Welcome!Welcome to the web site of the District of Columbia Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.
Our city and its surrounding areas boast a lively pipe organ culture, to which our Chapter members contribute significantly. We invite all who love the pipe organ and its music to explore this website for opportunities to attend AGO-sponsored events as well as concerts in our churches and concert halls. All are welcome, no matter if you're an official AGO member or not. Our mission is to share the glories of the "King of Instruments" with everyone. Perhaps you found this site because you are interested in becoming a member of the Chapter. We would be delighted if you would join our ranks. To join, go to agohq.org. Click on the Membership tab, then Join the Guild, and Join as a chapter member. We also welcome you to become a dual member with us and your home chapter. Thank you for visiting us. We hope that you will join us for one or more of our seasonal events. DC Chapter Service Playing CompetitionThe District of Columbia Chapter Service Playing Competition has been scheduled for Jan. 9-11, 2025.
Prizes are $5,000 for first place and $2,500 for second. Judges will be Thomas Murray, Dr. Mary Beth Bennett and Dr. John Walker. Dr. Peter Latona will be the guest conductor. The competition is open to all applicants under the age of 28 as of Jan. 10, 2025. Applicants are requested to submit Preliminary Round materials by Nov. 15, 2024, along with a nonrefundable application fee of $35. A full description of the competition is available by clicking here. 
Free lessons through POIThe Potomac Organ Institute provides a year of free lessons to accomplished piano students who wish to learn the organ. Check it out at https://www.potomacago.com/poi.
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Masterclass with Notre Dame organist
Improvisation masterclass with Thierry Escaich for DC AGO chapter members
Saturday, Oct. 26 , 3-5 pm at St. John's Episcopal Church, 3240 O St. NW (Georgetown) on the Casavant organ Escaich, recently named a titulaire (or a principal organist) at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, will present the basics of improvisation with a masterclass to follow. Please email [email protected] if you are interested in playing. AGO Young Organists and female organists are highly encouraged to sign up. There will be a maximum of four participants. Please bring your organ shoes, just in case! Two more free Escaich events are scheduled at Dahlgren Chapel of the Sacred Heart at Georgetown University: Sunday, Oct. 27, 6 pm: Escaich will play a Mass in the style of Notre Dame with liturgical organ improvisation. Monday, Oct. 28, 7 pm: Escaich will improvise an organ accompaniment to Frate Sol, a 1918 silent film directed by Ugo Falena based on the life of St. Francis of Assisi. Upcoming organ recitalsClick on the Calendar tab above for Friday recitals at National City Christian Church.
Sunday, Oct. 13, 3 pm: Chuyoung and Eric Suter play Grieg and Rachmaninoff (No. 2) piano concertos on piano and organ. Augustana Lutheran Church, 2100 New Hampshire Ave. NW. Click here. Sunday, Oct. 13, 4 pm: PipeSpectacular!, an annual event sponsored by the Potomac, DC and Northern Virginia chapters, features Sean Burns in recital. First Baptist Church, 1328 16th St. NW. Sunday, Oct. 13, 4 pm: Iris Lan plays a recital at the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land, 1400 Quincy St. NE. Saturday, Oct. 19, 9:30 am-12:45 pm: Dr. James Abbington, editor of One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism: An African American Ecumenical Hymnal, is hosting a reading session featuring the hymnal. Early registration of $25 includes a music packet with the hymnal. Late/walk-in fee is $30 (music packet not guaranteed). Second Baptist Church of District Heights, 5501 Silver Hill Road, District Heights, MD. Go to giamusic.com/reading-session-registration/41. Sunday, Oct. 20, 4 pm: Nathaniel Gumbs plays as part of the Wickre Concert Series at St. Luke Lutheran Church, 9100 Colesville Road, Silver Spring. Tuesday, Oct. 22, 12:10 pm: Organist Ondrej Hornas presents Antonin Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 (“New World”). Hornas studied organ in his native Czech Republic and France, obtaining his master’s degree at the Academy of Performing Arts in Perague. Church of the Epiphany, 1317 G St. NW. Click on the calendar tab above for more upcoming events. 
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