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FREDERICK SWANN FEATURED
IN NEWEST EDITION OF THE AGO’S
EDUCATIONAL VIDEO MASTER SERIES
New Video Is Meeting the Challenges of
Accompanying at the Organ
NEW YORK CITY — The American Guild of Organists (AGO), is pleased to unveil volume three in its Master Series of educational videos. This newest edition, featuring the artistry of Frederick Swann, is available in both VHS and DVD formats from the AGO Book Store for $25 (plus shipping). Meeting the Challenges of Accompanying at the Organ includes an interview by MPR Pipedreams host and producer Michael Barone, Swann’s insights and demonstrations of the art of accompanying at the organ, and performances of music by Handel, Mendelssohn, Brahms, Thompson, and Clokey. Orders for the video may be placed online at <www.agohq.org> or by telephone, (212) 870-2310 or 1-800-AGO-5115.
FREDERICK SWANN has long been a favorite guest artist for accompanying oratorios and choirs in churches throughout America. He developed his skill in accompanying by playing at the Riverside Church in New York City beginning in 1957, at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, Calif., beginning in 1983, and at the First Congregational Church in Los Angeles from 1998 to 2001. Mr. Swann’s 40 years as a touring organ recitalist included engagements in all 50 of the United States and throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. His teaching career included ten years as chairman of the organ department at the Manhattan School of Music in New York City. He has conducted hundreds of masterclasses and workshops for colleges and professional organizations. In 2002, Swann was elected president of the AGO and received the Performer of the Year Award from the New York City AGO Chapter. He is Organist Emeritus of both the Crystal Cathedral and the First Congregational Church in Los Angeles.
Designed for the 21st century, the MASTER SERIES is a video archive of legendary 20th-century organist teachers Catharine Crozier, Marie-Claire Alain, and now Frederick Swann, one of the world’s best known organ soloists and accompanists. Inaugurated in 2001 by the AGO Committee on Educational Resources, each volume of the Master Series features an interview with the artist and musical excerpts. “We are seeking a broad audience,” notes Kathleen Thomerson, past director of the Committee on Educational Resources. “All three have been active organists for decades, and have served as models and mentors to several generations of organists. We hope the Master Series will be a valuable educational resource to beginning, amateur, and professional organists alike.”
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>.
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