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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 AGO, and specify the DC chapter. 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.
May 4 organ crawl
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Join chapter members Monday, May 4 for an organ crawl at the recently restored 1885 Hilborne L. Roosevelt (Opus 290) at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church, 630 E. St. SW.  The event begins at 7:30 pm.

We will be joined by Michael Hart to discuss the extensive, multi-year effort by the Di Gennaro-Hart Organ Company.

This instrument is a rare surviving example of the "American Symphonic" style of Hilborne Roosevelt—cousin to Teddy Roosevelt.

New features of the instrument include a "Roosevelt-Style" console, a Tuba stop, restored reed registers, and stenciled façade pipes.

Nathan Laube will play a rededication concert on Friday, May 8 at 7:30 pm.

Juneteenth recital and workshops

We hope to see you on Saturday, June 20, at First Baptist Church D.C. for our Juneteenth celebration. We have a fantastic lineup of presenters and a chance to hear the church’s 85-rank Austin organ in action!
Where: 1328 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20036
Parking: First Baptist's parking garage is accessible.
Schedule:
11 am: AGO Netherlands Study Tour Review – Dr. Patrick Merrill discusses the recent tour of historic Dutch organs led by Dr. Russ Weissman.
Noon: Lunch (On your own)
1:15 pm: "In Their Own Words" – Dr. Elaine Guenther discusses her book In Their Own Words on slave life and the power of spirituals (with musical accompaniment by Kevin Biggins).
3 pm: Featured Recital – Carolyn Hoff, recent RCYO prize-winner, performs a preview of her National AGO Convention program. 
Information on the 2013 85-rank Austin instrument is available here: https://www.austinorgans.com/Op2795.html
Upcoming events
Friday, May 1, 12:15 pm: Chinese pianist Junwen Liang (Philadelphia) presents “Romantic Dialogues across Time,” featuring music of Maurice Ravel, Florence Price, Stephen Hough, and Frédéric Chopin. National City Christian Church, 5 Thomas Circle NW.

Friday, May 1, 7 pm: The White House Historical Association and St. John’s Church, on the occasion of America’s 250th anniversary, will host "An Evening with the Choir of Westminster Abbey." The group of up to 30 boys and 12 professional adult singers has a repertoire ranging from plainsong and Tudor polyphony to 20th-century masterpieces and new commissions. 1525 H St. NW. For tickets, click here.

Sunday, May 3, 4 pm: Stephen Ackert performs selections by Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, and Iranian-American composer Golnoush Khaleghi on the Richard Howell tracker organ and Steinway piano at Georgetown Lutheran Church, 1556 Wisconsin Ave. NW, as part of the continuing recital series The Well-Tempered Clavier as Bach Might Have Heard It. 

Sunday, May 3, 4 pm: Music director Maria Balducci plays the annual Marian concert at St. Joseph's on Capitol Hill, 313 2nd St. NE.

Tuesday, May 5, 12:10 pm: Kitty Yang performs Fugue in E-flat Major (St. Anne,) Prelude and Fugue in A Minor, Pastorale, Passacaglia and Fugue in C Minor and Toccata in F Major. Church of the Epiphany, 1317 G St. NW.

Thursday, May 7, 8 pm: Kali Malone presents All Life Long. Organist Malone crafts post-minimalist pieces that incorporate organ, drone, chamber ensemble and brass. Memorial Chapel at the University of Maryland. See flier for ticket information.

Friday, May 8, 7:30 pm: Nathan Laube plays a rededication  recital on the 1885 Roosevelt organ at St. Dominic Catholic Church, 630 E St. SE.  Preceded by 6 pm vespers and 6:45 presentation by Michael Hart on "The Roosevelts, America's celebrated 19th century organ builders." Reception to follow.

Saturday, May 9, 3:30 pm: Organist, composer and arranger Evelyn Simpson-Curenton is presented in concert by the Shiloh Baptist Church Senior Choir. This concert will feature her music for choir, solo voice, organ, piano and flute. 9th and P Streets NW. Scan QR code on flier below.
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