Welcome!

​Welcome to the web site of the District of Columbia Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.

The USA's capital city and its surrounding areas boast a lively pipe organ culture, to which our Chapter members and our many churches and cathedrals contribute significantly.

We invite all people who love the pipe organ and its music to explore this website for opportunities to attend AGO-sponsored events as well as concerts held 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 all who visit this great city!

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.

Tri-Chapter Pipes Spectacular

Online Sunday, Oct. 25, 5 pm
Washington National Cathedral 
Thomas M. Sheehan, organist
Program:
Archbishop’s Fanfare – Francis Jackson
Praeludium in G major – Nicolaus Bruhns
The Trees Unfold – Judith Weir
Trio Sonata – Hugo Distler
“O God of Love” from The Ghosts of Versailles – John Corigliano, arr. Richard Wayne Dirksen
Sonata eroica – Joseph Jongen
The Northern Virginia chapter is hosting this event in conjunction with the DC and Potomac chapters.
​To listen, go to this website on Oct. 25:
https://cathedral.org/event/tri-chapter-american-guild-of-organists-online-pipe-spectacular/

Pipes Spooktacular

Online Friday, Oct. 30, 7:30 pm
Enjoy fellow chapter members performing a virtual concert of delightful and frightful music perfect for the Halloween season. Musicians will include Elaine Guenther, Carol Feather Martin, Rob Church and Sondra Proctor. Watch at ​https://www.facebook.com/WashingtonDCAGO/videos/ 

Potomac Organ Institute

The Potomac Organ Institute (POI) is an  scholarship program for piano students interested in learning to play the organ. POI is sponsored jointly by the Potomac, Northern Virginia, and District of Columbia Chapters of AGO.

Scholarship winners receive one year of tuition-free organ instruction with a talented teacher associated with the AGO, participate in a master class, and perform in a student rectal. Each student is granted a one-year membership in a local AGO chapter, which includes a complimentary subscription to The American Organist magazine.

Who is eligible: 
  • Students in 7th grade and up, and adults.
  • Residents of Washington, DC, Northern Virginia and suburban Maryland
Prerequisites:
  • Good piano background
  • Able to allocate time for practice
For information on audition requirements, contact one of the POI co-Coordinators:

National Competition in Service Playing 

June 10-12, 2021
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.
​See details under the Calendar tab above.

Updated job/substitute listings

Open positions in the DC area appear under the Membership tab above.
Updated substitute listings appear under the Substitutes tab.

Upcoming organ events

Check out the Calendar tab for scheduled performances in the coming months. Submit your events to Pat Henry, web manager.