Aug 17, 2000

AGO HONORED BY ASCAP FOR CONTEMPORARY ORGAN AND CHORAL MUSIC NEW YORK CITY - The AMERICAN GUILD OF ORGANISTS (AGO) has received the AMERICAN SOCIETY OF COMPOSERS, AUTHORS AND PUBLISHERS (ASCAP) Award for "Outstanding Contributions to the Art of Music through Commissions and Performances of the Music of our Time." The award was presented by Maestro Gerard Schwarz on behalf of ASCAP to AGO President Philip Hahn during the AGO National Convention in Seattle, Wash., July 2-6. During its 104-year history, the AGO has commissioned hundreds of new works by contemporary composers, ranging from works for organ solo to concertos for organ and orchestra, as well as a vast array of choral repertoire. Through the work of the AGO New Music Committee, the AGO has contributed more to the organ and choral repertory than any other organization in the twentieth century. "The AGO is proud of its record of recognizing composers of new organ works, and new choral works," noted President Hahn. "We have a long history of commissioning composers to create new music." The AGO also supports two biennial competitions in new music: the AGO/ECS Publishing Award in Choral Composition, and the Holtkamp-AGO Award in Organ Composition. Both provide a cash prize of $2,000. The AGO Distinguished Composer Award, presented biennially, was established in 1989 to increase awareness of outstanding composers in the United States writing for organ and chorus. In addition to its commissions and competitions for new music, the AGO has supported contemporary music in America by presenting thousands of performances of new music through local programming, and through regional and national competitions and conventions. 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.