Welcome to the world of Pipe Organ Encounters, the most successful outreach program sponsored by the AGO. POEs offer teenagers and adults a rewarding opportunity to learn more about the pipe organ and its construction, instruction with experienced faculty, visits to hear and play outstanding instruments, and the chance to meet and interact with peers who share an interest in the King of Instruments.
2022
AGO Covid Policy (Approved by AGO National Council Nov. 5, 2021):
All AGO events (chapter, regional and national) must follow the COVID policies/rules in place in the state and county where the event takes place, and any additional mandates of any facilities being used.
AGO leaders, may, at their discretion, enforce stricter policies than those of the state/county in which the AGO event takes place.
Pipe Organ Encounters
for beginning and intermediate organists, ages 13-18
Registration opens Dec. 1, 2021
Click HERE to register to attend (beginning Dec. 1, 2021)
June 26-July 1, 2022
Hartford, Connecticut (Registration full! Applications no longer accepted for this location.)
Greater Hartford Chapter
Director: Vaughn Mauren
518-596-5691 (m)
Email
June 26-July 1, 2022
Long Beach, California (Registration full! Applications no longer accepted for this location.)
Long Beach Chapter
Director: Hyunju Hwang
213-550-9093 (h/m)
Email
Website
July 17-22, 2022
Winston-Salem and Greensboro, North Carolina
Piedmont NC Chapter
Director: Timothy Olsen
(405) 535-8124 (m)
Email
Website
Pipe Organ Encounter-Advanced
for advanced organists, ages 13-18 and grades 9-12 (audition recording required)
The POE Advanced planned for 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan has been cancelled due to scheduling difficulties with venues and facilities in the Ann Arbor area. Please watch this page in the upcoming months for news about future POE Advanced events.
Pipe Organ Encounter-Plus
for Adults, ages 19 and over
(Registration full! Applications are no longer accepted for all POE+ locations.)
June 5-10, 2022
Rockford, Illinois
Rockford Chapter
Director: Jean Anderson
815-399-9686
Email
Website
June 12-17, 2022
Allentown and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Lehigh Valley Chapter
Co-Director: Gloria Snyder
610-439-1933 (h)
Email
Website
August 7-12, 2022
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond Chapter
Co-Director: Stephen Henley
804-647-1152 (m)
Email
Website
The Pipe Organ Encounter-Technical (for ages 16-23) is not available in 2022
The site proposal application form for chapters interested in hosting Pipe Organ Encounter events in 2023 will open November 1, 2021, with a deadline of February 15, 2022. Please click below on “Documents and videos related to POE programs” to access the online application form.
Information about POE Scholarships
All the Cool Kids are into Pipe Organs: A blogpost by Holly Heffelbower
Documents and videos related to POE programs.
POE Handbook
Pipe Organ Encounter (POE)
A POE is a 4-5 day event organized by a local AGO chapter that introduces participants aged 13-18 to the world of the pipe organ. [More…]
POE Advanced (POEA)
A POEA is a 5-6 day event organized by a local AGO chapter that provides a higher level of pipe organ instruction and intense course study for participants entering grades 9 through 12 who are ages 13 to 18 and have already achieved a high level of success in organ study. [More…]
POE Technical (POETech)
POETech is a program designed for teens and young adults aged 16-23 who are interested in learning the art and craft of organ building. POETech is sponsored by an AGO Chapter in collaboration with an organ builder. [More…].
POE-Plus (POE+)
POE+ is a 4-5 day event organized by a local AGO chapter that provides organ instruction to adults 19 and older. It is open to beginners as well as more advanced participants. [More…].
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 and the Jordan Organ Endowment. Permanently endowed AGO scholarships are provided in memory of Charlene Brice Alexander, Robert S. Baker, Seth Bingham, Michael Cohen, Margaret R. Curtin, Clarence Dickinson, Richard and Clara Mae Enright, Virgil Fox, Philip Hahn, Charles Huddleston Heaton, Charles N. Henderson, Alfred E. Lunsford, Ruth Milliken, Bruce Prince-Joseph, Douglas Rafter, Ned Siebert, Mary K. Smith, and Martin M. Wick; and in honor of Anthony Baglivi, Philip E. Baker, Joyce F. Johnson, Gordon and Naomi Rowley, Frederick Swann, Morgan and Mary Simmons, and the Leupold Foundation.
