National Young Artists Competition in Organ Performance

Last Modified on August 26, 2016

Congratulations to the 2016 NYACOP and NCOI Winners

Five finalists played at the 2016 NYACOP final round Saturday, June 18, 2016 at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Houston, Texas. The winning players were Katelyn Emerson – First Place, Kirk Rich – Second Place, and Weicheng Zhao – Third Place and Audience Prize.

Three finalists were chosen at the 2015 NCOI semifinals held July 1, 2015 at the Charlotte SE Regional Convention. The three organists below traveled to Houston, Texas for the NCOI final round that was held June 21, 2016 at Christ Church Cathedral (Houston). Thomas Dahl, was awarded 1st Place and the Audience Prize, Matt Gender was awarded 2nd Place, and Kalle Toivio was awarded 3rd Place.

Last Modified on July 20, 2016

Eight Prizes Presented to Six Organists at National Convention in Houston, TX

The American Guild of Organists is pleased to announce the results of its National Young Artists Competition in Organ Performance (NYACOP) and the National Competition in Organ Improvisation (NCOI). Prizewinners were recognized at the 53rd biennial AGO National Convention in Houston, Tex. The following prizes were awarded:

National Young Artists Competition in Organ Performance

First Prize—Katelyn Emerson

The Jordan Organ Endowment Prize: $10,000, awarded in conjunction with a solo recital on the Jordan Family Organ in Columbus, GA;
The Lilian Murtagh Memorial Prize: $3,000 cash award and career development assistance provided by Karen McFarlane Artists;
a CD recording by Pro Organo;
a performance at the 2018 AGO National Convention in Kansas City, MO;
and a series of award recitals throughout the US

Second Prize—Kirk Rich

$5,000 cash award provided by Kegg Pipe Organ Builders

Third Prize—Weicheng Zhao

$3,000 cash award provided by John-Paul Buzard Pipe Organ Builders

Audience Choice Prize—Weicheng Zhao

$1,000 cash award provided by the Martin Ott Pipe Organ Company

National Competition in Organ Improvisation

First Prize—Thomas Dahl

$3,000 cash award provided by the estate of McNeil Robinson;
a CD recording by Pro Organo

Second Prize—Matt Gender

$2,000 cash award provided by Dobson Pipe Organ Builders Ltd.

Third Prize—Kalle Toivio

$1,500 cash award provided by Pamela and Steven Ruiter-Feenstra

Audience Choice Prize—Thomas Dahl

$1,500 cash award provided by David and Robin Arcus

National Young Artists Competition in Organ Performance

The judges for the final round of the 2016 NYACOP in Houston were Edoardo Bellotti, Dean Billmeyer, Susan Ferré, James Kibbie, Ludger Lohmann, John Schwandt, and Carole Terry. Major support for the competition was provided by the Jordan Organ Endowment, Karen McFarlane Artists, Kegg Pipe Organ Builders, John-Paul Buzard Pipe Organ Builders, the Martin Ott Pipe Organ Company, the Nita Akin Competition Fund, and the Dallas (TX) AGO Chapter, host of the semifinal round.

National Competition in Organ Improvisation

The National Competition in Organ Improvisation advances the art of improvisation by recognizing and rewarding superior performers in the field. Improvisation is the pinnacle of achievement for a musician who can combine the elements of performance and composition simultaneously in the creation of a new work of art. Since 1990, the AGO NCOI has motivated and inspired hundreds of the most talented organists in America. Today, it is the preeminent competition in North America dedicated to preserving and advancing improvisation at the organ, and is open to all regardless of age or country of citizenship.

A flourishing tradition of improvisation has always been fundamental to a truly vital musical culture. Although musical extemporization has enjoyed a rich heritage in Europe for
many centuries, the art form is in perilous risk of extinction in America except among a few organists and jazz musicians. The NCOI continues to set the standard for organists seeking to demonstrate their skill in extemporaneous performance, the highest and most challenging musical art form.

The judges for the final round of the 2016 NCOI in Houston were David Arcus, Marie Rubis Bauer, Pamela Decker, Marie-Bernadette Dufourcet, David Enlow, Tom Trenney, and David Ashley White. Major support was provided by the estate of McNeil Robinson, Dobson Pipe Organ Builders Ltd., Pamela and Steven Ruiter-Feenstra, and David and Robin Arcus.

Biographies of the 2016 competitors can be found in the April 2016 (NYACOP) and May 2015 (NCOI) issues of The American Organist Magazine.

