December 18, 2002

2003 PIPE ORGAN ENCOUNTERS SUMMER PROGRAM FOR TEENAGERS AND ADULTS ANNOUNCED BY THE AMERICAN GUILD OF ORGANISTS NEW YORK CITY — The American Guild of Organists (AGO) is proud to announce the schedule for seven PIPE ORGAN ENCOUNTERS (POEs) for students aged 13–19, and a POE+ for adults in 2003. Full contact information for each POE can be found in the January issue of THE AMERICAN ORGANIST Magazine and online at <www.agohq.org>. POEs for Teenagers June 15–21 — Knoxville, Tenn. June 29–July 3 — Sioux Falls, S.Dak. July 6–11 — Dallas, Tex. July 6–12 — New York, N.Y. July 8–12 — Calgary, Alberta July 20–25 — Athens, Ohio July 20–26 — San Diego, Calif. POE+ for Adults July 7–11 — Waco, Tex. PIPE ORGAN ENCOUNTERS introduce young people to the organ through instruction in organ playing, repertoire, history, design, and construction. These regional summer organ music institutes for teen-aged students provide private and group instruction, opportunities for ecumenical worship, and a chance for young musicians to meet others with similar interests. Basic keyboard proficiency is required, although previous organ study is not necessary. Scholarship assistance is available. The POE+ is a summer program filled with practical information and instruction for adult pianists and other musicians interested in improving their service playing skills. Participants will be introduced to basic organ skills through private instruction and classes. The week-long experience will lead to greater confidence and competence at the organ. POE and POE+ site locations are selected by the AGO Committee on the New Organist upon formal application by AGO host chapters, and approved by the AGO National Council. The deadline for applications for AGO chapters to host 2004 POE and POE+ programs is March 15, 2003. Applications are available from AGO National Headquarters. Partial program funding is provided to AGO host chapters. Pipe Organ Encounters is an educational outreach program of the American Guild of Organists. Major funding for Pipe Organ Encounters is provided by the MAHADH Fund of the HRK Foundation and the Yale Institute of Sacred Music. Additional support is provided by the American Institute of Organbuilders, the Associated Pipe Organ Builders of America, and by the family of Ned Siebert. Permanently endowed scholarships are provided in memory of Seth Bingham, Clarence Dickinson, and Ned Siebert, and in honor of Philip E. Baker and Morgan and Mary Simmons. Additional funds have been created in honor of Philip Hahn, and in memory of Virgil Fox and Charles N. Henderson. 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>.