Fifth National High School Organ Competition

October 2027

The exact date will be announced in February 2027.

Baylor University School of Music is pleased to announce the Fifth National High School Organ Competition, which provides an excellent opportunity for talented young organists to gain valuable performance experience and recognition. The next competition will be held in October 2027, 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)
Second Prize: $500 (sponsored by Jack P. Martin, CAGO)
Young Organist Prize: $500 (sponsored by Létourneau Pipe Organs)
Hymn Prize: $250 (sponsored by Wolf Pipe Organs)
Bach Prize: $250 (sponsored by John Dixon, CAGO)
$100 Gift-Certificate from The Leupold Foundation for all five prize winners for a one-time purchase at theleupoldfoundation.org

General Information

Entry documents and fee (see below) must be submitted by TBD. Entry fees are non-refundable.
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 TBD.
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 60 minutes of rehearsal time on the Létourneau Organ (dates and times TBD).
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 (dates and times TBD).
An unmarked, published copy of the music must be provided for the judges.
Prizewinners will be announced at approximately 2:30 p.m. in Truett Seminary. Contestants will receive critique sheets from the judges.

Competition Rules

All students grades 8-12 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.
By enrolling your child in the Third National High School Organ Competition, you give permission to Baylor University to take pictures of your child (pictures of all contestants with judges & donors, winners with donors, etc.), to be used on social media and for press releases.

Application Process

Both steps must be completed by (date and time TBD)

Fill out the application and submit your entry fee of $35 online at https://music.baylor.edu/organ-comp-application
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

Past Competition Results

2026

Grand Prize in Memory of Dr. Joyce Jones: Walter MItby

Second Prize: Asher Vahalik

Young Organist Prize: Landon Nguyen

Hymn Prize: Parker Bowland

Bach Prize: Annelise Hartlage

2025

Grand Prize in Memory of Dr. Joyce Jones: Aidan Yau

Second Prize: Thomas Nicholson

Young Organist Prize: Amir Sahay

Hymn Prize: Benedict Saylor

2024

Grand Prize in Memory of Dr. Joyce Jones: James Martel

Bach Prize: Francis Segger

Young Organist Prize: Kalan Warusa

Hymn Prize: Nancy Liu

2023

First Prize in Memory of Dr. Joyce Jones: Daniel Colaner

Second Prize: Abigail Crafton & Michael Guarneiri