Nov. 2, 2007
NEW YORK CITY — The American Guild of Organists (AGO) will sponsor a Recital and Gala Benefit Reception honoring organist FREDERICK SWANN on Sunday, April 13, 2008, at 4 p.m., at the First Congregational Church of Los Angeles. Founded in 1867, First Congregational Church is the oldest protestant church in Los Angeles. The Recital will feature Mr. Swann performing on the church’s Great Organ, which is celebrated as one of the largest, most complete church organs in the world. The Gala Benefit Reception will follow. The gala is sponsored by the AGO National Council and its Development Committee, Bruce P. Bengtson, aago, director. All proceeds will go to the AGO Endowment Fund in Fred Swann’s honor.
For Recital only, $20 (by April 11) $25 (at the door)
Contact: 213-385-1345 or e-mail musicadministrator@fccla.org
For Recital with Gala Benefit Reception, $100 ($75 tax deductible, space is limited)
To advertise in the souvenir program book
To make a tax-deductible contribution in honor of Mr. Swann
Contact: F. Anthony Thurman by March 14:
212-870-2311 ext. 4308; e-mail <gala@agohq.org> or online www.agohq.org
FREDERICK SWANN is president of the American Guild of Organists, organist emeritus of the Crystal Cathedral and of the First Congregational Church of Los Angeles, and organ artist-in-residence at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Palm Desert, Calif. In addition to his prominent church positions, [Riverside Church, New York City (1957–1982), Crystal Cathedral (1982–1998) and First Congregational Church of Los Angeles (1998–2001)], he was for ten years chairman of the organ department at the Manhattan School of Music and served on the faculties of the School of Sacred Music at Union Theological Seminary and Teacher’s College of Columbia University.
In addition to solo recitals in churches, cathedrals, and concert halls throughout North America and many foreign countries, Mr. Swann performs frequently with symphony orchestras and choral groups. His numerous published works and recordings, and his wide experience as an organ consultant have added to his visibility in the organ and choral worlds. Although in semi-retirement since 2001, Mr. Swann remains active in all aspects of his long and illustrious career. Among recent honors were his election in 2002 as Performer of the Year by the New York City Chapter of the American Guild of Organists; in the fall of 2004 he was selected to play the Inaugural Recital on the spectacular new organ in the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.
The AGO’s aggressive initiative 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 support for essential Guild educational programs and projects.
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.
