National Competition for Organ Accompaniment for Young Organists
The District of Columbia Chapter is hosting a National Competition for Organ Accompaniment on May 30, 2026.
First prize $5,000
Second prize $2,500
Thomas Murray, Dr. Mary Beth Bennett and Dr. Daniel Aune, judges
Dr. Dana Marsh, guest conductor
Open to all applicants under the age of 28 as of May 30, 2026. Applicants are requested to submit the below Preliminary Round materials by Feb. 15, 2026, along with a nonrefundable application fee of $35, payable via the DC Chapter’s Paypal account ([email protected]). To request a unique link to submit your materials, please send an email to [email protected].
Preliminary Round
A video or audio submission of a live performance with local choir/singers or if a choir is not available, candidate may opt to play without choir.
1. Choose one SATB anthem from below:
a. Cantique de Jean Racine, Gabriel Faure
b. And I saw a new Heaven, Edward Bainton
c. There shall a star from Jacob come fort , Felix Mendelssohn
2. Choose one contemporary anthem from below:
a. Lift up your heads, William Mathias
b. I Love All Beauteous Things, Judith Weir
c. The Mountains shall bring peace, Joanna Forbes L’Estrange
3. Hymn of applicant’s choice – Should showcase an introduction, interlude and alternative
harmonization.
4. Choose one vocal solo from below:
a. Ave Maria, Mel Bonis
b. Easter, or Love bade me welcome, from Five Mystical Songs, Ralph Vaughan Williams
c. The Morning Song from Generations, Melissa Dunphy
Final Round
Finalists should prepare the following for the May 30 live competition:
1. Vocal solo, choose one of the following
a. Pie Jesu, Lili Boulanger
b. The Darkest Hour, from Generations, Melissa Dunphy
2. Psalm, choose one from below:
a. Anglican Chant
b. Responsorial Psalm
c. Gregorian Chant
3. Two hymns of the competitor’s choice, which should showcase an introduction and an
alternative harmonization to accompany a large, enthusiastic congregation:
a. German choral or Genevan hymn
b. Edwardian through present era hymn
4. A major anthem or setting, choose one from below:
a. Magnificat and Nunc in A, Charles V. Stanford
b. Te Deum - Collegium Regale, Herbert Howells
5. One contemporary anthem or setting, choose one from below:
a. Sing unto the Lord, Elizabeth Poston
b. Leaf from Leaf, Judith Weir
Four finalists will be selected and notified by March 1, 2026. The four finalists are requested to be in
Washington, DC, May 29-30, 2026 for the final, live phase of the competition at St. Paul’s Parish, K Street. The
schedule is:
Thursday, May 28 and Friday, May 29 -- Each finalist will be assigned 3 hours of practice time at
St. Paul’s Parish on the four-manual Schoenstein organ. Schedule will be coordinated on a first
come, first served basis.
Friday, May 29, 6 to 10 pm -- Finalists rehearse with choir in 45-minute blocks; schedule TBD.
Saturday, May 30
Noon -- Lunch provided by DC chapter
1 to 3:30 pm -- Finalists perform with choir before judges
4:30 pm -- Announcement of winners
6 pm -- Catered dinner with judges, finalists and committee
Transportation and all meals, except for those above, shall be the responsibility of the finalist. The DC
Chapter will provide lodging for up to three nights for each finalist.
+ First and Second prizes have been underwritten by Schoenstein & Company Organ Builders.
First prize $5,000
Second prize $2,500
Thomas Murray, Dr. Mary Beth Bennett and Dr. Daniel Aune, judges
Dr. Dana Marsh, guest conductor
Open to all applicants under the age of 28 as of May 30, 2026. Applicants are requested to submit the below Preliminary Round materials by Feb. 15, 2026, along with a nonrefundable application fee of $35, payable via the DC Chapter’s Paypal account ([email protected]). To request a unique link to submit your materials, please send an email to [email protected].
Preliminary Round
A video or audio submission of a live performance with local choir/singers or if a choir is not available, candidate may opt to play without choir.
1. Choose one SATB anthem from below:
a. Cantique de Jean Racine, Gabriel Faure
b. And I saw a new Heaven, Edward Bainton
c. There shall a star from Jacob come fort , Felix Mendelssohn
2. Choose one contemporary anthem from below:
a. Lift up your heads, William Mathias
b. I Love All Beauteous Things, Judith Weir
c. The Mountains shall bring peace, Joanna Forbes L’Estrange
3. Hymn of applicant’s choice – Should showcase an introduction, interlude and alternative
harmonization.
4. Choose one vocal solo from below:
a. Ave Maria, Mel Bonis
b. Easter, or Love bade me welcome, from Five Mystical Songs, Ralph Vaughan Williams
c. The Morning Song from Generations, Melissa Dunphy
Final Round
Finalists should prepare the following for the May 30 live competition:
1. Vocal solo, choose one of the following
a. Pie Jesu, Lili Boulanger
b. The Darkest Hour, from Generations, Melissa Dunphy
2. Psalm, choose one from below:
a. Anglican Chant
b. Responsorial Psalm
c. Gregorian Chant
3. Two hymns of the competitor’s choice, which should showcase an introduction and an
alternative harmonization to accompany a large, enthusiastic congregation:
a. German choral or Genevan hymn
b. Edwardian through present era hymn
4. A major anthem or setting, choose one from below:
a. Magnificat and Nunc in A, Charles V. Stanford
b. Te Deum - Collegium Regale, Herbert Howells
5. One contemporary anthem or setting, choose one from below:
a. Sing unto the Lord, Elizabeth Poston
b. Leaf from Leaf, Judith Weir
Four finalists will be selected and notified by March 1, 2026. The four finalists are requested to be in
Washington, DC, May 29-30, 2026 for the final, live phase of the competition at St. Paul’s Parish, K Street. The
schedule is:
Thursday, May 28 and Friday, May 29 -- Each finalist will be assigned 3 hours of practice time at
St. Paul’s Parish on the four-manual Schoenstein organ. Schedule will be coordinated on a first
come, first served basis.
Friday, May 29, 6 to 10 pm -- Finalists rehearse with choir in 45-minute blocks; schedule TBD.
Saturday, May 30
Noon -- Lunch provided by DC chapter
1 to 3:30 pm -- Finalists perform with choir before judges
4:30 pm -- Announcement of winners
6 pm -- Catered dinner with judges, finalists and committee
Transportation and all meals, except for those above, shall be the responsibility of the finalist. The DC
Chapter will provide lodging for up to three nights for each finalist.
+ First and Second prizes have been underwritten by Schoenstein & Company Organ Builders.