John Walker president of AGO

The American Guild of Organists has elected John C. Walker as its new president, to serve a two-year term. Dr. Walker serves on the faculty of the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University, and is Minister of Music, emeritus, of Brown Memorial Park Avenue Presbyterian Church in Baltimore.

At its 52nd national convention held in Boston in June, the AGO President’s Award was presented to Christoph Wolff, in recognition of his “exhaustive musicological research, extensive publications, and lifelong commitment to the music of Johann Sebastian Bach.” The AGO Edward A. Hansen Leadership Award was presented to Barbara Owen, “in recognition of her unparalleled knowledge of the King of Instruments, lifelong scholarship and publications, and devoted service to the AGO.” Owen holds degrees in organ and musicology from Westminster Choir College and Boston University, is the author of numerous articles and books, and is a founding member and past president of the Organ Historical Society.

Also at the convention, winners of the AGO’s national organ competitions were recognized. The National Young Artists Competition awarded first prize and audience prize to Jonathan Rudy; second prize to HyeHyun Sung; third prize to Kirk Rich. The National Competition in Organ Improvisation awarded first prize to Patrick Scott, second prize to Douglas Murray, and audience choice prize to Patrick Scott. For information: www.agohq.org.