Upcoming Webinars
Monday, September 16, 7 pm ET
The Weekend Organist: Contemporary Music for Traditional Organists
Presenter: J.W. Arnold
When was the last time your pastor or members of the congregation asked for some “newer” music? Church choral and keyboard editors from J.W. Pepper will join us to discuss the ways contemporary music is currently being incorporated in worship. They will also share ideas and resources for traditional organists, so you’ll be prepared with quality music when that request comes the next time. Please register here.
Monday, September 23, 7 pm ET
Auto Revocation: Dealing with the IRS to Regain Your Chapter’s Tax-Exempt Status and What to Do AFTER You Obtain It
Presenter: Alexander Lazzaruolo
Mr. Lazzaruolo is a tax partner with Condon O’Meara McGinty & Donnelly LLP, an accounting firm which specializes exclusively in audit and tax preparation services for tax-exempt organizations. Alex is a member of the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (“NYSSCPA”), the New York State Bar Association, the Association of the Bar of the City of New York (“NYC Bar Association”), and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He also serves on the Non-Profit Organizations Committee of the Association of the Bar of the City New York. Mr. Lazzaruolo practices in the areas of not-for-profit organizations, including foundations, religious organizations, public charities, membership organizations, social clubs, high net worth individuals and their privately-held companies. Please register here.
We want to hear from you! Do you have a suggestion for an online webinar or workshop that you would like the AGO to present? Please submit your recommendation here.
Past Webinars, Recitals, and Workshops
Note: To view information and links please click the downward-facing arrows below each header.
The Weekend Organist
Monday, August 19 2024
The Weekend Organist: And the survey says…
J.W. presented the findings from the survey that was sent to part-time organists
The Weekend Organist: Music for Manuals
Presenter: J.W. Arnold, Marketing and Communications Specialist, AGO
Weekend Organist Handout
Trio on Shenandoah Organ Handout
The Weekend Organist: Resolutions You Can Keep in 2024
Presenter: J.W. Arnold, Marketing & Communications Specialist, AGO
Weekend Organist January Handout
Postlude on America the Beautiful John S. Dixon
The Weekend Organist: Tips and Tricks for the Part-Time Musician
Presented by J.W. Arnold, Marketing and Communications Specialist
Weekend Organist Handout
Weekend Organist, Aria on Leoni – John S. Dixon
Recitals
Performances featuring the works of Florence Price and William Grant Still
Certification
Monday, May 13, 2024
Compositional Techniques (AAGO, ChM, and FAGO)
Presented by Vince Carr FRCO, ChM, André Lash FAGO, and Wayne Peterson FAGO, ChM
Monday, May 6, 2024
Ear Tests (AAGO, ChM, and FAGO)
Ear Test Handout
Ear Test Solutions
Q&A
Presented by Vince Carr FRCO, ChM and Eric Birk FAGO
Monday, April 29, 2024
Fugue (AAGO, FAGO)
Q&A
Presented by Vince Carr FRCO, ChM and Eva Sze FAGO
Monday, April 22, 2024
CAGO Exam Preparation 2
Q&A
Presented by Vince Carr FRCO, ChM, André Lash FAGO, and Eva Sze FAGO
Monday, April 15, 2024
CAGO Exam Preparation 1
Presented by Vince Carr FRCO, ChM, Gregory Gyllsdorff FAGO, ChM, and Sarah Harr FAGO
Monday, May 8, 2023
Certification: Renaissance Counterpoint (FAGO)
Presented by David Shuler FAGO
Handout
Monday, May 1, 2023
Orchestrations
Presented by Texu Kim
Handout
Monday, April 24, 2023
Transposition (CAGO, AAGO and FAGO)
Presented by Gregory Gyllsdorff FAGO, ChM
Handout
Monday, March 27, 2023
Fugue: Modulation, Episode (AAGO and FAGO)
Presented by Eva Sze FAGO
Handout
March 20, 2023
Fugue: Subjects, Answer, Countersubject (AAGO and FAGO)
Presented by Eva Sze FAGO
Handout
March 13, 2023
The New Aural Perception Test (AAGO)
Presented by Christopher Jacobson FRCO
Handout
Organ Teaching
November 9, 2020
Improvisation and the Music of Jean Langlais
Presented by Ann Labounsky
Handout
November 2, 2020
Three Suites from the 18th and 21st Centuries
Presented by Cathryn Wilkinson, AAGO
Links to music:
Walker
Boëllmann
Clerambault
October 26, 2020
Group Organ Teaching Strategies
Presented by Don Cook, AAGO, DMA
This webinar discusses strategies for online group teaching
Handouts: PPT Slides, Weekly Preparation Guide, Organ Repertoire for 1st & 2nd Year Students
October 19, 2020
Improvisation for Beginning Organists
Presented by Anne Laver
This webinar demonstrates how to incorporate improvisation pedagogy when teaching beginning organists of any age or experience level.
