The Second Annual Lois Conboy Memorial Awards 2021

The Rhode Island Chapter of the American Guild of Organists (RIAGO) is pleased to announce its Second Annual Lois Conboy Memorial Awards 2021. The Reverend Thomas Conboy, Jr. wanted to memorialize his wife, Lois, by having RIAGO grant awards in her name. It is the Chapter’s desire to support young artists who wish to pursue the organ as a career.

There are three Scholarship Awards: a Young Artist Award ($1,200), an Encouragement Award ($500) and a Discovery Award ($300). The Young Artist Award. is open to anyone who is a New England native or resident, 30 years old or younger, and is or has been or will be enrolled in a program of organ study at a University, Conservatory or College, or is a graduate of any music program. The Encouragement Award is open to any undergraduate or graduate student who is a Rhode Island native or resident, 30 years old or younger, and is or has been or will be enrolled in a program of organ study at a University, Conservatory or College, or is a graduate of any music program. The Discovery Award is for anyone in Rhode Island who wants to learn more about the organ, regardless of age. The Award money may be used to pay for organ lessons, Pipe Organ Encounters (POE) workshops or any other program involving organ discovery and learning. Application deadlines:

  • Deadline for submissions for the Young Artist and Encouragement Awards is May 1st. Winners to be announced on or before June 1st.
  • The Discovery Award accepts submissions on a rolling basis and is awarded on a first come first served basis. Applications are open until November 2021.
  • Only one award per candidate in any given year and any previous Young Artist Winners are ineligible to apply again.

Lois Conboy started taking organ lessons in Junior High School. She attended Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey, focusing on Organ and Choral Conducting. Her education was interrupted upon marrying The Reverend Thomas Conboy, Jr., and was completed by her graduation with a degree in Education from California State University (PA) and a later Master of Education. Moving to Rhode Island in 1972 when Rev. Conboy became Pastor of Calvin Presbyterian Church in Cumberland, Lois oversaw the selection and installation of the new organ in their newly constructed church. She served as volunteer Organist/Choir Director at Calvin for over 15 years, and during those years spent every “vacation Sunday” playing at other churches. After retiring from Calvin, Lois served as interim, and in her last years in RI served as Organist/Choir Director at the Community Church of Providence. Lois loved RIAGO and was active in workshops and conventions, but most of all, she enjoyed and cherished the friendship and fellowship of the Guild.

Downloads

RIAGO Awards 2021 Announcement
RIAGO Discovery Award 2021
RIAGO Encouragement Award 2021
RIAGO Young Artist Award 2021