ACDA and AGO Sign Collaborative Agreement

The American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) and the American Guild of Organists (AGO) have signed a Letter of Agreement in a collaborative effort towards supporting common goals. In a letter signed by James E. Thomashower, Executive Director of the AGO, and Tim Sharp, Executive Director of ACDA, the two national associations "agree to find ways in which we can offer reciprocity."

Discussions began in early 2009 between the two organizations as both recognized common areas of mission toward supporting excellence in choral music. Both organizations realized that there are many ways in which mutual support could further advance the purposes of both organizations. In a letter signed on November 3, 2009, a new relationship was forged between the two associations toward future collaboration.

The purpose of the Letter of Agreement is to inspire the leadership and membership of the two associations to investigate ways of offering reciprocity such as the sharing of articles, information distribution, advertising exchange, and on a case-by-case basis, possible ways in which local, state, and regional conferences can include both associations working together. Both associations encourage leadership to investigate ideas such as cooperative advertising, conference registration exchanges or reductions in registration, and the sharing of educational workshops.

In a joint statement, Executive Directors Thomashower and Sharp wrote, "As we pursue our common areas, we anticipate that more areas of commonality may be found. We agree to pursue those and to find common ground wherever we can."