Aug 17, 2000

ALICE PARKER RECEIVES AGO DISTINGUISHED COMPOSER AWARD NEW YORK CITY - The AMERICAN GUILD OF ORGANISTS (AGO) has honored ALICE PARKER, internationally recognized composer, conductor, and educator, with the Distinguished Composer Award. The award, presented biennially to increase awareness of outstanding composers in the United States writing for the organ and choral fields, was presented by AGO Councillor for Competitions and Conventions, Sandra Soderlund, during the AGO National Convention in Seattle, Wash., July 2-6. "The AGO is proud of its record of recognizing composers of new organ works, and new choral works," began Philip Hahn, President of the American Guild of Organists. "We have a long history of commissioning composers to create new music. At this convention the American Society of Composers and Publishers (ASCAP) is awarding the AGO a certificate of merit for its efforts in commissioning new works." The AGO DISTINGUISHED COMPOSER AWARD was first presented to Virgil Thomson in 1986. Other composers who have received this award include Ned Rorem, Daniel Pinkham, Samuel Adler, Dominick Argento, William Albright, Conrad Susa, Emma Lou Diemer, Dan Locklair and William Bolcom. "It's a lifetime achievement award of sorts," added Steven Williams, convention coordinator for the 2000 AGO National Convention. "Alice Parker has taught us to listen, to really listen to music in order to hear what the music is trying to say. She has helped organists learn to play, contextually, music of various periods and styles." Alice Parker, a commissioned composer for the AGO National Convention, conducted the premiere performance of her An American Kedusha. She also presented two workshops. 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.