The 2023 AGO Endowment Fund Distinguished Artist Award will be presented to RICHARD WEBSTER at the AGO Gala on Friday, April 21, at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago. We hope you will join us for the celebration—either in person or by participating from a distance.
Richard will lead a hymn festival with the Fourth Presbyterian Church Morning Choir and Tower Brass of Chicago, along with organists John Sherer and Michael Rees. A gala benefit reception supporting the AGO Endowment Fund follows (advance tickets required). Guests will enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres with Richard and the AGO National Council.
The AGO Gala travels around the country to celebrate distinguished members of the organ world, to raise awareness for the Endowment Fund, and to secure gifts to strengthen it. All income from this Gala will be invested in perpetuity; annual earnings will support AGO educational programs.
Richard Webster—composer, church musician, conductor, and organist—has held prominent positions in both Chicago and Boston. His hymn arrangements for brass, percussion, organ, and congregation are celebrated around the world. He has performed and recorded with the Chicago Symphony and has been Music Director of Chicago’s Bach Week Festival since 1975. In addition to his musical accomplishments, Richard has finished 19 Boston and 21 Chicago Marathons!
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The deadline to be included in the commemorative program book is April 7.
Tickets
HYMN FESTIVAL 7:30 p.m.
Fourth Presbyterian Church Church Morning Choir and Tower Brass of Chicago
John Sherer and Michael Rees, Organists; Richard Webster, Conductor
General admission: $20
GALA BENEFIT RECEPTION 9–11 p.m.
Preferred seating at hymn festival and recognition in commemorative program book.
Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres with honoree, performers, and AGO National Council.
Hymn Festival and Reception ticket: $150 (tax-deductible portion: 75%)
Advance purchase required. Deadline: April 7
Sponsorships
Platinum: $10,000
• Cocktails and dinner for two (2) with Richard Webster and AGO national leadership on April 20
• Recognition as Platinum Sponsor on all event materials
• Prestige/reserved seating for ten (10) guests at hymn festival
• VIP Gala reception tickets for ten (10) guests
• Name or logo featured at both the hymn festival and the reception
• Full-page color ad, inside front cover of program book
• Sponsorship recognition in The American Organist
• Sponsorship recognition all year on homepage of the AGO website
Gold: $5,000
• Lunch for two (2) with Richard Webster and AGO national leadership on April 21
• Recognition as Gold Sponsor on all event materials
• Prestige/reserved seating for four (4) guests at hymn festival
• VIP Gala reception tickets for four (4) guests
• Name or logo featured at both the hymn festival and the reception
• Full-page color ad in program book
• Sponsorship recognition in The American Organist and on the AGO website
Silver: $2,500
• Breakfast for two (2) with Richard Webster and AGO national leadership on April 22
• Recognition as Silver Sponsor on all event materials
• Preferred/reserved seating for two (2) guests at hymn festival
• VIP Gala reception tickets for two (2) guests
• Name featured at both the hymn festival and the reception
• Half-page color ad in program book
• Sponsorship recognition in The American Organist and on the AGO website
Bronze: $1,000
• Recognition as Bronze Sponsor in program book
• Reserved seating for two (2) guests at hymn festival
• VIP Gala reception tickets for two (2) guests
• Sponsorship recognition in The American Organist and on the AGO website
Advertising
Demonstrate your support with a full-color display ad for you, your firm, or your organization. Your ad will be proudly presented in the full-color commemorative program book. Email artwork to gala@agohq.org by April 7.
Center Spread display: $2,500
17 x 11 (add .25 inch for bleed), landscape orientation, full color.
Price includes four (4) Gala Benefit Reception tickets.
Back Cover display ad: $2,000
8½ x 11 (add .25 inch for bleed), portrait orientation, full color.
Price includes two (2) Gala Benefit Reception tickets.
Inside (Front or Back) Cover display ad: $1,500
8½ x 11 (add .25 inch for bleed), portrait orientation, full color.
Price includes two (2) Gala tickets.
Full-page display ad: $1,000
7 x 10 (no bleed), portrait orientation, full color.
Price includes two (2) Gala Benefit Reception tickets.
Half-page display ad: $500
7 x 4.75, landscape orientation, full color.
Price includes one (1) Gala Benefit Reception ticket.
Congratulatory Message: $250
Congratulatory messages will be published in individual boxes in the commemorative program book. Send your greetings to Richard!
Participate from a Distance
If you are unable to be at the gala in person, participate from a distance by making a tax-deductible contribution to the AGO Endowment Fund. The names of all donors participating from a distance will be published in the commemorative program book.
