American Guild of Organists

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Take the AGO Service Playing Exam & Boost Your Career

The Service Playing Certificate is recognized by many churches and employers as a guarantee of proficiency at the organ and brings organists many professional benefits. The test is entirely practical, and the required skills come into play at the worship service(s) you play each week.

To help candidates prepare for the test, The AGO Certification Committee has developed the Service Playing Test Study Guide as an educational resource for service playing candidates. The study guide is almost 60 pages in length and comes with a CD containing musical examples.

Ready to increase your expertise and skills at the organ?

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John Scott 1956 – 2015

The AGO joins St. Thomas Church and the world-wide organ community in mourning the sudden passing of John Scott. John had just completed a successful European tour. He died at Roosevelt Hospital in New York City on August 11.

John served as Organist and Director of Music of Saint Thomas Church and Choir School since 2004. He previously served at Saint Paul’s Cathedral for 26 years. He was born in 1956 and is a graduate of Saint John’s College, Cambridge. In addition to his beloved wife, Lily, he is survived by two children, Emma and Alex, and two sisters, Judith and Helen.

The Solemn Funeral Liturgy will be held on Saturday, September 12 at 11am at Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue and will be sung by the Saint Thomas Choir of Men and Boys.

A tribute from New York Times classical music critic James R. Oestreich

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Houston to Host the AGO 2016 Convention

The 2016 AGO National Convention will take place in Houston, TX and showcase vibrant performances, world-class instruments, enlightening workshops, creative new music and inspiring worship. You will have many opportunities to meet fellow musicians and create dynamic connections. Convention dates are June 19-23, 2016.

Registration begins in October, 2015.

Bookmark the convention website to keep up to date with all the news: Houston Convention 2016.

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Twenty three young musicians attend Pipe Organ Encounter in Wichita, KS

Twenty three young musicians, ages 13 through 17, from seven states attended a Pipe Organ Encounter in Wichita, Kansas, on June 14-19, 2015. The event was centered at Wichita State University with housing in the new Shocker Hall residence facility with classes, performances and workshops at various locations around Wichita State. Each morning the campers traveled to area churches for their daily lessons and practice times on a variety of organs throughout the city. The afternoons were filled with faculty recitals and workshops, more practice time, tours and recreation. Each evening featured a performance by faculty members, including a hymn festival on Wednesday.

Faculty members included Tate Addis, recent Yale University graduate; Dr. Michael Bauer and Dr. James Higdon, the University of Kansas in Lawrence; Lynne Davis, Wichita State University, Dr. Ann Marie Rigler, William Jewel College in Liberty, MO; Michael Emmerich, Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Houston TX; Laura Rau ,St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Parish in Leawood, KS,; Dr. Melody Turnquist-Steed, Bethany College, Lindsborg, KS; Donna Hetrick, Bethel College, Newton, KS , and Grace Presbyterian Church, Wichita; Shirley Wiebe, Church of the Magdelen, Wichita.

Highlights of the week included:

  • An introduction to the Marcussen organ at Wiedemann Hall, WSU
  • Opening recital by Lynne Davis on the Marcussen
  • Noontime faculty recitals by Michael Bauer, Michael Emmerich and Laura Rau
  • An evening faculty recital by Tate Addis, Ann Marie Rigler and James Higdon
  • An evening concert the Little River Studio to hear Brett Valliant play the Wurlitzer theater organ
  • A hymn festival led by Melody Steed and Laura Rau
  • Open console time after each concert so the students could try the different organ
  • Presentations on service music and classical music by Regional Councillor Marilyn Schempp
  • Workshops on improvisation, practice, organ building, hymn playing, theory
  • A panel discussion about career choices in music
  • Field trips to Senseney Music and the Wichita Sedgwick County Historical Society
  • Recreation at the YMCA
  • Pipes on the Plains organ tour to: Dobson Organ – Bethel College – Donna Hetrick, Recital;   Andover Organ – Hesston Mennonite Church; Martin Ott Organ – Eden Mennonite Church; Jaeckel Organ – Bethany Lutheran; Reuter Organ – Bethany College
  • Evening meal with AGO Chapter members, browse music from scholarship library and choose five free items
  • Nighttime view of the Keeper of the Plains
  • Final student recital at Wiedemann Hall on the Mighty Marcussen! Everyone played well!

Dates and locations of 2016 Pipe Organ Encounters

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Call for Nominations for the 2016-2018 National Council

The AGO National Nominating Committee is responsible for preparing a slate of 14 candidates for the seven positions on the 2016-2018 National Council. In an effort to identify the most talented and dedicated leaders of the Guild, the committee seeks names of potential candidates from all Guild members. Please review the committee’s “Call for Nominations” below and take a few moments to assist the committee in its work either by offering to serve the Guild yourself or recommending one or more colleagues for Council positions.

—James Thomashower, Executive Director
American Guild of Organists

2015-AGO-Call-for-Nominations

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2015 Spreckels Organ Society & AGO Competition Held

The annual San Diego AGO/Spreckels Organ Society scholarship auditions were held recently in San Diego.

Congratulations to young organists Miranda Kaack, Reiley Fleischbein, John Yokoyama, Suzy Webster, Lauren A., Margaret Campbell, Alex Kramer, and Vincent Pham for presenting an excellent concert on May 31.

spreckles-ago-2015-group

Robert Lang’s photos of the concert can be seen here.