Purpose of the
American Guild of Organists
The American Guild of Organists (AGO) is the national professional association serving the organ and choral fields.
Chartered by the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York in 1896, the AGO now serves over 21,000 members throughout the United States and worldwide.
It provides educational and certification services and professional assistance to its members and promotes the use of the organ in sacred and concert settings.
The purpose of this national organization for organists and choral directors shall be:
-
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 achievement.
-
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.
Our Mission
To enrich lives through organ and choral music. To achieve this, we: Encourage excellence in the performance of organ and choral music; Inspire, educate, and offer certification for organists and choral conductors; Provide networking, fellowship, and mutual support; Nurture future generations of organists; Promote the organ in its historic and evolving roles; and Engage wider audiences with organ and choral music.
