American Guild of Organists

iMIS Site

2019-20 Pogorzelski-Yankee Freshman Scholarship Application Form (tentative and subject to change)

The Ronald G. Pogorzelski and Lester D. Yankee Memorial Scholarships are intended to support the education of talented young organists who will make significant contributions to the fields of organ playing and sacred music. Applicants are expected to have existing talent and achievements in the field of organ playing and an expressed commitment post-graduation to teaching, performing, or other serious endeavor with respect to the organ. Applicants must also demonstrate financial need. The scholarship can be applied to any accredited school or conservatory in the United States. For more information contact AGO Headquarters. This application is for a scholarship award at the entering freshman level in the 2019-20 academic year.

  • Pogorzelski-Yankee Memorial Scholarship – Freshman

    1. I am not a child or grandchild of an AGO staff member, AGO National Council Member, Scholarship Committee Member, or a relative of Mr. Pogorzelski or Mr. Yankee.

    2. Indicate your gender.

    3. Enter your date of birth.

    4. Enter your average grade or G.P.A. from your most recent grading period.

      This would normally be for the entire High School four year period.

    5. Upload your most recent academic transcript.

      Your transcript should contain all four years of your high school studies and any additional college study.

    6. Enter the number of years of your piano study.

    7. Enter the number of years of your organ study.

    8. Please provide the name of your most recent organ teacher with beginning and end dates of study. Also include his/her email address.

      The organ teacher that you enter here will also be asked to send a letter of recommendation later in the application.

    9. Please provide the name of your second most recent organ teacher with beginning and end dates of study.

      No email address is required. If there is no second organ teacher, enter “None.”

    10. If there is a third organ teacher, enter his/her name and dates below.

      No email address is required. If there is no third organ teacher, enter “None.”

    11. Enter the name of the institution where you will study in Fall 2019.

      If there is more than one possibility, enter the name of the school you will most likely attend.

    12. Enter the complete mailing address of the school indicated above.

    13. Enter the phone number of the school indicated above.

    14. Is this a public or private institution?

    15. Have you already been accepted for admission to this school?

    16. Upload your letter of acceptance.

      If you have not already been accepted leave blank. If you are awarded the 2019-20 freshman scholarship, you will have to provide this letter, separately.

    17. Please provide the name of the degree you will pursue (as an entering college freshman) in the 2019-20 academic year.

    18. Please provide the name of your major if known (e.g. organ performance).

      Enter “undecided” if not known.

    19. Why do you need this scholarship? Please explain the degree to which you have financial need. Outline any extenuating circumstances.

      Your essay should not be more than 750 words, and it will be enhanced if you include specific details wherever possible. You may copy your essay and paste it into the window below.

    20. Describe your passion for the organ and its literature. Be specific wherever possible.

      In your essay, mention any career or professional possibilities that could result from this award. Your essay should not be more than 750 words, and it will be enhanced if you include specific details wherever possible. You may copy your essay and paste it into the window below.

    21. All my application materials may be shared with the American Guild of Organists staff members, education committee members, and consultants involved in the scholarship selection process.

    22. All of the information provided in this application is truthful and fairly represents me as a candidate for this scholarship.

      By typing your name in the space provided below, you confirm the truthfulness and fair representation of your application.

  • Pogorzelski-Yankee Memorial Scholarship – Performances

    1. Upload a copy of the organ specs for each instrument you played.

      Who is the builder of the organ(s)? What are the specifications for each instrument? You may perform each work on a different instrument, if so desired. If you are uploading 2 or more sets of organ specifications combine them into one upload.

    2. Enter the name of the recorded Bach piece and the organ that was used in your recording.

      Your application must include one composition by J.S. Bach. For a trio sonata, your Bach submission should be two sonata movements – either I & II or II & III. Include the organ builder, location (e.g. recital hall, practice studio, church, college campus, etc.; also include city/state) and the stop names, according to division.

    3. Copy and paste a URL link from a video file sharing site such as YouTube.

      This link is for your Bach piece and may be on YouTube or a similar file sharing site.

