About Your Convention

The American Guild of Organists regional convention in Lexington, KY is the premier AGO event for Region V in 2011. Come well rested, as the four day schedule is packed with activities that will keep you busy from early morning to late at night.

Between the recitals and Pentecost Service, stop by the exhibit hall and hear from music vendors, organ builders, and others. Or enhance your skills at one of the many workshops, and make new friends at one of the evening social events.

The Quimby Regional Competition for Young Organists (RCYO) precedes the general event, giving today's up and coming young artists the opportunity to show their stuff. You'll get to hear the winner on Monday, June 13. And be sure to submit your own composition and win a cash prize in the Composers' Competition.

Enjoy all this in a very unique setting, the world renowned horse region of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Convention Registration and Fees

Marriott Griffin Gate Hotel

The convention hotel is the Griffin Gate Marriott Resort and Spa. Enveloped by the rolling meadows of Bluegrass Country, the resort invites you to discover unmatched Southern hospitality. The resort features a Rees Jones-designed golf course and luxurious full-service spa. Discover this hotel's charms and experience a resort that's a breed above.

Hurry - the hotel convention rate expires May 27th!
The daily convention hotel rate is $139 + tax and includes free parking and breakfast for registered AGO guests. Ask for the "AGO Convention rate". For reservations call (859) 231-5100. Hotel information is available at the Griffin Gate Marriott Resort and Spa website.

Region V 2011 Quimby RCYO Winner Katelyn Emerson

The judges are pleased to announce Region V 2011 Quimby Regional Competition for Young Organists (RCYO) first place winner Katelyn Emerson and second place winner Jonathan D. Rudy.

Pictured: Jungjoo Park (judge), second place winner Jonathan D. Rudy, Mark Schell (judge), first place winner Katelyn Emerson, and Schuyler Robinson (judge).

The Regional Competitions for Young Organists are made possible by a generous grant from Michael Quimby, President, Quimby Pipe Organs, Inc.

A Kentucky Organ Tour - available on CD

Nine Historic and Modern Pipe Organs of the Bluegrass
Schuyler Robinson, Organist
"Organist Schuyler Robinson tours nine pipe organs near Lexington, Kentucky -- the Bluegrass region of Central Kentucky with rolling hills, countless horse farms outlined with white fences and 18th-century stone fences, horse racing, and Bluegrass music. Less known is the wealth of churches and institutions that house great pipe organs of historic and modern vintage. Schuyler Robinson is professor of organ at the University of Kentucky and assistant organist at Christ Church Cathedral (Episcopal) in Lexington."

This CD feature the following organs that are part of the Region V Convention: Centenary UMC, The Presbyterian Church (Danville), Maxwell St. Presbyterian, First Presbyterian Church, Christ Church Cathedral, and Singletary Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Kentucky.

CD available at Raven CDs and Joseph Beth Booksellers (Lexington Green, Lexington).

Composers' Competition

Update 1-Oct-10: The submission deadline has passed.  Winners to be announced.

Update 21-Mar-11: Winners have been notified.

The Region V Convention Steering Committee is pleased to announce a Composers' Competition in conjunction with the convention. Composers are invited to submit new, unpublished organ compositions suitable for use in Church or Synagogue services. Winning compositions will be published in a collection based on the theme Biblical Sketches (subtitled The Lexington Organ Book) issued by MorningStar Music, and available at the regional convention and afterward. See the official announcement for details.

Prizes are $1,000 (win), $800 (place), $500 (show), or $200 (hon. mention).

Advertisements & Exhibits

Vendors are encouraged to advertise in the official convention program book. The fees are: inside cover ($650), back outside cover ($800), full page ($360), half page ($225), quarter page ($150), business card size ($50). A page is 5" wide by 8.5" tall. For information contact Larry Sharp (agolarry at att.net).

The convention will also feature an exhibit hall. For information contact Clif Cason (bigbluefans at windstream.net).

Some exhibit information is available here: Questions, Rules & Regulations, Space, Contract.

Media Relations

Members of the media should visit our media page.

About Lexington

The Bluegrass Region is known for its horses and beautiful horse farms, folk arts and crafts, its music traditions, and its cuisine. Visitors can experience the magic of horses at the Kentucky Horse Park. Lexington area restaurants specialize in beaten biscuits, hot browns and beer cheese.

Get a taste of local flavors at such restaurants as Berea's Boone Tavern (site of Tuesday's meal). Berea, site of four performances, is also known as the Folk Arts and Crafts Capital of Kentucky. Danville, site of a recital and dinner, is home to Centre College and quaint Constitution Square. For more information about the region, please visit the Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau.

From the "sport of kings" to the "king of instruments", race to Lexington and enjoy the beautiful sites and sounds of the "Horse Capital of the World".