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.

Potomac Organ Institute

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, scheduling for the upcoming academic year is, tentative, but we hope to be able to hold auditions in the early fall, the exact dates and location to be determined. The postponed Student Recital for the 2019-2020 scholarship students is tentatively planned for November. Please stay tuned for updates.

The Potomac Organ Institute (POI) is an introductory 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 the American Guild of Organists (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 spring student rectal. In addition, 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 Northern Virginia, Washington DC, and suburban Maryland

Prerequisites:

• Good piano background
• Interest in the organ
• Able to allocate time for practice

For information on audition requirements, dates and location, contact one of the POI Co-Coordinators:

• Carolyn Booth – CLBmuscmkr@aol.com 
• Peter Crisafulli – peter.crisafulli@allsaintschurch.net 

National Competition in Organ Accompaniment 

January 7-9, 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 as of this summer 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.