    4. Enter the name of your first post-1800 piece.

      Your application must include two contrasting works composed after 1800. The pieces can be single, stand-alone works, or movements from a multi-movement work. See #2 above for additional information about your organ that you should include here.

    5. Copy and paste a link from a video file sharing site such as YouTube.

      This link should be for your first post-1800 piece and may be on YouTube or or a similar file sharing site.

    6. Enter the name of your second post-1800 piece.

      Your application must include two contrasting works composed after 1800. The pieces can be single, stand-alone works, or movements from a multi-movement work. See #2 above for additional information about your organ that you should include here.

    7. Copy and paste a link from a video file sharing site such as YouTube.

      This link should be for your second post-1800 piece and may be on YouTube or a similar file sharing site.

    8. Enter the name of your Hymn

      The three hymn choices are 1) Of the Father’s Love Begotten —Divinum mysterium, 2) All Creatures of our God and King —Lasst uns erfreuen, and 3) Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven —Lauda anima. Your performance should include an introduction. It should be a full rendering, as if you were leading your congregation in singing the entire hymn. See #2 above for additional information about your organ that you should include here.

    9. Copy and paste a link from a video file sharing site such as YouTube.

      This link should be for your hymn choice and may be on YouTube or a similar file sharing site.

  • Pogorzelski-Yankee Memorial Scholarship – Financial Information

    1. For the tax year 2018, were you/will you be claimed as a dependent on some else’s tax return?

    2. For the tax year 2018, were you self-supporting?

      * This question has conditional followup questions.

    3. Enter your adjusted gross income for 2018; this will be either yours if you are self-supporting or your parents’ if you are claimed as a dependent. If your 2018 AGI is not available, contact AGO Headquarters.

      This amount can be found on line 4 of IRS form EZ, line 21 of IRS form 1040A, or line 37 of IRS form 1040, using the 2018 form.

    4. What tax year are you providing?

      Confirm that you are entering amounts taken from your or your parents’ 2018 tax return by entering 2018 below.

    5. How many dependents are listed on the tax form referenced above?

    6. Are your parents divorced?

    7. Have you already completed the FAFSA for the 2018-19 academic year?

      FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Student Aid. You must complete a FAFSA to be eligible for the scholarship award.

      * This question has conditional followup questions.

    8. Enter the estimated annual tuition for a student like you at your intended college or university for the 2018-19 academic year.

      Your tuition amount can usually be found on your college’s or university’s website.

    9. Have there been any significant changes or financial challenges for you individually or your family in the past 12 months?

      * This question has conditional followup questions.

    10. I agree that the financial information provided above may be shared with the American Guild of Organists staff members, education committee members, and consultants involved in the scholarship selection process.

    11. All of the financial information provided in this application is truthful and fairly represents me as a candidate for this scholarship.

      By typing your name in the space provided below, you confirm the truthfulness and fair representation of the financial information above.

References

  • Applicant will be asked to provide exactly 2 references.
  • Recommenders will be allowed to enter text only.

Applicant instructions:

Your application requires a letter of reference from 1) your last organ teacher and 2) an additional music/education professional. Click the blue “Add Reference” tab below. Indicate the relationship with your recommender by entering either “teacher” or “professional” in the “Relationship” field. Notice that you may include a “Personal Message” to your recommender. Stay in touch with your recommenders – the AGO is not responsible for recommenders who fail to submit a supporting letter by the deadline.

Recommender instructions:

Thank you for submitting a letter of recommendation for a young organist applying for an AGO Pogorzelski-Yankee Freshman Scholarship Award! Your letter should contain sufficient detail so the scholarship committee can fairly assess the student’s potential. Please include the length of time you have known the student and in what capacity or role. Also include your professional title and school, institution, or organization with which you are affiliated (if any). Your letter should underscore the applicant’s achievements in organ playing, the applicant’s potential for future success and commitment to the field, and the applicant’s qualities that align with the intent of the scholarship. As you describe the student please be as specific as possible. Your letter should not exceed 750 words.