The 2013 University of Alabama Organ Scholarship Competition finals were held January 24 at the Moody School of Music. The awards were UA scholarships in the amounts of $8,000, $5,000 and $3,000 for first, second and third place, respectively.
Christopher Henley, from Talladega, Alabama, was the first place winner; he is a Community Music School student of Faythe Freese, professor of organ at the University of Alabama. Matthew Edwards, from El Centro, California, won second place; he is a student of Hope Davis and Carol Williams. Shawn Thomas, a master’s student of Laura Ellis at the University of Florida in Gainesville, won third place.
Judges for the recorded round were Patricia Fitzsimmons, Karen Eschelman, and Charles Tompkins; judges for the final round were Fred Teardo, Charles Kennedy, and Jim Cook.
