The American Guild of Organists (AGO) is an international organization of academic, church, and concert

organist An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ (music), organ. An organist may play organ repertoire, solo organ works, play with an musical ensemble, ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumentalist, instrumental ...

s in the US, headquartered in

New York City New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the List of United States cities by population, most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the L ...

with its administrative offices in

the Interchurch Center The Interchurch Center is a 19-story limestone-clad office building located at 475 Riverside Drive and West 120th Street in Morningside Heights, Manhattan, New York City. It is the headquarters for the international humanitarian ministry Church ...

. Founded as a professional educational association, it was chartered by the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York in 1896, with the authority to grant certificates of associate or fellow to members who passed examinations. Membership is not limited to professional

s, but is open to anybody with an interest in

organs In biology, an organ is a collection of tissues joined in a structural unit to serve a common function. In the hierarchy of life, an organ lies between tissue and an organ system. Tissues are formed from same type cells to act together in a f ...

and

organ music The organ repertoire is considered to be the largest and oldest repertory of all musical instruments. Because of the organ's (or pipe organ's) prominence in worship in Western Europe from the Middle Ages on, a significant portion of organ repert ...

. As of 2020, there are approximately 14,000 voting members in all categories of membership. The AGO's current president is Michael Bedford, elected in 2016. The guild seeks to set and maintain high musical standards and to promote understanding and appreciation of all aspects of organ and

choral music A choir ( ; also known as a chorale or chorus) is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform. Choirs may perform music from the classical music repertoire, which sp ...

Founders

Among the 145 founding members of the guild were

Benjamin Dwight Allen Benjamin Dwight Allen (February 16, 1831 in Sturbridge, Massachusetts; died March 4, 1914 in Wellesley, Massachusetts) was a composer and organist. His parents were natives of Massachusetts named Alvan and Lucy. He was an organist for Congregationa ...

, John W. Bischoff,

Dudley Buck Dudley Buck (March 10, 1839October 6, 1909) was an American composer, organist, and writer on music. He published several books, most notably the ''Dictionary of Musical Terms'' and ''Influence of the Organ in History'', which was published i ...

George Whitefield Chadwick George Whitefield Chadwick (November 13, 1854 – April 4, 1931) was an American composer. Along with John Knowles Paine, Horatio Parker, Amy Beach, Arthur Foote, and Edward MacDowell, he was a representative composer of what is called the Se ...

, Kate Sara Chittenden, Charles Whitney Coombs,

Gaston Dethier Gaston Marie Dethier (1875 – 1958) was an American organist, pianist, and composer of Belgian birth. Early life Born in Liège, he was the son of organist Emile Jean Joseph Dethier (1849-1933), the brother of violinist Edouard Dethier, an ...

Clarence Dickinson Clarence Dickinson (May 7, 1873 in Lafayette, Indiana – August 2, 1969 in New York City) was an American composer and organist. Early Life and Studies Dickinson grew up in a religious family. His grandfather was minister Baxter Dickinson. H ...

Clarence Eddy Hiram Clarence Eddy (23 June 1851 - 10 January 1937) was a United States organist and composer Biography He was born in Greenfield, Massachusetts. He studied under Dudley Buck in Hartford, Connecticut, counterpoint under Carl August Haupt, and p ...

, Mary Chappell Fisher,

Arthur Foote Arthur William Foote (March 5, 1853 in Salem, Massachusetts – April 8, 1937 in Boston, Massachusetts) was an American classical composer, and a member of the "Boston Six." The other five were George Whitefield Chadwick, Amy Beach, Edward Mac ...

William Gilchrist William Wallace Gilchrist (January 8, 1846 – December 20, 1916) was an American composer and a major figure in nineteenth century music of Philadelphia. He founded the Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia in 1874. Early life Gilchrist was bo ...

Henry Houseley Henry Houseley FRCO (20 September 1851– 13 March 1925) was an English organist, composer and teacher, who moved to Denver, Colorado. Career Henry Houseley was born on 20 September 1851 in Sutton in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire. He received his mu ...

