1st Korea International Organ Competition Application Period Extended by 1 Month

Considering the COVID-19 Situation... Document Submission Extended Until May 30

Lotte Concert Hall exterior view [Photo by Lotte Cultural Foundation]

[Asia Economy Reporter Byunghee Park] The Lotte Cultural Foundation announced on the 25th that the first round of document submission for the 1st Korea International Organ Competition has been extended by one month, from April 30 to May 30.

This measure was taken in consideration of the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) across Europe and the United States. Some participants in regions with restricted movement and outings requested an extension of the document submission period because they could not play the pipe organ. The Lotte Cultural Foundation accepted this request. Due to the nature of the instrument, pipe organs are difficult for individuals to own and are usually installed in music colleges, cathedrals, or large concert halls.

Participants must perform two designated pieces required for the document screening and attach them to the application form. They must perform one fast and one slow movement from one of Bach’s six Trio Sonatas, and one piece from the Romantic era (7 to 10 minutes). The performance files must be produced as audio or video files (wav, mp4, etc.), and the application form must include the recording date, organ location, and a list of organ stops. Files that have been edited, altered, or contain any content that could identify the performer will be disqualified.

Anyone born after September 1, 1988, regardless of nationality, is eligible to participate in the 1st Korea International Organ Competition.

After the document submission deadline on May 30, successful candidates will be announced in June. The first round of the finals will be held on September 22, and the second round on September 23. Finalists will be announced on September 23. The grand final will take place on September 25, followed by the awards ceremony and gala concert on September 26.

The first round of the finals will be held at the Korea National University of Arts, while the second round and the final will take place at the Lotte Concert Hall.

The first-place winner will receive a prize of $8,000 and opportunities to perform in planned concerts at Lotte Concert Hall for the next two years. The second-place winner will receive $5,000 (sponsored by organ manufacturer Rieger), and the third-place winner will receive $3,000. Additionally, a 'Park Younghee Special Award' will be given to a participant who demonstrates outstanding skill in the performance and interpretation of contemporary music, named after composer Park Younghee.

The judges for the 1st Korea International Organ Competition are Chairperson Oh Ja-kyung (Korea), Michel Bouvard (France), Arvid Gast (Germany), Naomi Matsui (Japan), Shin Dong-il (Korea), and David Titterington (UK). Detailed information about the competition can be found on the Lotte Concert Hall website. Application forms can also be downloaded from the Lotte Concert Hall website.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.