NEW YORK CITY - The American Guild of Organists (AGO), the largest organization in the world dedicated to organ and choral music, and Johannus Orgelbouw Ltd.
one of the world's largest manufacturers of digital church organs with corporate headquarters in Ede, The Netherlands, are pleased to announce a joint partnership supporting the work of the Part-Time Church Musician. Recognizing that a majority of Guild members hold part-time church and/or synagogue employment and that many other organists engaged in part-time church positions are not members of the Guild, the National Council has requested this Task Force to focus attention on the needs of this important constituency within our profession.
To advance this cause, Johannus Orgelbouw Ltd.has committed generous funding to underwrite the functioning of the Task Force on the Part-Time Church Musician.
According to John Walker, Vice President of the American Guild of Organists, "This grant from Johannus Orgelbouw not only signifies their shared perception of the imperative need to address the needs of our colleagues in part-time church employment; but it also enables us to move dynamically forward with this important agenda."
Inspired by the Guild's statement of purpose "to encourage excellence in the performance of organ and choral music, and to provide a forum for mutual support, inspiration, education," this Task Force has recently undertaken its assignment to analyze the concerns of those in part-time church employment and to recommend the most effective ways for the AGO to address those areas.
AGO Executive Director James Thomashower commented, "Part-time church musicians are a core constituency of the Guild. Many are extremely talented, professional organists, while others are new to the field. We are committed to understanding the scope of their concerns, so that we can develop programs and deliver services that are tailored to their needs."
For further information, please contact Dale Krider, FAGO, Director of the Task Force on the Part-Time Church Musician at or write to Dale Krider, 4512 College Ave., College Park, MD 20740.