Henry Holden Huss Henry Holden Huss (June 21, 1862 in Newark, New Jersey – September 17, 1953 in New York City) was an American composer, pianist and music teacher. Huss grew up in New York City, the son of German immigrant parents. After studying piano and ...

Bruno Klein Bruno Oscar Klein (6 June 1858 — 22 June 1911) was an American composer and organist of German origin. He wrote a number of works for orchestra, some chamber music, church music, and a large number of songs. Life and career Born in Osnabrück, ...

, Ernst R. Kroeger,

Benjamin Johnson Lang Benjamin Johnson Lang (December 28, 1837April 3 or 4, 1909) was an American conductor, pianist, organist, teacher and composer. He introduced a large amount of music to American audiences, including the world premiere of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky ...

Peter C. Lutkin Peter Christian Lutkin (March 27, 1858 – December 27, 1931) was an American organist, choral conductor, and composer. Career Peter Lutkin was born in Caledonia, Wisconsin, Thompsonville, Wisconsin on March 27, 1858. His parents, Peter Chri ...

, Charlotte Wells Saenger,

Fannie Morris Spencer Fannie Morris Spencer (August 15, 1865 - April 9, 1943) was an American composer and organist who wrote a collection of 32 hymns and was a founding member of the American Guild of Organists. Spencer was born in Newburgh, New York, to Cynthia McCo ...

, and Herve D. Wilkins. Clifford Demarest also played an important role in its first two decades.

Organization

The American Guild of Organists is geographically divided into seven regions and 298 chapters. The AGO has chapters in Australia (Sydney), Barbados, Hong Kong, Kenya (Nairobi), Finland (Helsinki), Singapore, Shanghai, and Taiwan. The European chapter is the oldest chapter outside of the US, with many members in

France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...

and

Germany Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...

, as well as other countries. The leadership of the AGO consists of a National Council, seven regional councillors forming a Board of Regional Councillors, and various local chapters within each region. The national headquarters is located at 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 1260, in New York, New York, in

. The National Council is the governing body of the American Guild of Organists. The four national officers, five national councillors with committees in portfolio, and the chair of the board of regional councillors (selected by the seven regional councillors from among their number) are members of the National Council. The executive director is a non-voting member of the National Council. The chaplain is an honorary member of the National Council. The national officers of the guild consist of a president, a vice president/councillor of competitions and new music, a secretary/councillor for communications, and a treasurer/councillor for finance and development. National councillors coordinate and represent to the National Council specific areas of the work of the guild—education, membership, competitions and new music, conventions, young organists, and finance and development. The regional councillors are elected by the members of the guild assigned to chapters within each of the seven regions. Regional councillors are responsible for supervision and coordination of the work of the guild in their regions and representation of the region on the National Council through the chair of the Board of Regional Councillors. The Board of Regional Councillors meets in person with the National Council once per year with voice, but no vote. Appointed district conveners are responsible for the development of the guild's interests in each state or area located within the region. The district convener assists the regional councillor in the work of the region. In addition to district conveners, regional coordinators are appointed to assist the regional councillor and a national councillor in coordinating work of a specific portfolio area of the guild within the region, such as education, regional competitions for young organists, and professional development. In 2014, the formerly nine regions were consolidated into seven: * Northeast * Mid-Atlantic * Southeast * Great Lakes * North Central * Southwest * West Over the years, a number of international chapters have been formed and are grouped into the following AGO regions: * Northeast: ** Europe, Finland * Southeast: ** Barbados, Nairobi * West: ** Hong Kong, Sydney (Australia), Shanghai, Singapore, Taiwan These international chapters formally affiliate with the AGO rather than other professional associations that may already exist in their country, such as the

Royal Canadian College of Organists The Royal Canadian College of Organists (RCCO), founded in 1909, is a national association of organists and church musicians in Canada, with 28 centres from Victoria, British Columbia to Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. The National Office is ...

Royal College of Organists The Royal College of Organists (RCO) is a charity and membership organisation based in the United Kingdom, with members worldwide. Its role is to promote and advance organ playing and choral music, and it offers music education, training and de ...

