Music

UNCSA Organ Festival & Competition

Jan. 30 - Feb. 1, 2026

Kenan Associate Professor of Organ Timothy Olsen, the UNCSA & Salem College Organ Studio, and the Piedmont NC Chapter of the American Guild of Organists invite you to the 2026 UNCSA Middle and High School Organ Festival & Competition.

The competition will take place on Saturday, Jan. 31. Workshops, lectures and master classes will occur on Friday, Jan. 30 and Sunday, Feb. 1. For a full schedule, see below.

In addition to participating in the Competition, guest middle and high school organists will be able to meet other organists their age from around the country, tour the UNCSA & Salem College organ facilities, hear UNCSA keyboard faculty and students perform in recital, participate in workshops, masterclasses, lessons, as well as build a small functioning Orgelkids Kit pipe organ!

Workshops will feature UNCSA Kenan Professor of Organ, Dr. Timothy Olsen, and additional guests.

For additional information about the Festival, please contact Dr. Timothy Olsen.

Festival & Competition Registration

The application is open until Dec. 19, 2025. Detailed competition rules and guidelines are available via PDF.

Competition hymns for Intermediate and Advanced Divisions available here.

In the competition, there will be both an Intermediate Division ($65 entry fee) and an Advanced Division ($90 entry fee). To complete the entry process, please complete the registration form and associated entry fee (payable after form submission).

Schedule

Friday, Dec. 19, 2025	Online application, recording links, letters of recommendation and application fee are due.
Monday, Jan. 6, 2026	Up to six (6) Advanced Division finalists and up to ten (10) Intermediate Division finalists will be notified for performance at the 2026 Competition. Those not selected will still be able to participate in workshops and masterclasses.
Friday, Jan. 30, 2026	8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Elberson Fine Arts Center, Salem College Practice time for each competitor (Intermediate Division – Shirley Recital Hall; Advanced Division – Hanes Auditorium) At various times throughout the day – workshops for all competitors, including Efficient Practice Habits, Introduction to the Harpsichord, and participants will build a fully functioning pipe organ! Dinner on own 7:30 p.m. Shirley Recital Hall, Elberson Fine Arts Center, Salem College Recital by Dr. Olsen, organ, and Dr. Barbara Lister-Sink, piano
Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026	8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Elberson Fine Arts Center, Salem College Competition, including warm-up times (Intermediate Division – Shirley Recital Hall; Advanced Division – Hanes Auditorium) 4 p.m. tent. Elberson Fine Arts Center, Salem College Winners Recital and Prizes Presentation 6 p.m. Festival Dinner for participants and guests UNCSA Campus, SAAB 306 7:30 p.m. Crawford Hall, Gray Building, UNCSA Recital by UNCSA/Salem College Organ Students, followed by Open Console on C.B. Fisk, Op. 75
Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026	8:30-10:30 a.m. Crawford Hall, UNCSA Available 30-minute individual lesson times with Dr. Olsen (optional) 10:30 a.m. Crawford Hall, UNCSA Workshop: “Injury-Preventive Keyboard Technique—Minimize Risk to Maximize Artistry” with Dr. Barbara Lister-Sink 12 p.m. Location TBD Boxed lunch - provided for student participants 12:30 p.m. Crawford Hall, UNCSA Workshop: Playing Hymns—Inspiring Congregations to Sing 1:30 p.m. Crawford Hall, UNCSA Masterclass with Dr. Olsen 3 p.m. Crawford Hall, UNCSA Available 30-minute individual lesson times with Dr. Olsen (optional)

2026 UNCSA Organ Festival & Competition

UNCSA Organ Festival & Competition

Jan. 30 - Feb. 1, 2026

Festival & Competition Registration

Schedule