Valpo Music Graduate Wins First Prize at Young Artists Competition in Boston

Valparaiso University alumnus Jonathan Rudy ’10 achieved the highest honor at the 2014 Young Artists Competition in Organ Performance on June 23 in Boston.

As First Prize winner of one of the nation’s most prestigious organ competitions, Rudy has the opportunity to gain career development assistance through Karen McFarlane Artists Inc., the premier management for concert organists in the United States. He is also the recipient of the $3,000 Lilian Murtagh Memorial Prize, funded by Karen McFarlane Artists Inc.

“I am very pleased and proud of Jonathan,” said Lorraine Brugh, Ph.D., associate professor of music and director of Chapel music. “It is an accomplishment few achieve, and I see this as a real turning point of his career. He is intelligent, and he possesses a very natural sense of musicianship.”

While both rewarding and unforgettable, Rudy admits this was one of his most challenging competitions.

“This competition was incredible, stressful, and the longest that I’ve ever participated in,” Rudy said. “There were several rounds, and it’s been quite a journey. I never had to learn music so quickly.”

Rudy gives credit to his time spent studying music at Valpo with professors Lorraine Brugh and Karel Paukert. In addition to majoring in music and playing the organ during his years at Valpo, he was both an Allen Scholar and Christ College Scholar.

“Having experienced a wonderful organ and music program at Valpo helped me to really appreciate my education,” Rudy said. “I value Valpo’s focus on liberal arts programs and have always appreciated how Valpo helped me become so well-rounded.”

Rudy is currently an organist at Central Presbyterian Church in Terre Haute and a teaching assistant at Indiana University in Bloomington. He is also working toward his doctorate degree in organ and sacred music at the Jacobs School of Music.