Handouts: ALaver Teaching Improvisation to Beginning Organist, ALaver handout for webinar 10-19-20
October 12, 2020
Presented by Jonathan Hall, FAGO, ChM
These new awards were designed to offer a way for emerging organists to learn basic organ-playing skills and enhance existing skill sets to provide a pathway to AGO certification.
Handout
October 5, 2020
Building an Organist’s Artistry Through Literature Choices
Presented by Stephen Price
This topic explores the correlation between building a student’s technical and musical skill levels through organ literature. The study focuses on two musical objectives: lyrical and perpetual motion styles.
Chapter Leadership Development
Monday, September 9, 2024
Membership Is Everybody’s Business
Presenters: Jeff Hoffman, John Robinson, Ron Jesse
Handouts: Membership Is Everybody’s Business Handout, 09.06.24 Resonator
Monday, June 3, 2024
Chapter Officer Training: Programming
Presenters, Linda Mack, John Sullivan and Elizabeth George
Programming Ideas for the Upcoming Year Handout
Tuesday, May 21, 2024
Chapter Officer Training for Deans
Presenters: Christopher Cook, Phylicia Ross and Elizabeth George.
This webinar will addresses the role and responsibilities of serving as dean. It discusses the specific traits of leadership that will enable a board of officers to work together productively, as well as how to overcome obstacles that might impede successful collaboration. Whether this is your first time serving as dean or if you are continuing to serve in this capacity, all deans should view this webinar. If you were unable to attend the webinar due to scheduling conflicts, we request that you view the webinar recording.
Handouts: The Board Team Handbook. Please read chapters 3, 7, 10 and 13.
Chapter Deans Presentation
April 16, 2024
Recording of Small Chapters Webinar
Facilitators: Nancy Vanderlee, Phylicia Ross, Elizabeth George
Introducing the PipeWorks STEAM Orgelkids Guidebook
This guidebook addresses key information regarding funding and fundraising, community outreach, chapter management, promotion and marketing, STEAM experiments, and ways to use your kit. Presented by the PipeWorks STEAM Advisory Council.
The guidebook and additional resources can be accessed here.
Build Your Own Website in Under 60 Minutes!
Build Your Own Website Checklist
Presented by J.W. Arnold, AGO Marketing and Communications Specialist
Creating a Community Within Your Chapter to Grow Volunteers and Future Leaders
Building a Community Handout
Leadership Pipeline Volunteer Tracking
Presented by the Committee on Membership Development and Chapter Support with Members of AGO’s Membership Support Specialists
Recruitment in a Box Webinar
Handout: Recruitment In Box Resources
Members of the Chapter Leadership and Marketing and Communication Specialist Support Teams, discuss the importance of building relationships to grow your chapter’s membership.
Navigating Tomorrow: AGO Young Organists Expectations for Chapters
AGO’s Committee for Young Organists presents a panel discussion addressing young organists expectations for the Guild today. Topics will include current challenges and opportunities faced by young organists, expectations regarding mentorship and career development, communications preferences and technology, and creating a welcoming and inclusive chapter environment.
