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Church Music Institute Creates eLibrary of over 10,000 Sacred Choral Titles

In 2015, conversations began about the possibility of the CMI eLibrary becoming a membership benefit to members of AGO. Funding was sought and obtained for a pilot project; considerations among the appropriate levels of approval needed within AGO were initiated and completed. In early 2016, a pilot project for CMI and the AGO to offer access to the eLibrary was begun through the national office to chapters in Kansas City, Indianapolis, and Atlanta.

Enrollment processes were honed, and access was provided; at this writing, dozens of AGO members and their colleagues are experimenting with the eLibrary as we look forward with hope to offering all AGO members this benefit in 2017.

pdf-large-typePlease read  the full article in the July 2016 issue of TAO by CMI Executive Director Charlotte Kroeker

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Atlanta, Georgia hosts one of 8 Pipe Organ Encounter events in 2016

Atlanta, Georgia was the site of a POE directed by Nicole Marane, director of the AGO National Committee on Pipe Organ Encounters. The students were photographed  from the chancel of Peachtree United Methodist Church in Atlanta. A full report of this and other Pipe Organ Encounter events will appear in the December, 2016 issue of The American Organist. (PHOTO CREDIT: Bush Enos)

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Congratulations to the 2016 NYACOP and NCOI Winners

Five finalists played at the 2016 NYACOP final round Saturday, June 18, 2016 at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Houston, Texas. The winning players were Katelyn Emerson – First Place, Kirk Rich – Second Place, and Weicheng Zhao – Third Place and Audience Prize.

Three finalists were chosen at the 2015 NCOI semifinals held July 1, 2015 at the Charlotte SE Regional Convention. The three organists below traveled to Houston, Texas for the NCOI final round that was held June 21, 2016 at Christ Church Cathedral (Houston). Thomas Dahl, was awarded 1st Place and the Audience Prize, Matt Gender was awarded 2nd Place, and Kalle Toivio was awarded 3rd Place.

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Cedar Valley, Iowa hosts the first Pipe Organ Encounter of 2016

Cedar Valley, Iowa was the site of the first POE of 2016. Led by director Karen Black at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, the students, faculty and volunteers took a break from lessons, classes and activities to pose for an outdoor photo (below). A full report of this and other Pipe Organ Encounter events will appear in the December, 2016 issue of The American Organist.

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Eight Prizes Presented to Six Organists at National Convention in Houston, TX

The American Guild of Organists  is pleased to announce the results of its National Young Artists Competition in Organ Performance (NYACOP) and the National Competition in Organ Improvisation (NCOI). Prizewinners were recognized at the 53rd biennial AGO National Convention in Houston, Tex. The following prizes were awarded:

National Young Artists Competition in Organ Performance

First Prize—Katelyn Emerson

  • The Jordan Organ Endowment Prize: $10,000, awarded in conjunction with a solo recital on the Jordan Family Organ in Columbus, GA;
  • The Lilian Murtagh Memorial Prize: $3,000 cash award and career development assistance provided by Karen McFarlane Artists;
  • a CD recording by Pro Organo;
  • a performance at the 2018 AGO National Convention in Kansas City, MO;
  • and a series of award recitals throughout the US

Second Prize—Kirk Rich

  • $5,000 cash award provided by Kegg Pipe Organ Builders

Third Prize—Weicheng Zhao

  • $3,000 cash award provided by John-Paul Buzard Pipe Organ Builders

Audience Choice Prize—Weicheng Zhao

  • $1,000 cash award provided by the Martin Ott Pipe Organ Company
Katelyn Emerson
Katelyn Emerson
Weicheng Zhao
Weicheng Zhao
Kirk Rich
Kirk Rich
National Competition in Organ Improvisation

First Prize—Thomas Dahl

  • $3,000 cash award provided by the estate of McNeil Robinson;
  • a CD recording by Pro Organo

Second Prize—Matt Gender

  • $2,000 cash award provided by Dobson Pipe Organ Builders Ltd.

