Schoenstein Competition in the Art of Organ Accompaniment

The Yale Institute of Sacred Music announces the winners of the Schoenstein Competition in the Art of Organ Accompaniment: first prize ($1,000) was awarded to Kenneth Miller; second prizes ($500 each) went to Stephen Buzard and Paul Thomas. Judges for the 2012 competition were Brian Jones, Murray Somerville, and Davis Wortman. 

 Five graduate organ majors competed in the event, organized by Thomas Murray, chair of the Yale University organ department. The competitors played required repertoire, including sections of Britten’s Rejoice in the Lamb, “The Call” from Vaughan Williams’ Five Mystical Songs, an Anglican chant psalm, and two hymns. A balanced choir of eight singers was organized and conducted by Simon Jacobs, a graduate of the Yale choral conducting program and a former organ scholar of Westminster Abbey. Andrew Padgett was the baritone soloist.

The purpose of the Schoenstein Competition is to encourage organists to place skills in accompaniment on an equal plane with playing solo repertoire. The competition, first held at Indiana University under the direction of Jeffrey Smith in 2011, is sponsored by Jack Bethards, President and Tonal Director of Schoenstein & Co. Organ Builders.

Yale-Schoenstein contestants, back row: Ian Tomesch, Michael Salazar; front row: Stephen Buzard, Paul Thomas, Kenneth Miller