AMERICAN GUILD OF ORGANISTS
UNVEILS NEW EDUCATIONAL PRODUCTS
FOR THE 21ST CENTURY
Compact Disk Recordings and DVD Videos
added to the AGO Bookstore
 NEW YORK CITY — The American Guild of Organists (AGO) is pleased to introduce five new educational products designed for the 21st century. These items include the new MASTER SERIES, featuring legendary organist teachers Catharine Crozier, Marie-Claire Alain, and Frederick Swann, available in both VHS and DVD formats, and the reissuing of the AGO’s MINI-COURSES in Basic Organ Registration, Hymn Playing, and Creative Hymn Playing on compact disk. Master Series videos are $25 each (plus shipping), and Mini Courses are $22 each or $50 for the 3-CD set (plus shipping). Orders may be placed online at <www.agohq.org> or by telephone, (212) 870-2310.
The MASTER SERIES is designed as a video archive of notable 20th-century organist teachers. Inaugurated in 2001 by the AGO Committee on Educational Resources, each volume features an interview with the artist and excerpts from masterclasses. Catharine Crozier was filmed while teaching at Illinois College, and the video includes her performance of Langlais’s Te Deum and Sowerby’s Requiescat in Pace. Marie-Claire Alain was filmed at the University of Kansas and in New York City. Her video includes critical commentary on the works of Jehan Alain. The video featuring Frederick Swann, currently in production, is expected to be released in the fall of 2003. “We are seeking a broad audience,” notes Kathleen Thomerson, director of the Committee on Educational Resources. “All three have been active organists for decades, and have served as models and mentors to several generations of organists. We hope the Master Series will be a valuable educational resource to beginning, amateur, and professional organists, alike.”
The MINI-COURSE series, inaugurated in 1984, is designed to provide helpful and informative guidance to both beginning and experienced organists. Each volume includes a recording and accompanying booklet. For further information about these products, or to receive a free catalog of AGO Educational Resources, please call (212) 870-2310 or e-mail <resources@agohq.org>. AGO members receive a 10% discount on all Guild products.
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 purpose 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. The American Organist Magazine, the official journal of the AGO, the Royal Canadian College of Organists, and the Associated Pipe Organ Builders of America, reaches an audience of more than 24,000 each month. The official Web site of the AGO is <www.agohq.org>.
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>.
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