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After studying piano
for twelve years, Marcia began studying organ during her freshman year
at Calvin College. Inspired by her role-model and aunt, Shirley Boomsma,
long-time organist of Calvin Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids
and professor of organ at Calvin College, she found her musical niche as
an organist. She majored in organ and earned her Bachelor's degree
in Organ and Church Music. Marcia went on to earn both Master's and
Doctoral degrees in Organ and Church Music at the University of Michigan,
studying organ with Robert Glasgow. She has also studied organ
with Huw Lewis and improvisation with Paul Manz. She was the
winner of the 1996 Jean and Broadus Staley Hymn Playing Competition and
has earned professional certification as an Associate of the American Guild
of Organists (AAGO).
Marcia is Minister
of Music, Worship and Fine Arts at Plymouth First United Methodist Church in
Plymouth, Michigan. The music ministry includes vocal choirs for all ages, an
orchestra, two bell choirs, a concert series and a fine arts academy.
She previously was Director of Music and Organist at Glenview Community Church
(UCC) in Glenview, Illinois, a position she held for ten years (1995 - 2005). She served as consultant for
the design and
installation of the 49-stop, 3-manual organ at the church, built by John-Paul Buzard
Pipe Organ Builders of Champaign, Illinois. Marcia has served as Dean, Sub-Dean, and Board member of
the North Shore (Illinois) Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and was a
performer on many chapter programs. She has served as Director of the National AGO Committee on
Membership Development and Chapter Support, as well as the Task Force for Issues
of Guild Inclusiveness. She is currently a member of the National AGO
Development Committee. She teaches organ privately and writes articles for The Diapason and
Choir & Organ, international pipe organ journals.
Marcia has self-published "A Handbook for Organ Committees," (available through this site, click
here), a guide book for pipe organ projects. She has performed on the
noon recital series at Fourth Presbyterian Church (in 1994, 1997, and 2005), at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. and
at historic Bruton Parish in Williamsburg, Virginia.
“Visions of Eternity,” Marcia’s compact disc featuring the organ at Glenview
Community Church was released by Raven Recordings in Fall 2001.
Selections
from this disc have been featured on the national
radio program, “Pipedreams.”
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CREDENTIALS
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Associate of the American Guild of Organists (AAGO), June 1994
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Doctor of Musical Arts in Church Music and Organ, The University of
Michigan,
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May 1992, Advisor and Organ Instructor: Robert Glasgow
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Master of Music in Church Music and Organ, The University of Michigan,
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July 1989, Organ Instructor: Robert Glasgow
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Bachelor of Arts in Church Music, Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan;
May 1987
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Additional private instruction in organ with Paul Manz and Huw Lewis
EXPERIENCE
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Minister of Music, Worship and Fine Arts: Plymouth First United Methodist
Church, June 2006 - present.
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Associate Director of Music/Organist: Plymouth First United
Methodist Church, August 2005 - May 2006.
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North American Correspondent for Choir & Organ magazine, July 2000 -
present.
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Director of Music and Organist: Glenview Community Church, Glenview,
Illinois, September 1995 - June 2005. Duties include administrating and promoting
development of the music program, directing handbell choir, serving as
organist, supervising other music staff members, developing organ concert
series.
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Interim Director of Music: First Presbyterian Church; Lake Forest,
Illinois, December 1994 - August 1995. Responsibilities expanded to include
directing adult choir, two adult handbell choirs, development of folk choir,
administration of music program, serving as organist.
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Organist and Director of Lakeminster Ringers: First Presbyterian
Church, Lake Forest, Illinois, Organist, January 1994 - August 1995.
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Interim Organist: Glenview Community Church; Glenview, Illinois,
October - December 1993.
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Director of Music: Christ Church United Methodist, Glens Falls,
New York, January - August 1993. Revitalized music program; directed adult
choir and tripled its membership, established and directed handbell and
children's choirs; served as organist.
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Minister of Parish Music: Faith Lutheran Church, Livonia, Michigan,
July 1990 - July 1992. Supervised music program; directed adult and handbell
choirs; established and directed a children's choir; served as organist.
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Director of Music: First United Methodist Church, Garden City, Michigan,
October 1987 - June 1990. Directed adult, handbell, and youth choirs; served
as organist; organized music for ecumenical services.
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Assistant Organist/Choir Director: First United Methodist Church,
Grand Rapids, Michigan, May 1986 - August 1987.
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Chancel Choir Director: Bethel Reformed Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan,
September 1985 - June 1986.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
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Chair, Gifts and Grants, 2006 National AGO Convention
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Member, Steering Committee, 2006 National AGO Convention
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Writer for The Diapason, reviews and articles, since
January 1994
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Director, National AGO Committee for Membership Development and Chapter
Support, July 2006-present (committee member since 2002)
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Member, National AGO Task Force for Issues of Guild Inclusiveness, 2004 -
2005
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Dean, North Shore Chapter American Guild of Organists, 1997-99
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Sub-Dean, North Shore Chapter American Guild of Organists, 1995-97
COMPETITIONS
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1996 Jean and Broadus Staley Hymn Playing Competition, First Prize
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1995 Jean and Broadus Staley Hymn Playing Competition, Finalist
AFFILIATIONS
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American Guild of Organists, Ann Arbor and Chicago Chapters
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The
College Music Society
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The Organ Historical Society
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