The American Guild of Organists was chartered in 1896 by the Board of Regents, University of the State of New York, to administer a comprehensive series of examinations for professional certification. Examinations have played a central role in the Guild’s work since its founding. Being professionally certified can play a major role in your life and career. Candidates for Associateship certification must demonstrate proficiency in the following areas.
- Perform major solo organ works of all periods.
- Be familiar with major periods and styles of organ repertoire.
- Understand organ history, design, and maintenance.
- Harmonize melodies.
- Play a hymn using introduction and interlude between two stanzas.
- Accompany from figured bass.
- Analyze musical form.
- Sight-read choral opens score (4-stave) and organ score (3-stave).
- Transpose
- Improvise and compose in small forms.
- Have knowledge of music literature and history, especially (but not limited to) organ and choral music and various traditions of liturgical music.
- Transcribe from dictation.
Manual of Procedure
Associate and Fellowship Examination
Associateship Educational Resources
The ear training exercises and the past exams below are offered by the AGO Certification Committee for candidates to use to prepare for Associateship certification.
Purchase the repertoire for the Associateship Exam at Cliff Hill Music or Lois Fyfe Music.
Solutions to the Associateship Ear Training examples (above).
Associateship Exam 2019
Associateship Exam 2018
