Professional Development Day
Saturday, January 31, 2026
9:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Mount Calvary Lutheran Church
301 County Road 19, ExcelsiorThe Twin Cities chapter of the American Guild of Organists invites you to a day filled with learning, networking, and fun at our Professional Development Day 2026! This event is free with a $15 cost for lunch add-on option and it promises to be an enriching experience with unique workshops, lunch with social time, and a sheet music exchange giveaway.
Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to grow professionally and connect with fellow organists and enthusiasts. Register online by Monday, January 26, to secure your spot!
We look forward to seeing you there for a day of inspiration, learning, and fun!
Organ Specifications: Schantz Organ Company, Opus 2059, II manual, 32 stops, 26 ranks, 1,576 pipes. Additional details on the Pipe Organ List.
Download, print and share this 11x17 poster.
Schedule
9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.: Sheet Music Exchange Giveaway
9:00 a.m.: Registration/check-in, coffee, and light snacks
9:30 a.m.: Diane Meredith Belcher: Hat Tricks – Managing Multiple Roles, Examining Gender Issues
10:30 a.m.: break
11:00 a.m.: Tom Rowland: Edward Berryman – The Life of an Artist: a review of the work, as performer teacher and composer, of one of the Twin Cities most prominent and revered organists.
Noon–1:00 p.m.: lunch/social time ($15 add-on cost per individual)
1:00–2:30 p.m.: Fresh Finds for Service Playing, facilitated by Nils Halker
2:30–3:00 p.m.: Final Browsing of Sheet Music Exchange Giveaway and Closing
Schedule details
9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.: Sheet Music Exchange Giveaway
Throughout the day, a “sheet music exchange giveway” …a joyful musical treasure-hunt where you can browse through ‘recycled’ music of every sort, discover new-to-you scores and economically expand your own library! [Additional details far below]
9:00 a.m.: Registration/check-in, coffee, and light snacks
9:30 a.m.: Diane Meredith Belcher: Hat Tricks – Managing Multiple Roles, Examining Gender Issues
Musicians rarely wear just one hat. We perform, teach, organize, lead, create, and support others—often all at once. This workshop offers space to reflect on how those roles fit together, how they sometimes pull against each other, and how they might ultimately strengthen one another. We’ll also consider how current conversations and initiatives around gender affect and involve us all, and how engaging with these ideas can help bring about more balanced, inclusive, and fulfilling lives as working musicians.
10:30 a.m.: break
11:00 a.m.: Tom Rowland: Edward Berryman – The Life of an Artist: a review of the work, as performer teacher and composer, of one of the Twin Cities most prominent and revered organists.
Dr. Edward D. Berryman (1920–2008) was one of the Twin Cities’ most prominent and revered organists. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with distinction in Music at the University of Omaha, a Master of Art at the University of Minnesota and a Doctorate of Music at Union Theological Seminary in New York. For seventeen years he was a member of the University of Minnesota music faculty and for ten years was organist and choirmaster at the Cathedral Church of St. Mark in Minneapolis. He was director of music at Westminster Presbyterian Church in downtown Minneapolis from 1962-1987. He was well known as a concert organist and was a frequent consultant for churches seeking new organs. He spent years exploring the possibilities of synthesizers. He concertized with eleven synthesizers from four manuals and complete organ pedalboard.
This session will reflection on Dr. Berryman’s role as one of the Twin Cities’ most prominent and revered organists, noted for his ‘orchestral’ choral accompaniments and his vivid and virtuosic command of large, expressive instruments. An introduction to his original organ compositions and other works presented ‘in his style’ will provide a picture of a genial and generous musician.
Then, using Dr. Berryman’s one handouts from the many clinics and seminars he led, we’ll explore Techniques and Materials for the Church Organist, with demonstrations by former students of “Berryman Tips and Tricks” that you will want to try out and include in your own hymn playing, anthem accompaniment and improvisation. Some more of these ‘tips and tricks’ may be demonstrated in our post-lunch ‘discovery’ session.
