Study Grant  Opportunities

The Orange County, California Chapter of the American Guild of Organists (AGO) will accept applications in the Fall of 2008 for Grants for organ study. Grants of $75 to $500 will be awarded on the basis of motivation, proficiency and advancement in church service playing skills.

The completed application and two (2) letters of recommendation are to be mailed to:
    American Guild of Organists, Orange County Chapter
    Alice Fields, Study Grant Chair
    P.O. Box 3714
    Orange, CA 92857-3714

1. Students of any grade through high school are eligible.

2. Students may apply who have basic piano proficiency and wish to study organ. Students must be motivated to begin and/or continue organ lessons with a qualified teacher, who is a member of the American Guild of Organists (AGO) in Orange County, California. The Study Grant Committee is expecting evidence of musical growth and experience in church, and school performance as accompanist, or soloist. Repeat applicants must include experience since their previous application.

3. The student applicant must live or go to school in Orange County, CA. The student's current teacher must reside and/or work in Orange County, California. The teacher who is to prepare the student for the recital must be a member of the Orange County, California, American Guild of Organists (AGO). Teachers should notify Alice Fields by January 11, 2008 regarding choice of music per the new music repertoire graded list prepared by the Study Grant Committee.

4. Applicants are required to perform in a live audition on Saturday, February 7, 2009 at Concordia University at selected times between 9:00 AM and 12:00 PM. Students new to the organ may play one piece on the piano and one on organ in contrasting styles and must have had some introductory organ lessons. First-time applicants with organ experience are required to play two selections in contrasting styles. The student’s teacher will select music per the graded repertoire list for this audition which best demonstrates his/her keyboard skills. For repeat applicants, a third (3) requirement is a hymn for congregational singing. This will include an introduction, and 2 verses for hymn-singing. The hymn will be played in a style that best represents the level of the performer, i.e., four-part hymn playing, or hymn re-harmonization in chordal or contrapuntal style. Students may have the option to play the competion hymn, Hydryfol. The best performance of this hymn will play it at the recital for congregation singing and also receive an additional grant.

5. Grant recipients will perform in a recital at Concordia University, Irvine on Tuesday, June 2, 2009 at 7:30 PM.

6. One-half (1/2) of the grant will be awarded at the beginning of March, and the remainder at the June recital. If the student is unable to prepare sufficiently for the recital, the teacher may terminate the lessons and the student will forfeit a portion or all the remaining funds.

7. Two current letters of recommendation are required. One must be from a private piano or organ teacher, and the other from someone who has witnessed the candidate's potential and is not a member of the applicant's immediate family.

8. Applications must be received by January 11, 2009.

9. The live Auditions will take place Saturday, February 2, 2008. 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM at Concordia University, Irvine

Scholarship Recipients 2008

The chapter sponsored it's eighth annual Student Study Grant. Seven young people, received grants towards organ lessons.

The recipients were: Dominika Geire, Nathan Parnhma, Rochelle Paz, Francesca Hughes,   Chelsea Kerr, Antone Ribaudo, Minh Neuyen

The teachers of the studenst are Debro Dyko,Lynette Ball McGee, Audrey Jacobson, and          Mark Purcell.
On June 10, 2008 the receipents played in the STUDENT STUDY GRANT ORGAN RECITAL at Gemeva Presbyterian Church, Laguna Woods.

Front row: Dominika Geire, Nathan Parnham, Alice Fields
Middle row: Rochelle Paz, Francesca Hughes
Back row:Chelsea Kerr, Antone Ribaudo, Minh Neuyen

Our program can reach even greater heights. If you are not on our list of donors, please consider becoming a Study grant Donor. The future of the American Organist depends on it.  Make a donation to OC-AGO  and send to AGO Orange County Chapter at:

P.O. Box 3714
Orange, CA 92857-3714

Download - Study Grant Application Form