(UK). Michael Bedford is currently president, initially elected in 2016 to a two-year term. He was re-elected in 2018 to an additional two-year term and, in 2020, re-elected to a third and final term for 2020–2022. He succeeded John C. Walker. Other past presidents serving in the 21st century, and their terms in office, include Eileen Guenther (2008–2014) and

Frederick Swann Frederick Lewis Swann (July 30, 1931 – November 13, 2022) was an American church and concert organist, choral conductor, composer, and president of the American Guild of Organists. His extensive discography includes both solo organ works and ...

(2002–2008).

Programs and publications

The organization holds national conventions in even-numbered years and regional conventions in odd-numbered years. The 2010 national convention held in

Washington, D.C. ) , image_skyline = , image_caption = Clockwise from top left: the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, United States Capitol, Logan Circle, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Adams Morgan, ...

, on July 4–8, for example, included workshops and concerts at prominent Washington-area churches, with premieres of newly commissioned works. The 2014 national convention, attended by more than 1,700 members, featured several notable venues in the Boston area, including

Memorial Church of Harvard University The Memorial Church of Harvard University is a building on the campus of Harvard University. It is an inter-denominational Protestant church. History Predecessors The first distinct building for worship at Harvard University was Holden Chapel, b ...

and Trinity Church. The 2020 national convention planned for July in

Atlanta, Georgia Atlanta ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is the seat of Fulton County, the most populous county in Georgia, but its territory falls in both Fulton and DeKalb counties. With a population of 498,715 ...

, was cancelled due to the

COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The novel virus was first identif ...

. The AGO sponsors a number of education programs, including "Pipe Organ Encounters", which are intended to introduce youth to the organ and its workings. It also produces a series of instructional DVDs for organists, providing insights into advanced playing technique, organ registration, improvisation, and interpretation. Renowned organists on these ''Master Series'' videos are:

Catharine Crozier Catharine Pearl Crozier (January 18, 1914 in Hobart, Oklahoma – September 19, 2003 in Portland, Oregon) was a leading American concert organist and teacher. Early life and education Catharine Crozier was born in Hobart, Oklahoma to the Rev. W ...

(vol. 1),

Marie-Claire Alain Marie-Claire Geneviève Alain-Gommier (10 August 1926 – 26 February 2013) was a French organist, scholar and teacher best known for her prolific recording career, with 260 recordings, making her the most-recorded classical organist in the world ...

(vol. 2),

(vol. 3),

Gerre Hancock Gerre Edward Hancock (February 21, 1934 – January 21, 2012) was an American organist, improviser, and composer. Hancock was Professor of Organ and Sacred Music at the University of Texas at Austin. He died of cardiac arrest in Austin, Texas ...

(vol. 4), and Marilyn Mason (vol. 5). The AGO issues several professional certificates and designations upon completion of the appropriate exams and membership in good standing: the ''Service Playing Certificate'' (SPC), ''Colleague'' (CAGO), ''Choir Master'' (ChM), ''Associateship'' (AAGO), and ''Fellowship'' (FAGO), the highest level of certification bestowed upon accomplished organists by the organization's Board of Examiners.

''The American Organist''

Until November 1967, the journal

The Diapason ''The Diapason'' is a magazine serving those who build and play organs. Content includes concert and recital announcements, information on building and maintaining organs and profiles of notable organists. As of July 2013, ''The Diapason'' reac ...

(published by Scranton-Gillette) was billed as the Official Journal of the American Guild of Organists, and the Official Magazine of the

. In 1967, the AGO began publishing ''Music Magazine'', a news journal for its membership. Now titled ''The American Organist'', the monthly magazine is the official journal of the AGO for members and non-member subscribers. The illustrated periodical features news about new and restored pipe organs, concert programs, research into organ literature, chapter activities, and reviews of new organ recordings. ''The American Organist'' is also the official magazine for the Associated Pipe Organ Builders of America. Its masthead proclaims the journal's goal, to further the AGO's "ideals, objectives, and cultural and educational aspirations". From October, 1968, to June, 2009, ''The American Organist'' was also the official journal of the

. The AGO also is an affiliate with the online journal ''Vox Humana''.