Lunch
Noon–1:00 p.m.: lunch/social time ($15 add-on cost per individual due at registration)
- Turkey wild rice casserole with cranberries and almonds (gluten free, with a vegetarian option)
- Roasted beet salad with goat cheese, walnuts, and orange-balsamic vinaigrette, gluten free
- Winter fruit salad with honey poppyseed dressing, gluten free
- Rolls and butter
- Assorted bite sized desserts (bars, tartlets, mini cupcakes)
- Coffee, tea, water, lemonade
1:00–2:30 p.m.: Fresh Finds for Service Playing
Facilitated by Nils Halker
Looking for fresh inspiration for your service playing or repertoire list that you may need in a pinch? Bring your favorite sight-readable or easy to learn organ music. We are looking for practical, easy-to-prepare, and off-the-beaten-path pieces that are either still in print or available on IMSLP—from preludes and postludes to offertories and communion pieces and share what makes it special.
We will exchange ideas, discover hidden gems, and try out selections on the organ together. Come ready to learn, play, and leave with a list of new possibilities for your repertoire! We will compile a list of all the pieces and play them for each other! (If you're not comfortable playing it yourself, we'll have someone ready to play it). If you have questions, contact Nils Halker nils@stcstp.org.
Add your repertoire ideas to this Google Form. (Submit up to three ideas per person).
2:30– 3:00 p.m.: Final Browsing of Sheet Music Exchange Giveaway and Closing
Final browsing of the sheet music exchange giveaway, and closing social time with colleagues.
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Sheet Music Exchange Giveaway
Calling all organists, pianists, choral directors, and music lovers! Do you have stacks of sheet music collecting dust? Scores you’ve outgrown or duplicates you no longer need? It’s time to give them a second life—and spark inspiration in someone else’s repertoire!
During our TCAGO Professional Development Day (see previous page), we’re hosting a Sheet Music Exchange Giveaway—a joyful, musical treasure hunt where you can donate and discover new-to-you scores. Whether it’s organ, piano, or instrumental music, we welcome new or gently used sheet music of all kinds. Let’s share the wealth and keep the music flowing!
How to Donate
We’re making it easy for you to contribute:
- Coordinate with Jeff Patry to arrange a drop-off before January 31 at First Lutheran Church, 1555 40th Avenue NE in Columbia Heights (jeffreypatry@yahoo.com or 612-327-9894).
- Or, drop off by January 29 at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, 301 County Road 19, Excelsior (jeremy.haug@mountcalvary.org or 612-578-8058).
Why Participate?
- Declutter your shelves and make space for fresh inspiration
- Support your fellow musicians by sharing resources
- Discover hidden gems to add to your own collection
- Connect with colleagues and celebrate the joy of music together
Let’s make this exchange a highlight of our professional development day! Bring your music, bring your energy, and let’s make January 31 a day of learning and new treasures.
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Biographies
Diane Meredith Belcher is an internationally renowned, multi-faceted classical musician whose virtuoso performances have been described by American Record Guide as “glowingly brilliant, rhythmically vibrant, and consistently expressive” and by Orgel International as “exemplary in every respect.” She has garnered widespread acclaim since her solo recital debut as an organist at age 15, performing throughout the U.S., in Europe, and in Canada, including appearances at Disney Hall, Grace Cathedral, Verizon Hall, Benaroya Hall, Woolsey Hall, and the Oregon Bach Festival. Her orchestral appearances are numerous, and she has presented duo-recitals with such artists as Los Angeles Philharmonic’s trumpeter Rob Roy McGregor. Among her solo recordings is the premiere of the Claremont Glatter-Götz/Rosales organ, and an album with New York Philharmonic’s principal trombonist Joseph Alessi. She has served as organist, music director, conductor, and professor at various institutions including Holy Trinity/Bach Vespers, New York City; Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire; Saint Mark’s Church, Philadelphia; and Westminster Choir College, Princeton, New Jersey. In 2023–2024 she celebrated her 50th anniversary season with a research trip to Germany and the Netherlands, culminating with her seventh solo performance at a national convention of the American Guild of Organists, a rare honor. She is a graduate of The Curtis Institute of Music and The Eastman School of Music, and a prizewinner of both the St. Albans International Organ Competition and France's Grand Prix de Chartres. A native of the Philadelphia area, she moved to the Twin Cities in the summer of 2025, where she now bases her freelance career of performing, writing, private teaching, and composing. The author of “ORGANING” on Substack, she is also co-founder of WONA: Women Organists & Organbuilders of North America. Her concert appearances are managed by Karen McFarlane Artists.
