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.
Please scroll down to see all types of POE events offered in 2017.
For an online APPLICATION to attend a Pipe Organ Encounter, please navigate to listings of each POE by type (POE, POE-Advanced, POE-Plus, or POE-Technical) in the sidebar at the right on this page, or at the very bottom for mobile or tablet view.
Click HERE to see POE 2017 advertisement appearing in THE AMERICAN ORGANIST Magazine from December, 2016.
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 students entering grades 9 through 12 who have already achieved a high level of success in organ study. [More…]
POE Technical (POETech)
POETech is a program designed for students 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+
POE+ is a 4-5 day event organized by a local AGO chapter that provides organ instruction to students 19 and older. It is open to beginners as well as more advanced students. [More…].
Pipe Organ Encounter Events Approved for 2017
Pipe Organ Encounters (for ages 13-18)
June 11-16, 2017
Dordt College Campus (Sioux Center, Iowa) – Enrollment full – waiting list only
South Dakota Chapter POE
July 16-22, 2017
University of San Diego (San Diego, Cal.) – One space open
San Diego Chapter
July 16-21, 2017
Trinity College (Hartford, Conn.) – Enrollment full – waiting list only
Greater Hartford Chapter
July 23-27, 2017
Winchester, Va. – Early Registration Deadline May 1, 2017
Winchester Chapter POE
Pipe Organ Encounter-Advanced (for grades 9-12)
June 25-30, 2017
Birmingham Chapter – Early Registration Deadline extended to March 31, 2017
The University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
July 23-28, 2017
Seattle Pacific University (Seattle, Wash.) – CANCELLED
Seattle Chapter POEA
Pipe Organ Encounter-Plus (for adults)
June 25-30, 2017
San Antonio, Texas – CANCELLED
Alamo Chapter POE+
Pipe Organ Encounter-Technical (for ages 16-23)
July 9-14, 2017
Berkeley Lake, Georgia – Early Registration Deadline is April 15, 2017
Phil Parkey OrganBuilders & Atlanta Chapter
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, Virgil Fox, Clarence Dickinson, 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, Fred Swann, Morgan and Mary Simmons, and the Leupold Foundation.