Key Responsibilities Serving as Chapter Treasurer
Handout: Key Responsibilities Serving as Treasurer
Handout of Budget Financial Statement Examples
September 11, 2023: Chapter Leader Town Hall Recording
How to Use Excel for Chapter Reports
Basic Excel Learning Resources Handout
Excel Basics Slides Handout
It’s All About Relationships! Building a Community Within Your Chapter
This lively panel discussion focused on the importance of incorporating purely social and networking events into your year of programming. Some great ideas were shared that are easy to do; that help to strengthen a member’s sense of belonging within their chapter.
Monday, June 5, 2023: Chapter Leader Town Hall Recording
Chapter Leader Town Hall Handout
PipeWorks: A STEAM Initiative
Webinar Handout
Chapter Specialist Support Teams
Leadership 2023
Recording of February 5th Opening General Session
Recording of February 6th Closing Night Session
Social Media Marketing for Chapters
Handout
The Power of Publicity: Promote Your Chapter’s Events through Media Relations
The Power of Publicity Handout
The Year of the Young Organist:
Success Stories in Recruiting and Retaining Young Organists
Nelson Dodge, Dean, Los Angeles Chapter; Billie Busby Smith, Dean, Denver Rocky Mountain Chapter; and Mark Andersen, Dean, Central North Carolina Chapter, who are all leading in the Year of the Young Organist Recruitment Contest, discuss the strategies that have helped them grow their young organist members and engage them.
Sunday, February 6, 2022
Keynote Speaker: Rev Dr. Andrea C. White
Practicing Justice with Pedals, Pipes and Stops
Monday, February 7, 2022
Keynote Speaker: Arreon A. Harley-Emerson
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
Now Is the Time to Form Your Chapter’s Nominations Committee
Handouts:
Now Is the Time to Form Your Chapters
Chapter Elections-March to June
Election Balloting
How To Be a Board Without Being Bored
Handout: The Board Team Handbook
Officer Training: Growing Your Membership, Part II: Using Facebook to Promote Chapter Events
Presented by Shannon Fore, MBA
Setting up a New Event in Facebook
Officer Training: Chapter Program Ideas for the Upcoming Year
Chapter officers in charge of programming representing extra-small, small, medium and large chapters share programs and ideas about what they are planning for the upcoming year.
Officer Training: Everything You Need to Know About Using ONCARD
Presented by Molly Davey, Membership Coordinator
Tour of Chapter Administration Handout
Officer Training: Growing Your Membership
Presented by Shannon Fore, MBA
Creating Facebook Ads for collecting visitor information handout
Leadership Training/Website Resources:
Indiana Jones and the Quest to Find Resources on the AGO Website
The Top Four Things Your Chapter Must Do to be Financially Responsible
Presented by Jeffrey Verkuilen, CPA
This webinar is targeted to those who will be transitioning into serving as Treasurer and as well, for those who will be continuing in this officer position. These four steps are essential to support a chapter’s financial health.
Budget Financial Statement Examples
July 14th Webinar Handout
There Must Be 50 Ways to Raise Some Money
Presented by John Dixon, AGO Councillor for Finance and moderated by AGO Executive Director James E. Thomashower, CAE. This webinar was designed to assist chapter leaders in learning best practices for raising money to support chapter programs and activities. Handout
Robust Chapter Scholarships
Presented by the AGO Task Force for Gender Equity, whose mission is to bring more women into the Guild and to attract a new generation of young women organists. Hear from a panel of chapter leaders who have successful scholarship programs and learn how they promote their programs and discuss opportunities to attract more female organists to participate.
Robust Chapter Scholarships Handout
The Do-Re-Mi’s of Website Design
Presented by the AGO Technology Committee, this webinar covered creating, posting and the importance of keeping your website up-to-date. Handout.
Re-Igniting, Re-Imagining and Re-Emerging from COVID-19
Presented by the Committee on Membership Development and Chapter Support with chapter leaders who participated in the breakout sessions during the 2021 AGO Leadership Conference.
