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. The Membership Form link offers a simple way to proceed. 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.

Chapter holiday party on Tuesday

We will celebrate the season by meeting at 5:30 pm Tuesday, Dec. 6, at National Cathedral for an optional evensong followed by member time on the organ hosted by Tom Sheehan. Afterward we will go to Cactus Cantina up Wisconsin Avenue for drinks. Questions? Email dcagochapter@gmail.com. We hope to see you there!

Twelfth Night Celebration Jan. 9

Members of the DC, Potomac and Northern Virginia AGO chapters will gather Monday, Jan. 9, at All Saints Episcopal Church for a relaxing evening of singing and social time.
 The Potomac Chapter is hosting.
All Saints Church is at 3 Chevy Chase Circle, Chevy Chase, MD. Members will form the choir for the service.
The schedule is:
6:30 Music rehearsal in the church
7:15 Twelfth Night Evensong
Reception following in the Great Hall

January deadline for Quimby competition

Organists born after Dec. 31, 2000 are invited to apply for the 2023 AGO/Quimby Regional Competitions for Young Organists. The deadline is Jan. 15.
The Northern Virginia chapter will host our area’s chapter-level competition March 24 at Christ Church Episcopal, 118 N. Washington St., in Alexandria. The DC, Potomac and Winchester chapters are co-sponsors.
More information and an application form are available at the AGO national website.​

Upcoming organ concerts

Recitals are free unless otherwise noted.

Sunday, Dec. 4, 3 pm: Nathan Laube plays a recital at the Church of St. Ann, Wisconsin Ave. at Tenley Circle NW. Free-will offering.

Sunday, Dec. 4, 5 pm: A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. The combined choirs of Christ Church, brass quintet and guest organist Daniel Aune. Christ Church Episcopal, 118 N. Washington St., Alexandria.

Friday, Dec. 9, 12:15 pm: The organ and trumpet duo of Randall Sheets and Chuck Seipp presents music for Christmas, including many well-known pieces and beloved carols. Composers include J.S. Bach, Adolphe Adam, Alexandre Guilmant, Morten Lauridsen, Denis Bédard and George Frederick Handel. National City Christian Church, Thomas Circle.

​Sunday, Dec. 11, 4 pm: Kim Hess (Arlington, VA) plays a recital at the Franciscan Monastery, 1400 Quincy Ave. NE.

Tuesday, Dec. 13, 12:10 pm: Epiphany Choir presents its Christmas Concert including Handel’s Dixit Dominus at Church of the Epiphany, 1317 G St. NW.

Friday, Dec. 16, 12:15 pm: Boston organist Justin Brueggeman performs music by J.S. Bach, Herbert Howells, Joseph Jongen and Marcel Dupré. National City Christian Church, Thomas Circle.

Sunday, Dec. 25, 1:30 pm: Washington National Cathedral organist Thomas Sheehan presents a program of festive Christmas music.

Saturday, Dec. 31, 6-7 pm:  New Year’s Eve Concert featuring Rosa Lamoreaux, Anne Timpane, Grace McFarlane, Michael Bard, Jonathan Nazdin and Ann Colgrove.  Reception to follow.  Works for voice, keyboard and guitar by Scarlatti, Chopin, standards from The American Songbook, as well as works from Cuba and more.  $20 suggested donation benefits the music program at St. Columba’s Episcopal Church, 4201 Albemarle St. NW.

Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, 4 pm: Carol Feather Martin (Arlington, VA) plays a recital at the Franciscan Monastery, 1400 Quincy Ave. NE.

Free lessons through POI

The Potomac Organ Institute (POI) is a program sponsored by the DC, Northern Virginia and Potomac AGO chapters to provide a year of free lessons to accomplished piano students who wish to learn the organ. If you know of a promising piano student with potential for beginning organ study, please contact Peter Crisafulli at peter.crisafulli@allsaintschurch.net and/or Carolyn Booth at clbmuscmkr@aol.com.