Historic Alaska Pipe Organ Composition Competition

Organ Composition Competition.pdf

Sitka Lutheran Church in Sitka, Alaska is enthused to invite young composers to submit organ works for a composition competition!  This fall, Sitka Lutheran Church is celebrating the 30 year anniversary of its volunteer program.  This program spreads faith, history, and love to Sitka visitors.  As part of this celebration, a concert will be performed on its 1844 Kessler pipe organ, which is the oldest organ west of the Mississippi River.  The winning composition will be premiered at this concert.

Competition Eligibility and Guidelines

·         Open to students studying at American high schools, colleges, and universities.

·         Compositions must be 7-10 minutes in length and suitable for Sitka Lutheran’s 1844 Kessler organ.

·         Submissions must incorporate the melody Finlandia, by Jean Sibelius.

·         Composers are encouraged NOT to submit works in a theme and variations form.

·         Submissions must not require a pedalboard or more than 1 manual.

·         Submissions must be entirely original and not previously performed.

·         There is no application fee.

Selection Criteria

·         Quality of the work.

·         Young composer’s potential.

·         How well the work reflects Sitka Lutheran’s volunteer program and Finnish heritage.

Sitka Lutheran’s 1844 Kessler Organ

·         Small single manual, no pedalboard instrument.

·         Registration is:  8’ Gedeckt, 8’ Viola de Gamba, 4’ Principal, 4’ Flute, and 2’ Octave.

·         It does not have a split keyboard.

·         Further information about this instrument may be found at:  https://pasiorgans.com/instruments/opus6art.html

Timeline

·         Deadline for submitting Deliverables, described below:  July 15, 2025 at 11:59 PM Central Time.

·         Notification of the winners:  No later than September 1, 2025.

·         Concert where the new work will be premiered:  October 16, 2025 in Sitka, Alaska.

Deliverables Due by July 15, 2025 at 11:59 PM Central Time

·         Young composer’s name, email address, and telephone number.

·         Short statement of where the young composer is studying, program of study, and career goals.

·         PDF score of 7-10 minutes of organ music as described in the Competition Eligibility and Guidelines, above.

·         Link to a recording or a recording, if available.  Piano is fine.

·         Any additional comments or information the composer wishes to share about the composition, with a maximum of 500 words.

·         Proof of high school/college/university study, such as copy of school identification card.

·         Short statement of where the young composer heard about this competition.

·         Deliverables must be emailed to SitkaLutheranCompetition@hotmail.com

Prizes

·         One first place winner will receive a $1,000 cash prize.

·         One second place winner will receive a $300 cash prize.

·         The first place winner’s work will be premiered at the October 16, 2025 concert at Sitka Lutheran. 

·         The second place winner’s work may be premiered at a later concert.

·         Participants are free to attend the concert, but unfortunately Sitka Lutheran Church is unable to provide airfare or lodging.

Questions

·         Please email Deliverables and questions to SitkaLutheranCompetition@hotmail.com

·         Questions may also be texted to (907) 351-6591.