The Rhode Island Chapter of the American Guild of Organists (RIAGO) is pleased to announce its Second Annual Lois Conboy Memorial Awards 2021, established by The Reverend Thomas Conboy, Jr. in memory of his wife Lois, to further interest in and study of the organ. There are three Scholarship Awards: a Young Artist Award ($1,200), an Encouragement Award ($500) and a Discovery Award ($300).
The Young Artist Award is open to anyone who is a New England native or resident, 30 years old or younger, and is or has been or will be enrolled in a program of organ study at a University, Conservatory or College, or is a graduate of any music program. The Encouragement Award is open to any undergraduate or graduate student who is a Rhode Island native or resident, 30 years old or younger, and is or has been or will be enrolled in a program of organ study at a University, Conservatory or College, or is a graduate of any music program. The Discovery Award is for anyone in Rhode Island who wants to learn more about the organ, regardless of age. The Award money may be used to pay for organ lessons, Pipe Organ Encounters (POE) workshops or any other program involving organ discovery and learning.
Application deadlines:
- Deadline for submissions for the Young Artist and Encouragement Awards is May 1st. Winners to be announced on or before June 1st.
- The Discovery Award accepts submissions on a rolling basis and is awarded on a first come first served basis. Applications are open until November 2021.
- Only one award per candidate in any given year and any previous Young Artist Winners are ineligible to apply again.
For more information please see the attached materials or write RIAGO.Awards@gmail.com
Bells have had a long history in the church and were used all over Europe to toll time and to call people to prayer and worship. More specifically, handbells were popular in the UK before being introduced to America in the early 20th century, and unlike other musical ensembles, one is able to play in a handbell (or chime) choir without having any previous experience or musical background. The unique sound of handbells is a beautiful and joyous accompaniment to the liturgy when used with psalms and chant, random ringing, or in handbell repertoire.
Resources for Adult / Parish Choirs
Music in the Episcopal Church can be as diverse as its worship services. Although final authority over the music used in an Episcopal service is “the duty of every Minister” (Canon 24, Section 1), our hymnal draws all Episcopalians together musically in the same way that the Book of Common Prayer draws us together in prayer and liturgy. Most recently revised in 1982, The Hymnal of the Episcopal Church offers 720 hymns in addition to liturgical music. While some of the hymns date back to monastic chants, the hymnal offers more modern music as well.