TCAGO Competition in Organ Performance

Results of the 2026 TCAGO Competition in Organ Performance

On Saturday, April 18, 2026, the Twin Cities AGO Competition in Organ Performance was held at St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church. Three young organists performed: Lydia Maier, student of Dr. Gregory Hand at University of Iowa; David Devine, student of Dr. Gregory Hand at University of Iowa; and Henry Dangerfield, high school student of Dr. Catherine Rodland.

The Judges were: Dr. Dean Billmeyer, Professor of Organ and Harpsichord Emeritus, University of Minnesota and Organist in Residence, St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church, Saint Paul, Minnesota; Dr. Sr. Stacie Lightner, Cantor, St. Paul Reformation Lutheran Church; and Dr. Melanie Ohnstad (serving as alternate judge for Diane Meredith Belcher), Minister of Music and Arts Emerita, Westminster Presbyterian Church

The First Prize of $2,500, sponsored by the Schubert Club, was awarded to Henry Dangerfield. The Second Prize of $1,500, sponsored by TCAGO member Phil Asgian, was awarded to David Devine. Congratulations to all the performers, and thank you to all who helped make this another successful TCAGO competition.

—Isaac Drewes, Chair of the TCAGO Competition in Organ Performance Committee

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2026 Competition in Organ Performance

FIRST PRIZE: $2,500 — sponsored by the Schubert Club

SECOND PRIZE: $1,500 — sponsored by Phil Asgian, TCAGO member

Date and Place of Competition

Saturday, April 18, 2026
St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church
17205 County Road 6 Plymouth, Minnesota

Organ

Schantz Organ Co, Opus 2243, 2005

Eligibility

The competition is open to organists under 24 years of age as of August 1, 2026. Competitors must reside (either home or school) in the North Central Region: Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. Previous first prize winners of this competition may not compete again.

Registration

A completed official online registration form, registration fee of $25, official proof of age, and proof of AGO membership, must be submitted via a secure link no later than Monday, February 2, 2026 at 10:00 p.m. CST.

Repertoire: please consult the official rules for more details about the repertoire requirements.

1. REQUIRED: A major work by a composer who died in 1750 or before.

Select from two of categories 2-4 below:

2. A work composed between 1800 and 1900

3. A work composed between 1900 and 2000

4. A work composed between 2000 and present

Works chosen in categories 2, 3 and 4 must be contrasting in style, mood and technique.

5. REQUIRED: One of the following hymns:

• “Praise to the Lord, The Almighty” (LOBE DEN HERREN)
• “The Church’s One Foundation” (AURELIA)
• “When in our Music God is Glorified” (ENGLEBERG)

Note: This competition is no longer associated with the National AGO “Regional Competition for Young Organists” (RCYO). The RCYO competition has shifted to a recorded 1st round, and is separate from this competition.

Please download the full Official Rules and Hymn Packet for the TCAGO 2026 Competition in Organ Performance. You may also download the TCAGO 2026 Competition flyer.

For more information contact:

Isaac Drewes
TCAGO Competition Coordinator
idrewes@centralmpls.org