American Guild of Organists' 2005 Region II & III Convention

Programs Held at the Reformed Church of Poughkeepsie

The Central Hudson Valley Chapter of the American Guild of Organists (or "the AGO," pronounced "Ay-Gee-Oh") hosted the Region II & III Convention in Poughkeepsie from June 22-25, 2005. Our region's chapter of the AGO welcomed over 350 registrants from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington DC, and even Europe to our area for a variety of performances, workshops, competitions, tours, and exhibits. Some area churches supplied venues for convention events, in addition to Vassar College and West Point's Cadet Chapel.

The Reformed Church's new Schantz Organ has gained a bit of a reputation with the members of the local AGO chapter. Thanks to the combined reputation of the organ and of our organist and choirmaster Dr. John A Davis, Jr., our sanctuary was fortunate to have been chosen for several events during the regional convention.

• The AGO/Quimby Regional Competition for Young Organists for Region III was held in our sanctuary on June 21.
• The winner of the AGO/Quimby Competition gave a recital in our sanctuary on June 22.
• Organist John Weaver gave a recital on the Reformed Church's Schantz organ on June 24. Mr. Weaver's program included performances of the following organ works:
  • "Fantasy on the Chorale: Wie Schön Leuct' Uns Der Morgenstern" (Op.40/1) by Max Reger (1873 - 1916)
  • "Partita on Kingsfold" (1997) by John Weaver (b. 1937)
  • "Sonata on the 94th Psalm" by Julis Reubke (1834 - 1858)