Banking Issues for Chapters
Presented by Eric Birk, AGO Executive Assistant
Handout
Officer Training: The Benefits and Challenges of Serving as Dean
Karl Bruhn Speaking Points October 30
Benefits and Challenges of Being a Chapter Dean SH presentation
Webinar Handout Resources for Chapter Deans and Chapter Leadership
Board Leadership: Keeping Chapters Healthy During the Time of COVID-19.
Presented by the Committee on Membership Development and Chapter Support
AGO San Diego November 2020 Dean’s Message
Develop a Leadership Pipeline
INSPIRE Diagram
Chapter Membership Dues Reconciliation & Income Records
Presented by Molly Davey, AGO Membership Coordinator, and Eric Birk, Executive Assistant
ONCARD Revenue Reconciliation Webinar Slides 2020-10-9
Chapter Dues Reconciliation 2
Professional Development
Higher Education Options for Organists
Presenters: Emily Amos, Laura Bottei, Michelle Kardos
AGO’s Committee for Young Organists discuss programs at traditional 4 year colleges, community colleges and conservatories and will address the differences between programs, application and audition processes, and how to make the final decision. AGO Young Organists Resources.
One License – What’s New?
Dr. Katie Deaver, Associate General Manager with One License shares updates about the legalities involved with streaming and copyrights. One License AGO Fast Facts Handout
Woman Composer Sunday: Honoring Trailblazers
Presented by the Task Force for Gender Equity
Remember to post your videos of your playing on social media
with the hashtag #WomanComposerSunday
Task Force for Gender Equity
You Got the Interview. Now What?
Presented by the Committee on Career Development and Support
You Got the Interview Handout
Monday, October 2, 2023
Being Yourself in the Spotlight of Public Ministry
Speaker: Sarah Bereza, http://www.sarah-beraza.com
Monday, January 30, 7 pm ET – Woman Composer Sunday
Presented by Eileen Hunt, Nancy Cooper, Michelle Kardos, Lyn Loewi, and special guest from the Society of Women Organists, Alison Howell, the creator of Woman Composer Sunday.
View Webinar. Woman Composer Sunday Handout.
Monday, August 29, 2022. 8:00 pm EDT
A 21st Century Facelift for the Certification Exams
AGO Professional Certification Requirements 2023
Presented by Vincent Carr, Councillor for Membership, this webinar will explore some of the changes to the exams in 2022.
May 16, 2022
Know Your Skill Set: Job Searches and Job Descriptions
Reading Between the Lines of a Job Description
Jop Postings – Reading_Responding
Presented by the Committee on Career Development and Support
January 31, 2022
Using the New “Employing Musicians” Handbook: Your Compensation Package:
Presented by the Committee on Career Development and Support
Anthony Rispo Handout
Eric Birk Handout
Salary Tables and Unionization FAQs
James Thomashower Article in March 2021 TAO
Employing Musicians in Religious Institutions: A Handbook for Committees and Candidates
January 10, 2022
Integrating Gender Equity into Chapter Programming
Presented by Alison Howell, Society of Women Organists
July 12, 2021
Returning to the New Normal: Identifying Recovery Processes and Taking the Time to Grieve
Presented by Sally Powell and Dr. Christopher Cook
Handout for Returning to the New Normal
June 21, 2021
The New Oxford Organ Method
Presented by Anne Marsden Thomas and Frederick Stocken
Additional resources can be found here.
March 15, 2021
Musicians and Clergy Working Collaboratively
Presented by the American Guild of Organists and the Church Music Institute.
Handouts: Musicians and Clergy Working Collaboratively and AGO CMI Resources
February 6, 2021
Responsibilities of the Church Organist
Presented by David Enlow, FAGO
February 1, 2021
Know Your Value
An introduction to the new AGO employment handbook
The handbook can be downloaded here
January 11, 2021
How We Worship: The Ever-Changing Environment
Panelists: David Enlow, Matthew Burt, Alex Oldroyd. Moderator: Leslie Wolf Robb
October 17, 2020
But I Need a Rohrschalmei! Understanding Total Design in Mainstream Traditional Church Instruments
Presented by Adam Pajan
This program includes a lecture component, masterclass, and ends with a performance by Pajan.
