The Cedar Valley Chapter of the American Guild of Organists (AGO) is the local affiliate of the national organization. "The American Guild of Organists (AGO) is the national
professional association serving the organ and choral music fields. The Guild
serves approximately 20,000 members in more than 300 chapters throughout the
United States and abroad. Founded in 1896 as both an educational and service
organization, the Guild seeks to set and maintain high musical standards and to
promote understanding and appreciation of all aspects of organ and choral
music. Under the leadership of the National Council, a network of
volunteer committees and officials at the regional, district, and local levels
directs the activities of the Guild. The AGO National Headquarters is in New
York City where a full time staff supports and coordinates publication,
administration, and development activities of the organization. For purposes of
administration and representation, the Guild is divided into nine geographical
regions, and each chapter is assigned to one of them. The American Guild of Organists and the Associated Pipe Organ
Builders of America (APOBA) share a mutually beneficial association,
a collaboration that has existed since 1975. For several decades this
relationship has been strengthened by financial contributions from APOBA and
its members in support of the AGO and its Pipe Organ Encounters (POE) program.
The AGO has responded with generous provisions for bringing news from APOBA and
its members to the organ public. The purposes of the American Guild of Organists are:
i.
To advance the cause of organ and
choral music, to increase their contributions to aesthetic and religious
experiences, and to promote their understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment.
ii.
To improve the proficiency of
organists and choral conductors.
iii.
To evaluate, by examination,
attainments in organ playing, choral techniques, conducting, and the theory and
general knowledge of music, and to grant certificates to those who pass such
examinations at specified levels of attainment.
iv.
To provide members with
opportunities to meet for discussion of professional topics, and to pursue such
other activities as contribute to the fulfillment of the purposes of the Guild.
Guild sponsored activities include a series of examinations for professional certification as well as programs and an extensive list of publications, CDs, DVDs, and learning resources for all levels of interest. The Guild sponsors competitions in organ performance and improvisation and in organ and choral composition. National and regional conventions held in alternate years, present the finest performers. THE AMERICAN ORGANIST magazine, published monthly by the AGO, is the most widely read journal devoted to organ and choral music in the world." FROM: http://www.agohq.org/about/index.html |