Third Prize—Kalle Toivio

  • $1,500 cash award provided by Pamela and Steven Ruiter-Feenstra

Audience Choice Prize—Thomas Dahl

  • $1,500 cash award provided by David and Robin Arcus
Thomas Dahl
Thomas Dahl
Matt Gender
Matt Gender
Kalle Tovio
Kalle Tovio
National Young Artists Competition in Organ Performance

The National Young Artists Competition in Organ Performance promotes the highest level of organ performance. The competition serves as a springboard for emerging young organists, allowing them to continue to develop their performance ability by participating in the various demanding stages of this competition. Established in 1950 and held biennially, the competition is open to organists between the ages of 22 and 32.

The judges for the final round of the 2016 NYACOP in Houston were Edoardo Bellotti, Dean Billmeyer, Susan Ferré, James Kibbie, Ludger Lohmann, John Schwandt, and Carole Terry. Major support for the competition was provided by the Jordan Organ Endowment, Karen McFarlane Artists, Kegg Pipe Organ Builders, John-Paul Buzard Pipe Organ Builders, the Martin Ott Pipe Organ Company, the Nita Akin Competition Fund, and the Dallas (TX) AGO Chapter, host of the semifinal round.

National Competition in Organ Improvisation

The National Competition in Organ Improvisation advances the art of improvisation by recognizing and rewarding superior performers in the field. Improvisation is the pinnacle of achievement for a musician who can combine the elements of performance and composition simultaneously in the creation of a new work of art. Since 1990, the AGO NCOI has motivated and inspired hundreds of the most talented organists in America. Today, it is the preeminent competition in North America dedicated to preserving and advancing improvisation at the organ, and is open to all regardless of age or country of citizenship.

A flourishing tradition of improvisation has always been fundamental to a truly vital musical culture. Although musical extemporization has enjoyed a rich heritage in Europe for
many centuries, the art form is in perilous risk of extinction in America except among a few organists and jazz musicians. The NCOI continues to set the standard for organists seeking to demonstrate their skill in extemporaneous performance, the highest and most challenging musical art form.

The judges for the final round of the 2016 NCOI in Houston were David Arcus, Marie Rubis Bauer, Pamela Decker, Marie-Bernadette Dufourcet, David Enlow, Tom Trenney, and David Ashley White. Major support was provided by the estate of McNeil Robinson, Dobson Pipe Organ Builders Ltd., Pamela and Steven Ruiter-Feenstra, and David and Robin Arcus.

Biographies of the 2016 competitors can be found in the April 2016 (NYACOP) and May 2015 (NCOI) issues of The American Organist Magazine.

Photo credits: Joseph Routon

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AGO Recognizes Three Award Winning Composers

The American Guild of Organists honored three award- winning composers at its Annual Meeting on June 22, during the 2016 AGO National Convention in Houston, TX. AGO Vice President Christian Lane presided over the award presentations to David Ashley White of Houston, Ivan Božičević of Croatia, and Michael Gilbertson of Hamden, CT

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David Ashley White

The 2016 Distinguished Composer Award was presented to David Ashley White. The prestigious award, created in 1986, is presented biennially to recognize outstanding composers of organ and choral music in the United States. White’s anthem, With a Shining Like the Sun, for mixed chorus, brass, timpani, organ, and congregation, was given its premier performance during the convention. Previous award recipients include: Virgil Thomson, Ned Rorem, Daniel Pinkham, Samuel Adler, Dominick Argento, William Albright, Conrad Susa, Emma Lou Diemer, Dan Locklair, William Bolcom, Alice Parker, Carl Schalk, Margaret Sandresky, Richard Proulx, Stephen Paulus, David Hurd, Craig Phillips, and Libby Larsen.

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Ivan Božičević

The 2016 AGO/Marilyn Mason Award in Organ Composition was presented to Ivan Božičević for The Moonpiper–A Bagpipe Dance for Organ, which was given its premier performance by Joby Bell during the convention. The award included a cash prize of $2,000, and publication by Hinshaw Music Inc.

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Michael Gilbertson

The 2016 AGO/ECS Publishing Award in Choral Composition was presented to Michael Gilbertson for his anthem for SATB choir, organ, and trumpet, The Voice of the Lord, which was given its premier performance during the convention. The award included a cash prize of $2,000 and publication, both provided by the ECS Publishing Co.