American Guild of Organists

The American Guild of Organists (AGO) is a national organization whose purpose is to promote the organ in its historic and evolving roles, to encourage excellence in the performance of organ and choral music, and to provide a forum for mutual support, inspiration, education, and certification of Guild members. The membership of the AGO includes some 20,000 organists, choral conductors, church and synagogue musicians, and organ 'buffs', each of whom is a member of one of 330 local chapters throughout the United States and as far away as Bermuda, Korea, Singapore, and even Australia.

The Denver Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, which numbers around 200 members, has regular monthly meetings from September through June, which vary from concerts and recitals to educational events and social gatherings. The Denver chapter, which was formed in 1936 and hosted national AGO conventions in 1968 and 1998, also regularly sponsors such educational activities as Pipe Organ Encounters and Pipes, Pedals, and Pizza for young people, professional AGO certification workshops for members, and master classes for performers of all ages. It also offers annual scholarships providing up to six promising young area piano students with free organ lessons and is a co-sponsor of the biennial Augustana/Reuter National Organ Playing Competition held every other spring at Denver's Augustana Lutheran Church.