Helen Skuggedal Reed Memorial Scholarship

Helen Skuggedal Reed Memorial Scholarship


Given in memory of Helen Skuggedal Reed, this annually awarded scholarship, valued at $1000, is intended to encourage excellence in organ performance. The successful applicant will be a student who shows outstanding promise.

Helen Skuggedal Reed (1948-2017) was a talented organist and harpsichordist from Halifax, NS. She began music studies at age 3 in Halifax, won many prizes at the Halifax Music Festivals, earned a BA (Honours English) from Dalhousie University in 1969 and received her Master of Music in Organ Performance from the University of Michigan in 1971.

Her musical career was based in the United States, specifically in Evansville, Indiana, but she gave performances throughout the Eastern US, Canada, and in her parents’ native country, Norway. She became Professor of Music and Harpsichord at the University of Evansville and Principal Harpsichordist of the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra. Helen was selflessly devoted to helping young students as a teacher, accompanist, music competitions judge, and in any other way she could. After her untimely death from an accident, her family established this scholarship to carry on her work to support emerging young organists.


Eligibility for the Scholarship

Applicants must be under 30 years of age, as of the application deadline.
Open only to applicants whose home (or parents’ home) is in Atlantic Canada (NB, NL, NS and PE).
Priority will be given to students nominated by the RCCO Halifax Centre.
Must be a Canadian Citizen or permanent resident.
Must be enrolled in or accepted for a university music program pursuing a major in organ, at either undergraduate or graduate level.
Must be a member of the Royal Canadian College of Organists.
Application Applicants must be nominated by a member of the Royal Canadian College of Organists in one of the four provinces of Atlantic Canada.
Applicants must provide two letters of reference, mailed separately to the RCCO Halifax Centre.
At the conclusion of the period of study, the successful candidate will provide a written report to the RCCO Halifax Centre President.
The same person may receive the scholarship a maximum of two times
Evaluation of the applications will be made by a panel selected by RCCO Halifax Centre.

CLICK HERE to download the application