Southern Arizona American Guild of Organists

49th Messiah Sing-In @ Christ Community Church
2025-12-01 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Phoenix) | Christ Community Church, 520 S. Pantano Rd., Tucson, AZ, United States
Conducted by Ryan Phillips, with outstanding soloists and orchestra, the annual Messiah Sing-In is a must-do Advent/Christmas musical event for many, many Tucsonans.
Soloists are Soprano Clarissa Christina Smith; Alto Diana Peralta; Tenor Dennis Tamblyn; Bass: Gregory Guenther.
Scores may be purchased at the door (cash or check only).

Catalina Organ Festival proudly presents: Dr. Faythe Freese - Organ
2025-11-14 19:00 - 21:00 | Catalina United Methodist Church, 2700 E. Speedway Blvd., Tucson, AZ, 85716, United States
Friday, November 14, 2025 @ 7:00 PM
Catalina United Methodist Church
2700 E. Speedway Blvd.
Tucson, AZ 85716

Dr. Faythe Freese, Professor Emeritus of Organ at the University of Alabama School of Music, is in demand as a recitalist throughout the United States, Europe, South Korea, Brazil, and Singapore. Dr. Freese was the recipient of the Indiana University Oswald Ragatz Distinguished Alumni Award for 2017. She is the only American woman to have recorded at L’Eglise de la Sainte-Trinité, Paris on the landmark instrument where Guilmant, Messiaen and Hakim were titular organists. Her fourth compact disc entitled, Faythe Freese à l’Orgue de l’Eglise de la Sainte Trinité, has received critical acclaim in The Diapason, The American Organist and Tracker Magazine. Her fifth compact disc, recorded at Magdeburg Cathedral, Germany, entitled, The Freese Collection is Dr. Freese’s most recent release. The solo organ work entitled, “The Freese Collection”, a work by Dr. Pamela Decker, was commissioned and premiered by Dr. Freese in January 2013. She was also the featured artist on Dr. Decker’s compact disc entitled, Museum of the Dance, Vol. 4. Dr. Freese has also commissioned the following new works for solo organ: Passacaglia on BACH by Pamela Decker, To Call My True Love to My Dance by Naji Hakim, and Out of Egypt by John Baboukis.
As a Fulbright scholar and an Indiana University/Kiel Ausstausch Programme participant, she studied the works of Jean Langlais with the composer in France, and the works of Max Reger with Heinz Wunderlich in Germany. Her organ teachers have included Marilyn Keiser, Robert Rayfield, William Eifrig and Phillip Gehring. She has coached with Dame Gillian Weir, Simon Preston, and Daniel Roth. Dr. Freese is on the Honoree List of Who’s Who in America.
She was a featured concert artist and lecturer at the 2024 American Guild of Organists National Convention in San Francisco and the 2010 American Guild of Organists National Convention in Washington, D.C.; and a featured lecturer at the 2014 American Guild of Organists National Convention in Boston, Massachusetts; the featured concert artist at the 2011 American Guild of Organists Region IV Convention in Greensboro, NC; the 2001 American Guild of Organists Region VII Convention in San Antonio, TX.; and the 2011 Association of Lutheran Church Musicians Biennial Convention. Dr. Freese’s performances have been hailed as “powerful …masterful… impressive … brilliant.” Dr. Freese was also director, faculty, and featured performer at the 2017 Birmingham Pipe Organ Encounter (POEA), the 2017 Atlanta POE-Tech, the 2017 Hartford POE, the 2016 Atlanta POE, the 2011 Boston POEA, the 2011 Birmingham POE, the 2012 Gainsville POE and the 2004 Atlanta POE. She reviewed the concerts for the 2018 Kansas City National Convention for The American Organist. One of her most recent performances was as the closing concert recorded for the November 2020 East Texas Pipe Organ Festival where she featured works by Leo Sowerby.
Dr. Freese studied and performed on over fifty historic organs in nine European countries during her spring 2015 sabbatical. She collaborated with early performance practice experts such as Ton Koopman, Montserrat Torrent, Pieter van Dijk, Aude Heutermatte and João Vaz on period repertoire. Her most recent recitals upon her return incorporated the historic repertoire performed by Dr. Freese and were accompanied by a slide show of the historic instruments upon which she performed during her sabbatical.
Dr. Freese holds degrees in organ performance and church music from Indiana University. She has held faculty positions at Indiana University, Concordia University in Austin, University of North Dakota-Williston, and Andrew College.
Dr. Freese is the author of publications entitled: “Five Chorale Preludes & Free Hymn Accompaniments”; “Sunday Morning Organist: A Survivor’s Guide for the Pianist”; and “Sonus Novus: Intonations and Harmonizations” (Concordia Publishing House). She is the Director of the Concert Artist Cooperative.

