Beginning in 2001, Reuter Organ Co. and Augustana Arts joined forces in a unique partnership to build the country's preeminent organ playing competition for undergraduates. Since then, some of the most talented young organists have participated in this annual event, held at Denver's Augustana Lutheran Church. The event has garnered praise from Coast to Coast and has been featured in The Diapason and The American Organist as well as The Denver Post, Rocky Mountain News and the Lawrence Journal-World.
 

In 2005, the competition celebrated five years, and in 2006 the competition organizers decided to take a look at how the event could build upon its early success and still play a unique role for undergraduate organ students. The 2007 competition is the result of those discussions. Stay tuned for more information as the AugustanaArts/Reuter National Undergraduate Organ Competition enters its second phase of development.

See a Press Release to learn more about the competition's history.

2001-2005

We're proud to list all the previous finalists since 2001. They've gone on to win other competitions. They've entered the most selective graduate programs. They've performed recitals and accepted prestigious church music positions. If you follow the "organ world" at all, you undoubtedly recognize a few of these names. We're honored to have played a small role in helping them further their already impressive young careers.

2005 Finalists:

First Prize - $5000
Chelsea Chen, The Juilliard School

Second Prize - $2000

Adam Brakel, Duquesne University

Honorable Mention - $500 (each)
Nathan Davy, Asbury College
Clayton Roberts, Utah State University
 

2004 FINALISTS:

First Prize - $5000
Jeffrey Wood, College of the Holy Cross

Second Prize - $2000
Jared Ostermann, University of Kansas

Honorable Mention - $500 (each)
Chelsea Chen, The Juilliard School
Eric Gunderson, Utah State University

First Prize - $5000
Jonathan Ryan, Cleveland Institute of Music

Second Prize - $2000
Vincent Carr, Indiana University

Honorable Mentions - $500 (each)
Daniel Tappe, Oberlin Conservatory of Music

Colin Lynch, Northwestern University

First Prize - $5000

Christian Lane, Eastman School of Music
 

Second Prize - $2000
Rico Contenti, Eastman School of Music
 

Honorable Mention - $500 (each)
Christopher Jacobson, St. Olaf College
Lars Gjerde, Augustana College

First Prize - $5000
Fred Teardo, Eastman School of Music

Second Prize - $2000
Rico Contenti, Eastman School of Music

Honorable Mention - $500 (each)
Christopher Lees, University of Michigan
Brett Maguire, College of the Holy Cross