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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 events.
2027 Young Organists Competition
Our chapter will host the DC AGO Young Organists Competition on Feb. 20, 2027, at New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in DC.
 
The competition will feature a Youth Division for organists age 18 and younger and a Young Artist Division for organists ages 19–30. With prizes of $1,500, $500, and $250 in each division, this is a wonderful opportunity to recognize and encourage the next generation of organists.
 
The application deadline is Dec. 15. 
 
If you know a talented young organist, a promising student, or a teacher working with aspiring performers, please share this opportunity. Encouraging young musicians is one of the most important investments we can make in the future of our profession.

Click here to read about and apply for the 2027 Young Organists Competition.

Upcoming recitals
Tuesday, Nov. 10, 12:10 pm: Harpsichordist Paula Maust explores the creativity of the Baroque period with music based on popular ground basses by Handel, Purcell, Frescobaldi, C.P.E. Bach, and D’Anglebert. Church of the Epiphany, 1317 G St. NW.

Saturday, Nov. 14, 3 pm: Sterling Organ and Piano House in Laurel, MD, presents Isabella Isza Wu  in a program rescheduled from Oct. 24, performing on both piano and organ. To reserve seat(s), send an email to kasterling@verizon.net with the names of all attendees. Admission fee of $45 per person includes a wine and cheese reception.

Saturday, Nov. 14, 5 pm: Organist Jonathan Dimmock performs with violinist Sara Matayoshi. St. George Episcopal Church, 915 N. Oakland St., Arlington. 

Sunday, Nov. 15, 4 pm: Dr. Stephen Ackert presents the next concert in the series "The Well-tempered Clavier as Bach Might Have Heard It." He will share the program with Russian piano virtuoso Arsentiy Kharitonov, who teaches at North Texas State University in Denton. Ackert will perform two preludes and fugues from the Well-tempered Clavier on the organ, and Kharitonov will perform works by Bach, Medtner, and Rachmaninoff as well as one of his own compositions. Georgetown Lutheran Church, 1556 Wisconsin Ave. NW.

Sunday, Nov. 15, 4 pm: The  Catholic University Symphony Orchestra performs Saint-Saëns’ Organ Symphony plus Dukas’ The Sorcerer’s Apprentice and Saint-Saëns’ Cello Concerto No. 1 at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church, 6720 Union Mill Rd., Clifton, VA. The symphony will feature organist Michael Murphy on the church's 51-rank Peragallo pipe organ.  A reception will follow the free program.
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