Greetings, members of the Tacoma AGO!

I hope that the summer has been treating you well and that you have been able to enjoy some of the marvelous weather we have been having! I am looking forward to seeing you all more often once the program year begins. More on that soon!

Summer is a time of rest and renewal, travel and adventure. As we all make plans for the coming program year, do remember to take time for yourself in these remaining days of summer so that you might be fully present with those whom you make music and those who receive the gift you give to them throughout the year.

As is often a practice during summer months, we take time for study and exploration of topics. The AGO website is full of educational resources, including recordings of many workshops and presentations. Of special note is the extensive series of short videos for the new organist on a number of topics. Take some time to explore the options available from the Guild in addition to what we do here on a local level.

The AGO has a number of sister organizations around the country and world, one of which is the Royal College of Organists in the United Kingdom. As an AGO member, you are eligible for an Affiliate membership for £35.00 per year. This is a considerable value in regard to the RCO’s online digital content resource called iRCO. Contained in iRCO is a seemingly endless treasure trove of educational and scholarly resources, including articles, journals, and videos. Additionally, the RCO produces a free podcast every other week called “The Organ Podcast,” which can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or on YouTube. I, for one, eagerly await the release of each episode!

More and more events are being added to the TAGO calendar for the coming program year. Keep your eyes on it as we get closer to the start of the program year, including regular lunches alongside chapter events!

In music,
Wyatt Smith