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Sydney Organ Competition

Junior/Intermediate

For Conditions of Entry, click here

Monday 6 October 2025

Junior: 10am, St Philip’s Church Hill


Adjudicator: Nicholas Sutcliffe

Intermediate: 2.30pm, Shore Chapel

Adjudicator: Peter Guy

Please note that candidates may only enter Junior OR Intermediate - not both


Audience Entry Fee

Junior Section: Adults $10

Intermediate Section: Adults $10*

* Those who paid admission for the Junior Section will be admitted free to the Intermediate Section

by showing their programme at the door.

OMSS Members, teachers of competitors, students and children are free


Junior Section

The Junior Section is open to organists fifteen years of age or younger at the entry closing date.

The repertoire required is a balanced programme comprising two contrasting pieces or movements (one Baroque) with a total playing time not exceeding fifteen minutes.


We rely on teachers to make a professional judgement regarding the skill level of their student. However as a guide, a skill level of anything up to AMEB Grade 6 would be acceptable. The repertoire should be a minimum standard of Grade 4 AMEB. If teachers have any concerns or clarifications in relation to repertoire, please contact the Committee.


This year we introduce an optional third piece in a Junior competitor’s repertoire – playing a Hymn. The hymn can be chosen from a list of six hymns selected by the Steering Committee, which are linked below. The time of playing a hymn is not included in the fifteen minutes performance allowance. A competitor is suggested to play an Intro and maximum of two verses of their chosen Hymn.   

The Hymn will be adjudicated as a separate element of the contestant repertoire and a contestant with the best score will be awarded with a new Hymn playing prize.


One hymn to be chosen from the following:-


1) https://hymnary.org/hymn/HTLG2017/page/161

2) https://hymnary.org/hymn/OGRP2022/page/177

3) https://hymnary.org/page/fetch/CWH2021/455/high

4) https://hymnary.org/tune/blaenwern_rowlands

5) https://hymnary.org/hymn/HGSP2008/page/1164

6) https://hymnary.org/hymn/CWH2021/page/488

Prizes:

Michael Dyer First Prize: $500

Virtual Pipe Organs Australia Second Prize: $300

OMSS Encouragement Award: $100

Ron Roberts Prize for a Baroque Work: $150

Pitchford Organ Builders Hymn Prize (optional): $300*

*Competitors can choose to enter this component as an extension of their repertoire.

  The prize has been introduced to encourage young organists to learn the art of hymn leading/accompaniment.


Intermediate Section

The Intermediate Section is open to organists eighteen years of age or younger at the closing date. The repertoire required is a balanced programme comprising two contrasting pieces or movements (one by J.S. Bach, including arrangements and transcriptions by J.S. Bach) with a total playing time not exceeding twenty minutes. The repertoire should be a minimum standard of Grade 6 AMEB. Please note, previous year played piece(s) are not allowed for the same contestant.


Prizes:

Bernies Music Land First Prize: $1500

  Douglas Pitman Memorial Prize for First Prize winner: $500 (This special prize being offered in 2025 and 2026 only)

Doris and George Vern-Barnett Second Prize: $750

Organ Music Society of Sydney Encouragement Award: $200

The Entry Closing Date for Junior and Intermediate is Friday 29 August 2025

Please note that late entries are not accepted.  

Venues

Junior Section: St Philip’s Church Hill

Intermediate Section: Shore Chapel


For Conditions of Entry, click here

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..


confirm that I am over 18 years of age. I declare that the video recording performed by:


Competitors' Name: ………………………………………………………………………


is a true and unedited recording made in my presence in one take and was performed by the above-named applicant.


Location:  ………………………..........………………………………………………………………………………………..     


Time: ………………………………………………………………………….


Date of recording:           /         /2020    



Signed:   …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

   

Date:           /          / 2020


Mobile number: ……………………………………………..…………………  



Competitor Declaration


I have read, understand and I agree to abide by the terms of the Rules of the Sydney Organ Competition 2020.



Applicant's Signature…………………………………………             Date          /         / 2020







Late entries are not accepted.

Enquiries

If you have any further queries, please contact Godelieve Ghavalas (Competition Committee Chair) godelieve@notjustnotes.com.au  or 0404 837 363


Thank you for entering and we wish you all the very best with the competition.