American Guild of Organists

American Guild of Organists. The American Guild of Organists is a professional organization dedicated to promoting the art of organ music and supporting organists in the United States. Founded in 1896 by New York City organists, including William Berwald, the organization has grown to become one of the largest and most respected organizations of its kind, with members including renowned organists such as Virgil Fox, E. Power Biggs, and Diane Bish. The organization is headquartered in New York City and has close ties with other musical organizations, including the National Association of Teachers of Singing and the Music Teachers National Association.

● History

The American Guild of Organists was founded in 1896 by a group of New York City organists who sought to promote the art of organ music and support the professional development of organists. The organization's early years were marked by close ties with the Episcopal Church and the Catholic Church, with many of its founding members serving as church organists at prominent cathedrals such as St. Patrick's Cathedral and Washington National Cathedral. Over the years, the organization has hosted numerous conventions and conferences, featuring performances by renowned organists such as Marcel Dupré, Louis-Claude Daquin, and César Franck. The organization has also been influenced by the work of other musical organizations, including the Royal College of Organists and the Organ Historical Society.

● Organization

The American Guild of Organists is governed by a national board of directors, which includes prominent organists such as Thomas Murray and Katherine Meloan. The organization is divided into several departments, including the National Council of Auxiliary Boards, the Committee on Professional Development, and the Committee on New Music. The organization also has close ties with other musical organizations, including the American Choral Directors Association, the National Association of Church Musicians, and the Hymn Society in the United States and Canada. The organization's national headquarters is located in New York City, with regional offices in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Boston.

● Membership

Membership in the American Guild of Organists is open to organists and other musicians who support the organization's mission. Members include church organists, concert organists, and academic organists, as well as musicologists and music theorists who specialize in organ music. The organization has a diverse membership, with members from a wide range of denominations and musical traditions, including the Lutheran Church, the Presbyterian Church, and the Baptist Church. Members of the organization have included renowned organists such as Leonard Bernstein, Samuel Barber, and William Bolcom, as well as composers such as Milton Babbitt and Elliott Carter.

● Certification

The American Guild of Organists offers a certification program for organists, which includes several levels of certification, from the Colleague Certification to the Fellow Certification. The certification program is designed to recognize the professional competence of organists and to provide a standard of excellence for the profession. The organization also offers certification in choral music and carillon music, in partnership with the American Choral Directors Association and the Guild of Carillonneurs in North America. The certification program is administered by the National Council of Auxiliary Boards and is recognized by other musical organizations, including the Music Teachers National Association and the National Association of Teachers of Singing.

● Conventions_and_Conferences

The American Guild of Organists hosts several conventions and conferences each year, featuring performances by renowned organists and composers. The organization's national convention is held annually, with recent conventions taking place in Boston, Chicago, and Los Angeles. The organization also hosts regional conferences and workshops, which provide opportunities for organists to learn from each other and to share their expertise. Recent conferences have featured performances by organists such as Paul Jacobs, Isabelle Demers, and Nathan Laube, as well as composers such as Stephen Paulus and Libby Larsen.

● Publications

The American Guild of Organists publishes several publications, including the American Organist magazine, which is the official journal of the organization. The magazine features articles on organ music, organ building, and organ playing, as well as reviews of concerts and recordings. The organization also publishes a monthly newsletter, which provides updates on the organization's activities and events. The organization has also published several books on organ music and organ playing, including the AGO Organ Library and the Organist's Companion.

● Chapters_and_Regions

The American Guild of Organists has over 300 chapters and regions throughout the United States, each of which hosts its own conventions and conferences. The organization's chapters and regions provide opportunities for organists to network with each other and to share their expertise, and they often host workshops and masterclasses with renowned organists and composers. The organization's regions include the Northeast Region, the Midwest Region, and the West Coast Region, each of which has its own regional convention and regional conference. The organization's chapters and regions are supported by the National Council of Auxiliary Boards and the Committee on Professional Development.

Category:Music organizations