Contests

The AGO organizes several awards and competitions, including the Pogorzelski-Yankee Competition, the AGO/ECS Publishing Award in Choral Composition, and the AGO/Marilyn Mason Award in Organ Composition. The AGO/Marilyn Mason Award has its roots in the Holtkamp Organ Composition Contest, which was inaugurated in 1978 by Walter Holtkamp (president of the

Holtkamp Organ Company The Holtkamp Organ Company of Cleveland, Ohio is one of America's oldest builders of pipe organs. Founded in 1855 by G.F. Votteler, the company was passed on to the Holtkamps in 1931. Under the direction of Walter Holtkamp Sr., the company became ...

) and Donald Hinshaw (president of Hinshaw Music) to encourage composers under 30 years of age. The Holtkamp Organ Composition was held annually until 1984 in conjunction with the International Contemporary Organ Music Festival at the

Hartt School of Music The Hartt School is the comprehensive performing arts conservatory of the University of Hartford located in West Hartford, Connecticut, United States, that offers degree programs in music, dance, and theatre. Founded in 1920 by Julius Hartt and ...

. Winners of the Holtkamp Organ Composition Contest included: * 1978: Thomas Crawford and Frank Wiley, co-winners; Steven Errante and Paul Hofreiter, honorable mentions * 1979: Richard Campanelli, winner; Robert Sirota, honorable mention * 1980: Thomas Crawford and Blair Sanderson, co-winners; Frank Wiley, honorable mention * 1982: James Primosch In 1984 the award was rebranded as the AGO/Holtkamp Award which awards a commission (and publication) for an organ work and a cash prize. It's held every two years in conjunction with AGO's national convention. In 2010 the award was rebranded as the AGO/Marilyn Mason Award to honor Marilyn Mason. Until 2016 the winning compositions were published by Hinshaw music; since then they have been published by H. T. FitzSimons. Winners include: * 1984: Ingrid Arauco for What Seraphs Are Afoot * 1986: Timothy Kramer for Perceptions of Antiquity * 1988: Martin Matalon for Variations for Organ and Percussion * 1990:

Frank Ferko Frank Ferko (born June 18, 1950) is an American composer. Born in Barberton, Ohio, Ferko played piano from childhood, and worked as an organist and conductor in his teens. His first compositions were primarily liturgical in nature, with Lutheran ...

for A Practical Program * 1992: Ellen Ruth Harrison for ''That Line Which Is Earth's Shadow'' * 1994: Timothy Tikker for ''Variations SUr Un Vieux Noel'' * 1996: Robert Greenlee for ''Three Spirituals for Palm Sunday'' and Aaron Hunt for ''Fantasia and Fugue on St. Theodulph'' * 1998: Carlyle Sharpe for ''Confitemini Domino'' * 2000: David Arcus for ''Song of Ruth and Naomi'' * 2002: Emily Porter for ''What Wondrous Love Is This, O My Soul?'' * 2004: George Akerley for ''A Sweet for Mother Goose'' * 2006: Barrie Cabena for ''Six Sketches on Children's Hymns'' * 2008:

Rachel Laurin ''The Canadian Encyclopedia'' (TCE; french: L'Encyclopédie canadienne) is the national encyclopedia of Canada, published online by the Toronto-based historical organization Historica Canada, with the support of Canadian Heritage. Available for ...

for ''Prelude and Fugue in F Minor'' * 2010: Michael Bedford for ''Theme and Variations on Le P'ing'' * 2012: Nicholas O'Neill for ''Festive Voluntary'' * 2014: No prize awarded * 2016:

Ivan Božičević Ivan Božičević (born 27 May 1961 in Belgrade, Serbia) is a Croatian composer, pianist, organist and jazz musician. Biography Božičević was born in Belgrade. After initial piano studies, he joined the composition class of A. Obradović at ...

for ''The Moonpiper'' * 2018: Mark Kurtz for ''Re-Formations (after Bach)'' * 2020: Joel Peters for ''Eine Wolke nahm ihm Weg'' * 2022: Rashaan Rori Allwood for ''In Memory Of...'' * 2024: Brooke Joyce for TBD

References

External links

*
Founders of the American Guild of Organists
{{DEFAULTSORT:American Guild Of Organists 1896 establishments in the United States Guilds in the United States Pipe organ organizations Professional associations based in the United States