NI international organ competition celebrates 10th anniversary

First Presbyterian Church Omagh organ hit all the right notes as part of a series of free lunchtime Recitals celebrating 10 years of the Northern Ireland International Organ Competition (NIIOC) on Tuesday..
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Northern Ireland Resounds has been taking place in venues across Northern Ireland, featuring first prize NIIOC winners from the last 10 years from Germany, Hungary, and Lithunia and the UK. The Omagh concert was performed by 2014 prize winner Andrew Forbes from the UK.

The recitals were dedicated to the memory of Lisburn organ builder the late David McElderry, former MD of Wells-Kennedy Partnership, who lovingly maintained the organs featured in the performances.

Another gala performance was held at Southwark Cathedral, London on 28th March and the series will culminate with a stunning gala recital at Belfast Cathedral today 6th April (7.30pm) featuring all ten of its first prize winners.

Pictured are Andrew Forbes, Richard Yarr, John Campbell, Rev Jane Nelson.Pictured are Andrew Forbes, Richard Yarr, John Campbell, Rev Jane Nelson.
Pictured are Andrew Forbes, Richard Yarr, John Campbell, Rev Jane Nelson.

The Belfast Cathedral evening gala concert will be introduced by Fr Eugene O’Hagan of the singing group The Priests. Richard Gowers, senior prize-winner in 2013, will also give the NI premiere of a work by Grace-Evangeline Mason, specially composed for NIIOC and the Commission for Victims and Survivors for Northern Ireland. It is dedicated to all those touched by the Northern Ireland Troubles.

NIIOC stemmed from the demand of local organists who wanted to encourage, challenge and recognise the talents of young performers in a competitive environment. It quickly established itself as one of the leading platforms internationally for committed young organists and rising talent.

Landscape

Richard Yarr, founder and chair of NIIOC, said: ‘We are very proud that NIIOC has been a proper trailblazer, changing the organ landscape locally and internationally. Competitors from Australia, the US, China and all across Europe have come to the beautiful cathedral city of Armagh each August to perform in St. Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral.

‘We’re thrilled to be celebrating our first ten years with these very special concerts featuring ten young organists who are such great ambassadors for the king of instruments and for our competition. NIIOC takes pride of place on their CVs and I know these events will offer something for everyone.’

Renowned conductor and organist Dr David Hill is on the judging panel every year and is also a Competition patron. Commenting on its development over the past decade he said: ‘NIIOC has gained an increasing respect internationally as a competition to launch the careers of young organists. I’m in awe of what has been achieved and by the level of playing we have listened to in the past ten years. What a fitting tribute to gather the illustrious prize winners as a way of celebrating ten outstanding competitions.’

The NIIOC anniversary celebrations are sponsored by The Eric Thompson Charitable Trust; The Flax Trust; The Priests Charitable Trust; Randox Laboratories; The Commission For Victims And Survivors For Northern Ireland; The Earl and Countess Castle Stewart; Mr Neil Shawcross; Mr David Scott; Harrison & Harrison Ltd; The London Organ Competition and Gormley’s Fine Art.

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