POE(A) / July 6-11, 2025 / Worcester, Massachusetts
The Worcester Chapter of the AGO hosted its Pipe Organ Encounter Advanced (POEA) the week of July 6-11, 2025. The week brought together 11 intermediate and advanced high school organ students and nationally recognized faculty from around the country for a week of intensive study right in the heart of Worcester, the “City of Organs”!
Worcester boasts an impressive array of instruments including many 4-manual organs concentrated in the city of Worcester itself. Notable instruments include Taylor & Boody Op. 9 IV/53 at College of the Holy Cross, the “Worcester Organ” E & GG Hook Op. 334 IV/52 at Mechanics Hall, Aeolian-Skinner Op. 909, IV/132 at All Saints Episcopal Church, Wurlitzer IV/36 at the Hanover Theatre, Reuter Op. 1378 IV/78 at First Baptist Church, and many more! Housing for the week was provided at nearby Worcester Polytechnic Institute. We are proud to have had a roster of nationally and internationally known pedagogues teaching at the POEA, including Caroline Robinson (University of Michigan), Peter Sykes (The Juilliard School), Anne Laver (Syracuse University), Christopher Houlihan (Trinity College), Nicole Keller (University of Michigan), Ezequiel Menéndez (College of the Holy Cross), Janette Fishell (Indiana University), and Timothy Olsen (University of North Carolina School of the Arts).
Students had daily lessons in addition to masterclasses, workshops, and visits to many important venues. Open events for the public included performances by our faculty and the final concert of students. Thanks to everyone who contributed to making this a successful week!
Pipe Organ Encounters is an educational outreach program of the American Guild of Organists. Major funding for Pipe Organ Encounters is provided by the Associated Pipe Organ Builders of America. Additional support is provided by the American Institute of Organbuilders and the Jordan Organ Endowment. Permanently endowed AGO scholarships are provided by the New Organists Fund.