SAKOV Study Bursaries For Studies In Organ , Organ Building And Church Music (2026)

About SAKOV

The Southern African Church and Concert Organists Society (SAKOV) introduces the SAKOV Study Bursaries for deserving students in Organ, Organ Building and Church Music. The bursaries aim to provide financial assistance to enhance the quality of organ playing, organ studies, organ building, and to stimulate research in Church music in Southern Africa.

Membership Required: Only current SAKOV members may apply. Candidates must pay their 2026 SAKOV membership fees by the end of May before applying.

Available Bursaries

Number of bursaries depends on available funds and quality of entries. No age restrictions.

General Bursary Conditions

• Only current SAKOV members may apply (membership fees must be paid by end of May 2026)
• Number of bursaries depends on available funds and quality of entries
• No age restrictions
• Written submission required explaining future contribution to organ playing and/or church music in Southern Africa
• Undergraduate, second instrument, non-degree, school learner and church organist recipients must enrol for Conservatory exams scheduled by SAKOV
• Assessment fees are deducted before bursary payout
• Postgraduate bursaries are awarded only once
• Incomplete or late applications will be disqualified
• Bursaries are announced during the SAKOV Annual General Meeting weekend
• Decision of adjudicators is final – no correspondence entered into
• Winners must attend a regional meeting and perform a concert piece
• Postgraduate winners must publish an article in the journal “To the Director of Music”

Programme Requirements & Time Limits for SAKOV Study Bursaries For Studies In Organ , Organ Building And Church Music (2026)

Candidates must strictly follow programme requirements. Any changes must be approved in advance by emailing bursaries@sakov.co.za.

All Practical Bursaries (Including Church Organists)

• Degree applicants must include a preliminary programme
• Programme must include works from at least THREE style periods
• A substantial chorale prelude, fugue, fantasia, or partita is compulsory
• An 18th-century work with contrapuntal elements is compulsory
• A work from one of the published SAKOV chorale prelude collections is compulsory
• Technical standard must match the bursary level
• Programmes consisting exclusively of manualiter compositions will be accepted, provided the works are of the same standard as the bursary applied for
• One scanned copy of sheet music for each piece must be submitted electronically

Time Limits

Church Organist Bursary Requirements

This bursary is for active church organists. The panel evaluates yearly progress. Winners must receive tuition from a pre-approved organ teacher and enrol for a yearly SAKOV exam.

Recipients must enrol for a SAKOV Conservatory for Organ Music exam in 2027 (full exam or assessment). If assessment is done first, an exam must follow the next year.

Programme must include:

• Five hymns for congregation accompaniment from recognised hymnals used in Southern Africa (at least two praise songs and two worship songs/prayers).
• Each hymn must have:
  • Suitable introduction
  • Two verses with contrasting text
  • Proper interpretation reflecting character and text
  • Optional alternative harmonisations (own or published)
• One or two chorale preludes/partitas/variations (6–10 minutes) from published SAKOV collections (2010, 2011, 2013, 2019).
• One organ work suitable as a postlude.

Total time: 25–30 minutes.

Application Requirements by Bursary Type

• Organ study bursaries: Processed through recordings (see audition requirements below).
• Academic bursaries: Submission of an academic research proposal outlining how church music in Southern Africa will be developed or enhanced.
• Organ building bursaries: Application letter and motivation, cost breakdown of planned training, and recommendation from organ builder (sent directly to the Chairperson).

Audition & Recording Requirements

Applicants must submit a professional, unedited audio-visual recording in the following format:

• MP4 format
• 1080p resolution
• If using a mobile phone, record sideways
• Ensure good lighting
• Wide shot is acceptable (hands and feet not required in view)
• Sound quality is very important
• Organist and organ must be visible

Send recordings via Dropbox, WeTransfer, or similar platform to: info@sakov.co.za and johannenslin@gmail.com

A panel of organ specialists appointed by the SAKOV Executive Committee will adjudicate. The panel’s decision is final. No correspondence will be entered into.

Required Documents for SAKOV Study Bursaries For Studies In Organ , Organ Building And Church Music (2026

• Completed entry form
• Certified copy of ID or passport
• Black and white photo (electronic format, light background, portrait face and shoulders, minimum 2MB, JPEG or BMP)
• Proof of registration at a tertiary institution OR letter from teacher/organ builder
• A programme must be submitted together with the bursary application
• Written submission explaining future contribution to organ playing and/or church music in Southern Africa
• One scanned copy of sheet music for each piece
• Academic bursaries: Academic research proposal
• Organ building bursaries: Application letter, motivation, cost breakdown, and recommendation from organ builder

Programme Details

• Organisation: Southern African Church and Concert Organists Society (SAKOV)
• Bursary Name: SAKOV Study Bursaries
• Academic Year: 2026
• Fields: Organ Studies, Church Music, Organ Building/Tuning
• Study Levels: Doctoral, Masters, Honours, Undergraduate, Non-degree, School learners, Church organists
• Membership Requirement: Current SAKOV members only (fees due by end of May 2026)
• Application Method: Email documents and recordings
• Application Closing Date: 26 June 2026
• Recording Closing Date: 20 July 2026

Contact Information

• Email (Applications & Enquiries): info@sakov.co.za
• Email (Recordings): info@sakov.co.za, johannenslin@gmail.com
• Email (Programme Changes): bursaries@sakov.co.za

For any queries related to this bursary programme, please contact SAKOV via email at info@sakov.co.za.