Regional Competition

The AGO/Quimby Regional Competition for Young Organists will take place on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at Christ Episcopal Church in Bradenton, FL. Competing will be the winners of the nine local RCYO competitions held throughout the region between February and April. The public is invited to attend. The instrument is a three manual 68 stop Letourneau, Op. 96.

Pipe Organ Encounter, June 21-26

The Macon Chapter is hosting our region's Pipe Organ Encounter, an exciting week-long summer event for teenagers to discover the wonders of the Pipe Organ, the King of Instruments. Housing will be provided on the campus of Wesleyan College in Macon, GA. The program is open to students age 13-18 with piano competency. Previous organ study is not required. Highlights of the week include daily lessons with professional organists, practice time on numerous pipe organs in Macon, organ crawls in Macon and Atlanta, a tour of an organ factory, faculty and student recitals, recreation at the college, and the opportunity to meet other organists the same age.

Registration is limited to 26 students. Early registration (postmarked April 1) is $390. After April 1, the tuition is $425. Financial assistance is available. Please contact Michael McGhee, Macon POE Director, for information.

Click here for the brochure and registration form

Register now for the Pedagogy Conference, March 11-14

• Have you ever grappled with the challenges of preparing a student to serve in the church music world while studying in an academic environment?
• Have you ever tried to prepare a sixth grade student to serve as a church organist?
• Have you ever helped an older student make the transition from piano to organ?
• Have you ever had a young student ask you about the future of church music?

If so, this year's AGO National Conference on Organ Pedagogy cosponsored by the Yale Institute of Sacred Music, March 11–14, 2009, is for you!

This year's theme, "Teaching Church Music in North America: An Old Vocation in a New Millennium" will delve into these challenges. We will hear details of representative church music programs in colleges and universities from around the country, and leaders in the field will offer masterclasses every day featuring the nuts and bolts of teaching church music (including hymn playing, anthem accompaniment, and improvisation). We will also delve into the future of church music and how that will reflect our pedagogical emphasis in years to come. Keynote speaker Martin Marty will be joined by Quentin Faulkner, Don Saliers, Bishop Robert Rimbo and Marva Dawn. The conference will feature the organs and facilities of Yale University.

Click here to register.