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.
New Dates set for 2021 POE events.
Following the cancellation of all 2020 POE events, some have been re-scheduled for 2021 with specific dates planned as noted below. Others postponed from 2020 are waiting for confirmation from local venues before dates for 2021 can be set. As soon as new dates are approved by AGO National Council, dates of the re-scheduled POE events will be updated below.
Pipe Organ Encounters (for ages 13-18)
Click HERE to view available POEs and to register to attend.
Summer, 2021 (Date TBA)
Kansas State University (Manhattan, Kansas)
Director: David Pickering
(785) 560-4520 (home)
(785) 370-6110 (cell)
Email
Website
July 12-17, 2021
Long Beach, California
Director: Hyunju Hwang
213-550-9093 (home/cell)
Email
Website
Events previously planned in 2020 that were to be hosted by the Piedmont NC Chapter (Winston-Salem, NC) and the Greater Hartford Chapter (Trinity College, Hartford, CT) will not be taking place in 2021. Both chapters hope to present POE events in future years.
Pipe Organ Encounter-Advanced (for grades 9-12)
July 11-16, 2021
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Co-Director: James Wagner
734-645-5360 (home)
Email
Pipe Organ Encounter-Plus (for Adults)
Click HERE to register to attend.
June 6-11, 2021
Rockford, Illinois
Director: Jean Anderson
815-399-9686
Email
Website
June 21-26, 2021
Allentown and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Co-Director: Gloria Snyder
610-439-1933 (home)
Email
Website
August 8-13, 2021
Richmond, Virginia
Co-Director: Stephen Henley
804-272-7514, ext. 312 (work)
804-647-1152 (cell)
Email
Website
The Pipe Organ Encounter-Technical (for ages 16-23) is not available in 2021
The site proposal application form for chapters interested in hosting Pipe Organ Encounter events in 2022 will open November 1, 2020, with a deadline of February 15, 2021.
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, the Jordan Organ Endowment, and the National Endowment for the Arts. 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 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, Gordon and Naomi Rowley, Frederick Swann, Morgan and Mary Simmons, and the Leupold Foundation.
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