TONIGHT’S PROGRAM:

First Sonata in d minor, Op. 42 Félix-Alexandre Guilmant
Introduction: Largo e maestoso (1837-1911)
Allegro
Pastorale: Andante quasi Allegretto
Finale: Allegro assai*
Peaceful Valley Medley Eurydice V. Osterman
(1950- )
Sherman Garner
(arr. Faythe Freese)
To Call My True Love to My Dance Naji Hakim
1. Theme: Allegro (1955- )
2. Variation 1: Cantabile
3. Variation 2: Valse
4. Variation 3: Deciso
5. Variation 4: Arabesque
6. Variation 5: Burletta
7. Variation 6, 7: Tango-Scherzando-Tango
8. Variation 8: Berceuse
9. Variation 9: Finale
INTERMISSION
Fanfare John Cook
Psalm 81, vv. 1-3 (1918-1984)
The Colorado Suite (World Premiere) Pamela Decker
I. Gargoyle Rock (1955- )
II. Waterfall in the Pines
III. Scatflower Rag
IV. Pepper at the River
Carillon Leo Sowerby
(1895-1968)
Comes Autumn Time Leo Sowerby
*Includes a Cadenza by Wilhelm Middelschulte

SAAGO's Annual Member Showcase Concert
2025-11-07 19:00 - 21:30 | St. Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church, 4440 N. Campbell Ave., Tucson, Arizona, 85728

A Candlelight Concert for All Saints Day: Music of Remembrance and Hope
2025-11-01 18:30 - 20:30 | Trinity Presbyterian Church, 400 E. University Blvd., Tucson, Arizona

A Spooktacular Halloween Evening @ The Fox Theatre! (10/31/25)
2025-10-31 19:30 - 22:00 | FOX THEATER, 17 West Congress Street, Tucson, Arizona, 85701

St. Alban's Concert Series presents Renowned Organist Guy Whatley In Concert
2025-10-12 14:30 - 17:00 | St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 3738 N Old Sabino Canyon Rd, Tucson, Arizona

"Walking In The Light" - Community Hymn Sing
2025-10-12 14:00 - 16:00 | St. Andrew the Apostle Roman Catholic Church, 800 Taylor Street, Sierra Vista, AZ, 85635, United States

Pipe Organs of the Gadsden Purchase
2025-10-11 10:00 - 13:00 | Northminster Presbyterian Church, 2450 E. Fort Lowell Rd., Tucson, AZ, 85719, United States
presented by
Professor Emeritus, David Gay & Stan Kartchner
Saturday, October 11, 10 a.m.
Northminster Presbyterian Church
2450 E. Fort Lowell Rd
Lunch follows

In 1854 the United States bought from Mexico the lower 100 miles of what is now the State of Arizona. It was called the Gadsden Purchase after the congressman who agitated for land to provide a route for the construction of a southern railroad line running from East coast to West coast. A railroad line was eventually built and the first train arrived in Tucson in 1880. That train and others to follow brought many things not previously available to this desert region outpost. Among these items were pipe organs, constructed by organ firms in the East.
In this presentation we will have a look at these early instruments and all others that have come to the region up to the present time. This PowerPoint presentation will include many photographs of churches and organs, as well as, audio clips of the pipe organs. The presenter will be guild member David Gay. Visual and audio clips will be provided by guild member Stan Kartchner.
The photo on the right of the page is the 1903 Murray Harris Pipe Organ at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Bisbee, AZ. This organ was one of the instruments extant in the period.

Saint Philip's In The Hills Rising Stars Concert Series Presents - Jacqueline & Scarlett Stewart In Concert
2025-10-04 15:00 - 17:00 | Saint Philip’s In The Hills Episcopal Church, 4440 N Campbell Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85728, United States

World Renowned Dr. Pamela Decker - In Concert
2025-09-28 15:00 - 17:00 | Arizona State University – Organ Hall, 50 Gammage Pkwy, Tempe, Arizona
Roy Johnson Memorial Organ Series
presents
Dr. Pamela Decker In Concert
Sunday, September 28, 3 p.m.
Holsclaw Hall, UA School of Music

Free Admission

Pamela Decker is a prolific composer as well as professor of organ, theory and composition at the University of Arizona. Her compositions have been published by major music publishers and they have been performed in at least 19 countries by musicians from all over the world.

