May 6, 2008
NEW YORK CITY—The American Guild of Organists (AGO) and its Committee on Educational Resources are excited to announce the addition of two new products to its catalog of educational resources: Playing Dieterich Buxtehude’s Works Rhetorically, by Leon W. Couch III, and Conversations and Lessons with David Craighead, by Judith Hancock and Robert F. Troeger, FAGO. Both are available for purchase online at www.agohq.org or by calling 800-AGO-5115.
Playing Dieterich Buxtehude’s Works Rhetorically
This three-CD presentation by Leon Couch provides a stimulating discussion of the historical, rhetorical, theoretical, and practical aspects of musical rhetoric. He demonstrates how a practical application of rhetoric to the music of Buxtehude can make a dramatic impact. The resource was designed to benefit both the accomplished organist as well as the beginning student. This product includes three CDs: two lecture CDs, and a CD containing performances of sample works, the complete lecture texts in PDF documents, and a printed lecture text booklet with examples. Funding for this project was generously provided by the Boston (Mass.) AGO Chapter Special Projects Advisory Committee, Converse College, the District of Columbia AGO Foundation, and Goshen College. $25.
Conversations and Lessons with David Craighead
The AGO Committee on Educational Resources endeavors to preserve the legacies of famous organists and teachers. In Conversations and Lessons with David Craighead, this renowned teacher shares his insights in an interview and in recordings of his lessons. David Craighead was professor of organ and chair of the organ department at the Eastman School of Music from 1955 to 1992. An accomplished organ artist, he has been the recipient of many awards throughout his career. Dr. Craighead was an exceptionally gifted teacher, and many of his students now hold prominent positions across the country. The CD contains an extensive interview led by Robert F. Troeger, FAGO, who guides David Craighead through a series of questions about his career as an organist and teacher. As Judith Hancock plays The World Awaiting the Saviour (Dupré) and Jesus Christus Unser Heiland (Bach), Dr. Craighead’s discussion touches on teaching methods, score preparation, touch, and other topics of interest for organists at different levels of proficiency. $10.
For further information, please contact AGO Manager of Educational Resources Harold Calhoun, 212-870-2311 (ext. 4318) or e-mail hc@agohq.org.
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.
