About The National Organ Competition
The National Organ Competition was established to encourage and reward a high standard of organ playing. The Competition is open to Canadian organists, permanent residents and non-Canadian organists studying toward a degree or diploma in Canada, who are under the age of 30 and are members of the Royal Canadian College of Organists. Previous first prize winners are not eligible.
The next competition will take place July 1 and 5, 2023 in conjunction with Organ Festival Canada. A maximum of six competitors will be chosen from the preliminary round to advance to the live rounds, where they will compete for $8,500 in prizes. In addition, the first place winner of the National RCCO Organ Playing Competition will be featured in a recital during a future edition of Organ Festival Canada. Air travel to the semi-final and final rounds for accepted semi-finalists will be paid or assisted to the fullest budgeted amount by the RCCO. The Organ Festival Canada registration fee will be waived for all competitors who reach the Semi-final Round.
The Semi-final Round will be held on Saturday, July 1, 2023 at Rosedale Presbyterian Church, Toronto at 10:00 am and 1:30 pm; the church offers their hospitality in memory of their organist Mary Legge, whose faithful service and talents are cherished.
Information about the the Rosedale Presbyterian Church Organ can be found here:
https://www.musiqueorguequebec.ca/orgues/canada/torontorpc.html
The Final Round will be held on Wednesday, July 5, 2023 at Lawrence Park Community Church at 2:00 pm; the church opens its doors to the Finals as a tribute to the late Mark Toews, whose multi-faceted and outstanding musical career was dedicated to serving LPCC as music director from 1991-2021 . The commissioned work for the final round, composed by Rashaan Allwood, is dedicated to the memory of Mark Toews, and a reception in honour of Mark’s memory and outstanding RCCO service will be held following the final competition hosted by the Toronto RCCO Centre.
Information about the Lawrence Park Community Church Organ can be found here:
https://www.musiqueorguequebec.ca/orgues/canada/torontolpcc.html