October 15, 2020
The New AGO Achievement Awards
Presented by Jonathan Hall, FAGO, ChM
September 23, 2020
Streaming Music Legally in Churches and Recitals
Presented by Brenna C. Cronin, One License; David Schaap, Sehah Publishing
Moderator: Eileen Hunt, AAGO
One License: Copyright Check-up & Compliance Video
Email questions to info@onelicense.net
Selah Publishing: Licensing
September 12, 2020
Hymn Playing 101 and 102
Presented by Adam Pajan
This program includes a lecture component, masterclass, and ends with a performance by Pajan.
July 10, 2020
A Smoother Experience for Substitute Organists and Hosts
Presented by Sarah Bereza
Substitute Organist Worksheet
Conversations for a Centenary
November 22, 2021
Conversations for a Centenary (part 3) Jeanne Demessieux and Marcel Dupré Panel: Jeremy Filsell, Stephen Tharp. Performances from the concerts of the complete works of Dupré and Demessieux performed.
Third of three webinars: In these three webinars, we celebrate the lives and great works of three 20th-century organists on the 100th anniversary of their births. Our third webinar will also look at Marcel Dupré on the 50th anniversary of his death. Family members, colleagues and scholars all come together in conversation, delivering an intimate portrait of these towering figures.
November 15, 2021
Conversations for a Centenary (part 2) Richard Wayne Dirksen, Panel: Neal Campbell, Mark Dirksen
Second of three webinars: In these three webinars, we will celebrate the lives and great works of three 20th Century Organists on the 100th anniversary of their births. Our third webinar will also look at Marcel Dupré on the 50th anniversary of his passing. Family members, colleagues and scholars all come together in conversation, delivering an intimate portrait of these towering figures.
November 8, 2021
Conversations for a Centenary (part 1) Alec Wyton, Panel: Daniel Ficarri, Marilyn Keiser, Richard Wynton. Performances by Ray Nagem
First of three webinars: In these three webinars, we will celebrate the lives and great works of three 20th Century Organists on the 100th anniversary of their births. Our third webinar will also look at Marcel Dupré on the 50th anniversary of his passing. Family members, colleagues and scholars all come together in conversation, delivering an intimate portrait of these towering figures.
Technology
Using Hauptwerk Virtual Pipe Organ Software
Brett Milan, Founder and CEO of Milan Digital Audio will facilitate a panel discussion and demonstration of how AGO members are using Hauptwerk software.
Handout-AGOwebinarHaupwerk_2024-04-29
capella Software
Dr. Dominik Hörnel, Director of capella-software AG, discussed the features and capabilities of capella, capella-scan, capella audio2score, and tonica fugata, and the special discount that is available for AGO members. capella Handout and Survey
November 20, 2020
Google, Skype and Zoom – Oh, my!
Presented by the AGO Technology Committee
Handouts: Creating and Verifying a YouTube account https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/171664?hl=en
Harold Stuart AGO Handout
Greg Rettew Recording and Editing Handout
Answers to Questions Digital Recording
August 20, 2020 – Part 2
A Virtual Choir for All of Us, Part 2
Presented by Carol Spradling
Virtual Choir for the Rest of Us Handout
August 13, 2020 – Part 1
A Virtual Choir for All of Us
Presented by Carol Spradling
Virtual Choir for the Rest of Us Handout
June 19, 2020
Technology Webinar: Putting it Together: Vocal Tools for Effective Collaboration and Recording
Sue Mitchell-Wallace Handout
Kevin Harris Handout
Sue Mitchell-Wallace Bio
Kevin Harris Bio
May 15, 2020
Successful Online Streaming to Avoid Online Screaming
Webinar Handout: Online Streaming and Recording
Webinar Handout: Mobile Recording Guide
April 17, 2020
Virtual Meeting Options Handout
Click here for all AGO Young Organists programming.