AGO Northern Virginia Chapter Events 2026-2027
71st Season
71st Season
BachWalk:
Early Musical Journeys of Johann Sebastian Bach
Monday, September 28, 2026
6.00pm Drinks, Dinner, Dessert, and Installation of Officers
7.30pm Mini-recital and Film premiere
Premiere screening of a documentary by UCLA Professor and Director of EarmarkFilms, Erin Marin. A rare chance to see a new documentary about the organs that Bach played, the positions that he held, and the journeys that he made, most notably to Lübeck in 1705-1706 to learn from Dietrich Buxtehude. Featuring performances by the current organists in churches where Bach played, and by notable German-American organist, Christoph Bull. The screening of this charming and fascinating 30-minute movie will be begun and followed by live performances of music by Buxtehude and Bach on the new Harrison & Harrison organ at Christ Church. by Northern Virginia AGO members Chris Betts and JJ Mitchell.
Preceded by a Chapter Dinner and a brief formal Installation of our new AGO Chapter Officers. There is a charge for drinks, dinner and dessert of $30.
We will also honor Alvin "Ted" Gustin, a life-time member of our Chapter. As he moves away from regular performance, he is offering his music library free-of-charge to AGO Northern Virginia members. The music will be set out and available to members at the dinner.
at Christ Church, Alexandria
118 N. Washington St.
Parking is available on adjacent streets.
6.00pm Drinks, Dinner, Dessert, and Installation of Officers
7.30pm Mini-recital and Film premiere
Premiere screening of a documentary by UCLA Professor and Director of EarmarkFilms, Erin Marin. A rare chance to see a new documentary about the organs that Bach played, the positions that he held, and the journeys that he made, most notably to Lübeck in 1705-1706 to learn from Dietrich Buxtehude. Featuring performances by the current organists in churches where Bach played, and by notable German-American organist, Christoph Bull. The screening of this charming and fascinating 30-minute movie will be begun and followed by live performances of music by Buxtehude and Bach on the new Harrison & Harrison organ at Christ Church. by Northern Virginia AGO members Chris Betts and JJ Mitchell.
Preceded by a Chapter Dinner and a brief formal Installation of our new AGO Chapter Officers. There is a charge for drinks, dinner and dessert of $30.
We will also honor Alvin "Ted" Gustin, a life-time member of our Chapter. As he moves away from regular performance, he is offering his music library free-of-charge to AGO Northern Virginia members. The music will be set out and available to members at the dinner.
at Christ Church, Alexandria
118 N. Washington St.
Parking is available on adjacent streets.
Brenda Portman celebrity recital
Friday, October 23, 2026, 7.30pm
Award-winning organist and composer, Brenda Portman, presents a special recital in celebration of the completion of the Lively-Fulcher organ and the 100th anniversary of St. Mary’s Church. In addition to winning numerous prizes in organ and composition in the USA and Europe, Brenda Portman holds the S. Lewis Elmer Award for the highest score on both the AAGO and FAGO diplomas combined. The concert will include music by Anna Amalia of Prussia, Rachel Laurin, Jennifer Higdon, and Brenda Portman herself.
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church
2609 N. Glebe Road, Arlington, VA 22207
Admission is free
Church parking lot across N. Glebe Road. Some ADA/Handicap parking on street, as well as some other street parking nearby; observe signs. Closest Metrorail is Ballston, then 2 miles by car or ART 72 bus.
Co-sponsored by St. Mary's Music Fund and Northern Virginia AGO
- stmarysarlington.org/music
- brendaportman.com
Award-winning organist and composer, Brenda Portman, presents a special recital in celebration of the completion of the Lively-Fulcher organ and the 100th anniversary of St. Mary’s Church. In addition to winning numerous prizes in organ and composition in the USA and Europe, Brenda Portman holds the S. Lewis Elmer Award for the highest score on both the AAGO and FAGO diplomas combined. The concert will include music by Anna Amalia of Prussia, Rachel Laurin, Jennifer Higdon, and Brenda Portman herself.
