Cooper- Miller Scholarship
2025 Cooper-Miller Organ Scholarship
$1,500 Cash Award
Presented by the
Central North Carolina Chapter
American Guild of Organists
About the Scholarship
The Cooper-Miller Organ Scholarship was established by the Board in 2008 and is presented in memory of two distinguished organists from Raleigh, North Carolina, to encourage promising young musicians and support them in the early stages of their organ education. One or more winners are chosen each year at the direction of the Scholarship Committee to receive financial assistance in their studies. Applicants are heard in person each year at a Raleigh, NC church. Since our Andersen Scholarship is primarily for older students, the Cooper-Miller Scholarship is meant to assist students in the earlier stages of their musical studies. Tax deductible gifts are welcomed and should be made to the Central North Carolina Chapter, American Guild of Organists (CNCCAGO)
Harry Cooper, D.Mus., FAGO
December 1897 - May 1986
Dr. Cooper was a member of the AGO from 1920 until his death. He was a long-time head of the organ department at Meredith College, organist/choirmaster at Christ Episcopal Church Raleigh for many years; subsequently served at First Baptist Church, Raleigh, for years, and was a consultant on organs.
Catherine Ritchey Miller,
June 1904 - January 1998
Catherine Miller was a member of the AGO from 1933 until her death and was an honorary member of the Central North Carolina Chapter since 1990. Mrs. Miller was a long-time organist at Edenton Street United Methodist Church and later served at White Memorial Presbyterian Church.
Application Process
To apply for the Cooper-Miller Scholarship, download the application at the bottom of this page and return your completed application to Lorraine Magnuson. Below, you will find additional information regarding eligibility and what to expect throughout the process.
A completed application should include:
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Application Form
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Letter of Recommendation from teacher(s), including both specific criteria on a set scale and descriptive comment
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Student’s written statement of goals and intentions in organ study and service
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Statement from parents/guardian/responsible party that they will encourage/support student’s interest in studying organ
Note: A statement of financial need from parents/guardian/responsible party may be submitted.
Eligibility
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Age range 13-18. For the upper age limit, student should be 18 at the time of the audition and still be in high school
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Intermediate keyboard skills
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Serious approach and desire to learn organ
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Recommendation of teacher(s)
Application Deadline
The deadline for submitting an application is January 15, 2025.
Auditions will take place at an area church on February 8, 2025.
Audition Procedures
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Auditions will take place at a Raleigh area church, location to be announced later.
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Applicants should choose a hymn or song from their faith tradition and prepare two verses as though they were being sung in a service of worship. Applicant should also prepare a solo appropriate in a worship service, plus a third piece of the applicant’s choosing. Student may choose to perform on either piano or organ. Performances will be evaluated by a panel of judges and recommendations will be made to the scholarshipcommittee.
Financial Stewardship and Award Policy
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Maximum value of award is $1500. In addition, the winner receives a 2-year student membership in AGO. The award may be used for any of the following: educational events, private organ lessons, organ shoes, and music.
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The scholarship committee and judges will make final determinations of awards and specific amounts for the best usage and stewardship of the funds.
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Judges reserve the right not to award any prize.
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Decision of the judges is final.
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A candidate cannot win the $1500 award 2 years in succession.
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Recipients will be invited to perform at a chapter meeting.
Cooper-Miller
Organ Scholarship Recipients
2008
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Allison Bishop
2010
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Ashlyn Batten
2011
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Patrick Watts
2012
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Emma Szczesiul
2013
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Michael Olson
2013
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Allie Kharas
2014
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Katherine Johnson
2014
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Tyler Schodt
2019
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Hannah Meador
2020
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Emma Evans
2021
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Brandon Peart
2023
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Joseph Franklin
2023
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Scarlet Sorensen
2024
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Brody Bett
2024
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Cy Sagan
2010
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Travis Whaley
2011
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Jeannie Thomas
2012
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Jessica Schwendeman
2012
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Katherine Johnson
2013
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Jacob Montgomery
2013
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Ian Boletchek
2014
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Jason Schodt
2017
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Joshua Sobel
2020
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Megan Dunphy
2021
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Sarah Langdon
2022
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Seth Austin
2023
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Andrew Otto
2023
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Cy Sagan
2024
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Andrew Otto
2024
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Miles Fox
Cooper-Miller Donations
The Cooper-Miller Organ Scholarship Fund is the perfect way to memorialize or honor someone who loves and supports sacred music. It is also an important way to identify, support and develop the organists needed to continue the great tradition of sacred music in worship services.
To Make a Donation
If you would like to make a donation to the Cooper-Miller Organ Scholarship online, please use the PayPal link below
If you would like to make a donation to the Cooper-Miller Organ Scholarship by check, please mail your check to:
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Lee Harris
210 West Boulevard
Laurinburg, NC 28352
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Please make all checks out to the Central NC Chapter
