Of historical interest, was the installation of a concert organ for the Atlanta auditorium-armory in the spring of 1910. The instrument with seventy-seven speaking stops was built by the Austin Organ Company of Hartford, CT. The first use of the organ was for the Metropolitan Opera Company's performance of Lohengrin during the week of May 2, 1910. It was stated by a reviewer for the Atlanta Journal that "the thunder and boom of the big instrument from behind the stage, played briefly just before the wedding party started to enter the church, literally shook the auditorium structure." The first organ program was played by the English organist Edwin H. Lamere on May 31, 1910 for an audience of seven thousand! Atlanta's response to the new "people's organ" was genuinely enthusiastic.

During the first and second years, the Georgia Chapter scheduled monthly recitals by chapter members. These recitals were the backbone of chapter activities for many years. During the third season, the group sponsored its first internationally known artist, Joseph Bonnet, organist of St. Eustache, Paris. This recital at the City Auditorium was such a great artistic and newsworthy event (and profitable!) that the chapter invited him back the very next season.

By 1917, musical activities competed for Atlanta church musician's involvement and the Georgia Chapter found itself with declining support. In 1919, the chapter even voted for a 25 cent fine for nonattendance—with little result. There is no record that this motion was ever rescinded! There was talk of disbanding the chapter in March 1921, with only seven active members. On April 19, 1921, a Georgia Chapter renewal banquet was held at Second Baptist Church, and nine guests joined the chapter providing the critical mass needed for survival.

Perhaps the most outstanding meeting in the history of the Georgia Chapter was held on December 13, 1932 at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Asa G. Chandler, Jr. on Briarcliff Road. The opportunity of being guests of these splendid Atlantans brought a record attendance of members, their escorts, and some specially invited guests. After a short business meeting and beautiful Christmas dinner, the guests assembled in the music room for discussions about the wonderful Aeolian organ, followed by a recital given by several chapter members.

The first Southeaster Regional Convention was held in Tallahassee, FL in the late 1930s. Emilie Spivey AAGO represented the Georgia Chapter in the Four- State recital.

The coming together in corporate singing of many churches and individuals was an important activity in the late 1930's and 1940's. The closing of the hard times and the beginning of the war in Europe brought congregations together in the spirit of thanksgiving and hope. The Atlanta Civic Chorus, now the Choral Guild of Atlanta, was organized in 1940 by the Atlanta Music Club, with Haskell Boyer as its first director.

On December 1, 1948, Marcel Dupré gave a recital at Presser Hall, Agnes Scott College.

Hymn Festivals continued to be an important part of the Chapter activities under the leadership of Marie Smith, Dean 1952-1954. Many of these festivals were held at Emory University where she was staff organist for twenty-five years.

In 1955, the Georgia Chapter was redesignated as the Atlanta Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.

In 1957, the Atlanta Chapter hosted its first Regional Convention. Emilie Spivey AAGO served as General Chairman; headquarters were at the Atlanta Biltmore Hotel. Seven current members of the Atlanta Chapter served on committees for the convention. William Weaver represented the Atlanta Chapter in the Four-State recital. Notable programs included organ recitals by Pierre Cochereau and Virgil Fox and Ernest Bloch’s Sacred Service at The Temple. The convention concluded with a banquet held at the Capitol City Club.

In September 1958, the Atlanta Chapter published its first monthly newsletter, named The Dulciana. In the first issues it was noted that the newsletter was "for the amusement, amazement, edification, and information of its members."

In 1960, Doug Johnson was elected chapter treasurer. Doug served in this position for thirty years, also serving as treasurer for the National Conventions in 1966 and 1992 and the Southeastern Regional Convention in 1975. None of us will ever forget his detailed treasurer's report at our monthly meetings—and we always seemed to be in the black.

In 1964, the chapter celebrated its fiftieth anniversary at Yohannan's Restaurant at Lenox Square with Alec Wyton, National President, as speaker. There are twenty-nine individuals from the 50th anniversary who are still active members of the Atlanta Chapter.

