Organ Scholarships For Young Pianists

The Sacramento Valley Chapter of A.G.O. has a wonderful opportunity for young pianists to explore organ study in addition to their piano lessons. We award several scholarships each year that provide 20 lessons with a qualified teacher from the A.G.O. using pipe organs in our area. These scholarships are available to young musicians between the ages of 14-22.

The applicants should be intermediate or advanced piano students with good basic music reading skills. They need no prior experience on organ. Scholarship recipients will have an opportunity to perform in a recital toward the end of their scholarship program.

AGO Scholarship Guidelines for Auditions and Teaching

Auditions:

  1. Applicants will prepare the following:

    a. A piano piece of their choosing

    b. A Bach two-part invention or equivalent

    c. A major or minor scale in the same key as one of the prepared pieces, played in two octaves

    d. Sight-reading chosen by the committee

    e. The applicant may choose to play the organ, but this is not a requirement

  2. The applicant will be interviewed by the committee to determine the availability of a suitable practice instrument, and the availability of the applicant to schedule regular lessons at a time that works with the teacher’s schedule.

  3. Successful candidates must commit to the following before accepting a scholarship:

    1. a minimum of 4 hours practice/week

    2. performance at a scholarship recital (the date will be chosen before the auditions)

    3. the purchase of organ shoes, and any required materials in addition to an instruction book provided by the AGO

    4. attendance at one live organ concert or worship service that includes organ

  4. A letter outlining the agreement will be signed by the scholarship recipient and a parent. A copy of the letter will be given to the teacher.

Lessons:

1. 20 one hour lessons will be awarded to successful applicants

2. The lessons must be completed within one year of the audition

3. The AGO chapter will provide the instruction book, First Organ Book by Wayne Leupold, Wayne Leupold Editions (WY.WL600053)

4. Teachers will have advanced degrees and be current members in good standing of the Sacramento Valley Chapter of the AGO

Scholarship Recital:

1. A student recital will be scheduled by the Program Committee, and the date will be set before the scholarship auditions in September

2. Students will perform a piece chosen in consultation with their teacher, a trio, and one hymn

To obtain an application form, or for any questions about the scholarship program, please email Pat.grimm@sbcglobal.net