Lester D. Yankee

The online application period for 1) an entering college freshman and 2) entering 1st year graduate scholarship begins January 1st and ends February 15, 2018.

More information on the Pogorzelski-Yankee scholarship – The application period has begun!

• Students must plan to be an entering college freshman or an entering first year graduate student in the 2018-19 academic year.
• Students must have a desire to commit a significant portion of the two years following graduation to teaching, performing, or other serious endeavor with respect to the organ.
• Students must attend, or plan to attend, a nationally or regionally accredited post-secondary institution (college, university, or conservatory) by the time awards are made.
• Students must provide verification of acceptance to the institution.
• Students must attend their institution as full-time students.
• Students must have verifiable financial need to be awarded this scholarship.
• Membership in the AGO is not required.
• Applicants may not be the children or grandchildren of American Guild of Organists’ staff members, board members, or scholarship committee members.
• Applicants may not be related to Ronald G. Pogorzelski or Lester D. Yankee.

The 2018 competition rules call for a proposal for a commission of a piece 10-12 minutes in length playable on the Pogorzelski-Yankee Organ; there are no restrictions in regard to compositional style.

The application deadline is August 31st, 2016.

The winning composition will be given its world premier performance in a formal recital at Indiana University of Pennsylvania by an internationally recognized organist.

The 2016 winning piece, Claude Baker’s Sept Hommages, was premiered Sunday March 13, 2016. Before the recital, Dr. Baker participated in a half-hour interview with Dr. John Levey, who teaches composition at IUP. He spoke about his music, commented on the composition of Sept Hommages, and took questions from the audience.

2018 Composition Rules
Listen to Claude Baker’s Sept Hommages

Mr. Baker’s commissioned piece, Sept Hommages, was premiered Sunday March 13, 2016 (3PM) at Indiana University of Pennsylvania by Kola Owolabi. Before the recital, Dr. Baker participated in a half-hour interview with Dr. John Levey, who teaches composition at IUP. He spoke about his music, commented on the composition of Sept Hommages, and took questions from the audience.

The Ronald G. Pogorzelski and Lester D. Yankee Annual Competition is the AGO’s newest competition.

Both the interview and performance are available for viewing on YouTube:

Claude Baker interview
Kola Owalabi performance

The Pogorzelski-Yankee Memorial Scholarships are presently awarded for a period of up to four years for undergraduate awardees and up to two years for graduate school awardees. One freshman ($7,500) and one first year graduate ($15,000) will be awarded in March 2016.

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 online application period ends February 15, 2016.