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 330 chapters throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
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 purposes of the American Guild of Organists are:
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.
To improve the proficiency of organists and choral conductors.
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.
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.
E-mail sent by David Enlow, Thursday, May 9th, 2013 @ 4:01pm
Dear Colleagues,
Many of you have signed up for our annual dinner cruise -- thank you! There are still several seats available.
If you're on the fence, let me share with you some sense of the event. Starting at Chelsea Piers, easily accessible from all means of transit and a very central location, the very handsome craft M.Y. Affinity, originally built for the President of the boat company, launches out into the harbor with uniformed bar and wait staff. There are, incredibly, City restaurants on land whose food isn't as good, and open bar is the best deal in town! Everyone on board is relaxed and conviviality reigns.
The ship sails by Lady Liberty, on the way past the towers of commerce in Lower Manhattan, and various other pleasure craft and others drift by. The City and all its cares are remarkably distant the moment we leave land.
Monday, May 20th 6 pm embarkation, 6:30 sharp set sail! See www.nycago.org for more information and payment options. At this point, if you're going to send a check, please let me know by e-mail so I know to reserve your place.
Remember, the cruise is open to all, and is competitively priced for all but the very cheapest nights out in the City. New Yorkers love a meal with a view -- we hope to see you there!
E-mail sent by David Enlow, Sunday, April 21st, 2013 @ 6:54pm
Dear Colleagues,
Many of us were treated to a wonderful recital by David Higgs at St Malachy's Church, and now our final program event of the season is less than a month away!
When I was elected Sub-Dean, the request that echoed above all others was 'Bring back the boat cruise!' We have done so, and it is a highlight of enjoyment as our only purely social program event these past several years. We are never close to over-selling, so please feel free to share this event with your church colleagues (perhaps take this opportunity to spend some time with a pastor or other work colleague in a relaxed setting) or friends outside the organ world. A night out in the City for $100 has become quite a good deal. Even in years when there has been fog and drizzle, the food is reliably very good, the bar open and well served, and the atmosphere in a foggy New York harbor is very special -- though we hope for fine weather of course!
Please pay online, through the link at www.nycago.org, or follow the instructions to send a check for your place at dinner. We all look forward to seeing you there!
E-mail sent by David Enlow, Monday, February 11th, 2013 @ 9:17am
Just about one week to Presidents' Day events! Be ready to greet Michael Barone, Jonathan Ambrosino, Peter Richard Conte, Jelani Eddington, Thomas Trotter, and your colleagues and friends.
One more day to submit display table requests and program advertising - write to david@davidenlow.com
Remember, current NYC AGO membership = easy check-in. Lapsed/non-member = pay/sign-up.
Lapsed members receive TAO for several months as a courtesy, and the newsletter and emails indefinitely. Why not check your membership status online and be ready to go?
