General Information For Applicants

Important note: Three student scholarships are available for SIFOS 2009. See details below.

The next SIFOS will be held in May, 2009.

1. SIFOS 2009 will commence on the 25th of May in Poitiers where participants will work with the 1787 instrument of François-Henri Clicquot. Jesse Eschbach, Jean-Baptiste Robin and Gene Bedient will be the faculty for the first week. The second week will be held in Epernay where participants will work with the 1868 instrument of Aristide Cavaillé-Coll at l'eglise Notre-Dame. Practice will also be available on the 1898 Cavaillé-Coll at l'eglise St-Pierre et St-Paul. Gene Bedient and Jess Eschbach will be the faculty for the second week.
2. Applicants will be notified of their status by February 15, 2009.
3. The all-inclusive fee for the two-week period is $3,200.00*. This fee includes tuition for the institute, room (based on double occupancy), and two meals per day (breakfast and dinner). Our fee does not encompass the following items:
A. Transportation
B. The third daily meal
C. Room and board on Saturday, May 30, between locations.
D. Optional side trips.
4. Payment schedule and specific arrangements in France: Gene Bedient, BedientORG@aol.com, is responsible for financial matters, housing in France, and liaison with our hosts in France. By March 15th, those accepted will receive details about housing, addresses, emergency phone numbers, and practical suggestions about the trip.
Make all checks payable to SIFOS. Send all payments including the application deposit directly to:

Gene Bedient

3230 Sheridan Blvd.
Lincoln, NE 68502.
Phone: 402-486-1426 or 402-420-7662, fax: 7663.

Fee Information

$150.00 with application
(Refunded by May 15, '09 if we are unable to admit you)
$1,000.00 upon acceptance
$1,000.00 on or before March 15th
$1,050.00 on or before May 1st.

Or

$150.00 with application and $3,050.00 upon acceptance
5. Refunds: Until March 15, 2009: 100% Between March 16, and May 1, 2009: 50% After May 1, 2009: none
*6. Increases: Because the projected price is for expenses to be incurred in the future, the stated tuition fee is subject to increase if the value of the French Franc exchange rate declines significantly.
7. Along with the formal letter of acceptance, Dr. Eschbach will send a packet of information including the following:
• Suggestions for temporary housing/hotels in Paris including "Paying guests" arrangements with families.
• Suggested points of interest to organists in and around Paris.
• Bibliography concerning general French culture, the regions of France where the Institute will take place, and a checklist of books and articles relevant to the French organ and its repertoire.

SCHOLARSHIPS

For students who are interested in attending SIFOS 2009 but need financial assistance, we are pleased to be able to offer three $2,000 student scholarships this year. To qualify for scholarship assistance, you must be a full-time undergraduate or graduate student majoring in organ at an accredited four-year institution. If you will be completing a degree at the end of this 2008-2009 term, you will still qualify for a scholarship.

Procedure to apply:

Prepare an audition recording in either cassette tape or CD format and send a copy to each Dr. Eschbach and Gene Bedient at their individual addresses. The tape must include a standard French work from the 17th or 18th century plus a virtuosic work from the 19th or 20th showing command of registration, style, and technique. Your audition recording must be received no later than January 15, 2009.
Write a letter stating your financial need, the reason that you are interested in attending SIFOS 2009, your future plans for a career in the organ field, and any additional comments that you wish to make to support your application. Attach this letter to your application and send a copy to both Dr. Eschbach and Gene Bedient at their individual addresses.
Solicit a letter of support from your major organ professor. This letter can accompany your application or your professor can send it directly to Dr. Eschbach and a copy to Gene Bedient.

It is suggested that you submit your applications both for the scholarship and for admission to SIFOS 2009 at your earliest convenience. Please note that the deadline is January 15, 2009 but can send in your application any time before that date. We have only three scholarships and the total enrollment of SIFOS is limited to five individuals. If you are a candidate with good qualifications, getting your application in as soon as possible will increase your chances for acceptance.