AGO National Competition in Organ Improvisation
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 competition is open to all organists regardless of age or citizenship; it is also open to non-AGO members. Applicants who do not reside in the U.S. are responsible for understanding and complying with U.S. visa requirements as well as travel costs where applicable. First-place winners of a previous NCOI are not eligible. The NCOI occurs biennially and commences with a recorded Application Round followed by a semifinal and final round. Prizes: First Place – $3,000, funded by the estate of McNeil Robinson, a CD recording on the Pro Organo label; Second Place – $2,000, funded by Dobson Pipe Organ Builders; Third Place – $1,500, funded by Pamela and Steven Ruiter-Feenstra; Audience prize – $1,500, funded by David and Robin Arcus.
2018 NCOI Prize Winners
The AGO is pleased to announce the three 2018 NCOI prize winners: Kalle Toivio, First Place, Robert Horton, Second Place and Audience Prize, and Douglas Murray, Third Place. The three finalists performed Tuesday, July 3rd, at Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral in Kansas City, Missouri.
2018 NCOI First Place
Kalle Toivio
Kalle Toivio received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Manhattan School of Music in 2017. In the Fall of 2018 he will continue his organ studies with James David Christie in the Artist Diploma program at the Oberlin Conservatory. Kalle Toivio is the organist and director of music at the Church of Notre Dame NYC, and he was the third prize winner at the 2016 AGO NCOI in Houston, Texas. He is the founder and sub-dean of the Finland Chapter AGO. Dr. Toivio is a member of the organ faculty at the Manhattan School of Music Precollege. For more than seven years Kalle Toivio studied with the late McNeil Robinson.
A special note to chapters—hosting an AGO competition winner is the perfect chapter event! For more information, contact Kalle Toivio or AGO Headquarters.
Past NCOI Winners
2016 Thomas Dahl First Place and Audience Prize
Matt Gender Second Place
Kalle Toivio Third Place
2014 Patrick Scott First Place and Audience Prize
Douglas Murray Second Place
No Third Prize was awarded
2012 Robert Nicholls First Place
Patrick Scott Second Place and Audience Prize
Douglas Murray Third Place
2010 David Baskeyfield First Place and Audience Prize
Herbert Buffington Second Place
Robert Nicholls Third Place
2008 Jason Roberts First Place
Steven Ball Second Place
Herbert Buffington Third Place and Audience Prize
2006 Tom Trenney First Place and Audience Prize
Vincent Carr Second Place
No Third Place awarded
NCOI Committee
Cindy Lindeen-Martin, DMA, Director Email
Jason Roberts Email
Mary Newton, CAGO, DMA Email
