YOC

Young Organist Collaborative

The AGO provides Scholarships for Young Organists

The American Guild of Organists (AGO) serving NE Tennessee and SW Virginia and its Young Organist Collaborative (YOC) encourages and supports young people in learning to play the pipe organ. We are seeking music students 13 – 20, who are interested in studying with a qualified local organist. These lessons will be provided at no cost to first year students.

Requirements:

  • Applicants should be between the ages of 13 and 20 as of 9/7/2026, and have had at least 2 years of piano keyboard study, in addition to any other instrument played.
  • Applicants will be expected to read music and play piano equally in both hands.
  • Applicants need to be able to study with organists in or near the area served by the AGO of NE Tennessee and SW Virginia.
  • Completed applications are due by 9/7/2026. You may use either our PDF form or our On-line form for this purpose. The PDF should be sent to the email address below.
  • Each student’s application must be accompanied by a written recommendation from your music teacher. Recommendations may be sent to applications@netnswvaago.org or submitted electronically as noted just above. Recommendations are also due by September 1, 2026.
  • Applicants will be expected to participate in a kick-off event on Saturday, September 15, 2026, at 10 A.M. at Seeger Chapel on the Milligan College Campus in Elizabethton, Tennessee, which will include a student audition to sight read and play a short piece on the piano, a demonstration / explanation of pipe organ mechanics, and a question and answer period.
  • Scholarship recipients will be expected to attend 16 lessons (1 every other week from September 2026 – May 2027) with a qualified organist at the organist’s studio / church.
  • Students will be expected to practice at least two or three days a week on an organ.
  • Students will be expected to participate in an organ recital on Tuesday evening, May 16, 2027, at Milligan College.

The YOC will provide stipends to organ to instructors for 16 lessons. Each student will be assigned an adult mentor to assist in the YOC experience.

 

Questions?

Call Robert Greene, YOC Chair: 

423-341-0378 or applications@netnswvaago.org