 2008 NYACOP Prizewinners
Listen to the past 4 NYACOP winners in a special Pipe Dreams program! On Sunday afternoon, June 22, 2008, three outstanding young organists competed in the Final Round of the National Young Artists Competition in Organ Performance (NYACOP), held in conjunction with the AGO National Convention in the Twin Cities. The Final Round was hosted by St. Mark’s Cathedral, Minneapolis, Raymond Johnston, Canon Musician. The three finalists were Monica Harper (Indiana University), Andrew Kotylo (Indiana University), and Michael Unger (Eastman School of Music). The required repertoire was:
In addition, finalists were allowed to complete their performances with a fourth piece of their choosing. Ms. Harper played Maurice Duruflé, Suite, Movement III: Toccata. Mr. Kotylo played Louis Vierne, Symphony No. 5, Movement V, Final: Allegro moderato. Mr. Unger played Charles-Marie Widor, Symphony No. 5, Movement I: Allegro vivace. Judges for the Final Round were Kimberly Marshall, John Obetz, and Peter Sykes. The prizes were awarded as follows: First Prize: Michael Unger
Second Prize: Andrew Kotylo
Third Prize: Monica Harper
Audience Prize: Michael Unger
NYACOP is a four-round competition. In June 2007, twenty-four applicants were accepted as official competitors. In the anonymous, recorded elimination round in October 2007, seven of those were chosen to advance to the Semifinal Round, held May 14, 2008, at the University of Tennessee. Of the seven semifinalists, three were selected to advance to the Final Round in Minneapolis. The NYACOP committee is pleased with the high level of musicality, professionalism, and mutual support demonstrated by all competitors throughout the 2008 competition. Congratulations and best wishes are extended to all. The NYACOP Committee gratefully acknowledges the generous support of the Gethsemane Episcopal Church, Minneapolis, Walter Cogswell, Organist/Choirmaster, for the use of their instrument and facilities for finalists’ supplemental practice time. Special thanks to Harold Calhoun, Coordinator of Educational Resources and Competitions in the AGO National Headquarters, and to James Thomashower, AGO Executive Director, for their painstaking care and assistance. The NYACOP Committee encourages all eligible organists to seek and establish ever-higher levels of excellence by applying to compete in the 2010 cycle.
National Young Artists Competition in Joby Bell, dma, director |
