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.

Our Next Studio 32 10/25

In September, our chapter launched Studio 32, a re-envisioned version of our pre-pandemic program called Studio Class. Each month chapter members are invited to gather at an area church to explore its organ and to go out for drinks afterward.
  
The organs vary greatly in size. Some are in unique settings not commonly available to the general public. This month we are meeting Oct. 25 at Sligo Seventh Day Adventist Church, 7700 Carroll Ave. in Takoma Park, at 7 pm. Drinks afterward will be at Bevco in Takoma Park. Upcoming venues include Grace Episcopal in Georgetown and the Scottish Rite Temple.
 
The consoles are open to everyone regardless of proficiency to experience by playing a hymn, composition or improvisation, or just looking and listening. In respect for the pedalboards, no street shoes, please. 
 
No reservations are required—just show up. Masks are required.

2021 PipeSpectacular

Guest artist Jeremy Filsell presented a PipeSpectacular program that lived up to its billing Oct. 23 at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Norwood Parish, in  Chevy Chase. You can listen to it here.
The program was presented by the DC, Potomac and Northern Virginia chapters of the AGO. 

Filsell is the organist and director of music at St. Thomas Church, Fifth Avenue in New York City. He is a past director of music at Church of the Epiphany and St. Alban's in DC and former artist-in-residence at the National Cathedral.Cathedral, a

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Free organ music

Some of our members have donated a variety of organ scores to be made available to anyone interested. Recipients are asked to consider making a donation of any size to the Pipe Organ Institute, which offers free organ lessons to qualified piano students. For a list of available scores, see the latest Coupler newsletter under the Media tab above.

Music at the Monastery

Music at the Monastery has announced its 2021-22 recital lineup. Click on the tab at top.

National Competition in Service Playing 

Jan. 6-8, 2022
Sponsored by the DC Chapter of AGO, Schoenstein & Co. Organ Builders, and St. Paul’s K Street
$5,000 1st Prize provided by Schoenstein & Co.
$2,500 2nd Prize provided by Schoenstein & Co. Judges will be professor Thomas Murray, Dr. John Walker and National Cathedral Canon Michael McCarthy. 
​See details under the Calendar tab at top.