Are you still in the AGO?
  • tandrews
    Posts: 237
    I'm a board member of our local AGO chapter. Membership is way down (a dozen members!). I don't know why I'm still in it other than I have been since college, I believe my dues help prop up a dying art form, and it's fun to see what jobs get posted even though I'm perfectly happy with the church job I have. But I never read TAO, the Conventions are all sales pitches and no substance, it feels tailored to Protestantism and performance, and none of the discounts really apply to me except for 10% off Sheet Music Plus.

    I have a great young organ student and I want to pitch membership to her parents to join, but I'm struggling to convince myself what's so good about the AGO anymore, especially as a Catholic. I get more out of my CMAA membership than the AGO.
  • TCJ
    Posts: 1,062
    Go with CMAA. I've never been a part of the AGO and I've avoided them. They have blacklisted two area Catholic churches because those churches removed AGO organists who were causing scandals due to their public moral stance (and actions).
    Thanked by 1novusgordo
  • irishtenoririshtenor
    Posts: 1,451
    I haven't been a member since 2015. Hard to believe it's been that long! I'll be sad when it's gone, but I don't have the bandwidth to be a part of it and it's not focused on Catholic praxis anyway
  • Charles_Weaver
    Posts: 249
    I am still a member. It makes me feel like more of an organist! But I don't really use it for much other than paying dues.

    I consider the CMAA far, far more important.
    Thanked by 4tomjaw CHGiffen Roborgelmeister novusgordo
  • Diapason84
    Posts: 161
    I haven't been a member for over a decade and don't miss it a bit. The personalities in charge of the big local chapter were a bit too superior in their attitudes, and the sycophancy was overwhelming.

    As others have said, it's really geared toward Protestant organists and liturgy (though the leadership would never admit it). I am not surprised to hear, pace TCJ, they blacklisted Catholic churches for such personnel decisions. The AGO is probably on its way out as an organization.
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