The first Biennial National Convention of the AGO to be held in Atlanta occurred in 1966 with an attendance of 1250. The success of this convention, under the leadership of William Weaver, General Chairman, set standards for all future national conventions. Attendees from all over the country still reminisce about the convention. Of special interest and pride was soprano soloist, Beverly Sills, performing with the University of Texas Summer Chorus and the Austin Chorale. It should be noted that both E. Power Biggs and Virgil Fox played pre-convention programs—so with that as a beginning, the rest of the programs had high expectations which were met and exceeded. Works for organ and chorus commissioned by the Atlanta Chapter were Laudes Organi by Zoltan Kodály (his last major composition), Sacred Cantata (based on Psalm 98) by Gunther Schuller, and Lee Hoiby's reduced orchestration with organ for Samuel Barber's Prayers of Kirkegaard. Both the Kodály and Schuller works have been published. Profit from the convention has been the basis for much of our chapter's activities even up until the present time. The Atlanta convention marked the last AGO National Convention at which artists played for expenses rather than their regular fees. This allowed for the registration fee for Atlanta Chapter member to be only $25.00!

The Atlanta Chapter hosted its second Southeastern Regional Convention in 1975. This convention was under the leadership of Gregory Colson ChM, General Chairman. The convention opened with a performance of Leonard Bernstein's Mass with Robert Shaw and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. Special programming effects included thunder and lightening—and loss of electricity—during Robert Glascow's playing of Tournemire's Stations of the Cross at the Cathedral of Christ the King? One of the more memorable events was the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the birth of noted English composer and organist, William Crotch. At that time, the Atlanta Crotch Society was founded during a late-night assembly.

In 1985, nine celebrative lectures and concerts were held during the tri-centennial observance of the birth of J. S. Bach.

The second Biennial National Convention of the AGO to be held in Atlanta was in 1992 with over 1800 registered attendees. This convention was under the capable leadership of Sarah L. Martin, General Convention Coordinator. The Steering Committee, in consultation with the Atlanta Chapter membership, adopted the following diverse and intriguing themes in the program planning: Hispanic activities in honor of the 500th anniversary of Columbus’s voyage to America, African-American composers and performers in recognition of Atlanta’s importance in the civil rights movement, female composers and performers, choral music and organ with instruments, performance practices, and emerging artists—a continuation of the successful effort of the 1966 National Convention in Atlanta. Haig Mardirosian in the critique of the 1992 Convention in The American Organist, August 1992, summed it up thus: ‘This 1992 National Convention, like the debonair, hospitable city which hosted it, was an authentic expression of the mosaic of people, traditions, notions, and inclinations of the times. That in itself makes reason for exhilaration and confidence.”

The Atlanta Chapter has sponsored three Pipe Organ Encounters (POEs). POEs are organized by AGO chapters to introduce teenagers and young adults to the world of pipe organ. The first POE sponsored by the Atlanta Chapter was held in 1995 at Agnes Scott College with 27 students. In 2000, the POE was held at Emory University with 11 students. In 2004, the POE was held at Agnes Scott College, with 34 students.

The North American Round of the Royal Bank Calgary International Organ Festival and Competition was held at Spivey Hall on the Clayton College & State University campus in Morrow, Georgia in 1998 and 2002. Many Atlanta Chapter members were active in assisting to host this competition. Winners of these two competitions have returned for solo performances at Spivey Hall.

The Atlanta Chapter has commissioned two works by chapter members. In 2003, the chapter commissioned Bruce Neswick FAGO, Canon for Music, Cathedral of St. Philip, to write an anthem based on the Lectionary text for the fifth Sunday in Lent. In 2004, the chapter commissioned William Krape, Organist/Choirmaster, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, to write an organ composition for the season of Easter. This composition was entitled "This Joyous Eastertide." Both compositions were premiered in many Atlanta churches. Hopefully, this tradition can continue in subsequent years.

As the Atlanta Chapter celebrates its ninetieth anniversary, members will continue to meet the current and future challenges of church music. The chapter is strong and vibrant with a current membership of 310. As the centennial approaches, it is important that an assembly of current members organize to document their many memories and produce a "blockbuster" film about the Georgia/Atlanta Chapter for all future musicians in Atlanta.

Prepared by Dan Pruitt
Dean 1978-1980

"The AGO in Atlanta on the 65th Anniversary of the Chapter" in The American Organist, February, 1980; Doug Johnson, Lee Orr, and Melvin Potts.