Introducing Musicians to the King of Instruments
The South Dakota American Guild of Organists Academy was founded in 1987 by the South Dakota Chapter of The American Guild of Organists. Since that time, over 100 scholarships have been award to beginning organists.
Who can participate?
• Young piano students
• Current church musicians
• Adult pianists
• Any musician wanting to learn
more about the organ!
The SDAGO Organist’s Academy offers one-time scholarships for piano students and musicians to study the organ. Scholarship winners are assigned a teacher who is paid directly by Academy funds. Since a good piano background is the best preparation for the study of the organ, student winners are expected to continue piano study during the term of their Academy scholarship. Continuing education applicants are not required to study piano during their term of scholarship from the Academy.
2025-2026 Scholarship Auditions
SDAGO scholarship auditions for the 2025-2026 season will happen on Saturday April 26, 2025. The event will take place at the Augustana University Chapel. We will try to accommodate schedule issues if at all possible. The deadline for audition application is April 1, 2023.
The requirements to audition are:
1. Play a Bach Two-Part Invention or
similar contrapuntal piece.
2. Play a piano piece of the pianist’s
choice demonstrating technical skill
and musical proficiency.
3. Play a hymn of the applicant’s
choice.
4. Sight-read a hymn chosen by the
audition judges.
All auditions are performed on the piano.
Memorization is not required.
To apply for a scholarship online click the Apply Now button.
Who can participate?
• Young piano students
• Current church musicians
• Adult pianists
• Any musician wanting to learn
more about the organ!
The SDAGO Organist’s Academy offers one-time scholarships for piano students and musicians to study the organ. Scholarship winners are assigned a teacher who is paid directly by Academy funds. Since a good piano background is the best preparation for the study of the organ, student winners are expected to continue piano study during the term of their Academy scholarship. Continuing education applicants are not required to study piano during their term of scholarship from the Academy.
2025-2026 Scholarship Auditions
SDAGO scholarship auditions for the 2025-2026 season will happen on Saturday April 26, 2025. The event will take place at the Augustana University Chapel. We will try to accommodate schedule issues if at all possible. The deadline for audition application is April 1, 2023.
The requirements to audition are:
1. Play a Bach Two-Part Invention or
similar contrapuntal piece.
2. Play a piano piece of the pianist’s
choice demonstrating technical skill
and musical proficiency.
3. Play a hymn of the applicant’s
choice.
4. Sight-read a hymn chosen by the
audition judges.
All auditions are performed on the piano.
Memorization is not required.
To apply for a scholarship online click the Apply Now button.
To apply by paper form, print out, complete, and return the application form by April 1 to Elizabeth Soladay. Contact information appears below. You may either return the application by US Mail or scan it and email it.
For more information you may download the Academy Brochure, or contact the Academy Director at [email protected]
