John Ward of Blue Hill Congregational Church has received professional recognition by passing with distinction the associate examination of the American Guild of Organists. Ward, a member of the guild’s Bangor chapter, also won the Associateship Prize for highest score on that examination, along with the S. Lewis Elmer Award for the highest overall score on any of the upper-level exams given by the organization. Examinations for five levels of musicalogical expertise are given in determining the highest standards of professionalism in organ playing and choir directing. Ward works extensively as an organist, pianist, conductor, singer, composer, theater artist and teacher. He earned a bachelor of music degree in piano from the Eastman School of Music, a master’s degree in piano and a doctorate in music theory from Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.