Organ guild seeks new members

Few things would make Dominick Giaquinto's heart sing more joyously in the new year than to be snowed under with scores of applications for membership in the American Guild of Organists.

He says that guild membership affords vast opportunities for continuing education in the field of Church music as well as providing a network of colleagues who share mutual interests and concerns.

To reach his goal, however, Mr. Giaquinto feels he must first dispel some common myths about the organization. Chief among them is that members must be highly skilled organists. In fact, membership is open to people of all ages, religious backgrounds and at all levels of training.

Comprised not only of organists, but also of organ enthusiasts and other Church musicians, the guild's goal is "to promote the appreciation, understanding and enjoyment of organ and Church music in order to increase their contribution to aesthetic and religious experiences."

AGO's Eastern chapter offers concerts and workshops throughout the year covering topics relating to Church music. Those scheduled for the New Year include a January session with SUNY/Albany's Anne Turner leading a class in vocal techniques for the organist/choir director; a February demonstration of reed organs by Agnes Armstrong of the Reed Organ Society; a March workshop led by Dean Billmeyer, professor of organ at the University of Minnesota; an April workshop titled "The Grassroots of Organ Playing" to be led by Will Headlee of Syracuse University; and a May concert by David Higgs, professor of organ at the Eastman School of Music.

(For more information about the guild, including membership fees and a more detailed scheduled of coming events, call Dominick Giaquinto at Blessed Sacrament Church, 482-3375.)(AH)

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