2020 - 2021 Chapter Programs
Unless otherwise stated, all chapter programs listed here are open to the general public.
This program is a recording of a recital originally performed on August 6, 2020 at St. John's Lutheran Church, Sayville. This zoom session will include a period for member sharing/networking as well as a post-performance conversation with Mahesh and another special guest, Dr. Katie Meloan, Mahesh's organ teacher.
If you missed the recital, you can still hear it here. The program can be viewed here.
If you missed the recital, you can still hear it here. The program can be viewed here.

The Suffolk Chapter of The American Guild of Organists
in partnership with
The Center for Congregational Song
Presents
Who Are We Called to Be?
Infusing Social Justice Themes into our Music Ministry
Sunday, November 15, 2020, 7 :00 pm on Zoom
Many of us find ourselves seeking ways to respond in our music ministry to both the Gospel message and the “moment” in which we find ourselves, a period of extreme social division and upheaval. At this time when it seems judicious to choose the virtual over in-person gatherings, the Board of Suffolk AGO wanted to provide an opportunity for members and friends to come together and explore ways that we can challenge ourselves to incorporate messages of equity and inclusion into our gospel-driven work and worship. We are delighted that two outstanding practitioners will be helping us to explore the topic, providing concrete guidance, helpful resources, and worshipful inspiration.
in partnership with
The Center for Congregational Song
Presents
Who Are We Called to Be?
Infusing Social Justice Themes into our Music Ministry
Sunday, November 15, 2020, 7 :00 pm on Zoom
Many of us find ourselves seeking ways to respond in our music ministry to both the Gospel message and the “moment” in which we find ourselves, a period of extreme social division and upheaval. At this time when it seems judicious to choose the virtual over in-person gatherings, the Board of Suffolk AGO wanted to provide an opportunity for members and friends to come together and explore ways that we can challenge ourselves to incorporate messages of equity and inclusion into our gospel-driven work and worship. We are delighted that two outstanding practitioners will be helping us to explore the topic, providing concrete guidance, helpful resources, and worshipful inspiration.
PRESENTERS
The Rev'd Canon Michael F Delaney is the Vicar of the Cathedral of the Incarnation and the Canon Liturgist for the Diocese of Long Island. Along with the clergy of the cathedral, Michael tends to the pastoral and liturgical needs of their parishioners. He helps guide those preparing for membership in the Episcopal Church through adult Baptism, Confirmation and Reception. Previously Michael served as Interim Dean of Trinity and St. Philip's Cathedral in Newark, New Jersey, Rector of the Church of Saint Andrew, Staten Island NY, and Director of Pastoral Care at Christ Hospital in Jersey City, NJ. When he's not hanging out at the cathedral, Michael can be found cooking, playing piano, or just relaxing with his dog, Fred.
Ana Hernandez is a composer, song leader and group facilitator working to strengthen community ties across cultural difference, with a focus on racial justice as deep inner work. Her activism is grounded in contemplative practice and presence. Ana collects, composes, and records chants and short tunes, and is a song leader for the NYS Poor People's Campaign. She believes deeply that there is a leader in every chair and that God welcomes absolutely everybody. She loves collaboration, poetry, beauty, play, being here now, diving deep, and a good laugh.
She's the author of The Sacred Art of Chant: Preparing to Practice (SkylightPaths/Turner) and has produced and recorded eight CDs. Her hymns and chants are published in numerous places, and she can be heard on iTunes and www.cdbaby.com listed as Sending You Light, The Miserable Offenders, HARC (with Ruth Cunningham), and Eternal Spirit. For more info: www.anahernandez.org. To listen: www.soundcloud.com/anahermusic
Ana Hernandez is a composer, song leader and group facilitator working to strengthen community ties across cultural difference, with a focus on racial justice as deep inner work. Her activism is grounded in contemplative practice and presence. Ana collects, composes, and records chants and short tunes, and is a song leader for the NYS Poor People's Campaign. She believes deeply that there is a leader in every chair and that God welcomes absolutely everybody. She loves collaboration, poetry, beauty, play, being here now, diving deep, and a good laugh.
She's the author of The Sacred Art of Chant: Preparing to Practice (SkylightPaths/Turner) and has produced and recorded eight CDs. Her hymns and chants are published in numerous places, and she can be heard on iTunes and www.cdbaby.com listed as Sending You Light, The Miserable Offenders, HARC (with Ruth Cunningham), and Eternal Spirit. For more info: www.anahernandez.org. To listen: www.soundcloud.com/anahermusic
Zoom Meeting: Maximizing the Benefits of your AGO Membership, with Elizabeth George and Deanna Muro (to include an overview of the new AGO Achievement Awards Program).
JANUARY 24, 3:00 P.M.
