American Guild of Organists

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Pipe Organ Encounter

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Online applications to attend 2019 Pipe Organ Encounters are now open

Six AGO Pipe Organ Encounters will be hosted by chapters in five states (Massachusetts, Illinois, Missouri, Texas, and Washington) and in one foreign country (Finland) in 2019.

In addition to four traditional POEs, there will be one POE-Advanced, and one POE-Technical.  For more information and to apply to attend, please visit any of the three following AGO website pages:

Pipe Organ Encounters for traditional POEs in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, St. Louis, Missouri, Seattle Washington, and Helsinki, Finland.

Pipe Organ Encounters-Advanced  for the POE-Advanced in Houston, Texas.

or

Pipe Organ Encounters-Technical  for the POE-Technical in River Forest and Oak Park, Illinois.

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Six Pipe Organ Encounters Highlight 2017

2017 witnessed six successful Pipe Organ Encounters, including one POE Advanced and one POE Technical. Congratulations to the host chapters, teachers, and students. The six POEs and their host chapters were:

Dordt College Campus (Sioux Center, Iowa)
South Dakota Chapter
June 11-16, 2017
Website
POE

The University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa, Alabama)
Birmingham Chapter
June 25-30, 2017
Website
POE Advanced

Berkeley Lake, Georgia
Phil Parkey OrganBuilders & Atlanta Chapter
July 9-14, 2017
Webpage
POE Technical

Trinity College (Hartford, Connecticut)
Greater Hartford Chapter
July 16-21, 2017
Website
POE

University of San Diego (San Diego, California)
San Diego Chapter
July 16-22, 2017
Webpage
POE

Winchester, Virginia
Winchester Chapter
July 16-22, 2017
POE

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2017 Pipe Organ Encounters Schedule

POE for ages 13–18

June 11–16 Sioux Center, Iowa (Registration full – Waiting list only)
July 16–22 San Diego, California (Registration has one open place)
July 16–21 Hartford, Connecticut (Registration full – Waiting list only)
July 23–27 Winchester, Virginia

An introduction to the pipe organ through instruction in organ playing, repertoire, history, design, and construction. These regional summer music institutes for teenage students provide private and group instruction in service playing and solo repertoire, opportunities to learn about the musical heritage of various religious denominations, and a chance for young musicians to meet others with similar interests. Piano or organ proficiency ranging from intermediate to advanced is required.

Apply to attend.

POE+ for adults

June 25–30 San Antonio, Texas.  (Cancelled)
Practical information and instruction for adult keyboard musicians interested in improving their service-playing skills.
Participants will be introduced to basic organ skills through private instruction and classes. The week-long experience will lead to greater confidence and competence at the organ.

POE (Advanced) for grades 9–12

June 25–30 Birmingham, Alabama
July 23–28 Seattle, Washington (Cancelled)
Intermediate to advanced classes in areas such as organ literature, history, pipe organ construction and design, music theory,
improvisation, conducting, and service playing for students who have achieved a high level of success in organ study.

Apply to attend.

POE (Technical) for ages 16–23

July 9–14 Berkeley Lake, Georgia
for students who are interested in learning the art and craft of organ building. The event is hosted in the workshop of an organ builder working in
cooperation with a local AGO chapter.
Apply to attend.

Please note:  The application period for AGO National POE Scholarships closed on April 15, 2017.  Scholarship assistance for POE attendance may also be available from local chapters of the AGO or religious or educational organizations in your area.  Click HERE for ideas on fund-raising for POE students.

Updated June 6, 2017

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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.

Cedar-Valley-POE-1140x500

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Apply to attend a 2016 Pipe Organ Encounter

Pipe Organ Encounters (POEs) offer teenagers and adults a rewarding opportunity to learn more about the pipe organ and its construction, instruction with experienced faculty, visits to hear and play outstanding instruments, and the chance to meet and interact with peers who share an interest in the King of Instruments.

2016 offerings include traditional POEs, a POE Advanced, and POE+ sessions.

Click for complete information on the various POE offerings and to submit an application:

Pipe Organ Encounters

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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