Dear Colleague,       

I love the metropolis of Chicagoland and the treasure trove of pipe organs that it contains!  Nothing gives me more pleasure than hearing them and singing with them surrounded by my colleagues and friends.  Today I am inviting you to join us at the convention!  Might I ask you also to invite a friend to join us from July 8 to 13, 2012 here in Chicago?        We will hear two magnificently restored E. M. Skinners, one played by the amazing Ken Cowan and the other by area native Nathan Laube.  We welcome you to enjoy the 2006 Fisk at St. Chrysostom’s in Chicago.  We will see stunning venues at North Shore Congregation Israel, Emmanuel Episcopal in La Grange, and Divine Word Chapel in Techny with its unique, literally, Wiener organ.  Chicago treasure David Schrader will perform a pops concert at Orchestra Hall, and we will hear the Estey Organ with its “cash register” console in the opulent environs of the American College of Surgeons.      

Chicago is home to the magnum opus of Richard O. Whitelegg, the Tonal Director of the M�ller Organ Company, at Carl Schurz High School.  The Prairie-style school is on the National Register of Historic Places and the organ boasts a four-rank Fourniture, a five-rank Cornet and a four-rank Harmonics stop (complete with Septi�me!) on the Great alone!  In nearby Valparaiso, Indiana, we will hear the beautifully restored Hook & Hastings (St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church) and a very rare late three-manual Hinners (yes, an Illinois builder!) as well.  We will hear the oldest organ in the city of Chicago; as well as an organ that was played each Sunday by Paul Manz.       

For our guests from around the country, we will feature some of our finest local players including Wolfgang R�bsam, John Sherer, Stephen Schnurr, Derek Nickels, Elizabeth Naegele, and Cathryn Wilkinson, among others.  We will also have the opportunity to hear rising stars Nicholas Bideler, Adam Gruber, and Madeleine Woodworth.       
Check the Chicago OHS chapter web site for updates.  Information about registration and lodging will be posted on the OHS national web site.  You will not want to miss the golden opportunity to enjoy organ music, historic organs, and musical friendships!  
Sincerely Yours,      
Dr. Dennis Northway
OHS 2012 Convention Chair