S Y D N E Y OR G A N C O M P E T I T I O N
Junior/Intermediate
For Conditions of Entry, click here
Monday 5 October 2026
Junior: 10.00am, St Philip’s Church Hill, 3 York Street Sydney; Adjudicator: Samuel Giddy
Intermediate: 2.30pm, Shore Chapel, Blue Street North Sydney; Adjudicator: Peter Ellis
Please note that candidates may only enter Junior OR Intermediate -
= Junior Section =
The Junior Section is open to organists fifteen years of age or younger at the entry closing date.
The repertoire required is a balanced programme comprising two contrasting pieces or movements (one Baroque) with a total playing time not exceeding fifteen minutes.
We rely on teachers to make a professional judgement regarding the skill level of their student. However as a guide, a skill level of anything up to AMEB Grade 6 would be acceptable. The repertoire should be a minimum standard of Grade 4 AMEB. If teachers have any concerns or clarifications in relation to repertoire, please contact the Committee.
A competition contestant may to choose an optional third piece in a Junior competitor’s repertoire – playing a Hymn. The hymn can be chosen from a list of six hymns selected by the Competition Committee and linked below. The time of playing a hymn is not included in the fifteen minutes performance allowance. A competitor is suggested to play an Intro and maximum of two verses of their chosen Hymn. The Final verse (if chosen) may include alternate harmonies.
The Hymn will be adjudicated as a separate element of the contestant repertoire and a contestant with the best score will be awarded with a Hymn playing prize. The prize has been introduced to encourage young organists to learn the art of hymn leading/accompaniment.
1) https://hymnary.org/page/fetch/OGRP2022/403/high
2) https://hymnary.org/page/fetch/PHLG2023/374/high
3) https://hymnary.org/page/fetch/OGRP2022/21/high
4) https://hymnary.org/page/fetch/PHLG2023/343/high
5) https://hymnary.org/page/fetch/PHLG2023/366/high
6) https://hymnary.org/page/fetch/RS2016/1358/high
Prizes (subject to change):
Michael Dyer First Prize: $500
Virtual Pipe Organs Australia Second Prize: $300
OMSS Encouragement Award: $150
The Ron Robert Prize for a Baroque Work: $200
Pitchford Organ Builders Hymn Prize: $300
= Intermediate Section =
The Intermediate Section is open to organists eighteen years of age or younger at the closing date. The repertoire required is a balanced programme comprising two contrasting pieces or movements (one by J. S. Bach,, including arrangements and transcriptions by J.S. Bach) with a total playing time not exceeding twenty minutes. The repertoire should be a minimum standard of Grade 6 AMEB. Please note, previous year played piece(s) are not allowed for the same contestant.
Prizes:
Bernies Music Land First Prize: $1,500
Douglas Pitman Memorial Prize for First Prize winner: $500 (This special prize being offered in 2025 and 2026 only)
Doris and George Vern-
Organ Music Society of Sydney Encouragement Award: $300
The Entry Closing Date for Junior and Intermediate is Friday 28 August 2026.
Please note that late entries are not accepted.