach. On his birthday, March 21, I welcome you to celebrate all day long! Come to the Third Friday Bach concert by Dana Robinson at Christ Church at 12:10pm. Then, following lunch on your own, come to the March Chapter event at the University Club at the University of Puget Sound at 3:00pm. I will host a screening of the documentary “Bach and Expression.” You can learn more about the event and documentary here. The Chapter will provide light drinks and food for this event. I hope to see you there!

Our next AGO lunch is on March 14 at 208 Garfield in Parkland. Let me know via email or text if you plan to join in the fun that day! As always, do keep an eye on the Tacoma AGO Calendar.

In music,
Wyatt

Thank you to those who were able to attend Organ Vespers and the talk on the history of the pipe organs at St. Luke’s Memorial. An evening of thrilling congregational singing paired with the educational aspect proved to be an invigorating adventure for all in attendance, engaging with an important part of Tacoma’s history! If you were not able to join us, I look forward to seeing you at future Chapter gatherings.

Now that days are beginning to have more light, the musical and educational activities in our region likewise reawaken. This month and next month hold a myriad of performances and gatherings, which include the following:

At 2:00pm on Sunday, February 9, prior to the organ recital in Lagerquist Hall, Barbara Baird and Justin Murphy-Mancini will give a demonstration of the Fritts organ for young organists and curious pianists. For more information, especially if you know a young organist or pianist, click here.

At 12:00pm on Friday, February 14, we will gather for the next AGO Lunch at Cactus in Proctor. Please RSVP to Wyatt Smith if you plan to attend.

At 7:00pm on Monday, February 17, we will hold our monthly Chapter meeting at the UPS School of Music. Tom Clark will lead a workshop on playing from a tablet and organizing a digital library. For more details and directions to the classroom, click here.

Looking ahead to March, we will gather on Friday, March 21 (Bach’s Birthday) for an extended time together to watch and discuss Fugue State Film’s documentary “Bach and Expression.” Click here for more information.

In addition to these events above, there are many more events taking place around the region. Calendar highlights include concerts at PLU, Christ Church, UPS, and St. Luke’s Memorial. Be sure to check the Tacoma AGO Calendar for the latest details! I hope to see you at many of these events.

As always, thank you for being a member of the Tacoma chapter of the AGO!

In music,
Wyatt Smith

Happy New Year, Tacoma AGO!

I hope you have all had a good holiday season, rewarding music-making in your respective communities, and a handsome amount of rest. Many thanks to Paul Fritts for hosting the Annual Tacoma AGO Christmas Party at his home last month. A favorite gathering of many!

Our next Chapter Meeting takes place this coming Monday evening, January 6, at St. Luke’s Memorial Episcopal Church. The evening will consist of three parts:

– 6:15pm – A history of St. Luke’s Church and its pipe organs
– 7:00pm – Organ Vespers for the Feast of Epiphany
– 7:45pm – Reception

St. Luke’s has an incredible amount of history, both at its original downtown location and its present home in North Tacoma. Plenty of parking is available in the lot to the east of the church building. Handicap access is available from Gove Street. For more information, click here.

Next week also holds the next Tacoma AGO Board Meeting along with the post-holiday return of monthly AGO lunches. If you plan to join the lunch at 208 Garfield, please RSVP to me via email or text. As always, check out the Tacoma AGO calendar for the latest event information. There are many great events coming up in January and February!

Here’s to a stellar 2025!

In music,
Wyatt