Beginning Organist Scholarship

Application Instructions 2025

QUALIFICATIONS

Each applicant must:

  1. Have a permanent address within the Lancaster AGO area.

  2. Be, or become a member of, the Lancaster Chapter AGO (regular, student, or chapter friend) upon award of the scholarship.

  3. Have not previously studied organ, or have engaged in less than two years of organ study.

  4. Have completely spent funds from any previous Lancaster AGO scholarship awards.

  5. Demonstrate the potential for excellence in their application and audition.

TIMELINE and REQUIREMENTS for APPLICANTS

Right away
Inform your teacher of your audition requirements and deadline.

On or before April 15, 2025
Submit an application and audition video

On or before May 1, 2025
Applicants will be informed of their audition result

If selected to receive the scholarship, recipients should also plan on the following:

May 12, 2025, 5:30pm
Attend the Lancaster AGO Annual Banquet at Lancaster Church of the Brethren to be greeted by the chapter membership, meet last year’s scholarship recipients, and hear them perform at the Annual Meeting following the banquet.

June 12, 2025, 7pm
Attend the Lancaster Summer Arts Organ Recital at First Reformed Church, Lancaster, to be recognized and greeted by the chapter membership.

June 2025
Applicants’ instructors will be contacted by the chapter Treasurer with reimbursement instructions.

May 11, 2026, 5:30pm
Attend the Lancaster AGO Annual Banquet at Lancaster Church of the Brethren and perform at the Annual Meeting following the banquet, demonstrating their progress to the chapter membership.


Our scholarships are our way of thanking YOU for sustaining and advancing the craft of organ-playing.
The best way you can thank US for the financial support is to:

  • Practice exactly what your teacher assigns to the best of your understanding and ability

  • Attend Lancaster Chapter AGO events

  • Prepare the best possible performance for our Annual Banquet

AUDITION VIDEO CONTENT

  1. A two-octave scale of the applicant’s choosing, using both hands simultaneously.

  2. Choose one of the following piano repertoire options:

    1. A two-part invention by J. S. Bach

    2. A movement from a Sonatina by Clementi

    3. An equivalent piece of piano repertoire

  3. A hymn in four-part harmony, played on either piano or organ.

  4. An organ selection that demonstrates ability level (only for applicants that have previous experience on organ).


AUDITION VIDEO REQUIREMENTS

  1. Each component of the audition video must be recorded in one take with no cuts (trimming the beginning and end is permissible).

  2. The audition video must be recorded specifically for the purpose of this audition; submission of prior performances is not acceptable.

  3. Video submissions should be via file-sharing link or unlisted YouTube, Vimeo, or other hosting platform link. Do not attach video files to emails.

  4. Use a camera angle that shows hands (or hands and feet if recording on organ).

  5. Dress comfortably but professionally.


TIPS FOR RECORDING

  • A simple cell phone recording is fine! No need for fancy equipment.

  • Record on an instrument you’re familiar and comfortable with.

  • Play the entire piece each take, even if you don’t like something about your performance. As you play, only think ahead, do not self-evaluate as you play. Remember that self-evaluation is for practice time, not recording time.

  • Only record two or three takes at a time. If you don’t like any of the three, practice some more and try again another day. We want you to be proud of the recording you submit!