Scholarships

Scholarship Application Guidelines 

Categories of Recipients

• Beginning or undergraduate student studying piano with the expectation of studying organ
• Undergraduate student studying organ as their principal instrument
• Graduate student studying organ as their principal instrument
• Adult student studying piano with the expectation of studying organ

Eligibility

• Applicants must be current members or students of a member of the Atlanta AGO Chapter, in good standing as of September 1 of the chapter fiscal year.
• Students 12 years of age and older are eligible to apply. We especially encourage those students who have participated in a POE. This requirement is not obligatory, however. A younger student may audition on the piano with the intention of beginning organ study with an Atlanta Chapter member in the summer or fall following the auditions. This relationship would need to be in place before an award check can be issued.
• There is no maximum age limit for applicants.
• Students of judges for current auditions are ineligible to participate.
• All scholarship funds awarded must be used to further the educational endeavors of the awardees. Applicants will be asked on their entry form to specify how their winnings would be used.
• There shall be no maximum number of applicants who may apply.
• Scholarship winners may be requested to play in a student recital at a later date.

Repertoire Requirements

Beginning Students (auditioning on the piano)

Applicants will perform one work from each of the following categories:

1. Clementi or Kuhnau Sonatina (one movement.)
2. Bach two-part Invention.
3. A work by a composer born between 1800 and 1900.

High School, Undergraduate, and Adult (without an advanced degree in organ) Organ Students

Applicants will perform one work from each of the following categories:

1. A German Baroque work with pedal (Buxtehude, Bach –including the Eight Little Preludes and Fugues and chorales from Orgelbüchlein –or others are acceptable.)
2. A work by a composer born between 1800 and 1900 (a single movement of a larger work is acceptable.)
3. A work by a composer born after 1900 (a single movement of a larger work is acceptable) The works in categories 2 and 3 must be contrasting in mood.
4. Hymns — choose one: Aurelia, St. Denio, or Lasst uns erfreuen.

The organist will introduce the hymn and play two stanzas as if accompanying a large and enthusiastic congregation. Published or improvised arrangements may also be used for the introduction and/or other stanzas if the organist wishes. A registration change between stanzas is expected.

Graduate Organ Students

Applicants will perform one work from each of the following categories:

1. A major work of J.S. Bach (Prelude and Fugues, Trio Sonatas or Fantasias. The Eight Little Preludes and Fugues are not acceptable.)
2. A work by a composer born between 1800 and 1900 (a single movement of a larger work is acceptable.)
3. A work by a composer born after 1900 (a single movement of a larger work is acceptable) The works in categories 2 and 3 must be contrasting in mood.
4. Hymns — choose one: Sine Nomine, Rustington, or Easter Hymn.

The organist will introduce the hymn and play two stanzas as if accompanying a large and enthusiastic congregation. Published or improvised arrangements may also be used for the introduction and/or other stanzas if the organist wishes. A registration change between stanzas is expected.

Awards

• All decisions of judges are final, and may not be appealed.
• Scholarship awards are not guaranteed based solely on participation in the performance process.
• Award monies are budgeted from the Chapter Endowment Fund and are distributed according to the number of applicants and decision of the judges.
• The maximum award to any applicant is $1000.00, not including award of any other prizes, including the Founders Prize.
• Founders Prize — Established in 2014 to commemorate the Centennial Anniversary of the Chapter, the Founders Prize is awarded to the recipient demonstrating the overall best playing of those applying for a scholarship. The Founders Prize is based on preparedness, musicality, and use of the instrument with other considerations included as deemed important by the judges. This prize is awarded in addition to any other scholarship monies granted. In addition to the prize of $500.00, a framed certificate is also presented.

Amended and adopted by the board, June 2014.