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church
2609 N. Glebe Road, Arlington, VA 22207
Admission is free
Church parking lot across N. Glebe Road. Some ADA/Handicap parking on street, as well as some other street parking nearby; observe signs. Closest Metrorail is Ballston, then 2 miles by car or ART 72 bus.
Co-sponsored by St. Mary's Music Fund and Northern Virginia AGO
- stmarysarlington.org/music
- brendaportman.com
Jonathan Dimmock, organ, with violonist Sara Matayoshi
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Saturday, November 15, 2026, 5.00pm
San Francisco based organist, Jonathan Dimmock, is one of the few organists in the world to perform on six continents, from St. Peter’s in Rome to Notre Dame in Paris, and from Carnegie Hall to the Cultural Center in Hong Kong. In this recital, he is joined by Violinist, Sara Matayoshi, a member of the prestigious "President's Own" United States Marine Chamber Orchestra.
St. George's Episcopal Church
915 North Oakland Street, Arlington, VA 22203
Admission is free
- jonathandimmock.com
- Sara Matayoshi, U.S. Marines Band
San Francisco based organist, Jonathan Dimmock, is one of the few organists in the world to perform on six continents, from St. Peter’s in Rome to Notre Dame in Paris, and from Carnegie Hall to the Cultural Center in Hong Kong. In this recital, he is joined by Violinist, Sara Matayoshi, a member of the prestigious "President's Own" United States Marine Chamber Orchestra.
St. George's Episcopal Church
915 North Oakland Street, Arlington, VA 22203
Admission is free
- jonathandimmock.com
- Sara Matayoshi, U.S. Marines Band
Twelfth Night Dinner
Tuesday, January 5, 2027, time tba
Join us as we celebrate the end of the Christmas Season and the start of Epiphany with the DC and Potomac AGO Chapters
Details pending
- Twelfth Night (Wikipedia)
Details pending
- Twelfth Night (Wikipedia)
AGO Diplomas Certification Workshop
Monday, January 11, 2027, time tbd
New York-based AGO Certification Committee member, David Schuler, talks us through the process of applying for and sitting for AGO diploma examinations, and shares tips for success!
This event will be online. Details pending.
- AGO professional certification
- David Shuler biography
This event will be online. Details pending.
- AGO professional certification
- David Shuler biography
Organ Control Systems Workshop
Monday, March 8, 2027, 7.00pm
Managing Director of Solid State Organ Systems and Sub Dean of our Northern Virginia AGO Chapter, Chris Betts, sheds light on the mysteries of organ control systems - switching and relays, capture systems, record/playback systems, and more. He also offers advice on how best to use them, and shares news of what's at the cutting edge in organ technology. Solid State Organ Systems is proudly based in Alexandria, Virginia.
Details pending
- Solid State Organ Systems
Details pending
- Solid State Organ Systems
Young Artists Recital
Sunday, May 16, 2027, 4.00pm
(pictured are last year's Young Artists performers)
Come hear the best young organists in our region! We are fortunate to have a selection of up-and-coming musical stars in Northern Virginia, and this recital will feature them showcasing some of their latest repertoire on the fabulous Steiner-Reck organ.
The Falls Church Episcopal
115 E Fairfax St., Falls Church, VA 22046
Admission is free
Some church parking is available off Broad St. Street parking on Fairfax St. and around.
If you are a high-school age organist, or you know one who would like to perform, please contact us at [email protected]
Come hear the best young organists in our region! We are fortunate to have a selection of up-and-coming musical stars in Northern Virginia, and this recital will feature them showcasing some of their latest repertoire on the fabulous Steiner-Reck organ.
The Falls Church Episcopal
115 E Fairfax St., Falls Church, VA 22046
Admission is free
Some church parking is available off Broad St. Street parking on Fairfax St. and around.
If you are a high-school age organist, or you know one who would like to perform, please contact us at [email protected]
