January 6, 2005

NEW YORK CITY—The American Guild of Organists (AGO) is proud to announce seven PIPE ORGAN ENCOUNTERS (POEs) for students aged 13–19, and three POE+ programs for adults in 2005. Full contact information for each POE can be found in The American Organist Magazine and online at http://www.agohq.org.

POEs for Teenagers
June 19–25 Denver, Colo.
June 19–25 San Francisco, Calif.
June 25–July 2 Norfolk, Va.
July 3–8 Baltimore, Md.
July 10–15 Middletown, Conn.
July 10–15 Nashville, Tenn.
July 17–22 Sioux Falls, S.Dak.

POE+ for Adults
June 1–4 Singapore
June 26–July 1 Waco, Tex.
July 10–15 Nashville, Tenn.

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 Associated Pipe Organ Builders of America, the American Institute of Organbuilders, and by Margaret R. Evans. Additional support is provided by the MAHADH Fund of the HRK Foundation, the family of Ned Siebert, and by the Organ Historical Society. Permanently endowed scholarships are provided in memory of Seth Bingham, Clarence Dickinson, Philip Hahn, Charles N. Henderson, Alfred E. Lunsford, Ned Siebert, and Martin M. Wick, 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 2006 POE and POE+ programs is March 15, 2005. Applications are available from AGO National Headquarters. Partial program funding is provided to AGO host chapters.

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