Feb 18, 2000

AMERICAN GUILD OF ORGANISTS ANNOUNCES SEMIFINALISTS IN NATIONAL COMPETITION IN ORGAN IMPROVISATION NEW YORK CITY The AMERICAN GUILD OF ORGANISTS (AGO) is pleased to announce seven semifinalists in the 1999-2000 NATIONAL COMPETITION IN ORGAN IMPROVISATION (NCOI): Christopher Berry (a native of Baton Rouge, La.), Justin H. Bischof (a native of Toronto, Ontario, Canada) Jim Morgan (a native of Warwick, R.I.) Robert Nicholls (a native of England) Ernest C. Oelkers, (a native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada) William James Ross (a native of Dallas, Tex.) Joachim Segger (a native of Germany) The NATIONAL COMPETITION IN ORGAN IMPROVISATION seeks to further the art of improvisation by recognizing and rewarding superior performers in the field. A flourishing tradition of improvisation is fundamental to a truly vital musical culture. Historically, improvisation is the source from which performance and composition both flow. When improvisation is strongwhen there may be found numerous artists who can make spontaneous musical utterances at the highest levelsthere will also be higher standards for prepared musical utterances: performance and composition. Improvisation may vary widely in style, but its merits will be constant: development of thematic material, harmonic control, and clarity of organization and form. The NCOI seeks to promote the skills necessary for this challenging, exciting, and creative art form. It is open to all members, regardless of age, of the AGO and the Royal Canadian College of Organists (RCCO). The seven semifinalists were selected from the preliminary, tape round; three will be chosen for the final round. For both the semifinal and final rounds, each competitor is required to (1) improvise, in any form, based on a given free theme; and (2) improvise in the form of a Theme and Variations, based on a given hymn tune, chant, or chorale. The semifinal and final rounds of the NCOI will take place during the AGO National Convention in Seattle, Wash., July 2-6, 2000. 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 340 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.>