Saturday, October 10, 2026
Baylor University School of Music is pleased to announce the Fourth 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 on Saturday, October 10th, 2026, 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 August 24, 2026. 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 September 4, 2026.
- Contestants must be willing to perform as early as 8:00 a.m on October 10, 2026.
- 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 on Friday, October 9th, 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 9th and 10th.
- 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 August 24, 2026
- 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
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