DEAN’S REPORT – Spring 2021

March is here, and practically everyone has spring on the mind! What a year we have experienced
together. No one living today can recall the pandemic that ravaged the world at the time of World War
1, but reports of schools, churches, community groups and other important aspects of society being
closed for extended periods of time, two years in some cases, have been shared, while the world waited for the disease to unleash its grasp on humanity. The American Guild of Organists was a rather young organization in those days. Perhaps someone has access to how the Guild handled its business. Truly, the world is vastly different today, with amazingly quick remedies, vaccines, and communications.

First, we need to offer sincere thanks to Dr. Steven Egler, who has admirably served as Dean of our
Saginaw Valley Chapter for several years. We have experienced increased growth in numbers during his tenure, and enjoyed some new programming ideas. The “age of Corona” has necessitated creative plans in order to function. Who knew a year ago that “virtual concerts” and “Zoom meetings” would be in our common vocabulary? We all wish Steve the best as he steps back from some of those critical
responsibilities, and wish him good health and much happiness in all the days to come.

COMING UP SOON – get ready to celebrate the 336th birthday of Johann Sebastian Bach on March 21.
On that day, we will release our third virtual concert of this program year (after “PipeScreams” last
October for Halloween, and our Christmas concert in December). Both were well received, and we trust
that will be the case when the next concert is released. Watch for news on the Chapter website, and
invite other music lovers to join you. If you are playing for worship services at this time, consider
sharing some of Bach’s magnificent music with your congregation on that Sunday. Robert Sabourin has
been coordinating this event. It was originally planned to be live, but in the interest of community
health, it will be online.

ALSO, the competition for the annual Kent Dennis Scholarship will be held at the end of March. We
have discovered some outstanding talent through the years, and the music world has benefitted from
this endeavor. This year, the auditions are sent to coordinator Dr. Adrienne Wiley in video format, and
so we will look forward to hearing results of the judges in a few weeks. Thanks to all members who
have been involved in this program.

It goes without saying, but each of us is hoping for some sense of returning to normalcy in the near
future, when our Guild Chapter can once again meet together for music, learning, and fellowship. In the
meantime, may good health and great music be with you.
​
Warm regards,
James H. Gladstone, Dean