CURRENT CHAPTER LEADERSHIP

  • Mike Reiter, Dean

  • Pam Swisher, Sub-Dean

  • Susanne Giordano, Treasurer

  • ElRay Stewart-Cook, Secretary

  • Duane Soubirous, Member-at-Large

  • Brad Schultz, Past Dean

OTHER CHAPTER OFFICERS

  • Eric McKirdy, Webmaster

OUR CHAPTER HISTORY

The Eugene Chapter of the American Guild of Organists was chartered on August 5, 1952. To form a chapter, original organizers needed 15 signatures. The chapter included the following charter members:

  • J. Wallace Bullard
  • Oscar E. Carlson
  • Jean Dryden Camper
  • Milton Dieterich
  • Nell Murphy Dickson
  • L. Thad Elvigion
  • Nancy B. Hunt
  • Larry Maves
  • Lois E. Nordling
  • Tom O’Brian
  • Ruth Ownbey
  • Virgene Lindley Roffe
  • Mary E. Stevens, AAGO
  • Marjorie Scobert Wilson
  • Elwin Myrick
  • Hazel A. Taylor
  • Mrs. L. H. Jory

Officers chosen were Ruth Ownbey, Dean; Mary E. Stevens, Sub-Dean; and Jean Camper, Treasurer.

Deans of the Eugene Chapter

  • Ruth Ownbey . . . 1952-53
  • Betty Allen . . . 1954-55
  • Mary Whitson . . . 1956-57
  • Nell Dickson . . . 1958-60
  • Lois Nordling . . . 1960-62
  • Barbara Possman . . . 1962-64
  • Janice Petersen . . . 1964-65
  • Elwin Myrick . . . 1965-67
  • Dorlene Agenbroad  . . .1967-69
  • Catherine Pederson . . . 1969-71
  • Dick Benedum . . . 1971-72
  • Arthur Hawn . . . 1972-73

A time of informal gatherings followed when no officers were elected. Subsequently, the Chapter was reorganized in 1978 with Betty Jean Bartholomew, Regional Councilor. John Hamilton served as Oregon State Chairman.

The following persons have served as Dean since that time:

  • Lois Harrison . . . 1978-1980
  • ElRay Stewart-Cook . . . 1980-1982
  • Patricia Cook . . . 1982-1983
  • Barbara Baird . . . 1983-1985
  • Gloria Hodges . . . 1985-1987
  • Julia Harlow . . . 1987-1989
  • Barbara Baird . . . 1989-1991
  • Karen Williamson . . . 1991-1992
  • ElRay Stewart-Cook . . . 1992-1994
  • Betty Jean Bartholomew . . . 1994-1996
  • Eleanor Gruman . . . 1996-1997
  • Gloria Hodges . . . 1997-1999
  • John Jantzi . . . 1999-2001
  • ElRay Stewart-Cook & Julia Brown . . . 2001-2003
  • Robin High . . . 2003-2004
  • Barbara Baird . . . 2004-2007
  • Robert Thompson . . . 2007-2008
  • Marla Lowen . . . 2008-2010
  • Julia Brown . . . 2010-2012
  • Richard Guy . . . 2012-2014
  • Jane Knobel . . . 2014-2016
  • Karen Williamson . . . 2016-2018
  • Barbara Baird . . . 2018-2020
  • Brad Schultz . . . 2020-2022

The Eugene Chapter has hosted the Pacific Northwest Regional AGO Convention twice. In 1979 it was presented in cooperation with The University of Oregon School of Music. Co-Chairs were Eleanor Gruman, John Hamilton, and Barbara Possman. The regional convention returned to Eugene in July, 2001, with Betty Jean Bartholomew as Chairperson. Convention events included concerts, workshops, and lectures in cooperation with the Oregon Bach Festival.