Next Competition = October 5, 2024
Following the successful first edition in 2023, Baylor University School of Music is pleased to continue the National High School Organ Competition, which provides an opportunity for talented young organists to gain valuable performance experience and recognition. The next competition will be held on Saturday, October 5th, 2024, in Truett Seminary’s Powell Chapel. Contestants will rehearse and perform on its Létourneau Organ (III/54).
Awards
- Grand Prize: $1,000 (in memory of Dr. Joyce Jones)
- Bach Prize: $500 (sponsored by the Central Texas Chapter of the AGO)
- Young Organist Prize: $500 (sponsored by Létourneau Pipe Organs)
- Hymn Prize: $250 (sponsored by Wolf Pipe Organs)
General Information
- Entry documents and fee (see below) must be submitted by August 15, 2024. Entry fees are non-refundable once a contestant has been selected.
- A maximum of 10 contestants will be admitted. If more applications are received, the jury will pre-select based on resume, repertoire list, letter of recommendation and selected repertoire. Candidates will be notified if they are selected by August 20, 2024.
- Contestants must be willing to perform as early as 8:00 a.m.
- The order of performance at the competition will be chosen randomly by the organizers.
- Contestants will each get a minimum of 60 minutes rehearsal time on the Létourneau Organ on Friday, October 4th, between 11:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.
- Practice time will be scheduled by reverse order of distance from Waco, i.e., the candidate living the furthest away will practice last, the one closest will practice first.
- Additional practice organs will be available in the McCrary Music Building on October 4th and 5th.
- Entrants should report to the registration desk 30 minutes prior to their assigned rehearsal and performance times. An unmarked, published copy of the music must be provided for the judges. Photocopies are not acceptable.
- Prizewinners will be announced at approximately 2:30 p.m. in Truett Seminary. Contestants will receive critique sheets from the judges.
Competition Rules
- All high school students are eligible.
- Repertoire: One free piece by Johann Sebastian Bach (excluding BWV 553–560) and one contrasting piece by a composer from any other period.
- The ‘Young Organist Prize’ will be awarded among the three youngest contestants.
- Contestants may choose to also perform a hymn of their choice (introduction and three stanzas; interlude and/or re-harmonization are encouraged but not required) if they want to compete for the hymn prize.
- Memorization is not required.
- An assistant for page turning will be provided if needed; contestants are required to change pistons themselves.
- The stoplist of the Létourneau Organ is available at: https://music.baylor.edu/resources/facilities-instruments/powell-chapel-organ
- Travel and accommodation expenses will not be reimbursed; contestants must make their own travel arrangements.
Application Process
Both steps must be completed by August 15, 2024
- Fill out the application and submit your entry fee of $35 by visiting https://tinyurl.com/organ-competition
- Email your resume and repertoire list and one letter of recommendation to Jens_Korndoerfer@baylor.edu
Questions? Contact Dr. Jens Korndörfer, The Joyce O. Bowden Professor of Music and Associate Professor of Organ, at Jens_Korndoerfer@baylor.edu
2023 Competition Results
On Nov. 4, ten highly talented finalists from across the United States competed in the inaugural National High School Organ Competition at Baylor University on the Létourneau organ (III/56) in Truett Seminary. The required repertoire consisted of one piece by Bach and a contrasting work, both chosen by each finalist.
The playing level of all finalists was very high and included mature performances of advanced repertoire such as Bach’s Fantasy and Fugue in g minor (BWV 542), Laurin’s Scherzo (1st Symphony, Op. 36), and Sowerby’s Pageant. Eugene Lavery (Organist and Director of Music at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, Waco, TX) and Jens Korndörfer (Organizer & Associate Professor of Organ at Baylor University) served as judges.
The $1,000 first prize in memory of Dr. Joyce Jones was awarded to Daniel Colaner, and the $500 second prize (sponsored by Orgues Létourneau) split between Abigail Crafton and Michael Guarneiri.