American Guild of Organists --
Greater Columbia Chapter
For more information, please contact Susan Sturkie, Membership
Online Registration Form: You may Print the membership form, complete it and mail it in with your payment to the address on the form.
If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader, you may download it free by following the link below.
Membership in the American Guild of Organists is primarily through local chapters, which hold regular meetings featuring performances, lectures, seminars, and discussions on a wide variety of topics. The Greater Columbia chapter also offer monthly newsletters,musician placement services, and substitute referrals to employing institutions.
Educational Activities
National and Regional Conventions
Chapter events: performances, workshops, meetings, and seminars
Competitions in organ performance, organ improvisation, and organ and choral composition.
Certification
A comprehensive series of examinations for professional certification, providing standards of excellence to churches, synagogues, schools, and other employers.
Service Playing (SPC)
Associate (AAGO)
Colleague (CAGO)
Fellow (FAGO)
Choir Master (ChM)
Professional Development
Compensation guidelines
Employment guidelines and model contracts
Chapter placement services
Assistance with denominational relations
Support for musical education of clergy
Management and planning for church musicians
Publications
THE AMERICAN ORGANIST Magazine, published monthly by the AGO, is the most widely read journal devoted to organ and choral music in the world. Articles cover contemporary and historic instruments; musicological studies; reviews of new music, books, and recordings; practical aspects of sacred music; listings of professional resources and events, and news of the field; plus display and classified advertising. Other publications of the Guild include books, recordings, and resources on topics as diverse as performance practice, organ construction, and compensation.
Chapter newsletters
Educational brochures, audio and video cassettes, books, monographs, and pamphlets.
AGO Group Insurance
As a member of the American Guild of Organists you are entitled for any of the AGO-sponsored Group Insurance Plans. Take advantage of the AGO’s group buying power while protecting your financial future and that of your family. Coverage for domestic partners is available under most plans. Read the brief descriptions of some of the AGO-sponsored Group Insurance Plans.
GROUP TERM LIFE INSURANCE
Secure the extra protection your family needs at economical group rates. This plan allows you an opportunity to obtain benefits amounts to a maximum of $210,000. Coverage is also available for your spouse and dependent children. Underwritten by Allianz Life Insurance Company Of North America.
DISABILITY INCOME PLAN
Protect your income! This plan provides a continuing income when a covered disabling accident or illness prevents you from working. Elect monthly benefits to a maximum of $3,000 per month based on your income. You're protected 24 hours a day, on or off the job, anywhere in the world. Underwritten by Allianz Life Insurance Company Of North America.
CUSTOMIZED MAJOR MEDICAL
Choosing the right medical plan can be quite challenging. That's why we offer you the flexibility to design a medical package truly meets your needs. Based on your specific requirements, our administrator, Seabury & Smith, will provide you with a number of medical plans to choose from, making it easy for you to customize your coverage.
SHORT-TERM MEDICAL PLAN
Designed for temporary medical needs, this plan provides up to $2,000,000 in short-term medical insurance. Perfect for recent college graduates, people between jobs or those who have recently started a new position but are not yet eligible for employee benefits. You can choose to be insured for 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, or 180 days . . . and can reapply for one additional coverage period. Contracts are issued and underwritten by Fortis Insurance Company, Milwaukee, WI.
CATASTROPHE MAJOR MEDICAL INSURANCE PLAN
This plan provides coverage for you and your family against the extraordinary expenses that occur when a catastrophic illness or accident strikes. It helps to supplement your current HMO, PPO, major medical insurance plan, or Medicare by providing up to 100% coverage of reasonable and customary eligible expenses after your deductible is satisfied. It also provides a convalescent home benefit. Underwritten by The United States Life Insurance Company.
GROUP HOSPITAL MONEY PROGRAM
Reduce the out-of-pocket expenses you or an insured family member might incur during a covered hospitalization. Under this plan you may receive benefits to a maximum of $165 per day, if elected. Benefits are paid directly to you or any insured family member starting from the first day of confinement and continuing for 365 days. If you’re under 65 and confined to intensive care, your benefits double. Underwritten by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America.
CANCER CARE PROTECTION PLAN
Cancer can require highly specialized treatment and enormous costs. For this reason, the American Guild of Organists sponsors a special Group Insurance Plan just for the treatment of cancer for you and your family. This plan helps to provide protection for the extreme medical costs that can arise from cancer treatment. Underwritten by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America.
LONG-TERM CARE PLAN
Currently one in four Americans (7.5 million) aged 65 or older requires long-term care. Nearly 1.6 million live in nursing homes and many others are in receipt of in-home care. This plan helps to provide coverage for the care you or your loved one many need. Underwritten by General Electric Capital Assurance Company and GE Capital Life Assurance Company in New York.
For more information on these and other benefits go to http://www.agohq.org/membership/.
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