AGO National Convention 2008

National Competition in Organ Improvisation (NCOI)

The National Competition in Organ Improvisation seeks to further the art of improvisation by recognizing and rewarding superior performance in the field. A flourishing tradition of improvisation is fundamental to a truly vital musical culture.

The NCOI semifinals round will take place at the House of Hope Presbyterian Church in St. Paul on Saturday, June 21, from 1 - 5 pm. The final round will be held at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church in Minneapolis on Monday, June 23, from 1 to 5 pm.

Prizes
First Place - $2,000, funded by the Holtkamp Organ Company
Second Place - $1,500, funded by Dobson Pipe Organ Builders;
Third Place - $750, funded by Mary Louise Herrick, AAGO, ChM.
Audience prize - $1000, funded by David and Robin Arcus and McNeil Robinson.

Finalists

Steven
Ball

Herbert
Buffington

Stephen
Kalnoske

Jason
Roberts

William James
Ross

Commissioned Themes

Marianne Ploger is a specialist in musical perception and communication, a master teacher, author, composer and pianist. She directs the Institute for Musical Perception through which she offers workshops and private sessions. Ms. Ploger has taught at the University of Michigan in its top-ranked conducting program. She was recently appointed the Director of Musicianship at Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music for 2008-2009.

Ms. Ploger earned Piano Performance degrees from the St. Louis Conservatory of Music (B.M.) and at the University of Michigan (M.M.). Between degrees, she studied with Nadia Boulanger in Paris and through the American Conservatory at Fontainebleau.

For competition rules, click Here.