February 27, 2004

$3000 IN CHAPTER GRANTS AND CHAPTER AWARDS ANNOUNCED BY THE AMERICAN GUILD OF ORGANISTS NEW YORK CITY—The American Guild of Organists (AGO) has established a grant program to assist selected AGO chapters with funding for membership recruitment campaigns, and an awards program to reward selected chapters for significant increases in voting membership. Three chapters that have designed an outstanding and fully conceived membership development campaign for 2004–2005 will be awarded grants in the amount of $500 each. Three chapters that demonstrate an increase in membership of at least ten percent will receive an award in the amount of $500 each. Awards will be presented to chapter representatives at the AGO National Convention in Los Angeles. Chapters receiving awards and the details of their recruitment efforts will be featured in the September 2004 issue of The American Organist Magazine. For further information or to request a grant application, please contact Jennifer Madden at AGO National Headquarters, 212-870-2311 (Ext. 4304) or e-mail <jem@agohq.org>. Completed  applications must be received at AGO National Headquarters by May 1, 2004. The AGO Committee on Membership Development and Chapter Support will select award recipients by June 1, 2004. Fill out the Grant Application Form on-line.

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>.