Photo credits: Joseph Routon

Last Modified on November 25, 2014

AGO Names Prizewinners in National Organ Competitions

The American Guild of Organists (AGO) is pleased to announce the results of its National Young Artists Competition in Organ Performance (NYACOP) and the National Competition in Organ Improvisation (NCOI). Competition prizewinners were recognized at the 52nd biennial AGO National Convention in Boston, Mass. The following competition prizes were awarded:

NATIONAL YOUNG ARTISTS COMPETITION IN ORGAN PERFORMANCE

First Prize—Jonathan Rudy
The Lilian Murtagh Memorial Prize: $3,000 cash award and career development assistance provided by Karen McFarlane Artists; a CD recording by Pro Organo; and a performance at the 2016 AGO National Convention in Houston, TX.

Second Prize—HyeHyun Sung
$3,000 cash award provided by John-Paul Buzard Pipe Organ Builders

Third Prize—Kirk Rich
$2,000 cash award provided by Kegg Pipe Organ Builders

Audience Choice Prize—Jonathan Rudy
$1,000 cash award provided by the Martin Ott Pipe Organ Company

NATIONAL COMPETITION IN ORGAN IMPROVISATION

First Prize—Patrick Scott
$3,000 cash award provided by McNeil Robinson
Second Prize—Douglas Murray
$2,000 cash award provided by Dobson Pipe Organ Builders Ltd.
Third Prize—Not Awarded Due to Competitor’s Withdrawal
$1,500 cash award provided by Pamela and Steven Ruiter-Feenstra
Audience Choice Prize—Patrick Scott
$1,500 cash award provided by David and Robin Arcus

NATIONAL YOUNG ARTISTS COMPETITION IN ORGAN PERFORMANCE

The National Young Artists Competition in Organ Performance promotes the highest level of organ performance. The competition serves as a springboard for emerging young organists,
allowing them to continue to develop their performance ability by participating in the various demanding stages of this competition. Established in 1950 and held biennially, the competition is open to organists between the ages of 22 and 32. The 2013–2014 NYACOP was conducted in four rounds. Nineteen applicants were accepted as official competitors based upon their submitted recordings and applications outlining their recital experience and demonstrating their readiness for the rigorous performing demands of the first-prize winner. In the anonymous, recorded elimination round that followed, seven NYACOP competitors were selected to advance to the semifinal round, which was hosted by the Columbus (Ga.) Chapter and played on the Jordan Concert Organ at Columbus State University on May 22.

Three finalists were chosen to participate in the final round, held in conjunction with the AGO National Convention, on June 23, at The Memorial Church—Harvard University, in Cambridge,Mass.

The judges for the final round were Michael Barone, Diane Meredith Belcher, and Peter Sykes. Major support for the 2013–2014 NYACOP was provided by Karen McFarlane Artists,
John-Paul Buzard Pipe Organ Builders, Kegg Pipe Organ Builders, the Martin Ott Pipe Organ Company, the Nita Akin Competition Fund, the Columbus (Ga.) AGO Chapter, and the Columbus
State University Jordan Organ Endowment. Repertoire, officials rules, and the application form for the 2015–2016 NYACOP can be found on the AGO website, and will appear in The American Organist magazine.

NATIONAL COMPETITION IN ORGAN IMPROVISATION

The National Competition in Organ Improvisation advances the art of improvisation by recognizing and rewarding superior performers in the field. Improvisation is the pinnacle of
achievement for a musician who can combine the elements of performance and composition simultaneously in the creation of a new work of art. Since 1990, the AGO NCOI has motivated and
inspired hundreds of the most talented organists in America. Today, it is the preeminent competition in North America dedicated to preserving and advancing improvisation at the organ, and is open to all regardless of age or country of citizenship.

The 2013–2014 NCOI began with a preliminary recorded round in the fall of 2013; there were 17 entries. Five semifinalists were selected as official competitors in January 2014. Semifinal and final rounds were held at First Lutheran Church and St. Cecilia Church, respectively, in conjunction with the AGO National Convention in Boston. Judges for the final round were Edoardo Bellotti, Carson Cooman, and Christa Rakich. Major support for the 2013–2014 NCOI was provided by McNeil Robinson, Dobson Pipe Organ Builders Ltd., Pamela and Steven Ruiter-Feenstra, and David and Robin Arcus.

A flourishing tradition of improvisation has always been fundamental to a truly vital musical culture. Although musical extemporization has enjoyed a rich heritage in Europe for many
centuries, the art form is in perilous risk of extinction in America except among a few organists and jazz musicians. As the premier competition for organ improvisation in America, the NCOI continues to set the standard for organists seeking to demonstrate their skill in extemporaneous performance, the highest and most challenging musical art form.

Biographies of the 2013–2014 competitors can be found in the September 2013 (NYACOP) and April 2014 (NCOI) issues of The American Organist magazine.