Great Lakes Regional 34

On this date in 1954 William John Clifton Haley and His Comets walked into a music studio in New York City and changed the landscape of music forever. The recording of Rock Around the Clock brought the world of rock and roll to everyone's attention. Bill Haley was originally from Highland Park MI so he is considered one of the forefathers of what later became known as the "Motown Sound".

We are just eighteen days away from the Great Lakes Regional Competition and your contest committee has outdone themselves this year! We have all the events you have come to expect throughout the years like Battle of the Bands, NAIC Qualifications, theory testing and more solos than you could possibly envision. Many new features are being added for your entertainment and one of our special events is our annual studio director and teacher hospitality which this year is featuring the sounds of Motown on Saturday the 30th of April at 9pm.

Everyone at the AGM hopes you will be able to attend our Motown extravaganza!

Great Lakes Regional!

We are only three weeks away from the 34th annual Great Lakes Regional held this year at the Westin Hotel at Detroit Metropolitan Airport. This is going to be a full weekend packed with so many things to do, you probably will not be able to see everything. The contest committee has assembled more events in a shorter time frame than ever before. Not only do we have all the old favorites such as test list, age achievement, length of study and theory, but we also have battle of the bands, teacher hospitalities, student council and so much more.

Are YOU ready?

AGM Syllabus

The board of directors of the American Guild of Music is working on the 2011-13 syllabus. We want to be sure that everyone remembers the 2009-11 syllabus will still be in effect at all 2011 competitions.

Toronto-Niagara Regional

The Toronto-Niagara Regional is only a few short weeks away! If you haven't entered yet, it may not be too late. Due to last minute interest and a desire to make this regional a success the contest committee may be enticed into allowing some last minute entries. We guarantee a great time!!!!

Toronto-Niagara Regional inches ever closer!

The Toronto-Niagara Regional is only six weeks away and the preparations are well underway for another great AGM party! Today- 1 October- is the official deadline for mail entries to reach AGM offices. If you haven't yet mailed your entries and wish to do so, you must contact Convention Manager Richard Chizmadia at 248.686.1975 or richard.chizmadia@americanguild.org to make arrangements (don't forget the late fees). Today the online registration begins. If you do not have your username and password, please contact agm@americanguild.org. The online registration ends 7 October so be sure to complete your entries.



The competition is slated for the weekend of 12-14 November 2010 at Delta Toronto East Hotel in Scarborough ONT. The competition is two weeks before the American Thanksgiving holiday and offers the perfect opportunity to relax before the onslaught of the Christmas holiday season. If the competition itself isn't enough, the hotel boasts a big indoor waterpark as well as the sights of Toronto itself. The regional was suspended seven years ago due to the sudden rise in costs in the hospitality industry. We hope to bring the regional back on an annual basis but the determining factor will be our participation at this event.

We hope you will take advantage of this 'mini vacation' and come to Toronto in November.

if i can't love her from beauty and the beast

Here we have a little blast from the past. Sit back and enjoy our own Joseph Boehnlein and his version of "If I Can't Love Her" from Beauty and the Beast.

PISTONS: Drumline

PISTONS: Drumline
This is for all the drummers out there looking for a gig. Click the link above to see the Detroit Pistons Drumline in action!

A World War II Veteran Recalls How He Neutralized a Nazi Sniper With His Trumpet

A World War II Veteran Recalls How He Neutralized a Nazi Sniper With His Trumpet

This is an inspiring story related by a ninety year old WWII veteran that just once again proves the adage that music truly transcendes all language and ethnic barriers. Please click on the headline above to see this moving tale! Keep stories like this in mind when your local school district threatens to cut music programs.

Awesome concert

Traveled to Ann Arbor this weekend to take in one of the most fantastic shows we have seen in quite some time. Duo Parnas consists of sisters Madalyn and Cicely- granddaughters of world class cellist Leslie Parnas. For ninety-three minutes we sat mesmerized while these siblings effortlessly ran through pieces from the Pulitzer and Grammy winning composer (and area native) William Bolcom. Duo Parnas, who are both currently students at Indiana University, combine all the elements that the AGM holds dear: passion, technical perfection and 'that special something' that makes music come alive! They have several recordings available that would compliment any serious musician's collection. They have a website at http://www.parnasmusic.com/

AGM strikes again

Here we go again... Your American Guild of Music is trying to utilize the latest tools to keep our `AGM family apprised of what's going on in the Guild, so here we are in the great blogosphere! With our blogspot you will be able to ask questions, receive updates and generally have instant access to all things AGM.