Dean’s Welcome

Welcome to the Sacramento Valley Chapter Web site!

We are a growing and vibrant organization of organists that promote the organ, provide a home for organ enthusiasts, and who support each other as colleagues.

On our web site you can:

*Join our Chapter of the American Guild of Organists

*Become a friend of our chapter and the organ

*Watch our concerts and participate in workshops – even viewing past workshops

*Learn about our Scholarship Program for budding organists

*Support our chapter and programs through PayPal and Stripe

From our Co-Deans:

Hello Everyone, 

I'm looking forward to serving as your co-dean for the next two years. Organ performance and education have always been an important part of my life, and Scott and I hope to bring you a varied program of activities, both instructional and inspiring! 

Dr. Faythe Vollrath, Co-Dean

Greetings to all,

   I appreciate being asked to act along with my colleague, Dr. Faythe Volrath, as Co-Dean for the next two years. Your Board has recently met and has already planned several events for this year’s programs. Dr. Lars Gjerde will thankfully continue doing our newsletter and act as communications expert.

    Our first Guild event will be a free Hymn Playing Workshop and Guild Officer’s Installation on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at First United Methodist Church, 2100 J Street, from 9:00 a.m. -12:00 noon. Lunch will be served. More news of this event will follow.

     Dr. Jan Kraybill will be the guest clinician. She is organ conservator at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City, Missouri, USA; organist-in-residence at the international headquarters of Community of Christ in Independence, Missouri; and organist at Village on Antioch Presbyterian Church in Overland Park, Kansas. 

    Dr. Kraybill will also be playing a free organ recital on the following Sunday at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 235 S. Church Street, Grass Valley, CA 95945, at 3:00 p.m. (We may want to carpool for this event.)

    Many of you may have already received notification about your dues renewal. National has gone electronic in doing business with all chapters and this change can be confusing. (I’m still not up to speed.) Please follow their suggestions but don’t hesitate to call should you have any questions.

    Should any of you have suggestions or concerns for this year’s activities, please don’t hesitate to contact any member of the board listed above. Our next Board Meeting is listed below. Any guild member is welcome to attend Board Meetings.

    We look forward to seeing you at many of our events and remember to bring friends. Please don’t hesitate to call, text or email me,

Scott Nelson, Co-Dean, organtunr@gmail.com.

Email us ideas and contributions at sacvalleyago@gmail.com