Hello, all…

Some of you will be interested in this exciting new International Organ Competition in Montréal, especially as Jonathan Oldengarm, a recent member of the SICM faculty, has just advanced to Round 2 as the only Canadian competitor.

-CD

Ten Competitors Move to Second Round – $5,000 Bach Prize Awarded

Ten competitors move on to the Second Round of the first edition of the Canadian International Organ Competition

Montreal, October 13, 2008 -- The Canadian international Organ Competition (CIOC) started with on a high note on Wednesday, October 8, as15 competitors from 11 countries took the stage on the famous Beckerath organ at Immaculée-Conception Church for the First Round. Between October 8 and 10, each competitor played a 45-minute recital of works from composers of the 17^th and 18^th centuries with an emphasis on the works of Johann Sebastian Bach. Only ten made it to the Second Round.

As the only international organ competition of its kind in the Americas in 2008, the CIOC is holding its first edition in Montreal between October 8 and 19 in three different churches. The 15 competitors are vying for a total of $72,000 in prizes to be awarded by a world-renowned international jury comprised of nine organ experts. With the exception of the Richard Bradshaw Audience Prize, the jury will award all the prizes. Following a 30-minute deliberation on Friday evening - immediately after the last competitor’s recital, the president of the jury and Artistic Director of the CIOC, John Grew, announced the ten competitors moving onto the next round:

“This is a first-rate competition and these young talented organists know how it goes. Whatever the result, they will always remain the first ones to play for the new Canadian International Organ Competition. They have made history and we thank them for that,” said John Grew.

The First Round ended with Noël Spinelli, Chairman of the CIOC’s Board of Directors, announcing the jury’s choice for the $5,000 Bach prize – awarded to Belgian competitor Els Biesemans, whose rendition of the compulsory Bach pieces was remarkable. “I must admit that she played Bach superbly. I am looking forward to hearing the ten competitors of the Second Round to find out who will win the Messiaen Prize,” declared Mr. Spinelli.

Next up, on October 13 and 14, is Round Two on the Casavant organ at St-Jean-Baptiste Church, where the ten remaining competitors will each play a 55-minute recital of works by composers from the19^th and 20^th centuries, with an emphasis on the works of Olivier Messiaen. At the end of this round, the jury will choose the finalists who will perform at Notre-Dame Basilica on October 17 and announce the recipient of the Messiaen prize of $5,000. For the order of play for the second round, please visit www.ciocm.org.

About CIOC

The Canadian International Organ Competition (CIOC) welcomes young organists to Montreal from around the world. Each year, the organisation works to promote the organ as a major instrument in the world of music, and also contributes to the development of organ music through the talent of young organists. The Competition, by showcasing these impressive instruments in their historically beautiful settings, plays an important role in emphasizing the value of our heritage, and recognising Montreal as a major North American centre for pipe organ music. For additional information on the CIOC, visit www.ciocm.org.

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