| January 20, 2004 |
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GERRE AND JUDITH HANCOCK
The AGO’s lively concern for education and outreach prompted the formation of the AGO ENDOWMENT FUND in 1994. The purpose of this fund is to expand programs for leadership development among AGO members; educate new organists; and cultivate new audiences for organ and choral music. Tax-deductible contributions to the Endowment Fund are invested in perpetuity to produce continuing income support for essential Guild educational programs and projects. The AGO is extremely grateful for the Hancocks’ generous support of the Gala Benefit Reception. GERRE and JUDITH HANCOCK have lived and worked together for so many years, it is only natural that they should enjoy playing duo recitals together. Their recital program on May 2 will include the music of Petr Eben and an improvisation by Gerre Hancock. Gerre Hancock is organist and master of the choristers at Saint Thomas Church, and serves on the faculties of the Juilliard School, the Institute of Sacred Music at Yale University. He also teaches improvisation on a visiting basis at the Eastman School of Music. Famous for his choral conducting, compositions for choir and organ, and witty, musical, and electrifying improvisations, he is one of America’s most popular concert organists. Judith Hancock is associate organist of Saint Thomas Church, where she accompanies the choir, directs the choir in Gerre’s absence, and performs a great deal of solo repertoire. Both Hancocks appear on CDS produced by Decca/Argo, Koch International, Priory Records, and Gothic Records. They will be leaving their posts as organist and master of choristers, and associate organist of Saint Thomas Church in September 2004. Following their 33 years of service at the church and choir school, they will continue to concertize in both solo and duo recitals and pursue other challenges in the church music profession. |
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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. |
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NEW YORK CITY—The American Guild of Organists (AGO) will sponsor a Gala Benefit Reception honoring GERRE and JUDITH HANCOCK on Sunday, May 2, 2004. The gala reception will be held in Andrew Hall at Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue (at 53rd Street) in New York City following their 5:15 p.m. farewell recital. Gala Benefit Reception tickets, which include preferred seating at the recital, are available from AGO National Headquarters. The cost is $100 per person, and proceeds will benefit the AGO Endowment Fund. To order tickets, please call 212-870-2311 (Ext. 4308), e-mail <gala@agohq.org> or visit the AGO Web site, <www.agohq.org/store>. The reception is sponsored by the AGO Development Committee, Morgan Simmons, director.