RCYO

AGO/Quimby Regional Competitions for Young Organists

The AGO RCYO began with the 1992-1994 cycle. It is an offshoot of the AGO NYACOP. Prior to 1992, younger players were able to enter NYACOP, however, as NYACOP became more demanding, it was apparent that a separate competition was needed for younger players. Since 2002, Michael Quimby, President, Quimby Pipe Organs, Inc. has generously supported the regional competitions.
The 2021 Quimby/RCYO rules appeared in the May, 2020 issue of The American Organist Magazine.
Prizes: Chapter level varies. Regional: First place – $1,000; Second – $500. The AGO/Quimby Regional Competitions for Young Organists are made possible by a generous grant from Michael Quimby, President, Quimby Pipe Organs, Inc.

The RCYO competitions are held in odd-numbered years, in two separate stages. The competitions are sponsored and administered by the seven regions of the American Guild of Organists. Chapters that are hosting competitions will be added to the list below as the applications are received. Chapter Application Form for Hosting a 2021 Chapter Competition.

The RCYO Committee is formulating an alternative online competition procedure that will allow chapters to host a chapter competition safely. All 2021 chapter competitions will be recorded rounds. Competitors will submit their recorded performances (audio only) to the chapter competition coordinator and/or upload them to a file sharing website.

An initial competition will be held at the local level by an AGO chapter, February 13 – April 18, 2021. Each chapter winner will then advance to a regional competition, where the seven regional winners will be awarded. The online entry form for 2021 RCYO competitors will be accessible from this page later this summer.

Sonata in Sea: Cape Cod by James Woodman
Sonata in Sea: Cape Cod, preview 1st pages If you are not entering the 2021 competitions, you can purchase a PDF version of Sonata in Sea ($20), separately, by using this online payment form. In the “Invoice Number” field, enter “Sonata in Sea.”

2021 Chapter Competitions
Greater Huntsville, Alabama March 6, 2021 Email

2019 AGO/Quimby RCYO Winners

In the summer of 2019, each of the AGO’s seven regions hosted an AGO/Quimby Regional Competition. The First and Second Place regional winners appear below. The First Place winners were scheduled to perform at the 2020 AGO National Convention in Atlanta as AGO Rising Stars; those recitals have been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Northeast