By Stephen C. Price, D.Mus.—
MUNCIE, IN– Six of the country’s top young organists will perform in the Sursa American Organ Competition on the Ball State University campus September 9-11.
The musicians will perform on a Goulding & Wood organ in Sursa Performance Hall. All events throughout the competition are free and open to the public. The final round will be held on Sunday, September 11, from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., and audience members can listen to the organists and vote for their favorite player.
“We’re proud to host this competition of world-class musicians for the fourth time,” said Stephen Price, assistant teaching professor of organ. “This competition requires great mental focus, discipline, and courage. Each competitor will become an even better musician as a result.”
After a preliminary recorded round, the competitors were notified in July if they were selected for the semifinal round at Ball State, Price said. Since then, they have prepared the music and worked with their teachers to produce the highest playing level possible.
The organists will play for 45 to 60 minutes for three judges, whom are respected organists and professors. The finalists from each division will compete for first, second, and third place.
The semifinal round will be Friday, September 9, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 3 p.m. – 6 p.m., and will feature six pre-professional competitors between the ages of 25 and 35. The High School division will also be featured again this year and the finalist can be heard on Sunday afternoon beginning at 1 p.m.
On Saturday, September 10, at 2:30pm, Dr. Brenda Portman (Sursa Competition laureate and 2022 Judge) will give a workshop showcasing her organ compositions. At 7:30 p.m., the competition judges and faculty from the School of Music will present a concert in Sursa Hall.
