The Syracuse Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, in cooperation with the Syracuse University Setnor School of Music, is pleased to announce the 2025 Arthur Poister Scholarship Competition in Organ Playing. Three finalists will be selected to compete on April 4, 2025, on the Schantz/Roosevelt organ at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in downtown Syracuse, a new venue this year. The following prizes will be awarded at the conclusion of the finals:
- First Prize: $5000, funded by the Syracuse Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and a recital engagement in Syracuse during the 2025-2026 season.
- Second Prize: $3000, funded by the Arthur Poister Endowment Fund of Syracuse University.
- Third Prize: $1500, funded by the Syracuse Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.
- Will O. Headlee Audience Prize: $500, funded by the Syracuse Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.
This year’s judges for the final round will be Nathaniel Gumbs, Director of Chapel Music at the Yale Institute of Sacred Music; Colin MacKnight, Director of Music at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Little Rock, Arkansas; and Caroline Robinson, Assistant Professor of Organ at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre, and Dance.
Organists who have not reached their 30th birthday before April 4, 2025, are eligible to compete. The competition will be accept all application materials electronically. Contestants should fill out the online application form and submit all materials via email attachments or links to poistercompetition@gmail.com. All entries must be received by 11:59pm on February 5, 2025. A non-refundable entry fee, made via paypal, will cover the cost of running the competition.
Please use the Paypal link for the non-refundable entry fee .
For more information, send inquiries to:
poistercompetition@gmail.com