About Us

History and Purpose

The American Guild of Organists (AGO) is the national professional association serving the organ and choral music fields. The Guild serves approximately 14,700 members in approximately 300 chapters throughout the United States and abroad.

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.

We here at the Annapolis Chapter strive to fulfill the purposes of the American Guild of Organists set forth by the national organization:

  • 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.
  • Guild sponsored activities include a series of examinations for professional certification as well as programs and an extensive list of publications, CDs, DVDs, and learning resources for all levels of interest. The Guild sponsors competitions in organ performance and improvisation and in organ and choral composition. National and regional conventions held in alternate years, present the finest performers. THE AMERICAN ORGANIST magazine, published monthly by the AGO, is the most widely read journal devoted to organ and choral music in the world.

Our Board

MA Theology
Director of Music and Adult Education Ministries — St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church, Bowie, MD

MMus Sacred Music
Organist — Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America
Choir Master, Band Director, Music Teacher — St Peter School, Capitol Hill, DC

Director of Music — Christ the King Roman Catholic Church, Glen Burnie MD

MMus
Director of Music and Organist — St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church, Croom, MD

MEd, CAGO
Music Associate — Calvary United Methodist Church, Annapolis, MD
Music Librarian — Chesapeake Chorale

Director of Music — Gloria Dei! Lutheran Church, Arnold, MD

BM Piano Performance

Organist — Sacred Heart Church, Bushwood, MD and St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Morganza, MD

Music Director — Glen Burnie United Methodist Church, Glen Burnie MD

MMus
Director of Chapel Music and Organist — United States Naval Academy, Annapolis MD

Lifetime Members