August 11, 2003

GEORGE AKERLEY NAMED WINNER OF HOLTKAMP–AGO AWARD IN ORGAN COMPOSITION NEW YORK CITY — The American Guild of Organists (AGO), is pleased to announce that GEORGE AKERLEY has been named the winner of the 2004 HOLTKAMP–AGO AWARD IN ORGAN COMPOSITION. The eleventh biennial competition in organ composition called for a concert piece for organ and narrator based upon a nursery rhyme. The winning composition, A Sweet for Mother Goose will be performed at the AGO National Convention in Los Angeles, Calif., July 4–9, 2004, and published by Hinshaw Music Inc. The HOLTKAMP–AGO AWARD IN ORGAN COMPOSITION is a unique collaboration between three organizations dedicated to promoting and enriching the repertoire for the organ: the AGO, a not-for-profit national organization dedicated to the advancement of the organ and choral music professions, the Holtkamp Organ Company, a member of the professional organbuilding community, and Hinshaw Music Inc., music publishers. Established in 1983 and held biennially, the competition for the Holtkamp–AGO Award is open to all. Works submitted to the competition must be unpublished. The award includes a $2,000 cash prize provided by the Holtkamp Organ Company, publication by Hinshaw Music Inc., and a performance at the AGO National Convention. Seventeen composers competed for the 2004 award. The competition was judged by Pamela Decker, Ronald Ebrecht, and Lee Hoiby. GEORGE AKERLEY is organist/choirmaster at the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection in Philadelphia. He holds a bachelor of music degree from the Philadelphia Musical Academy, and a master of music degree from the University of the Arts. For eleven years he was organist for the Philadelphia Flyers Hockey team. In addition to playing the organ during the games, he composed signature themes and a variety of music for the Flyers, Philadelphia 76ers, the Phantoms, Wings and Kicks, and produced radio commercials for the teams. He has composed scores for dance, theater, independent film, production companies, and television. His music can be heard on America’s Most Wanted, NBC’s Dateline, and HBO Sports. Mr. Akerley teaches composition and music technology at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, and is a member of the Philadelphia Chapter of the AGO. He and his wife Gintare, a physician, have a 6-1/2 year-old son, Christian Frederick, to whom A Sweet for Mother Goose is dedicated. 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, it sets and maintains high musical standards and promotes the under-standing 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 more than 340 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. This information is submitted by F. Anthony Thurman, Director of Development and Communications. For further information, please contact Dr. Thurman at AGO National Headquarters. This press release is available on the Internet at <www.agohq.org/bulletin>.