Beginning Organist Scholarships are made possible by the generosity of our loyal donors. These funds are limited and will vary from year to year. Please note that application is made through local Centres of the RCCO.

Beginning Organist Scholarship Application Form

Please read the guidelines and FAQs below for more information.

Guidelines

1. There are three application cycles per year (deadlines of January 30, May 30, September 30). Up to three scholarships will be provided nationally per cycle.

2. The Centre selects the candidate through an in-person audition and interview. The Centre may then nominate the candidate by completing and submitting the application. Each Centre may nominate up to three applicants per cycle. The Centre may wish to consult with the piano teachers’ association in the area for possible candidates.

3. The candidate must not have undertaken organ study before and must be 35 years of age or younger at the time of application. A minimum level of Royal Conservatory of Music Level 6 in a keyboard instrument (piano, harpsichord) is strongly recommended. At the discretion of the Centre, a candidate may be put forward who, while not trained on a keyboard instrument, shows promise as an organist.

4. Scholarships are approved for up to $700 and are awarded as outlined until the Beginning Organist Scholarship is exhausted. The award will be made payable to the Centre for disbursement to the teacher. The Centre has the discretion to disburse funds to the teacher at any point in the period of lessons. The period should not exceed one year. If the student/teacher do not complete all the lessons, the teacher/Centre will reimburse unused funds to the National Office. Lessons tied to an application must not begin before a decision is received from the Scholarships & Bursaries Committee.

5. Applicants need not be members of the RCCO at the time of the scholarship applications. Applicants who are not members of the RCCO will receive a free one-year membership. The Centre Executive or Scholarship Committee will ascertain to the best of its ability the suitability of the chosen teacher (a list of qualified teachers in the area is advisable). The selected teacher must be a member of the RCCO in good standing and must be a member of the same Centre.

6. The Centre and teacher are strongly encouraged to follow-up with the student and encourage continual musical education and involvement in the life of the Centre and organ community at large.

7. At the end of the period of lessons, and at the discretion of the Scholarship and Bursaries Committee, the student/teacher may apply for an additional round of funding. The Determination will be based on a video recording and a letter of recommendation from the teacher. A scholarship for additional funding may only be awarded to one candidate per cycle.

8. National scholarship awards are available for students who live far enough from a Centre to make an audition and interview impractical. A letter stating qualifications and career aspirations and a video recording showing the student’s piano ability should be sent to the Chair, Scholarships & Bursaries, c/o the National Office. Students applying for a national award must not have applied for a Centre award and been rejected. Students who, in the College’s judgment, live within reasonable distance of a Centre must work through the Centre.

9. Besides holding competitions for scholarships, Centres are encouraged to sponsor Centre scholarships. Several Centres have been successful in finding denominational donors for these scholarships.

10. Application forms are available here or may be requested from the National Office. Upon completion forms should be completed electronically and e-mailed to The Chair, Scholarships & Bursaries, c/o RCCO National Office, info[at]rcco.ca

Frequently Asked Questions:

Who can apply for a Beginning Organist Scholarship?

Any person 35 years of age or younger who shows ability and promise as an organ student.

When should I apply for this scholarship?

An application is made through your local Centre. The local Centre must submit applications to the National Office by the deadline of one of the three application cycles: January 30, May 30, or September 30. Contact your local RCCO Centre and see how they proceed with applications, timing, interviews, etc.

How does the local Centre determine who has “ability and promise” as an organist?

Applicants are chosen by audition which could consist of: a piano piece pre-1750, a piano piece composed after 1750, a sightread piece or hymn, a prepared hymn, and an interview by the local scholarship committee.

How much piano study must I have to apply?

In general, a minimum of Royal Conservatory of Music Level 6 is strongly recommended.

Is there an age limit to apply?

Yes. Candidates must be 35 or under at the time of application.

How many lessons will I receive?

In general, most Centres offer ten lessons of one hour each to be completed within a year of commencement.

If I already have a church job but have never had formal organ lessons am I eligible to apply?

Certainly. We would like to see you use the organ correctly. It is a strange thing but pianists seem to think that because an organ has a keyboard similar to a piano that they can play the organ. The keys only look the same; however, the keys are depressed differently, the hand shape is different, the feel different and the entire technique is different. Then there is the registration of all those different sounds, pedals, pistons, toe studs and pedals to cope with. Hardly a piano! Certainly not piano technique!

If I find that I have really had success and enjoyment from playing the organ because of this scholarship, may I receive a second set of lessons?

At the end of the period of lessons, and at the discretion of the Scholarship and Bursaries Committee, the student/teacher may apply for an additional round of funding. The determination will be based on a video recording and a letter of recommendation from the teacher. A scholarship for additional funding may only be awarded to one candidate per cycle.

Many Centres have local scholarships which will enable promising students to continue organ study should the student qualify. Centres offering scholarships may be found here.