The newly installed Nairobi Chapter of the American Guild of Organists
Inspired by the initiative of Austrian concert organist Michael König, the National Council of the American Guild of Organists (AGO) recently approved the installation of an AGO chapter in Nairobi. Serving more than 15,000 members, organized in over 300 chapters, the AGO is the largest professional organization worldwide serving a single musical instrument. Most chapters are located in the United States, but there are chapters on each continent, except Latina America and Antarctica. The Nairobi Chapter is the first chapter on the continent of Africa! It will serve musicians in the whole country of Kenya.
Founded in 1896 as both an educational and service organization, the Guild sets and maintains high musical standards and promotes understanding and appreciation of all aspects of organ and choral music. The mission of the American Guild of Organists is to enrich lives through organ and choral music. To achieve this, the Guild encourages excellence in the performance of organ and choral music; inspires, educates, and offers certification for organists and choral conductors; it provides networking, fellowship, and mutual support; it nurtures future generations of organists; it promotes the organ in its historic and evolving roles and engages wider audiences with organ and choral music.
During the 2016 National Convention in Houston, Texas, the installation of the new Nairobi Chapter created great excitement. To underline the support for organists in Kenya, the National Council approved special reduced membership dues that enable EVERY ORGANIST AND CHOIR MASTER in Kenya (as well as every church music lover) to join this organization and get the same benefits as every member in the United States! As the desire of Kenyan organists and choir masters to grow and get further education is high, the AGO Nairobi Chapter can be the ideal platform to start developing new skills and to become more proficient as a church musician.
To mark the launch of the new chapter, Austrian concert organist Michael König volunteered to come to Kenya and play a gala organ recital at All Saints Anglican Cathedral in Nairobi, on September 10th, 2016 at 6.00 p.m. The program will include works by J. S. Bach, F. Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, C. Franck and M. Reger. During a reception following the concert additional information about the Guild will be given, as well as application for membership will be possible. Admission for both concert and reception is free.
More information about the American Guild of Organists can be found at www.agohq.org