SAAGO's 2025-2026 Year Opening Service
2025-09-14 15:00 - 18:00 | Christ Church United Methodist, 655 N. Craycroft Rd., Tucson, Arizona
Sunday, September 14, 3:00 p.m.
Christ Church United Methodist
655 N. Craycroft Rd.
Worship service in the sanctuary led by Br. Dave Hedges, Chaplain
Welcome by Raymond Ryder, Dean
Short general meeting, including: Programs & activities for the coming season | Financial Reports [FY ’24-’25 & YTD]
Catered dinner prepared and served by Chef Andy Bruno
Guests are welcome.
Join your colleagues in kicking off the Chapter’s 2025-2026 season.
Make your dinner reservation today.
Contact Dee Schultz at adschul@yahoo.com or 520 343-5343 by Tuesday, September 9 at the latest.
$10 per person, payable at the dinner. Dinner reservation deadline: Tuesday, September 9

Attila Ádám Honti in Concert at St. Andrew's Sierra Vista
2025-08-22 19:00 - 21:00 | St. Andrew the Apostle Roman Catholic Church, 800 Taylor Street, Sierra Vista, AZ, 85635, United States
The St. Andrew’s Concert Series is pleased to welcome Attila Adam Honti, organist and choirmaster of the Svenska krykan Swedish Lutheran Church in Nordanstig, Sweden. This is a once-in-a-lifetime-time concert. Mr. Honti has given concerts all over the world, and has a unique background that will be wonderful to share with concert-goers.
He will be performing music of J.S. Bach, Cesar Frank, Lefebure-Wely and several newer works by a number of contemporary Scandinavian composers on the historic 1949 Moeller pipe organ, the largest in Cochise County.

In From The Heat Summer Concerts presents: Lunch & Organ Concert With Sophie Martinez
2025-07-26 11:30 - 16:30 | Catalina United Methodist Church, 2700 E. Speedway Blvd., Tucson, AZ, 85716, United States

St. Andrew's Concert Series Presents: "Patriotic Pipes 3 - Americana"
2025-07-11 19:00 - 21:00 | St. Andrew the Apostle Roman Catholic Church, 800 Taylor Street, Sierra Vista, AZ, 85635, United States
St. Andrew’s Concert Series is presenting “Patriotic Pipes 3 – Americana” on Friday, July 11, 2025 at 7PM. Featuring local Sierra Vista and Tucson artists performing patriotic American tunes by Berlin, Cohan, Joplin, Gershwin, Porter and Carmichael. The festivities include a musical salute to our Armed Service members and an audience Sing-A-Long. The historic 1949 Moeller Pipe Organ will be featured, the largest in Cochise County.
There is no charge to attend this concert, a freewill offering will be accepted. All donations go to the organ restoration fund.
St. Andrew the Apostle Church is located at 800 Taylor Drive, Sierra Vista, AZ. For more information please call (520) 226-5574.

In From The Heat Summer Concerts presents: Lunch & Organ Concert With Dr. Kuhlman
2025-06-21 11:30 - 16:30 | Catalina United Methodist Church, 2700 E. Speedway Blvd., Tucson, AZ, 85716, United States

Phoenix Convention Excursion to Tucson
2025-06-20 10:30 - 14:30 | Arizona

SAAGO Summer Social Potluck & Business Meeting
2025-06-01 16:00 - 18:30 | Colonia Verde Club House, 2700 North Camino Valle Verde, Tucson, AZ, United States
Join your Chapter friends for fellowship, potluck dinner, and a brief business meeting at the beautiful Clubhouse at Colonia Verde! Non-members are welcome to attend for food, fellowship, and information. Bring any organ music you no longer want.
Please watch the events page of the SAAGO website for information on whom to let know what you’ll be bringing. Utensils and soft drinks will be provided.
Click on the flier image (below) to download the 2 page PDF which includes driving directions to the venue.

Youth of Saint Philip’s in Concert
2025-05-25 14:00 - 16:00 | St. Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church, 4440 N. Campbell Ave., Tucson, Arizona, 85728
Youth of Saint Philip’s in Concert: All are invited at 2:00pm on Sunday, May 25, in the main sanctuary as we conclude the year with vocal and instrumental offerings from the Youths at Saint Philips, including folk song arrangements by the Danish String Quartet, and the Missa Brevis of Benjamin Britten, from our Saint Nicholas Choir. This is a free concert; any donations will support the joint UK Residency/Pilgrimage program.

