Competition Summary
- This competition is open to competitors born after July 1, 2002.
- The recorded round requires a completed application form and a recording of the required repertoire listed below under the heading Recorded Round Repertoire.
- Competitors may choose which final round they would like to be considered for based on the dates and locations of the 2025 conventions. A competitor may also elect to be randomly assigned to one of the two groups. ***Please note that your preference of final round location is not guaranteed. The RCYO committee reserves the right to reassign competitors in extenuating circumstances.***
- Each of the two final rounds will include up to four finalists, performing the repertoire listed below under the heading Final Round Repertoire. The finalists will be offered a travel stipend, housing, and a meal stipend to participate in the final round.
- The two final rounds will be held in Phoenix (June 16, 2025) and Fort Worth (June 30, 2025) in conjunction with the AGO conventions being held in each location.
- Up to two Rising Stars will be named from each convention competition and will be invited to perform at the 2026 National Convention in St. Louis, MO. Each Rising Star will be awarded $5000. In addition, a travel stipend, housing, and a meal stipend will be given to those Rising Stars accepting the offer to perform at the national convention.
Recorded Round Repertoire:
Applications will be open from September 1, 2024 – February 1, 2025. Each competitor will include an audio recording with their application, including the following repertoire selections:
- A prelude (a toccata or fantasia is acceptable) and fugue or two contrasting movements of a trio sonata by Bach. BWV 582 is acceptable; BWV 553–560 are not acceptable.
- A composition by a composer born after 1860.
The total recorded performance time of the two works must not exceed 25 minutes. (Please note that the time limit for the final round is 30 minutes, not including the hymn.)
If a competitor chooses to record any music under copyright that is not widely available, the RCYO Committee may contact them to send hard copies at their own expense to AGO National Headquarters for judging purposes by the application deadline.
Final Round Repertoire
- The same two selections chosen for the recorded round.
- A composition of the competitor’s choice.
- Hymn—choose one:
SALZBURG
MELITA
DIADEMATA
MORNING STAR
The competitor will introduce the hymn as though leading a large, enthusiastic congregation in the singing of all stanzas. At least the first stanza of the hymn must be played from the version provided above. Published, improvised, or transposed arrangements may be used for the introduction and any subsequent stanza, if desired.
When choosing repertoire for the final round, competitors should keep in mind the balance of the program. The total performance time of the three works must not exceed 30 minutes including piston setting, but not including the hymn.
Competitors must provide perusal scores of all repertoire for each of three judges. Any identifying marks on perusal scores should be erased or concealed. Obtaining 3 scores can be a lengthy process. The following list suggests various ways to acquire scores:
- Contact friends, teachers, AGO chapter members, or other colleagues for permission to borrow their copies.
- Borrow scores through academic library consortia.
- Use Interlibrary Loan through local public or academic libraries, realizing that this can take several weeks. The WorldCat database indicates the locations of the nearest libraries that have the score(s) in question in their collections.
- Purchase new copies.
- Request written permission from the copyright holder(s) – typically the publisher – to photocopy the score(s).