St Bartholomew's Church has announced a special Organ Composition Contest for composers of all ages and nationalities to celebrate the renewal and augmentation of their organ (affectionately known as Oscar).
The winner of the contest will be awarded £150, with prizes of £100 for second place and £50 for third. The three winners will also have their pieces performed at the Festival Dedication Service on Advent Sunday in December 2017. In addition the three winning pieces will be published in a book called "Oscar's Organ Book".
Organist Philip Underwood said "The purpose of the composition contest is for contemporary musicians to "celebrate" the rebirth of the organ at St Bart's in a contemporary style to show that the organ in the church is part of a living tradition. The competition has been widely advertised and has already attracted interest from the USA."
All entrants must be unpublished, never performed, 5 to 8 minutes in length and of approximately grade 7 standard. The piece must be appropriate for performance in a celebration concert, however a religious theme is not necessary.
All submissions must be received via email or post (28 Bracadale Drive, Davenport, Stockport, SK3 8RS, UK) by 11:59pm on 31st July 2017, along with a short biography of the composer.