Tom Rowland took piano lessons from family friend, Dr. Edward D. Berryman, from an early age until he was in the ninth grade. Tom later earned a minor in music at Macalester College while studying organ with Dr. Berryman. Later still, at the University of Minnesota, Tom studied with Heinrich Fleischer for his MM in Organ Performance. Tom served for 34 years at St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church in West Saint Paul and more recently at Meetinghouse Church in Edina. Like so many who knew him, Tom enjoyed a close friend and mentorship with Dr. Berryman until Ed's death in 2008.
Register online by Monday, January 26!
Saturday, February 21
9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church, Saint Paul
and Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, Saint PaulOur chapter offers a once-a-year, hands-on opportunity to experience the spectacular instruments of our local community, sponsored By the Twin Cities American Guild of Organists. This year, young keyboard players will be given an introduction to the organ at St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church and Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Saint Paul. Here are the details:
Who: Recommended for students in grades 3–12, family members are also welcome!
What: An opportunity to experience and play up to three different organs in one day. Learn about the pipe organ from our engaging hosts: Richard Gray, Ellen Hacker, and Dean Billmeyer. Free pizza lunch is provided, too.
When: Saturday, February 21, 2026, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Where: Two outstanding Saint Paul venues: St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church and Lutheran Church of the Redeemer
Why: To try the organ with your own fingers and feet... and to learn how a pipe organ works! Keyboard experience required to play the organ.
How: This event is free, but online registration is required by Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
For questions on Pipe Organ Discovery Day, please contact Phil Asgian at PhilAsgian@gmail.com.
Morning Schedule
St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church, Saint Paul
9:00 a.m.: Check-in and check-out the organ display!
Children, Youth, and Family Center
St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church
60 N. Kent Street, Saint Paul
9:15 a.m.: Introduction to the organ with Dobson/Schantz Mini-Opus demonstration organ
9:30 a.m.: Demonstration of Skinner/Schantz organ (Sanctuary) by Richard Gray and Dean Billmeyer
9:45 a.m.: Morning program, two tracks in rotation:
1) Hands-on playing time: Skinner/Schantz organ (Sanctuary)
2) Hands-on playing time: Mini-Opus (Children, Youth, and Family Center)
11:45 a.m.: Pizza Lunch! (Children, Youth, and Family Center)
12:45 p.m.: Drive to next location:
Lutheran Church of the Redeemer
285 Dale Street N., Saint Paul
Afternoon Schedule
Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, Saint Paul
1:00 p.m.: Demonstration of Martin Ott organ by Ellen Hacker (Sanctuary)
1:15 p.m.: Afternoon program, two tracks in rotation
1) Hands-on playing time: Martin Ott organ (Sanctuary)
2) Sound and the Organ! Science experiments about how sound works in the pipe organ (Undercroft)
2:55 p.m.: Return to Sanctuary for Closing Announcements
3:00 p.m.: PODD Ends, Pick-up time at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 285 Dale Street N., Saint Paul
Saturday, March 21
9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.A true Bach’s Birthday Bash, five free hour-long concerts of Bach and Bach-related music will honor the 341st Anniversary of the birth of Johann Sebastian Bach on the very date (March 21, 1685, Old Calendar).
Our usual TCAGO sponsored series of concerts will take place, this year again in Saint Paul A ‘call’ has gone out to the instrumental faculty at University of Minnesota to encourage piano, violin, viola, flute, guitar, and cello students to volunteer, but since this is and always has been an organ-focused activity, we need you!
Volunteer now. Send a list of several repertoire options to Michael Barone (mbarone@mpr.org). We’re looking for durations of approximately 10 minutes of music per player (we’re flexible). Include your timings for individual pieces with your application. Send several options, from which a choice will be made.