St. Andrew's Concert Series presents: Jeffrey Campbell, Organist
2025-05-16 19:00 - 21:00 | St. Andrew the Apostle Roman Catholic Church, 800 Taylor Street, Sierra Vista, AZ, 85635, United States
Come one, come all! St. Andrew’s Concert Series presents the amazing Dr. Jeffrey Campbell in concert on Friday, May 16, 2025. Dr. Campbell says: “The beautiful Moller Organ sounds beautiful in the warm acoustic!

Musforum Conference: Women of the West (Day 2)
2025-05-13 | Arizona State University – Organ Hall, 50 Gammage Pkwy, Tempe, Arizona
Musforum Conference: Women of the West
Central Arizona
May 12-13 2025
EVERYONE Is Welcome!
#Musforum2025 #OrganMusic #WomenInMusic #PhoenixConference #OrganistLife
This inspiring event celebrates the history and future of women in the organ world and features dynamic presentations, incredible concerts, and a chance to connect with fellow organists from across the country. Our very own Pamela Decker will be performing some of her own compositions at Pinnacle Presbyterian in Scottsdale. Come support her! While the spotlight is on women in organ music, everyone is welcome—this is a conference for all who are passionate about the instrument and its future.

Concerts and presentations are FREE and open to the community!
Want the full experience including pre-concert dinners for more of an opportunity to network with other organists from across the country? Register at: 📅 Details & registration: https://musforum.org/may-2025-musforum-conference-women-of-the-west-in-phoenix-arizona/
Don’t miss this chance to recharge, learn, and grow.

Musforum Conference: Women of the West (Day 1 - 5/12/2025)
2025-05-12 12:00 - 22:00 | Pinnacle Presbyterian Church, 25150 N Pima Rd, Scottsdale, AZ

Saint Philip’s Sings: An English Easter
2025-05-11 14:00 - 16:00 | St. Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church, 4440 N. Campbell Ave., Tucson, Arizona, 85728
Sunday, May 11, 2 p.m.
St. Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church
4440 N. Campbell Ave.
Tucson, Arizona
Saint Philip’s Sings: An English Easter with Asleif Willmer, Soprano; Ellen Ensey, Violin; and Mary Paul, Soprano: All are invited at 2:00pm on Sunday, May 11 in the main sanctuary for a festival of lush, English works from the last century featuring performances of Gerald Finzi’s sublime cantata, Dies Natalis, a chamber setting of Vaughan William’s dreamy The Lark Ascending, and Patrick Hawes’ effervescent cantata, The Song of Songs. This is a free concert; donations support Saint Philip’s music ministry.

Dr. Raymond Ryder, Dean-Southern Arizona Chapter|AGO Presents: Building Church Musicians
2025-05-10 10:00 - 13:00 | Christ Church United Methodist, 655 N. Craycroft Rd., Tucson, Arizona
Church musicians are made, not born, and becoming a better church musician is largely self-directed, on-the-job training. Few of us start our musical journeys with clear ideas of the steps we would need to take and the challenges we would encounter.
Dr. Raymond T. Ryder, SAAGO Dean and Piano Director, Pima Community College, will address how musicians, pianists particularly, can successfully prepare to transition into service playing, choir accompanying, and leading rehearsals. During this seminar/workshop, Dr. Ryder will present proven strategies, and resources, for improving our musicianship skills. Dr. Ryder will also share repertoire suggestions for pianists and organists (since we often do a bit of both).

St. Alban’s Concert Series Presents: Organists Dr. Jeffrey Campbell and Stephen Keyl In Concert
2025-04-27 15:00 - 17:00 | St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 3738 N Old Sabino Canyon Rd, Tucson, Arizona
St. Alban’s Episcopal Church
3738 Old Sabino Canyon Road
Tucson, Arizona
St. Alban’s Concert Series presents organists Dr. Jeffrey Campbell, Associate Music Director and Organist at St. Philip’s In the Hills Episcopal Church, and Stephen Keyl, retired Director of Music at St. Alban’s, performing Bach’s Great Eighteen chorales. Dr. Jeffrey Campbell, and Stephen Keyl will collaborate in a complete performance of this cornerstone of the organ repertory on the beautiful Paul Fritts organ at St. Alban’s.
The Great Eighteen are a group of ambitious, large-scale organ works based on Lutheran chorales. Bach assembled them toward the end of his life from pieces he had written years earlier, revising and in some cases expanding them, perhaps intending to have them printed. Many are favorites with organists and audiences, such as: the brilliant fantasia on “Come, Holy Ghost” for full organ; the lyrical “Savior of the Nations, Come”; and the quietly moving “Before Thy Throne I Now Appear,” said to have been revised by the composer shortly before he died.

