2024-2025 YOI SCHOLARS

Ravi Burtner
Katherine Cumming
Ilario Faienza
Eliot Park
Nicholas Unkovic
Elodie Weinzierl
Athena Zhang

Students and instructors at YOI recital at King’s Chapel in Boston.

HISTORY

The YOI counts among its alumni individuals who have continued to complete prestigious conservatory programs, win major competitions, and earn positions of prominence within the profession — both in the United States and abroad. The program is currently a high priority activity of the Boston chapter, with around six or seven students each year.

MISSION

The purpose of the YOI is to promote among young musicians an understanding and appreciation of the pipe organ and its literature through educational activities and diverse performance opportunities. The program seeks to create the next generation of organists to participate in the profession at the local level and beyond.

ELIGIBILITY

Students may apply to the YOI program if they are in grades 5-11 at the time of the April auditions. Previous scholarship recipients may apply for renewal scholarships while in grades 6-11 at the time of the auditions, though preference will be given to new applicants. While the program is open to piano and/or organ students of all levels within grades 5-11, it is recommend that those applying have a minimum of two years of piano or organ study, be able to read music, and have equal fluency in both hands.

APPLICATION

Applications for 2025-2026 are due no later than April 27, 2025. The application form can be accessed here. An audio/video recording of one or two pieces for organ and/or piano (about five to ten minutes of music) should be submitted along with the form to email. Questions can be addressed to the YOI committee chair, Jeremy Bruns, at that email address.

THE PROGRAM

The YOI provides scholarships for keyboard students in grades 6-12 to study the organ, perform in a required annual recital at King’s Chapel in Boston, participate in Pedals, Pipes and Pizza and other YOI events, attend organ recitals and masterclasses, tour a local organ builder’s workshop, and enroll in a Pipe Organ Encounter (POE) when available. Membership in the Boston Chapter of the American Guild of Organists is included. Students receive the chapter’s Pipings newsletter and the national organization’s journal The American Organist.

LESSONS

Students accepted into the program are paired with an organ instructor who teaches near the student’s home. Students are expected to practice in their home churches. If no practice organ is available, the YOI will assist in arranging alternatives.

All instructors have undergone Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) and Sexual Offender Records Information (SORI) background checks. Parents must agree to follow YOI child safety policies. Each student must be accompanied by an adult (in addition to the teacher) at every lesson and YOI event, whether in person or virtual.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Admitted students receive a scholarship for $1,000 toward organ studies with an approved instructor, a one-year membership in the Guild, and a subscription to The American Organist. Each scholar is featured in a required end-of-year recital at King’s Chapel in Boston on one of the later Tuesdays in June.

Opportunities for Participation

Instructors interested in participating should contact Jeremy Bruns, YOI chair.

Donors interested in pledging $1,000 annually to support a YOI scholar should contact Daryl Bichel, chapter treasurer. Other ways to donate to YOI are using the donate button on this website or by contributing when renewing your annual membership dues.

JEREMY BRUNS
Chapter YOI Coordinator

Email