The Durham-Chapel Hill Chapter of the American Guild of Organists (AGO) will kick off its 2026–2027 program year on Sunday, September 20, with an afternoon of art, music, and fellowship at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 1200 W Cornwallis Road, Durham.

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At 3:30 p.m., Janet Seiz, Independent Art Historian, will present an Art Talk: Music & the Arts. Drawing connections between visual and musical art, Janet will explore themes and imagery related to the music featured in the afternoon’s organ recital, offering a visual-arts “prelude” to the musical program.

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At 4:00 p.m., organist David Durkop will present Tidings of Comfort and Joy, featuring the Wolff and Brombaugh organs at St. Paul’s. The program will include music by Johann Sebastian Bach, Georg Böhm, Dietrich Buxtehude, Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck, Florence Price, Angela Kraft Cross, and David Durkop.

The Art Talk and organ recital are free and open to the public. We invite music lovers, art enthusiasts, and members of the community to join us for this unique afternoon combining the visual and musical arts.

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Following the recital, the Durham-Chapel Hill AGO chapter will gather for its Program Year Kickoff Dinner at 6:00 p.m. in Trinity Hall. AGO members and non-members alike are welcome. In addition to sharing a meal and fellowship, we will hear a report from Julie Mitchell about her experience at the AGO National Convention in St. Louis this summer.

Dinner is $15 per person, and an RSVP is required by September 13, 2026. Payment may be made in advance via Venmo to our Financial Secretary, Christopher Bross (@Christopher-Bross, last four digits of phone number: 2898), or in person at the event by cash or check.