Resurrection Lutheran Church's Resurrection Choir and Orchestra present: The Easter Story
2025-04-26 17:00 - 19:00 | Resurrection Lutheran Church, 11575 N. 1st Ave, Oro Valley, Arizona
Resurrection Lutheran Church
11575 N. 1st Ave., Oro Valley
The Easter Story
Saturday, April 26, 5 p.m.
Sunday, April 27, 9:15 a.m.

The Resurrection Choir and orchestra will present The Easter Story, by Tom Fettke and Thomas Grassi.

The cantata retells Jesus’ suffering, death, resurrection, and exaltation to the right hand of God the Father. The narrative helps listeners relive the events that unfolded in Jerusalem 2,000 years ago, and also places them in the flow of God’s dramatic, eternal story of redemption.

The production will feature a local interpretive ign language ensemble, Rise ‘n Sign. The 35- minute musical will be presented within worship on Saturday.

Easter Sunday @ Trinity Presbyterian Church (10:20 AM)
2025-04-20 10:20 | Trinity Presbyterian Church, 400 E. University Blvd., Tucson, Arizona
The Trinity Choir and orchestra will present a stunning cantata entitled, A LIVING HOPE, based upon 19th century American musical sources arranged by Tom Fettke and Thomas Grassi.

It follows the journey from Palm Sunday to Easter portraying extraordinary images of hope gained, hope lost, and hope reborn. Adhering to Scripture where even Jesus’ closest friends and disciples doubted his promise: “In three days He would rise again.” Death, however, was swallowed up in victory and through his death and resurrection, those who follow Jesus receive new birth into A LIVING HOPE.

Good Friday (4/18/25): The Catalina Choir & First UMC Perform: Fauré’s Cantique de Jean Racine
2025-04-18 18:00 - 20:00 | First United Methodist Church, 915 E. 4th St, Tucson, AZ, United States
First United Methodist Church
915 E. 4th St
Tucson, AZ
Good Friday, April 18, 6 p.m.
The Catalina Choir will collaborate with First UMC to perform Fauré’s Cantique de Jean Racine at First United Methodist

Lamb of God Oratorio Presented By: Tucson Interfaith Choir and Orchestra - 4/18 & 19/2025
2025-04-18 07:30 - 21:30 | Palo Verde High Magnet High School Auditorium, 1302 S. Avenida Vega, Tucson, AZ, United States
Free tickets at:TucsonLambofGod.eventbrite.com
Friday, April 18, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 19, 4:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
An Interfaith choir and orchestra, hosted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, presents Rob Garner’s Oratorio, entitled Lamb of God, a dramatic musical portrayal of the final days of Jesus’ life. The work was completed in 2010 and recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra that same year. A unique aspect of this work is that in addition to the soloists, choir, orchestra and spoken narration, there is no vocal soloist depicting Christ, but instead his voice is always represented by a solo cello.
Each year, an estimated 4,000+ performers across the world participate in locally-produced performances of “Lamb of God” in places as far-reaching as the Netherlands, Romania and Buenos Aires. These performances play for a total audience of well over 50,000 people from dozens of faiths.

Maundy Thursday Service @ El Camino Baptist Church
2025-04-17 19:00 - 21:00 | El Camino Baptist Church, 7777 E. Speedway Blvd., Tucson, AZ, United States
The choir and orchestra at El Camino Baptist Church will present a Maundy Thursday service which has been created with choral anthems, congregational hymns, and Scripture reading, detailing the events of Christ’s Last Supper, Betrayal, Foot Washing, Mandate to Love One Another, and Garden Prayer, ending with Christ’s Arrest.
The service includes Communion at which every baptized believer may participate.

Maundy Thursday & Tenebrae Service @ Trinity Presbyterian Church - April 17, 2025
2025-04-17 17:30 - 20:00 | Trinity Presbyterian Church, 400 E. University Blvd., Tucson, Arizona
Trinity Presbyterian Church
400 E. University Blvd.
Tucson, AZ
Maundy Thursday, April 17
Dinner, 5:30 p.m.
Everyone is invited to share a meal and the Lord’s Supper together in Fellowship Hall. The church will provide the main course; attendees are requested to bring a side dish to share. Please RSVP 520-623-2579 or office@trinitytucson.org).

Tenebrae Service, 6:30 p.m.
A Service of Tenebrae in the sanctuary with Scripture readings and music that relates the story of Jesus’ life from the Last Supper to the Crucifixion as candles are extinguished & the sanctuary darkens.
