Welcome to the Richmond AGO 2022 POE+ website.  

Pipe Organ Encounter Plus (POE+) is a five-day program for up to 30 keyboard players over the age of 18 who want to play the organ, or who already play the organ and are interested in improving their skills.

POE+ is designed for those who have achieved at least an intermediate level of keyboard proficiency— that is, are able to play a Bach two-part Invention or
other music of comparable difficulty. Previous organ study is not required; beginners are welcome.

POE+ will offer private and group instruction in manual and pedal technique, registration, hymn playing, accompaniment techniques, sight reading, and transposition (possibly in preparation for the AGO Service Playing Certificate exam). Other topics may include organ repertoire including music for manuals only, organ history, and organ design and construction.

Please Note: Performers, organs, faculty, and other details are subject to change without notice.

Highlights

  • Recital and masterclass by Carina S. Brackin
  • Trip to Grooms and Payne Pipe Organ Builders
  • Organ crawl
  • Faculty organ recital

Download the Schedule

Organs

Students will experience some of the great organs of Richmond, including:

Casavant, 48 ranks, Westminster Presbyterian
Martin Pasi, 26 ranks, St. Benedict Catholic
M.P. Möller, 26 ranks, Ginter Park United Methodist
M.P. Möller, 49 ranks, Second Baptist
Schantz, 68 ranks, Grace Covenant Presbyterian
Schantz/C. Zimmer, 12 ranks and digital additions, Bon Air Presbyterian

Faculty

The faculty of distinguished local area concert organists and church musicians will include, among others

  • Dr. Mary Beth Bennett, University of Richmond
  • Landry Duvall, River Road Presbyterian Church
  • Grant Hellmers, Second Presbyterian Church
  • Dr. Ardyth Lohuis, Virginia Commonwealth University, Emerita
  • Patricia Schrock, Church of the Epiphany
  • Bruce Stevens, University of Richmond

Housing and Transportation

Housing

The POE+ event will be based at a Holiday Inn Express (Richmond NW), located at 9933 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233, phone number 1-804-934-9300.

The hotel is conveniently located off of the exit for Gaskins Road on I-64, on the west side of the city. Look for Exit 180-B (northbound). Standard highway signage will direct you. After you get off the interstate, the intersection with Mayland Drive is the first stoplight – turn left and follow the signs.

The hotel has been completely renovated in the last two years, so the rooms are bright, clean, and modern. Each room has the now-standard amenities – hair dryer, coffee maker, mini fridge, microwave, ironing board, work desk, etc. – and will have two queen beds in each room.

The hotel’s amenities include a full hot breakfast, a conference room conveniently located to the lobby and the breakfast area, free Wi-Fi, 24-hour complimentary coffee in the lobby, outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, and an on-site laundry facility (bring coins!).

The POE+ will take care of your room reservation and will pay for the basic room charge and taxes. Each guest will need to provide a credit card to the front desk at the time of check-in to cover any personal incidental charges.

The hotel will not have the names of the participants until after the registration cutoff of July 1 st . Should you have any questions before that, please contact Kenna Payne,


Transportation

Participants must arrange their own transportation to and from Richmond. Local transportation will be arranged using participants’ cars, church vans, and AGO chapter volunteers, as needed. All travel styles will be accommodated.

Registration

Cost & Inclusions

The registration fee is $450 until June 1 or $500 after June 1. This fee includes housing in a double room, all meals, private lessons and group sessions, class materials, the POE program book, and admission to special events. A refund of the amount paid, minus a $50 processing fee, will be available until July 15. After July 15, no refund will be possible.

Scholarship Assistance

Scholarship assistance is available through the American Guild of Organists. Please contact the Director of the POE to which you are applying for information on initiating the online scholarship application process. In addition, participants may also contact AGO chapters or religious institutions if financial aid is needed.

Registration

Please complete both step one and step two below to register.

Step One

Please complete the online registration at:
https://www.agohq.org/education/poe/poe-plus/

Step Two

Download and complete the Richmond POE+ Registration form and mail this form with your payment check.

Full payment is due at the time of registration. Make
check payable to:
Richmond Chapter AGO
Mail this form and check to:
POE+ Registrar
Richmond Chapter AGO
P.O. Box 8644
Richmond, VA 23226

We will acknowledge receipt of your registration and payment. If you have questions, please contact

Mrs. Kenna Payne, POE+ Co-Director
P.O. Box 8644, Richmond, VA 23226
kennajohnp@aol.com
1-804-272-9656