Oct. 19, 2005
NEW YORK CITYThe American Guild of Organists (AGO) is proud to announce eight PIPE ORGAN ENCOUNTERS (POEs) for students aged 1318, and one POE+ program for adults in 2006. Full contact information for each summer program can be found in The American Organist Magazine and online at http://www.agohq.org.
POEs for Teenagers
June 1115
St. Louis, Mo.
June 1117
Waco, Tex.
June 2530
Fort Collins, Colo.
June 2530
Philadelphia, Pa.
July 914
Syracuse, N.Y.
July 1014
Eugene, Oreg.
July 1621
New York, N.Y.
July 1622
San Diego, Calif.
POE+ for Adults
June 1923
Scottsdale, Ariz.
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 teenage students provide private and group instruction in service playing and solo repertoire, opportunities to learn about the musical heritage of various religious denominations, and 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 who attended 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. Additional support is provided by the American Institute of Organbuilders. Permanently endowed AGO 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 Robert S. Baker and 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 2007 POE and POE+ programs is March 15, 2006. 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 understanding and appreciation of all aspects of organ and choral music. The mission of the AGO is to enrich lives through organ and choral music. The Guild currently serves approximately 19,000 members in more than 300 local chapters throughout the United States and abroad. The American Organist Magazine, the official journal of the AGO and the Associated Pipe Organ Builders of America, reaches an audience of more than 20,000 readers each month.
This information is submitted by F. Anthony Thurman, Director of Development and Communications at the National Headquarters of the American Guild of Organists and The American Organist Magazine. For further information, please contact Dr. Thurman by TEL (212) 870-2310, FAX (212) 870-2163 or E-MAIL fathurman@agohq.org.
