Upcoming Events
05
AUG
Noon Recital with Michael Olson at
First Lutheran Church
12:45 PM -
1:15 PM
619 Broadway N.
Fargo, ND 58102
Join the RRVAGO members for the weekly noon recital at First Lutheran. The pews are open with social distancing measures in place, and we ask that you wear a mask if you will be physically present. If you would like to watch virtually, a Facebook Livestream will also be available and archived to our Facebook page.
History of the RRVAGO
On April 9, 1945, the Red River Valley Chapter of the American Guild of Organists (RRVAGO) was granted a charter from its parent organization, the American Guild of Organists, and organized in Fargo, North Dakota. The chapter was a continuation of the Pipe Organ Group of the Fargo Music Club (now Fargo-Moorhead Area Music Club), which had been organized on February 9, 1917.
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The 18 charter members of the RRVAGO included L. Viola Anderson, Joseph Black, Laura S. Campbell, Leif I. Christianson, Edith M. Cleveland, Dorothy M. Deems, Vincent J. Dodge, Mabel H. Hartwell, Esther C. Krueger, Viola M. Moen, Betty L. Mark, Clara A. Pollock, Gertie A. K. Lobben, Hazelle A. Stalheim, Rose M. Teichmann, Myrtle V. Steen, Ruth P. Wright, and Ruth H. Berge (who transferred her membership from the national headquarters).
A Fargo Forum newspaper clipping from February, 1917, detailing the first meeting of the Pipe Organ Group of the Fargo Music Club. For nearly 30 years, this small, but mighty group presented countless recitals and programs featuring the pipe organ to the Fargo-Moorhead Community. At the time of its organization, the Pipe Organ Group was said to be the first organization dedicated to the pipe organ ever to be organized in the state of North Dakota.
The first officers of the chapter were Dorothy Deems, Dean; Leif Christianson, Sub-Dean; Betty Mark, Recording Secretary; Vincent Dodge, Treasurer; Edith Cleveland, Corresponding Secretary; and Laura Campbell, Program Chairman.
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Throughout its existence, the RRVAGO has presented the Red River Valley with many programming opportunities centering around organ and choral music, including hymn festivals, concerts, recitals, workshops, social gatherings, and much more.
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Many nationally and internationally renowned organists have given recitals as guest artists of the chapter, including Diane Bish, Chelsea Chen, David Cherwien, Felix Hell, Christopher Houlihan, Paul Jacobs, Olivier Latry, Paul Manz, Marilyn Mason, Fred Swann, and others.
On April 9, 1945, eighteen people from Fargo-Moorhead gathered and organized the Red River Valley Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. This list of the names of these charter members comes from the first entry of the original corresponding
secretary’s book.
​Among the most notable of the chapter's accomplishments includes hosting the North-Central (FKA Region VI) AGO Regional Convention in June 2001, in Fargo.
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