The Erzähler

The mission of the American Guild of Organists is to foster a thriving community of musicians who share their knowledge and inspire passion for the organ.

- December 2024 -

Greetings, chapter members and friends!

Thank you to everyone who attended Hymn Accompanying and Improvisation, November 9! Ethan Haman inspired us with his imagination and expertise. It was good to be reminded of techniques we had forgotten and introduced to new ways of improvising in a variety of styles.

The Hymn Festival, November 10, was glorious. It was thrilling to hear Mr. Haman doing everything he had spoken about and demonstrated the day before. The festival concluded with an improvisation combining hymn tunes requested on the spot by the audience. Haman's playing was brilliant! View the video on YouTube.

We are thrilled to have a new branded table cloth and tabletop tri-fold for publicity use at concerts and events. The display received a lot of attention at First Presbyterian Church during the weekend of November 9 and 10. Image courtesy of Ethan Haman. Many thanks to our own Jonathan Truong and RojoInk for doing such professional work for us!

Organ Academy 2025 already has six registered participants! Let your friends and students know about this great opportunity for young people which is so important to the future of our profession.

Happy Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany!

Sincerely yours, Ed

[click/tap image for workshop outline]

Epiphany Gathering

Sunday, January 12, 2025

The Hive

2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Join us for dessert potluck and sharing news of our various December activities. You're invited!

Organ Academy 2025

We are looking forward to Organ Academy 2025!

Street Team assets - posters, social media images - are available at the bottom of the academy webpage. Print posters for your choir room, studio, or school music areas. Download and share the social media images on your Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or other pages.

We are especially excited about:

New Saturday Practice locations
New online registration and payment options

If you know accomplished piano students age 10-20 interested in learning to play organ, direct them to the Organ Academy webpage! Help us spread the word.

Surge iuvenes organistae!

[click/tap image above for Street Team assets available at bottom of academy webpage]

Church Music Institute Membership Discount

The Church Music Institute (CMI) is dedicated to the advancement and stewardship of the best sacred music for the use of Christian congregations. CMI trains new generations of clergy, musicians and laypersons for leading worship through workshops, courses, and conferences across the country. CMI also houses the most extensive online library of choral and organ music anywhere.

Membership in CMI is offered at a $40 discount (53% off!) to AGO members. Login and follow the link on the AGO Member Benefits page and take advantage of all CMI has to offer. The online library alone is amazing!