Dear chapter members,

As I write this on New Year’s Eve, I am reflecting that I haven’t seen so much weight given to the changing of the calendar year since we were all freaked out about Y2K. There is no magic wand that will instantaneously make the world a better place beginning January 1st, but there is certainly hope in the air with the development of new vaccines, and the continuing evolution of ways we can connect with each other during a pandemic.

I know this is a very hard time to be an organist. I’m personally grateful to still be employed as a church musician, but am challenged to be motivated when I’m not making music with other people. Some of you are even more literally distanced from your art, not having access to an instrument. I hope that the the new year will renew our resolve to keep the threads of connection alive: connection to music; connection to our friends and colleagues; and connection to our calling.

Despite this challenging time, our chapter has continued meeting, and fostering those connection. Many thanks to members who’ve designed online programs for us to share: Wyatt Smith, Tim Drewes, John Muehleisen, Nancy Ferree-Clark and Tom Clark. Looking ahead, we have presentations on the new Fritts organ at Agnus Dei Lutheran, and Sweelink and the Golden Age in the Netherlands.

Sub Dean Cheryl Drewes is doing a wonderful job of planning and coordinating all of this activity. If you have programming suggestions, or just want to be more connected, you are welcome to join us at our next board meeting on Monday, Jan 11th. Let’s stay in touch!