Certification

Education and certification are at the heart of the AGO's mission and have been since the Guild was originally chartered over a century ago.  The AGO's certification program "is comparable to license and accreditation board standards in other fields, such as medicine, accounting, law, [and] education...

Preparation for the exams strengthens you in areas that you use all the time:  sight-reading, transposition, modulation, improvisation, accompaniment, and hymn-playing.  Preparation is completely flexible.  You can study on your own; you can work with a teacher; you can prepare as a group.

The certification process is anonymous and it is fair.  No one needs to know anything about it except the one chapter member who makes the arrangements.  The examiners never see you and don't know who you are.  You could be a high school student or a college professor.

You will know exactly what will happen at the exam.   There are no surprises.  All  the procedures are spelled out in detail for all participants...

The most important reason to become certified, of course, is that you will be a better organist and a better musician.  The preparation will make you more skilled and confident.  And the certificate will give you the respect of your employer and your peers, and a justified feeling of accomplishment." (from the AGO Certification document as found at www.agohq.org ).

Information  about exams may be found in the July 2011 issue of THE AMERICAN ORGANIST or
requested from National Headquarters.  Extensive details can also be found on the
Headquarters Website. 
Please note that some requirements and test materials have changed in the last few years.

Preparation     for exams starts by visiting Headquarters's website or calling Headquarters and obtaining
copies of past exams and study guides.  Be sure to tell Headquarters if you are a member
and receive a discount on purchase prices.  If you need a coach, Suffolk AGO includes many 
teachers qualified to guide you in your studies.

Applications  for exams can be requested from the American Guild of Organists National
Headquarters (agohq.org).

Test Dates and Deadlines
  • Completed applications for the Service Playing Exam are due anytime from September 1, 2011 to March 1, 2012.  The test is to be taken anytime from October 1, 2011 to April 30, 2012.
  • Applications for the May 11, 2012 exam are available after December 1 and must be submitted by March 1, 2012.  Applications for the November 16, 2012 exam are available after July 1, 2012 and must be submitted by September 15, 2012.
  • Applications for the Choir Master, Associateship, and Fellowship Exams are available from Headquarters after January 1, 2012 and are to be submitted by April 1, 2012.  The Choir Master exam will be administered on June 6, 2012.  The Associateship and Fellowship exams will be administered on June 7 and 8, 2012.

Dual certifications by both the AGO and NPM (National Association of Pastoral Musicians) are available at the Service Playing and Colleague levels.  NPM joint certification candidates should be fully aware of all NPM certification requirements, which may be obtained from NPM (npm.org)

Anyone interested in taking Exams through the Suffolk Chapter should also contact Deanna Muro,  Certification Chairperson of the Suffolk Chapter via the Webmaster (click here). 


         

Congratulations to Elizabeth Bailey, who received dual certification from the National Association of Pastoral Musicians (NPM) and the AGO at the Colleague level after sitting for the exam  in May 2011!            
             
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