The traditional Pipe Organ Encounter
- Is a 4-5 day event organized by a local AGO chapter under the sponsorship of the national organization. It introduces participants to the world of the pipe organ.
- Is a national program sponsored by the American Guild of Organists. Participants are admitted to POEs on a first-come, first-served basis, regardless of attendance at prior POEs, and regardless of state or country of residence, as long as they meet the following eligibility guidelines: Participants should be aged 13-18, be interested in the pipe organ, and have piano or organ proficiency ranging from intermediate to advanced.
- Provides an opportunity for participants to have individual and group instruction in the basic rudiments of pipe organ technique and service playing.
- Provides a general overview of organ literature, history, pipe organ construction and design, improvisation and other related topics.
- Provides an opportunity for participation in ecumenical worship, so as to experience the role of the sacred musician.
- Most of all, provides a unique opportunity for participants to meet and interact with peers who have similar interests.
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)
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.
June 19-25, 2022 [Please note: the Omaha POE has been cancelled.]
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha Chapter
Director: Jeff Hoffman
402-317-8887
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
2022 POE Application Form
Applications are no longer being accepted for 2022 Pipe Organ Encounters. Registration for 2023 Pipe Organ Encounters will be available by Dec. 1, 2022.
Pipe Organ Encounter Scholarship Assistance
Please click HERE for information about POE Scholarships.
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. POE scholarships are provided by the AGO New Organist Fund.
