The AGO Task Force for Gender Equity invites women and nonbinary composers to submit new and unpublished organ compositions to celebrate Woman Composer Sunday on March 8, 2026.

This year, entries will be accepted in five categories:

  • Concert Work
  • Short Composition for Worship Services
  • Hymn Tune
  • Hymn Text
  • Young Composer Prize
Application Details & Requirements
  • Application Deadline: September 1, 2025
  • Complete the application form
  • PDF score with the composer’s name and/or identifying information omitted.
  • Link to a live MP3 recording (performed by the composer or an organist of their choice)
  • Works must be new, unpublished, or not-yet-performed works
  • Previous first-place winners may not submit entries in any category.
Score Details
  • Concert Work
    • 5–7 minutes
    • Based on an original theme or public domain hymn or folk tune
    • $1,000 first prize, generously donated by Dobson Pipe Organ Builders
  • Short Composition for Worship Services
    • 2–4 minutes and 2–3 pages, suitable for use as a prelude, voluntary, or postlude
    • Based on an original theme or pubic domain hymn or folk tune
    • $500 first prize, generously donated by Dobson Pipe Organ Builders
    • $300 second prize, generously donated by the Women’s Sacred Music Project
  • Hymn Tune
    • 1–2 pages, 8.6.8.6. CM, SATB/organ
    • $250 first prize, generously donated by Billie Busby Smith and Sid Smith
  • Hymn Text
    • 4 verses; welcoming, celebratory text; 8.6.8.6. CM
    • $250 first prize, generously donated by Billie Busby Smith and Sid Smith
  • Young Composer Prize
    • Highest-placing work by a composer under 30 in any category
    • $500 first prize, generously donated by Christian Mucha

Winners will be selected by a committee appointed by the AGO Task Force for Gender Equity and notified by October 1.

The winning compositions in the Short Composition for Worship Services, Hymn Tune, and Hymn Text categories will be published in the January, February, and March issues of THE AMERICAN ORGANIST for performance on Woman Composer Sunday. Videos and/or PDFs of all winning entries will be posted on the AGO website and promoted on the AGO’s social media channels.

The composer/author will retain copyright, with the AGO granted permission to publish the work in THE AMERICAN ORGANIST magazine and/or post the video performance on social media, in conjunction with the competition