Dear Members and Friends of the CAZAGO:

This season marks the sixtieth anniversary of the Central Arizona Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. The first official meeting of what was to become the CAZAGO was held on Monday evening, August 23, 1948 in the studios of Gene Redewill. Secretary pro tem Clara Taylor recorded that the meeting was held "for the purpose of forming a chapter of the American Guild of Organists." On October 29, 1948, after several organizational meetings, the National Officers of the American Guild of Organists officially recognized our chapter as the Central Arizona Chapter with Dean Sheldon Foote leading the aspiring young organization. S. Lewis Elmer, Warden, wrote: "It is such a pleasure to me to know that the Chapter is now flourishing."

Indeed, the chapter continues to flourish! In the past year, membership has increased at one of the fastest rates nationally. The Pipeline and our website (www.CAZAGO.org) have undergone remarkable transformation to the level of professionalism that allows our members to keep informed of chapter and member events. Our level of giving has increased as has our level of programming. Our scholarships continue to inspire and provide the ability for young musicians to study the organ. As it did in 1948, our chapter is flourishing and we have much to be proud of and thankful for.

It was Queen Victoria, the longest reigning monarch in British history, that made sixtieth anniversary celebrations fashionable after the celebration of her Diamond Jubilee in 1897. Almost everyone knows of someone, either friend or relative, who has celebrated sixty years of marriage and we have grown to recognize the symbol and gift of such a milestone as the diamond, a word derived from the Greek adamas which means unconquerable and enduring. I would like to think that these values apply to our chapter, a community of aficionados, lovers, and dedicatees of the organ and its role in our greater society.

While diamond pendants for each member marking our anniversary will not be a part of the celebration, our season is filled with jewels that include performances by international improvisator Sietze de Vries, rising star Nathan Laube, virtuoso Stephen Tharp, and the affable and immensely talented Ken Cowan. The year will be capped with a diamond of musical celebration and study— Phoenix Rising: Region IX Festival 2009 to be held June 22–25 at the world-class Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa, a four-diamond rated member of the Waldorf-Astoria collection of resorts. Come, join us for this most exciting season and I look forward to celebrating our accomplishments together.

Soli Deo Gloria!
Dr. Homer Ashton Ferguson III, Dean