The Harrisburg Chapter of the American Guild of Organists (AGO) hosted a competition for young organists in the mid-Atlantic region on April 15 in Hershey. This competition is named for Violette Cassel, a former chapter member who established a fund to provide local competitions.

The first-place winner of the competition is Jacob Gruss, a sophomore at The Juilliard School, New York City, studying in the studio of Paul Jacobs. A native of Pittsburgh, Gruss developed his musical interest through his teachers and church positions. In high school, he was the director of music at Otterbein United Methodist Church and student organist at St. Michael the Archangel Parish.

Currently, Gruss serves as organ scholar at Hitchcock Presbyterian Church, Scarsdale, N.Y. He is the recipient of the AGO's Pogorzelski-Yankee Memorial Scholarship, as well as the organization's 2022-23 Student Commissioning Project. Gruss will advance to compete in the AGO's regional competition, which will be held in White Plains, N.Y., in July.

The second-place winner of the Harrisburg competition is Ethan Draper, an organist and pianist studying music education and sacred music/organ at Lebanon Valley College (LVC), Annville. He has studied organ with Brenda Day and now studies with Shelly Moorman-Stahlman at LVC.

Draper is currently a choral scholar at Market Square Presbyterian Church in Harrisburg. He has performed in both recital and church settings and frequently accompanies the church's choir. He received the Service Playing Certification from the AGO.

For more information, visit http://www.harrisburgago.org/cassel-competition.