Welcome to the website of the
Suffolk Chapter of the American Guild of Organists (AGO).
We are a not-for-profit organization of professional musicians, educators, choir directors, organ builders, and amateur organists and enthusiasts from all walks of life. The Suffolk Chapter carries out the mission of the American Guild of Organists locally by sponsoring workshops, masterclasses, scholarship awards, recitals and other activities to promote the continuing education of organists and choir directors, as well as to create a fellowship of all people who love the organ and organ music. The chapter serves the western portion of Suffolk County on Long Island, New York, and is one of 28 chapters in the New York-Northern New Jersey area (Region II).
We meet on a regular basis throughout the year and hold annual events such as the Children's Choir Directors' Workshop and Children's Choir Festival, the Organ Expo, and the Scholarship Recital and Awards for students of the organ, in addition to other workshops and lecture/recitals led by members and guests. In some cases we partner with neighboring chapters in the Long Island/New York City area to organize activities. Meetings are educational and informal.
Friday, February 3, 7:30 pm Children's Choir Directors' Workshop with clinician Teri Larson
Saturday, February 4, 9-4 pm Children's Choir Festival
Members are welcome to attend the Children’s Choir Directors’ Workshop on Friday evening whether or not you have a choir participating in the Festival the following day.
Teri Larson received her undergraduate degrees from Saint Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. She received her Masters in Choral Conducting and Literature from Saint Cloud State University, St. Cloud, Minnesota. She is currently serving her fifteenth year
as Choral Director and Director of Music at the Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis. Ms. Larson is the founder of three children’s choirs at the Basilica, Angelicum Women’s Choir, and directs a semi-professional Schola Cantorum. Ms. Larson has served as contest adjudicator, festival chorus director at numerous choral festivals, and is a member of ACDA, the National Association of Pastoral Musicians, Choristers Guild, the American Federation of Pueri Cantores and the Conference of Roman Catholic Cathedral Musicians. She has served as the Repertoire and Standards Chair for Worship in the Minnesota Central Division Chapter of ACDA, served a three year tenure as the Twin Cities Chapter President of Choristers Guild. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Choristers Guild.
Members are welcome to audit the rehearsals on Saturday and the public is invited to attend the performance at 3 pm. A free-will offering will be accepted to offset Festival costs. Info: 423-0701 or 361-3393.
Both of the above events take place at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church, 53 Prospect Road, Centerport. Co-sponsored by Suffolk AGO and the Rockville Centre Chapter of NPM.
Sunday, February 26, 2012 at 4 pm Olivier Latry in Concert
performing a program including works by Reger, Tournemire, Franck, Vierne, Dupre, Heiller and Cochereau, concluding with an Improvisation by Mr. Latry.
Mr. Latry, Titular Organist of the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris, is considered to be one of his generation’s most remarkable performers. He is also counted among the most noted “improvisateurs” in the exceptional French tradition.
His activity as a concert organist has taken him to more than fifty countries on five continents. He has also made several recordings that have won him critical acclaim. He is one of the most sought-after organists in the world.
His concert on Long Island celebrates the fortieth anniversary of the Gress-Miles organ installed in 1972 at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Bay Shore.
The concert is co-sponsored by St. Peter’s and the Nassau and Suffolk Chapters of the American Guild of Organists.
At St. Peter's by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, 500 South Country Road, Bay Shore.
Champagne reception follows. Suggested Donation: $10 adults; $8 Seniors & Students.
For a concert flyer, click here.
The Mini-Convention in Douglaston, Queens, was a solid success, with close to 50 people in attendance from several area chapters including Nassau, Queens, Suffolk, and NYC AGO.
It takes a great deal of effort and coordination on the part of many members to plan and conduct this all-day event. Many thanks to all who shared their time and talent to make this program run so smoothly!
Friday, January 6, 2012 Twelfth Night Celebration
Chapter members enjoyed an evening of good food, drink and conversation with new and old friends. Special guests were our Chaplain, Rev. Timothy Hoyt-Duncan, and District Convener Frank Crosio.
Friday, November 11, 2011 Organ Lecture-Demonstration
On the Veterans' Day holiday, Chapter members as well as the general public were invited to a lecture-demonstration of the 1920 Reuben Midmer & Son 2-manual, 20-rank instrument at St. Patrick Church in Bay Shore. The church, dedicated on September 7, 1919, is historic and beautiful, and provides a wonderful context for the instrument.
The Chapter launched the new year with a Potluck Supper. Many thanks to Cindy and Rex Holden for hosting the group. Close to 30 members, friends, and prospective members were in attendance!
Learn about Suffolk AGO Scholarships by clicking here or by selecting Scholarships from the menu at the top of this page.
Learn more about this year's activities and upcoming meetings by clicking here or by selecting Chapter Programs from the menu at the top of the page.
If you're getting ready to join us for the first time, the membership application for 2011-2012 is available online. Click here for a copy. And Welcome!
You can learn more about the benefits of membership by clicking here or by selecting "Join the AGO" in the Menu at the top of this page.
AGO Placement List
Churches, temples, and other organizations who are searching for directors of music, organists, and choir directors advertise their open positions in our newsletter, Suffolk Soundings. If you have an open position to advertise, learn more about listing your position with the Suffolk Chapter of the AGO by clicking here or by selecting Placement in the menu at the top of this page.
For Sale
Image: Bourdon pipe schematic, French Horns. From the Encyclopedia of Organ Stops by Edward L. Stauff. Permission granted under terms of copyright. For more information go to www.organstops.org.