Photos: 2025 AGO Convention in Phoenix

REVIEW OF THE PHOENIX CONVENTION - Leslie Robb

My favorite thing about conventions is always the people, and Phoenix 2025 was no exception! It was wonderful to see colleagues from across the country and catch up. 

Favorite workshop: Strategies for Choir Directors to Work with Aging Singers, presented by Collin Boothby. Collin gave a very informative presentation with lots of great tips for helping aging singers in our choirs continue to do what they love - and do it well.

Favorite new piece: Toccata on Kelvingrove by Richard Elliott

Favorite concert - impossible to choose - all were stellar, with a wide variety of music.

Most unexpected highlight - the Musical Instrument Museum. I could have spent an entire day there and come back for more.

UPON RETURNING FROM PHOENIX - Chris Cook

Our desert crossing was so hot that I thought the phoenix had been incinerated in Arizona’s highly touted "dry heat." So it was with great relief that I witnessed its rising several days later, when we beheld the gilded console rise from the depths at Organ Power Pizza. The entire convention assembly settled in air conditioned comfort for a relaxing lunch and concert—a just reward for those whose morning had been filled with the most esoteric organ literature you can imagine. Not that I minded hearing truly creative writing and intricate playing from newcomer Balint Karosi. My San Diego heart burst with pride when chapter members Emma Whitten and Raúl Prieto Ramirez played dazzling opening and closing evening concerts. Leslie Robb did a fine job in her workshop showing how we raise young organists here. Of course, the best part of every convention is running into old friends and making new ones. Mission accomplished!

FUN IN THE VALLEY OF THE SUN - Ron Jessee

"When I was a curriculum coordinator at the San Diego County Office of Education, part of my duties included the creation of professional development workshops for educators. Early-on in those days, HEAVEN FORBID, I used the F-word (Fun) in one of my advertisements. I was sternly admonished that we never use the word fun!!! “Workshops are not fun! They’re engaging.” Lesson learned, I conformed to accepted terminology.

Why then are AGO Conventions so much fun? To say they are “engaging” would be a tremendous understatement. Perhaps the prevailing theory would be that using “fun” as a descriptor is somehow not elevating the seriousness of the subject matter being celebrated.

Well, I’m here to share that AGO Conventions are indeed fun and the Phoenix experience was no exception. From the first note of Emma Whitten’s stellar concert to the last standing ovation of Raul Prieto Ramirez’s finale, the breadth and scope of the convention workshops and performances was stunning. If you’ve never been to a convention, start saving your pennies and sign up for St Louis 2026!

Here’s what happens.You will meet a bunch of really neat people who are sharing your love for the organ. You will get to hang out with San Diego buddies that you hardly ever see. The bus rides to and from the venues are filled with conversation. There are two to three large- scale meals providing time to allow attendees to “engage” (there’s that word again) in conversation and to swap stories. The exhibit hall is always a must and it becomes the gathering place for evening cocktails and jazz performances. It’s worth every penny!!!!

Was Phoenix hot? Yes, it was 115 every day, but the hotel was comfy and cool. The venues were air-conditioned, the busses were chilled and the performers were amazing. My favs were Emma Whitten, Kimberly Marshall and Isabelle Demers. I have to say, Raul broke all the preconceived AGO rules and played a concert that wasn’t aimed at the organists. IT WORKED!!! He was on-fire! His playing was nuanced and yet dynamic. The air was electric, and the young organists were particularly enthralled with the repertoire. It was one of the few concerts I’ve attended where an audience of organists stood to their feet in the middle of the concert. In conclusion, the workshops, concerts and person to person discourse were educational, inspiring, intellectually stimulating, enthralling, nurturing, exhilarating and engaging. Bringing things full circle, it was a whole lot of FUN!"