On April 18, the Atlanta Chapter of the American Guild of Organists hosted the Taylor Organ Competition at All Saints’ Episcopal Church. Five young organists participated. First place winner was Nicholas Capozzoli and second place was awarded to Alcee Chriss. Both are students of James David Christie at Oberlin Conservatory of Music. Capozzoli will perform a winner’s recital in Atlanta in October.
The Taylor Competition was made possible due to a generous bequest of long-time Atlanta chapter member Elizabeth Abbott Taylor (1904–2005). The competition will take place every three years to benefit talented young musicians. The first place winner was awarded $10,000 and the second place winner received $5,000. The next Taylor Organ Competition will be in 2018 and will be open to students throughout the United States.
Back row: finalists Mitchell Miller, Nicholas Capozzoli, Colin MacKnight, Thomas Ingui, and Alcee Chriss; front: judges Alan Morrison, Joan Lippincott, and Christopher Young
