2003 NATIONAL ORGAN PLAYING COMPETITION * CONCOURS NATIONAL D'ORGUE 2003

Ottawa, Ontario July 21-25, 2003

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COMPETITION RULES AND REGULATIONS

  1. The competition is open to Canadian organists, or organists studying toward a degree or diploma in Canada, who were born on or after January 1, 1973. Previous first prize winners are not eligible.

  2. Each candidate must submit to the Competitions Committee no later than March 1, 2003:
    1. completed application form,
    2. proof of age (photocopies are acceptable),
    3. cassette tape or compact disc of the Preliminary Round as described below . A statement verifying that no editing or splicing has taken place, signed by the candidate and a knowledgable witness, must be submitted with the tape or compact disc.
    4. Entry fee of $50.00 (non-refundable) payable to the Royal Canadian College of Organists.

  3. The competition consists of three rounds:

    A. THE PRELIMINARY ROUND

    This round will be judged by means of a cassette recording or compact disc. Each candidate must submit a recording of no longer than 30 minutes consisting of:

    1. a large chorale prelude of Johann Sebastian Bach,
    2. two additional selections of the candidate’s choice in contrasting styles.

    The repertoire must be on the label of the recording, but not the candidate’s name. Recorded sound quality could be a factor in the evaluation.

    B. THE SEMIFINAL ROUND

    From the preliminary recordings submitted, a panel of judges will select six candidates to play in the Semifinal Round. The Semifinal Round will be held at Eglise Saint-Francois-d’Assise (corner of Wellington and Fairmont) on Saturday, July 19, beginning at 9:00 a.m . The repertoire will be:

    1. two contrasting movements from a J.S.Bach trio sonata,
    2. a work of the candidate’s own choice, composed between 1500 and 1800 by someone other than Bach,
    3. a Romantic selection,
    4. a Canadian work.

    Candidates are free to perform these works in any order they wish. Total playing time must be between 30 and 45 minutes, including the pauses between movements and selections. The order in which the candidates perform will be determined at random prior to the Semifinal and Final Rounds. Depending on the instruments chosen for the two rounds, it is possible that the candidates will be visible to adjudicators and audience.

    C. THE FINAL ROUND

    From those who play in the Semi-Final Round, the judges will select three candidates to play in the Final Round. The Final Round will be held at Eglise Sainte-Anne (528 0ld St. Patrick St.) on Tuesday, July 22nd, in the afternoon.The repertoire will be:

    1. one of the Great fugues of J.S.Bach, preceded by its appropriate Prelude, Fantasia, Toccata, or Passacaglia,
    2. a piece of the candidate’s own choice,
    3. a work composed in the past 100 years, different in style from the other two selections.

    Candidates are free to perform these works in any order desired. The total playing time will be between 25 and 45 minutes, including the pauses between movements and selections.

  4. Semifinalists must submit the repertoire for the last two rounds no later than May 1, 2003. No composition may be repeated in any round, nor changed after May 1. Candidates may be asked to submit a copy of certain selections. Candidates may be assisted by a page turner only.

  5. Each candidate will receive three-and-one-half hours practice time for the Semifinal Round, and three hours practice time for the Final Round. Additional practice time on other instruments will be provided. Billeting will be available upon request.

  6. The convention registration fee will be waived for all candidates who reach the Semifinal Round.

  7. Prizes: First, $2,000, Second, $1,000, Third, $500. The first prize may be withheld if a sufficiently high standard is not attained. Judges’ decisions are final.

  8. The submissions requested in items 2. and 4. must be sent to:

    APPLICATION

    An application may be printed, filled out, and mailed by post. The application is available in html or pdf (Adobe) formats.

    Contact the National Office for further information, or
    Chair of Competitions David Cowan