| December 12, 2003 |
|
AGO PIPE ORGAN ENCOUNTERS 2004 Summer Programs for Teenagers and Adults NEW YORK CITY—The American Guild of Organists (AGO) is proud to announce its schedule for six PIPE ORGAN ENCOUNTERS (POEs) for students aged 13–19, and a POE+ for adults in 2004. Full contact information for each POE can be found in The American Organist Magazine and online at <www.agohq.org>. POEs for Teenagers June 13–18 Waco, Tex. June 20–25 Decatur, Ga. June 20–25 Wheaton, Ill. June 27–July 2 Pittsburgh, Penn. July 19–23 Worcester, Mass. August 8–13 Tacoma, Wash.
POE+ for Adults July 20–25 Detroit, Mich. PIPE ORGAN ENCOUNTERS introduce young people to the pipe 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 in service playing and solo repertoire, opportunities to learn about the musical heritage of various religious denominations, as well as 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. "I think I learned as much in a week as I usually would in a month," stated a Sioux Trails, Minn. POE attendee. "It was definitely the most fun I had all summer. I never thought that learning about the organ would be so much fun. I wish it had lasted longer," declared a student at the Rochester, N.Y. POE. 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. Pipe Organ Encounters is an educational outreach program of the American Guild of Organists. Major funding for Pipe Organ Encounters is provided by the American Institute of Organbuilders. Additional support is provided by the Associated Pipe Organ Builders of America, the MAHADH Fund of the HRK Foundation, and by the family of Ned Siebert. Permanently endowed scholarships are provided in memory of Seth Bingham, Clarence Dickinson, Philip Hahn, Charles N. Henderson, Alfred E. Lunsford, and Ned Siebert, and in honor of Philip E. Baker, and Morgan and Mary Simmons. Additional scholarship funds have been created in honor of Ruth Milliken and in memory of Virgil Fox. POE and POE+ site locations are selected by the AGO Committee on the New Organist after formal application by AGO host chapters, and approved by the AGO National Council. The deadline for applications for AGO chapters to host 2005 POE and POE+ programs is March 15, 2004. Applications are available from AGO National Headquarters. Partial program funding is provided to AGO host chapters. |
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. |
 |