News Bulletins

Aug. 8, 2006

NEW YORK CITY — The American Guild of Organists (AGO) bestowed five awards of national distinction at its Annual Meeting on Monday, July 3, at the University of Chicago’s Rockefeller Memorial Chapel. AGO President Frederick Swann presided over the award ceremonies.

The AGO President’s Award was presented to PLEASANT T. ROWLAND, founder of the American Girl Doll Company, philanthropist, and donor of the Overture Concert Organ in Madison, Wis. The prestigious award is presented biennially to recognize outstanding contributions to the art of the organ in the United States. The 2006 award was presented "In gratitude for her generous patronage of the King of Instruments, particularly her gift of the Overture Concert Organ in Madison, Wisconsin, expanding the musical horizons of that community and beyond."

The AGO Edward A. Hansen Leadership Award was presented to D. DEWITT WASSON (in absentia). Created by the AGO National Council in 1999 to honor the memory of the Guild’s distinguished past president, Edward A. Hansen, the prestigious award is presented biennially to recognize individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in the AGO.

The AGO Distinguished Composer Award was presented to RICHARD PROULX. The prestigious award is presented biennially to recognize outstanding composers of organ and choral music in the United States.

For the first time in history, both the AGO/ECS Publishing Award in Choral Composition and the Holtkamp–AGO Award in Organ Composition were presented to the same composer—BARRIE CABENA—for The Day of Pentecost, an anthem for four-part choir (SATB) and organ based on a text from Acts 2:1–4; and Six Sketches on Children’s Hymns, a nine-minute suite based upon six hymn tunes. Each award includes a $2,000 cash prize, publication of the winning composition, and a performance at an AGO National Convention.

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.