COMPETITIONS

ASK A MEMBER


"The highlight of the week was after I performed at the regional winners recital, where I met so many other organists. Everyone was very supportive, and they encouraged me to continue my organ studies. I really enjoyed the experience and support, and I am very excited about my future as a young organist."

Abigail, 16
2023 Winner, Southeast Region
Regional Competitions for Young Organists

COMPOSITION COMPETITIONS
Competitions for new music are an important component of the Guild’s commitment to the future of organ and choral music. The competitions below are conducted in cooperation with the AGO Committee on New Music and donors, as approved by the National Council.

POGORZELSKI-YANKEE ANNUAL COMPETITION

The Pogorzelski-Yankee Annual Competition, named for and endowed by Ronald G. Pogorzelski and Lester D. Yankee, calls for a new work composed for and performed on their R. J. Brunner & Company tracker house organ, now located at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. The winner receives a $10,000 cash award, and a gala performance on the Pogorzelski-Yankee organ at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, typically in the spring of the award year. 

2028 Guidelines
2028 Application

AGO/ECS PUBLISHING AWARD IN CHORAL COMPOSITION

The AGO/ECS Publishing Award is held in alternate years and seeks outstanding compositions for SATB chorus and organ. The winner receives a $3,000 cash prize, publication of the piece by ECS Publishing, and a world premiere performance at the AGO National Convention. Recordings of past winning compositions can be found on the New Music page.

2028 Guidelines
2028 Application

AGO/MARILYN MASON AWARD IN ORGAN COMPOSITION

The AGO/Marilyn Mason Award in Organ Composition is held in alternate years and calls for proposals for a work for organ solo. The winner receives a $3,000 cash prize, publication by H.T. FitzSimons Co., and a world premiere performance at the AGO National Convention. Recordings of past winning compositions can be found on the New Music page.

2028 Guidelines
2028 Application 

STUDENT COMMISSIONING PROJECT

Each year, grants of $1,000 are awarded to four collaborative composer-and-organist pairs for the composition and performance of four new works for the organ. Student teams submit a joint application describing a proposed work and its performance. After the new work is approved by the AGO Committee on New Music, the organist must premiere the work and provide a video recording. Recordings of past winning compositions can be found on the New Music page.

The 2027 Guidelines and Application will be available in September 2026.

WOMAN COMPOSER SUNDAY ORGAN COMPOSITION COMPETITION

The AGO Committee on Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) invites women composers, and composers who identify as women or nonbinary, to submit new and unpublished compositions to celebrate Woman Composer Sunday.

2027 Guidelines
2027 Application

Click here for more about the 2026 winners and to view and download PDFs of the winning compositions.
Click here for the 2025 winners and to view and download PDFs of the winning compositions.

 

PERFORMANCE COMPETITIONS
The AGO sponsors three performance competitions, each operating on a two year cycle.

NATIONAL COMPETITION IN ORGAN IMPROVISATION

The National Competition in Organ Improvisation (NCOI) seeks to further the art of improvisation by recognizing and rewarding superior performances in the field. Click here for a list of winners from 1990 – present.

Click here for the 2026 Guidelines.

NATIONAL YOUNG ARTISTS COMPETITION IN ORGAN PERFORMANCE

The National Young Artists Competition in Organ Performance (NYACOP) has been held for more than 50 years. The competition promotes the highest level of organ performance and is intended as a springboard for young artists. Click here for a list of winners from 1950 – present.

Click here for the 2026 Guidelines.

REGIONAL COMPETITIONS FOR YOUNG ORGANISTS

Regional Competitions for Young Organists (RCYO) encourage younger organists to gain musical excellence and performance experience. The 2025 RCYO included a recorded application round and two live final rounds held in conjunction with the 2025 AGO conventions in Phoenix and Fort Worth. In total, four Rising Stars were named. Each Rising Star was awarded $5000 and was invited to perform at the 2026 AGO National Convention in St. Louis. Click here to read more about the 2025 Rising Stars.

The 2027 competition guidelines and application will be available in September 2026. 

 

CHAPTER AND NON-AGO AFFILIATED COMPETITIONS
Many AGO chapters and educational or arts organizations offer a variety of composition, performance, and other competitions throughout the year. Information included below is provided to the AGO by the sponsoring organizations and posted as a service to members. Inclusion in this listing does not imply endorsement, and the AGO is not responsible for the administration of these competitions or the award of any prize(s). Click here to submit your competition for consideration.

AGO CHAPTER COMPETITIONS

 

NON-AGO AFFILIATED COMPETITIONS


XI Miami International Organ Competition

Application Deadline: June 19, 2026
For more information and application requirements, click here.

2026 Ruth and Paul Manz Organ Scholarship
Application Deadline: July 17, 2026
For more information and application requirements, click here

The 14th Mader Fund National Organ-Playing Competition
Application Deadline: July 1, 2026
For more information and application requirements, click here.

The Sister Veronica Higgins Memorial Scholarship
For more information, including application details and audition scheduling, please contact [email protected] and [email protected].