Please respond with your repertoire options by Saturday, January 10!
Please note: a performer will only be confirmed after a headshot and biography of 200 words or less is received for our publicity and printing purposes.
Traditionally, BBB audiences are large and appreciative. Strut your stuff . . . and send in your repertoire applications today or soon! Thank you!
Saturday, April 11
9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
The Pipe Organ Heritage Committee (POHC) sponsors an Organ Crawl that will give participants an exceptional look at local historical instruments. Details to be announced here and in your members' email.
TCAGO 2026 Competition in Organ Performance
Saturday morning, April 18
St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church, Plymouth
The TCAGO 2026 Competition in Organ Performance, sponsored by the Schubert Club and TCAGO Member Phil Asgian, returns for its biennial contest for young adult organists. Details and schedule to be announced.
The Music of Sigfrid Karg-Elert
Saturday, April 25
9:30 a.m.
St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church
900 Stillwater Road, MahtomediA workshop on the topic of The Music of Sigfrid Karg-Elert by Southern Methodist University professor Stefan Engels will bring insight to attendees. Free.
The Magical Musical Universe of Sigfrid Karg-Elert
Sunday, April 26
2:30 p.m.
St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church
900 Stillwater Road, MahtomediThe Magical Musical Universe of Sigfrid Karg-Elert, a concert by Southern Methodist University professor Stefan Engels devoted to an overview of the spell-binding, kaleidoscopic compositions of an early 20th century compositional genius, will feature the magnificent 108-rank 1927 Casavant-2001 Schantz pipe organ. Co-sponsored by the Twin Cities Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. Free/donation.
Friday, May 8
7:30 p.m.
The Cathedral of Saint PaulJoin us for another Members Showcase devoted to performance of new pieces from the recent publication Gregoriana (edited by Anna Lapwood https://annalapwood.co.uk/project/gregoriana), twelve short works by contemporary women composers based on Gregorian themes. Our member soloists will be Kristina Rizzotto, Diane Meredith Belcher, and Melanie Ohnstad. A schola cantorum will introduce each work by singing the related chant. Come to hear excellent performances of new music in the awesome space of the Cathedral of Saint Paul with its Skinner and Aeolian-Skinner/Quimby pipe organs… prepare for an extravagant experience of scintillating sonorities.
Meet Twins' Organist, Sue Nelson, at Target Field
June 2026
(specifics to be announced)Meet and visit with Sue Nelson, our Minnesota Twins organist, at Target Field! Enjoy a fun-filled day at the ball park with your TCAGO colleagues with our all-inclusive tickets, including all-you-can-eat food in the Legends Landing area and a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the work of Minnesota’s most popular organist! Pre-registration will be required and light-rail transit is encouraged.
Additionally, Program Committee Chair, Michael Barone, provides this invitation:
Our 2025–2026 season is filled with opportunities for increased awareness, outreach, sociability, and sharing, and you are encouraged to make time in your schedules to participate fully. We have assembled a calendar of activities that engender professional and artist growth, with varied topics that will engage your imaginations and provide you with useful information to stimulate your growth as organists and church musicians while celebrating the incredible history and contemporary vibrancy of the King of Instruments.
Don‘t hold back... get involved with your music and your colleagues in:
- Community Outreach: Organ Crawls, enhanced PR through your church community
- Performance Skills: Member Showcase appearances
- Support of Young Musicians: TCAGO Winner’s Concert, Pipe Organ Discovery Day, master classes,
- TCAGO Young Artist Competition
- Expanded Vision and Awareness: workshops and master classes, guest concert performances
- Collegiality and Comradery: pretty much every event!
We realize that members of our TCAGO chapter are spread over a large geographic area, and sometimes distance (and highway ‘improvements’) can provide an obstacle to participation. But remember that TCAGO membership offers more than merely a subscription to THE AMERICAN ORGANIST. Expand your vision, get to know your colleagues, and come on out to play. Ours is a large chapter and we invite your participation, presence and involvement.
More event links:
Pipedreams Regional Calendar