AGO MEMBERSHIP

When you join the American Guild of Organists, you are joining a national organization of people who share a passion for the organ.  Full voting membership includes both national and chapter benefits.  There are more than 300 chapters located across the United States of America and abroad.  Joining a local chapter allows you to enjoy camaraderie with other organists in your local area, giving you the opportunity to celebrate the King of Instruments together.

BENEFITS

There are three categories of full voting membership: Young Organists (29 and under), Regular (30-64), and Special (65 and over or disabled).   For each category, you can decide to receive The American Organist magazine in a printed format through the postal mail (TAO printed & online) or in a digital format through the national website (TAO online only).  The dues amount for each type of membership is listed below.

Chapter activities and benefits often include:

  • Local substitute lists so you can earn extra income by filling in for other chapter members
  • Chapter newsletters with news of local events and personal updates
  • Chapter Directories
  • Local recitals and other events

Publications

The American Organist Magazine (monthly) Chapter newsletters and membership directories Bios, monographs, pamphlets, CDs, and DVDs.

Professional Development

  • Salary and compensation guidelines

  • Model provisions for employment contracts

  • Chapter placement services; National job postings

  • Assistance with denominational relations

  • Support for musical education of clergy

  • Management and planning for church members

Certification

A comprehensive series of examinations for professional certification provides respected credentials for members and standards of excellence recognized by churchs, synagogues, schools, and other employers.

  • Service Playing Certificate (SPC)

  • Colleague (CAGO)

  • Associate (AAGO)

  • Fellow (FAGO)

  • Choir Master (ChM)

Advocacy

Support for the work of organists and organbuilders, organ teachers and organ students, amateurs and professionals. Opportunities to meet with colleagues at local and national meetings. Outreach to clergy, seminarians, denominational and lay leaders.

Education Activities

  • National and Regional Conventions

  •  Annual Pedagogy Conferences

  • Chapter events: recitals, workshops, meetings and seminars

  • Competitions in organ performance, organ improvisation, and organ and choral composition

  • Pipe Organ Encounters for teens and adults

  • PipeWorks for elementary school children

  • January Jubilees for musicians in part -time employment

  • Webinars

Web Site

  • Job postings (available to members only), contact information for chapter and national leaders, policy and program updates

  • Comprehensive list of academic institutions offering organ instruction

  • Educational resources and signature items availalbe on-line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

How to Join

1. Choose the membership type that’s right for you

Regular membership, TAO printed & online: $105/year
Regular membership, TAO online only: $97/year

Special membership (age 65+ or disabled), TAO printed & online: $80/year
Special membership (age 65+ or disabled), TAO online only: $72/year

Young Organist membership (under age 30), TAO printed & online: $50/year
Young Organist membership (under age 30), TAO online only: $42/year

Regular Dual* membership: $41/year
Special Dual* membership: $33/year
Young Organist Dual* membership: $18/year

Chapter Friend (non-voting, no TAO): $35/year.

Notes:

TAO = The American Organist magazine

To be a Dual member of a second chapter you must be a Regular, Special, or Young Organist member of a primary chapter.

2. Enroll either online or by postal mail

Join online by clicking here to go to AGO’s headquarters site, create an ONCARD account, and join the chapter. Or, to enroll by postal mail, print out, complete and mail the application found here. 

If you are a student who would like assistance with your membership fee, please print, fill out, scan and submit this application via email to bbaird@agoeugene.org.

We look forward to welcoming you!