Jan 14, 2002

AGO TO HOST GALA BENEFIT RECEPTION HONORING MARIE-CLAIRE ALAIN NEW YORK CITY — The AMERICAN GUILD OF ORGANISTS (AGO) will sponsor a GALA BENEFIT RECEPTION honoring MARIE-CLAIRE ALAIN on Sunday, February 17 in New York City. The gala reception will follow her 4:00 p.m. recital performance at St. Ignatius Loyola Church, 980 Park Avenue at 84th Street. The reception will begin at 6 p.m. in the church’s Wallace Hall. Gala Benefit Reception tickets, which include recital admittance, are available from AGO National Headquarters. The cost is $100 per person. Proceeds will benefit the AGO Endowment Fund. The reception is sponsored by the AGO Development Committee, Morgan Simmons, director. To purchase tickets, please call 212-870-2310 or e-mail info@agohq.org. MARIE-CLAIRE ALAIN, one of the leading figures in the organ world, has given more than 2,000 recitals and concerts around the globe. As a recording artist, with more than 200 records and 60 CDS to her credit, she has earned more than 15 Grands Prix du Disque. Marie-Claire Alain, who has appeared at numerous AGO regional and national conventions, was awarded the AGO Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999. On Monday, February 18 she will be featured at the New York City AGO Chapter’s Presidents’ Day Conference where she will discuss her newly-published compendium of the music of Jehan Alain. The AGO’s lively concern for education and outreach prompted the formation of the AGO ENDOWMENT FUND in 1994. The purpose of this fund is to expand programs for leadership development among AGO members; educate new organists; and cultivate new audiences for organ and choral music. Tax-deductible contributions to the Endowment Fund are invested in perpetuity to produce continuing income support for essential Guild educational programs and projects. The AMERICAN GUILD OF ORGANISTS is the national professional association serving the organ and choral music fields. Founded in 1896 as both an educational and service organization, the AGO seeks to set and maintain high musical standards and to promote understanding and appreciation of all aspects of organ and choral music. The mission of the AGO is to promote the organ in its historic and evolving roles, to encourage excellence in the performance of organ and choral music, and to provide a forum for mutual support, inspiration, education, and certification of Guild members. The Guild currently serves more than 20,000 members in 343 local chapters throughout the United States and abroad. This information is submitted by F. Anthony Thurman, Director of Development and Communications at the National Headquarters of the American Guild of Organists and The American Organist Magazine. For further information, please contact Dr. Thurman by TEL (212) 870-2310, FAX (212) 870-2163 or E-MAIL fathurman@agohq.org.