M. Louise Miller – Paul E. Knox Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by American Guild of Organists
$7,000 award for 2026 (possible total up to $14,000) — Submission deadline: June 1, 2026
Overview
A scholarship fund created in 1998 commemorates the life and work of Dr. M. Louise Miller (1914–2008), a founding member of the Greater Bridgeport Chapter of the AGO (1948) and a distinguished teacher, organist, and church musician. In 2015, the chapter honored Dr. Miller further after receiving a generous bequest from the estate of Dr. Paul E. Knox (1930–2015), a longtime colleague and noted church musician. The Greater Bridgeport AGO Chapter now presents the renamed Miller/Knox scholarship.
Award details
- Total available for 2026: $7,000, consisting of:
- $5,000 cash scholarship to be awarded in July 2026 to an undergraduate student entering study in Fall 2026 at an accredited American college, conservatory, or university, pursuing a career in organ performance and church music.
- $2,000 concert/recital support (to cover the winner’s recital program and travel expenses), to be presented for chapter members and the public in Connecticut in May/June 2027.
- Because of a separate, similarly timed scholarship (see below), an applicant could potentially receive up to $14,000 in combined awards if selected in both competitions.
Eligibility and requirements
- Must be an undergraduate student planning to begin or continue study in Fall 2026 at a U.S. college, conservatory, or university with the objective of pursuing organ performance and church music.
- Application materials include:
- A short written essay.
- An audio or video recording containing two standard organ works: one by J.S. Bach and one Romantic repertoire piece.
- Application deadline: June 1, 2026.
How to apply / contact
- Download the .doc application form and detailed instructions (check your Downloads area after clicking the link).
- Submit the completed application form or direct questions to: lmillerpknoxscholarship@gmail.com
Additional opportunity
John Polo serves as Program Director for the Greenville, SC AGO Chapter’s Robert & Nancy Powell Scholarship. That scholarship follows the same eligibility criteria and timeline as the Greater Bridgeport award, but requires a separate application and is judged independently. Applying to both scholarships offers a unique chance to be awarded up to $14,000 in total scholarships.
For any further information or clarifications, email lmillerpknoxscholarship@gmail.com.