Northern Ireland prepares to host international organ competition

Thanks to the likes of Anna Lapwood – who recently received a 'Gamechanger' Award from the Royal Philharmonic Society – the organ is having a moment. But young organists need more than TikTok followers to support their career development: step forward the Northern Ireland International Organ Competition (NIIOC), which this year takes place during 12–14 August. Unlike many other organ contests, the upper age limit for competitors in Armagh is 21 (there was an extension to 22 during the Covid-19 pandemic). This year, musicians have the opportunity to play for star organist Thomas Trotter, who chairs the jury, with a chance to win £4,000, among other prizes.

'We have participants from all over the world – Lithuania, Australia, Germany,' says Richard Yarr, who founded the event in 2011. 'Previously, organists would have been competing against musicians with a decade or more of experience – there was a need for something for this age bracket.'

Trotter – who will host a workshop as part of his NIIOC duties – is joined by Anna-Victoria Baltrusch, professor of organ at the Evangelical High School for Church Music in Halle, Germany, and by David Hill, artistic director of the Bach Choir, the Yale Schola Cantorum, and the Charles Wood Summer School, which runs concurrently with the organ competition. As well as cash prizes, the NIIOC supports career development – recitals have taken place in venues including St Thomas Fifth Avenue, Westminster Abbey and Southwark Cathedral – and has a partnership with the St Albans International Organ Festival.

There are no set pieces, allowing organists to express their musicianship and personal taste. 'We're looking for people who can select and deliver strong programmes that are right for their performance level,' says Yarr. The NIIOC Senior and Intermediate sections take place in St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral, and the Junior Competition in St Malachy’s Roman Catholic Church. 'Participants have the chance to meet the jury for sit-down feedback – this event is very much a learning experience; it's not just “play and walk away”,' adds Yarr. 'Most importantly, musicians meet other organists and become part of a community – we all need a network.'

Deadline for entries: 10 July at 12 noon.

niioc.com