Upcoming POE's - Pipe Organ Encounters

 

Nine Summer Programs for Teenagers and Adults Will Be Supported with Generous Funding from the Associated Pipe Organ Builders of America, the American Institute of Organbuilders, and the Jordan Organ Endowment

 

NEW YORK CITY—The American Guild of Organists (AGO) is proud to announce seven PIPE ORGAN ENCOUNTERS (POEs) for students aged 13–18, one POE (Advanced) for students entering grades 9–12; and one POE+ for adults in 2016. Complete contact information for each weeklong Pipe Organ Encounter can be found in The American Organist Magazine and online at www.agohq.org. The summer schedule follows:

 

POE for ages 13–18

 

August 7–13, Palo Alto, Calif.

 

 

The PIPE ORGAN ENCOUNTER (POE) is an introduction to the pipe organ through instruction in organ playing, repertoire, history, design, and construction. These regional summer music institutes for teenage students provide private and group instruction in service playing and solo repertoire, opportunities to learn about the musical heritage of various religious denominations, and a chance for young musicians to meet others with similar interests. Piano or organ proficiency ranging from intermediate to advanced is required. Scholarship assistance is available. 

The POE (Advanced) provides intermediate to advanced classes in areas such as organ literature, history, pipe organ construction and design, music theory, improvisation, conducting, and service playing for students who have achieved a high level of success in organ study. Scholarship assistance is available. 

The POE+ is a summer program filled with practical information and instruction for adult keyboard musicians interested in improving their service-playing skills. Participants will be introduced to basic organ skills through private instruction and classes. The weeklong experience will lead to greater confidence and competence at the organ.

Generous funding from the Associated Pipe Organ Builders of America (APOBA), the American Institute of Organbuilders (AIO), and the Jordan Organ Endowment will support the summer programs from coast to coast. “The AGO and APOBA have enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship since 1975,” declared AGO Executive Director James Thomashower. “Likewise, the AIO has been active in supporting the Guild’s educational programs, beginning with their partnership in Pulling Out All the Stops, a video produced jointly by the AGO, AIO, APOBA, the Organ Historical Society, and the American Theater Organ Society in 1996. Collectively, APOBA and the AIO have contributed more than a half million dollars in support of the AGO’s educational programs during our long association. In addition, we are delighted to have received a ten-year commitment of support from the Jordan Organ Endowment at Columbus State University for our POE program. For all this committed generosity in supporting the Guild’s mission—to enrich lives through organ and choral music—we are deeply grateful.” ■

 

POE site locations are selected by the AGO Committee on the New Organist and approved by the AGO National Council after application by AGO host chapters. Applications are available from AGO National Headquarters. The application deadline is April 15.