International Year of the Organ composition competition winners

The AGO has named 2008-09 as the International Year of the Organ (see my previous post on the IYO - January 8, below). The year will begin with special events at the 2008 National Convention this summer in Minneapolis/St. Paul, and will conclude with the Regional Conventions in summer 2009. I highly encourage you to plan special events in your area!

As a part of the celebration, the AGO sponsored a composition competition for short pieces for organ and C instrument, easy to moderate difficulty, to be played at the Organ Spectacular simultaneous concerts presented by AGO chapters across the world on October 19, 2008. Judges for the competition were Mary Beth Bennett, Emma Lou Diemer, and Mark Sedio. Thirty-six composers submitted compositions. The three winners named are:

• Bernard Wayne Sanders: "Ornament of Grace" for organ and violin or oboe
• Paul Ayres: "Toccata Duo" for organ and trumpet, flute or violin
  
• Jon Naples: "Reach for the Stars" for organ and oboe

An additional work, commissioned from Stephen Paulus, will also be premiered at many of these Organ Spectacular events.

Plan now for you, your chapter, your church or synagogue to take part in the October 19 Organ Spectacular - the world's largest organ recital - and other events during the International Year of the Organ. AGO chapters and other musical organizations are encouraged to join this effort.

The IYO committee will create a listing of events. To submit yours, select an on-line form to complete and send to AGO Headquarters:

• AGO-sponsored events - click here
• Non-AGO-sponsored events - click here

The Phelps Group of Los Angeles is the national media consultant for the IYO, and they plan to attract media interest across the country. It will be an exciting year and you won't want to miss out on the growing enthusiasm about our beloved King of Instruments!