The AGO is excited to award two scholarships for students enrolled in master’s and doctoral degree programs in sacred music. The scholarships are made possible through the generosity of Dave Kopp and Ronnie Stout-Kopp. They were inspired by the rich tradition of sacred music at the Salisbury Cathedral in England: “It is our hope that we can encourage and enable gifted organists, choral leaders, and musicologists to pursue their passion for sacred music, and to relieve some of the financial pressure associated with graduate degree work. We also hope to establish a legacy of excellence in sacred music through advanced degrees at both the master’s and doctoral levels.”
The Salisbury Scholarships support full-time graduate students in their development as performers, conductors, or academics in the field of sacred music. Two annual Salisbury Scholarships in the amount of $10,000 apiece will be awarded each year to a master’s and doctoral student, with a total annual distribution of $20,000. The AGO accepted scholarship applications from May 1 to May 31, 2022 for the 2022-2023 academic year. Applicants must already have completed a FAFSA application at the time of their application.
Application Requirements for the 2022-2023 Scholarships
The Salisbury scholarships are offered for advanced study in organ performance, musicological study, or choral conducting. Specific requirements depend on the applicant’s field of study.
- Organ performance: three video recorded performances of 1) a repertoire piece composed before 1800, 2) a repertoire piece composed after 1800, and 3) any one of three hymns: 1) Of the Father’s Love Begotten —Divinum mysterium, 2) All Creatures of our God and King —Lasst uns erfreuen, and 3) Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven —Lauda anima.
- Musicological study: A research work which can be a paper, article, thesis, or book.
- Choral conducting: three video recordings of 1) a choral performance of a pre-1800 work, 2) a choral performance of a post-1800 work, and 3) a video showing the applicant rehearsing a choral group in preparation for a performance.
Students Awarded for the 2021-2022 Academic Year
Oliver Lear, master’s award – Eastman School of Music
Mihail Strezev, doctoral award – Eastman School of Music
Updated June 1, 2022
