CHAPTER HISTORY

The American Guild of Organists ratified a petition and granted the formation of the Worcester Chapter on March 14, 1949. This resulted from the initiative of eight Worcester organists. Officers elected were Frederick Kinsley, Dean; Clifford Fowler Greene, Sub-Dean; Bertis H. Adams, Secretary; Luke H. Richard, Treasurer; Arvid C. Anderson, Auditor. Over the years, Worcester AGO has been honored to host some of the most important organists and organ scholars of the 20th century, including Virgil Fox (1955 & 1957), Pierre Cochereau (1957 & 1967), Daniel Pinkham (1968), Jean Langlais (1969), Marie-Madeleine Duruflé (1993), Olivier Latry (1998), Carol Williams (2012), Hector Olivera (2014), and Peter Richard Conte (2016).

Worcester, Massachusetts is hailed both as the “heart of the Commonwealth” and the “pipe organ capital of New England”. Our central location and status as the second largest city in New England makes us easily accessible by road and by air. One of our most notable venues, Mechanics Hall, also boasts one of our most notable instruments: the “Worcester Organ”, E & GG Hook Opus 334 from 1864, the oldest unaltered four-manual pipe organ in the Western hemisphere (in its installation site). This instrument, and  many dozens others throughout the city and in the surrounding Worcester County, continue to be a vital part of worship services, concerts, and ceremonies throughout the year. We are commited to providing support for these instruments and the many organists, amateur and professional, who bring their music to life.

 

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The last few years have seen a resurgence in our activity as a chapter, and we don’t anticipate things slowing down as Worcester undergoes drastic and exciting changes. Our first Bach-a-Thon held at Trinity Lutheran Church in 2019 attracted performers and music-lovers from across Massachusetts, bringing in $2,500 for St. John’s Food for the Poor. The Will Sherwood Organ Scholarship program enables local students to study with a teacher of their choice and to participate as a member of the Guild. 

We hope that you will join us in promoting organists and their instruments here in Worcester!

DEANS OF WORCESTER CHAPTER AGO

1949-1952  Frederick Kinsley
1952-1955  Clifford F. Green
1955-1956  Richard Taylor
1956-1957  Henry Hokans
1957-1958  Luke Richard
1958-1960  Irene Burnham
1960-1962  Alan D. Walker
1962-1964  Norman J. Roy
1964-1966  Barclay Wood
1966-1968  LeRoy K. Hanson
1968-1970  Douglas S. Risner
1970-1972  William E. Nierintz  ChM

1972-1974  Judith Jepson
1974-1975  Robert C. Dickinson
1975-1977  Rev. Donat Lamothe  A.A.
1977-1979  Stephen E. Long
1979-1980  Joyce Hokans
1980-1982  Gilbert H. Lay
1982-1984  Joseph R. Policelli  ChM/MM
1984-1986  Richard F. Jones  BA/MDiv
1986-1988  Lucia Clemente-Falco  CAGO
1988-1989  Stephen E. Long
1989-1990  Michelle Graveline  AAGO/DMA
1990-1991  Richard F. Jones  BA/MDiv
1991-1994  John Da Silva  AAS/BBA
1994-1996  Joseph R. Policelli  ChM/MM
1996-1998  Patricia Snyder  DMA
1998-2000  Malcolm Halliday  FAGO
2000-2002  Sean Redrow  DMA
2002-2004  Marjorie Ness  DMA
2004-2008  Frank Corbin  DMA
2008-2010  Ronna (Archbold) Davis  M.Ed.
2010-2018  Will Sherwood  ChM/AAGO
2018-2020  Mark Mummert
2020-2022  Jonathan Bezdegian  DMA
2022-pres  Ronna (Archbold) Davis  M.Ed.