Suffolk AGO, Nassau AGO, Queens AGO and Sunrise AGO are jointly inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
For a zoom invitation contact Paul Elsener at elsenerp@verizon.net
or call 631-581-7111
Topic: Maximizing the Benefits of your AGO Membership
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: The AGO national website is a gateway to a wide range of information and resource materials for members at all levels of accomplishment. Join us as Elizabeth George, the AGO Director of Member Engagement and Chapter Development, leads us on a virtual tour of the AGO website. This will be followed by Suffolk Chapter member Deanna Muro, CAGO, who will introduce the AGO Achievement Awards, a new program to teach basic organ-playing skills. See attached flyer.
JANUARY 24, 3:00 P.M.
Suffolk AGO, Nassau AGO, Queens AGO and Sunrise AGO are jointly inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
For a zoom invitation contact Paul Elsener at elsenerp@verizon.net
or call 631-581-7111
Topic: Maximizing the Benefits of your AGO Membership
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: The AGO national website is a gateway to a wide range of information and resource materials for members at all levels of accomplishment. Join us as Elizabeth George, the AGO Director of Member Engagement and Chapter Development, leads us on a virtual tour of the AGO website. This will be followed by Suffolk Chapter member Deanna Muro, CAGO, who will introduce the AGO Achievement Awards, a new program to teach basic organ-playing skills. See attached flyer.

Zoom Meeting: MINDFUL PERSONAL ORGAN PRACTICE TECHNIQUES FOR THE YOUNG (AND NOT SO YOUNG) ORGANIST
featuring Dr. Katherine Meloan
FEBRUARY 28, 4:00 P.M.
SUFFOLK AGO is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting
A pre-recorded personal development workshop on techniques for mindful personal organ practice. In this recording four organists, at various levels, performed for Dr. Meloan and received feedback and tips to help them get the most out of their practice time.
For a summary of the practice techniques inspired by Dr. Meloan's interactions with players CLICK HERE.
Have you gotten to know The Church Music Institute (CMI)?
Please join CMI Executive Director, Charlotte Kroeker on May 2nd, at 4:00 pm on for a virtual tour designed just for members and friends of Suffolk AGO. Charlotte will provide an overview and a demonstration of the many benefits of the CMI database and its various search tools. After her general introduction, she will be prepared to "take requests" for specific voicings, music available using instruments available to you, theological themes you would like to explore, etc. Interested session participants will be eligible for a door-prize raffle of one of four CMI annual memberships valued at $75 each! You are encouraged to come to this meeting prepared with specific requests for kinds of music or liturgical days/seasons you would like to explore using the CMI library and search tools so we can see it in action. Charlotte promises that we will have a good time together!
This Zoom meeting will begin with twenty minutes or so of member sharing. Don’t miss this opportunity to find out what your colleagues’ music ministries are looking like now that the Covid vaccinations are becoming more widespread and the infection rates (hopefully) continue to decline.
A BIT MORE ABOUT CMI: The Church Music Institute is dedicated to the advancement and stewardship of the best liturgical and sacred music for Christian worship, serving clergy, musicians and congregants. Offerings include educational workshops and courses, inspirational festivals of church music, newsletters addressing current issues in church music, and online and print resources. While CMI sponsors research in the field of church music, it may be best known for housing the largest searchable, online library of sacred organ and choral music in the world. Its Sacred Music Library contains more than 15,000 choral anthems and 5,000 organ compositions from all historical periods. Recently, AGO entered into a partnership with the CMI offering reduced price annual memberships so that AGO members would be more able to take advantage of this terrific resource. We hope you will join us for this special introduction to a precious resource.
Please join CMI Executive Director, Charlotte Kroeker on May 2nd, at 4:00 pm on for a virtual tour designed just for members and friends of Suffolk AGO. Charlotte will provide an overview and a demonstration of the many benefits of the CMI database and its various search tools. After her general introduction, she will be prepared to "take requests" for specific voicings, music available using instruments available to you, theological themes you would like to explore, etc. Interested session participants will be eligible for a door-prize raffle of one of four CMI annual memberships valued at $75 each! You are encouraged to come to this meeting prepared with specific requests for kinds of music or liturgical days/seasons you would like to explore using the CMI library and search tools so we can see it in action. Charlotte promises that we will have a good time together!
This Zoom meeting will begin with twenty minutes or so of member sharing. Don’t miss this opportunity to find out what your colleagues’ music ministries are looking like now that the Covid vaccinations are becoming more widespread and the infection rates (hopefully) continue to decline.
A BIT MORE ABOUT CMI: The Church Music Institute is dedicated to the advancement and stewardship of the best liturgical and sacred music for Christian worship, serving clergy, musicians and congregants. Offerings include educational workshops and courses, inspirational festivals of church music, newsletters addressing current issues in church music, and online and print resources. While CMI sponsors research in the field of church music, it may be best known for housing the largest searchable, online library of sacred organ and choral music in the world. Its Sacred Music Library contains more than 15,000 choral anthems and 5,000 organ compositions from all historical periods. Recently, AGO entered into a partnership with the CMI offering reduced price annual memberships so that AGO members would be more able to take advantage of this terrific resource. We hope you will join us for this special introduction to a precious resource.