Jan. 15, 2010

NEW YORK CITY—The American Guild of Organists (AGO) is proud to announce seven PIPE ORGAN ENCOUNTERS (POEs) and one POE (Advanced) for students aged 13–18; and two POE+ programs for adults in 2010. Generous funding from the Associated Pipe Organ Builders of America (APOBA) www.apoba.com and the American Institute of Organbuilders (AIO) www.pipeorgan.org will support the summer programs, which will be held from coast to coast.

"The AGO and APOBA have enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship since 1975," declared AGO Executive Director James Thomashower. "Likewise, the AIO has been active in supporting the Guild’s educational programs, beginning with their partnership in Pulling Out All the Stops, a video produced jointly by the AGO, AIO, APOBA, the Organ Historical Society, and the American Theater Organ Society in 1996. Collectively, APOBA and the AIO have contributed more than $325,000 in support of the AGO’s educational programs over the past 15 years. For their ongoing, committed generosity in supporting the Guild’s mission to ‘promote the organ,’ we are extremely grateful."

Complete contact information for each Pipe Organ Encounter can be found in THE AMERICAN ORGANIST Magazine and online at www.agohq.org. The summer schedule follows:

POEs for Teenagers
June 13–18 Columbia, S.C.
June 13–18 St. Louis, Mo.
June 21–26 Bloomington, Ind.
June 27–July 2 Fairfield, Conn.
July 18–23 Waukesha, Wis.
July 25–30 Fort Worth, Tex.
July 25–31 Irvine, Calif.

POE (Advanced) for Teenagers
July 18–23 New York City

POE+ for Adults
July 26–30 Eugene, Oreg.
August 8–13 Winchester, Va.

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. The POE (Advanced) is designed for teenagers who have already attended a POE, or who are already receiving private instruction. Scholarship assistance is available. The POE+ is a summer program filled with practical information and instruction for adult keyboard 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 Charlene Brice Alexander, Robert S. Baker, Seth Bingham, Clarence Dickinson, Philip Hahn, Charles N. Henderson, Alfred E. Lunsford, Ruth Milliken, Ned Siebert, and Martin M. Wick; and in honor of Anthony Baglivi, Philip E. Baker, and Morgan and Mary Simmons. POE and POE+ site locations are selected by the AGO Committee on the New Organist and approved by the AGO National Council after application by AGO host chapters. The deadline for applications to host 2011 POE and POE+ programs is March 15, 2010. Applications are available from AGO National Headquarters. Partial program funding is provided to AGO host chapters.

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