Norma Aamodt-Nelson Student Scholar Award

Application

Award Recipients:

2023   Thomas Schulteis

2021   Renata Peperkorn

ALCM Awards

Raabe Prize for Excellence in Sacred Composition

Faithful Servant Award

Norma Aamodt-Nelson Student Scholar Award

Richard Hillert Award in Student Composition

The Norma Aamodt-Nelson Student Scholar Award award was established in 2021 to honor the legacy of Norma, a practicing church musician and Instrumental Acquisitions Editor for Augsburg Fortress from 1993 until her death in 2020. The establishment of this award encourages collegiate students as they prepare for a vocation in church music. Applicants must be enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student as of the Fall semester in which the award is given. The recipient receives a full scholarship for the  ALCM biennial conference, including housing and travel expenses, as well as a cash prize of $500. The recipient will also be invited to publicly play a piece at the conference.

Honoring Norma

Mark Sedio was commissioned to write an anthem for the American Guild of Organists Biennial Convention in Seattle, WA, 2022. “Nada me falta: Psalm 23” is dedicated in memory of Norma, and was premiered at the AGO convention. It is available for purchase at Augsburg Fortress.

The 2025 Prize Details

This award is designed to encourage collegiate students as they prepare for a vocation in church music. In addition to completing the award application, applicants are required to submit a video audition (see details below). The award winner will receive a full scholarship for the 2025 ALCM national conference in Raleigh-Durham, NC, which includes conference registration, hotel housing, transportation, conference meals, a one-year membership in ALCM, and a cash prize of $500. The award winner may also be invited to play a piece at the 2025 ALCM biennial conference. The application deadline is February 15, 2025.

Video audition requirements

In addition to completing the application form, each applicant is asked to submit a video (YouTube or Vimeo) as part of the application process. The video(s) should include the following:

  1. One or more instrumental, vocal, or conducting pieces.
    • Each piece included must be appropriate for use in a Lutheran worship service.
    • For each piece on the recording, you will be asked to submit the title and composer, and to explain where you might include it in the Lutheran liturgy.
  2. A recording demonstrating the applicant’s leading a congregational song of their choice.
    • The applicant may choose to accompany the song instrumentally or through conducting or vocal leadership.
    • This video may be recorded during an actual liturgy or with a small ensemble of singers representing the congregation.

Questions? Contact the ALCM office at office@alcm.org or by phone at 800-624-2526.