Objective
Hong Kong Chapter, The American Guild of Organists, is announcing the 2025 Young Organist Competition. The goal of this triennial competition is to promote organ music, encourage excellence in organ performance, and recognize young talented organists in Hong Kong.
Educational Partner
Academy of Music, Hong Kong Baptist University
Eligibility
– The applicant must be born on or after January 1, 1990
– The applicant must be a permanent resident of Hong Kong, or holder of a valid Hong Kong Identity Card
– The applicant must be a current member of the American Guild of Organists throughout the competition period
– Previous First Prize Winner of this competition is not eligible to enter this competition
(Apply for, or renew your membership here! https://agohk.org/membership/ )
Application Deadline
Online application submitted by 11:59pm (Hong Kong Standard Time),
September 15, 2025 (Mon)
Dates of Competition
Preliminary Recording Round:
Submission completed by 11:59pm (Hong Kong Standard Time),
October 1, 2025 (Wed)
Semi-Final Round (5 players will be selected):
December 30, 2025 (Tue)
6:30pm-10:00pm, Elizabeth Hung Wong Activity Room,
The Jockey Club Campus of Creativity (JC³), Hong Kong Baptist University
*Practice Sessions: December 29, 2025 (Mon)
Final Round (3 players will be selected):
January 4, 2026 (Sun)
3:00pm-6:30pm, Elizabeth Hung Wong Activity Room,
The Jockey Club Campus of Creativity (JC³), Hong Kong Baptist University
* Practice Sessions: January 2 & 3, 2026 (Fri & Sat), including a 25-mintue rehearsal with the trumpet performer for each player. The trumpet player will be arranged by the AGO Hong Kong Chapter, who is a member of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra.
Repertoires
Preliminary Recording Round:
Two pieces must be included in the program.
✤ 1.
J.S. Bach: Prelude and Fugue in A minor, BWV 543
(Barenreiter/ Bach-Gesellschaft)
✤ 2.
Either
Louis Vierne: V. Andante from Symphony No. 1, Op. 14
(Carus Verlag)
Or
Louis Vierne: II. Cantilène from Symphony No. 3, Op. 28
(Carus Verlag)
Semi-Final Round:
A 30-min program of the competitor’s choice. The following piece must be included in the program.
✤ J.S. Bach: one of the settings on ‘Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr’,
BWV 662 or 664 or 676
(Barenreiter/ Bach-Gesellschaft)
Final Round:
A 35-min program of the competitor’s choice. The following piece must be included in the program.
✤ Petr Eben: IV. Zlaté Okno ‘Golden Window’ from Ókna, 1976
(Barenreiter)
* The trumpet player will be arranged by the AGO Hong Kong Chapter, who is a member of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra.
a. Preliminary Recording Round: The applicant will provide YouTube/ Vimeo link(s) for the video recording(s) of the Preliminary Recording Round. The competitor can choose to record the two pieces on different instruments and submit two links. All video footage(s) should be unaltered. The recording of each piece must be continuous with no editing of any kind.
b. Preliminary Recording Round: The applicant must appear in profile, i.e. showing the face, body & feet of the performer clearly. The recording must contain no spoken word or other acoustic marks.
c. Preliminary Recording Round: All pieces must be recorded between February 1, 2025 (Sat) & October 1, 2025 (Wed).
d. Result of the Preliminary Recording Round will be released no later than October 31, 2025 (Fri). Five contestants will be chosen to compete in the Semi-Final Round.
e. Repertoires for all three rounds must be different.
f. Contestants will be allowed to play from reduced scores or photocopies for the competition. However, contestants must own published scores for all materials under copyright regulations. The competition committee may request additional copies of rare scores for jurors.
g. For Semi-Final and Final Rounds, audience will applause only after the entire program is finished. The program for each round should not exceed the time limit(s) listed above, including time taken between pieces. Program exceeding the length will negatively affect adjudication.
Venues
Semi-Final Round:
Elizabeth Hung Wong Activity Room,
The Jockey Club Campus of Creativity (JC³), Hong Kong Baptist University
Final Round:
Elizabeth Hung Wong Activity Room,
The Jockey Club Campus of Creativity (JC³), Hong Kong Baptist University
Specification of Organ
https://cbfisk.com/opus/opus-158/
Registration Fee & Deadline
A non-refundable entry fee of HKD 1,000- should be made to the Chapter by September 15, 2025 (Mon).
Please use one of the methods below to make the payment,
a. By Cheque
Payable to “HONG KONG CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN GUILD OF ORGANISTS LIMITED”
and mail to:
Attn: Felix Yeung, AGO HK
c/o St John’s Cathedral,
4-8 Garden Rd, Central, Hong Kong
Please include your name on the cheque.
b. Direct Deposit
Bank: Bank of East Asia
Account Number: 015-51468031343
Account Holder: HONG KONG CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN GUILD OF ORGANISTS LIMITED
Please include your name on the transaction.
c. Pay with FPS (Faster Payment System)
Email address: agohongkong@gmail.com
Please include your name on the transaction.
Prizes
One First prize winner: cash prize of HKD 10,000-
One Second prize winner: cash prize of HKD 6,000-
One Third prize winner: cash prize of HKD 3,000-
Jurors
Jurors of the competition include both local and overseas renowned organists.
Registrants & Page Turner
The contestant will bring their own registrants & page turner for all competition rounds. Current/previous teachers of the contestants is/are not allowed to perform as registrants/page turner for the contestant.
Practice Sessions
Each semi-finalist/ finalist will receive equal amount of practice sessions on the organ(s).
Note
The organizer may change these rules of the competition any time.
Enquires
agohongkong@gmail.com
HONG KONG CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN GUILD OF ORGANISTS 