Founded in 1986 by Howard Serwer, Paul Traver, and J. Merrill Knapp, The American Handel Society seeks to foster study of the life, works, and times of George Frideric Handel, and to encourage and support the performance of his music. To that end, The American Handel Society:

· Sponsors a conference every 2 years, featuring papers and panel discussions by an international gathering of scholars and performers.

· Presents the Howard Serwer Lecture, given by a distinguished scholar, at the conference.

· Nominates two members to the Editorial Board of the Hallische Händel-Ausgabe.

·  Offers the annual J. Merrill Knapp Research Fellowship, a grant of up to $2000 to an advanced graduate student or a scholar in the early stages of his or her career to support work in Handel studies or related fields