Welcome!

Region IV of the American Guild of Organists covers the Southeastern United States and Bermuda, including the states of North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Eastern Louisiana. There are seven districts, 58 local chapters, and over 3,000 members. Our work supports the mission of the Guild: To promote the organ in its historic and evolving roles, to encourage excellence in the performance of organ and choral music, and to provide forum for mutual support, inspiration, education, and certification of Guild members.

September 17, 2008

Thanks to these chapters for contributing to the Annual Fund!

I would like to acknowledge the following Chapters in Region IV that contributed to the 2007-08 AGO Annual Fund :
Atlanta (Ga.) Chapter
Boone (N.C.) Chapter
Charlotte (N.C.) Chapter
Clearwater (Fla.) Chapter
East Alabama Chapter
East Carolina (N.C.) Chapter
Jacksonville (Fla.) Chapter
Nashville (Tenn.) Chapter
NE North Carolina Chapter
Pensacola (Fla.) Chapter
Sarasota-Manatee (Fla.) Chapter
Southwest Florida Chapter
Western North Carolina Chapter
Wilmington (N.C.) Chapter
Congratulations, and THANK YOU for your gifts!

Some interesting statistics: 27% of our region’s chapters contributed, compared with 31% nationally. The average amount given by our region’s chapters was $155.94. Although this is up 104% from last year, the average nationally was $208.09.

The Guild does not function solely on membership dues, but relies heavily on gifts. I would love to see at least 50% of our chapters on this list a year from now! Contributions from individual donors are also welcome!

Will YOUR Chapter be a host for an RCYO?

One important program of the Guild is its competitions. One of these is the AGO/Quimby Regional Competition for Young Organists (RCYO). It is for younger organists (mostly college age), starting at the local level, and concluding at the regional level. This event occurs every two years in conjunction with the Regional convention with a performance by the winner at the Regional Convention and at the National Convention as a Rising Star the following summer. Jonathan Hehn was the 2007 winner for Region IV.

Local chapters have an oppotunity to be involved. It is not an enormous amount of work to host a local competition, and it is extremely rewarding. My goal is to have eight chapters in our region to host a chapter competition. Please visit http://www.agohq.org/competitions/index.html to view additional information and to download the chapter application form. Please note that applications must be postmarked no later than October 18, 2008, for listing in the January 2009 issue of THE AMERICAN ORGANIST Magazine. No applications will be accepted after December 1, 2008. Please contact me if you have further questions.