Winner of IAO-RCO Organ Playing Competition announced

Organist Timothy Stewart has won the IAO-RCO Organ Playing Competition 2024.

The final of the IAO-RCO Organ Playing Competition, open to organists between the ages of 18 and 26 years, was held during the 2024 IAO Music Festival in York (25-29 July) with the final held at York Minster.

Timothy, an undergraduate student at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and Organ Scholar at St Philip’s Cathedral Birmingham performed Widor’s Allegro (Symphony 6/1), Bach’s Fantasia in c BWV562, Allegro giocoso (Sonata in E flat major) by Sir Edward Bairstow, Aria (Symphony 1) by Rachel Laurin and Escaich’s Vers l'espérance (Poèmes pour orgue).

Second prize in the competition went to Tom Howell, also a student at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, and third prize winner was Jonathan Lee, Senior Organ Scholar at Trinity College, Cambridge.

Miriam Reveley was awarded the Susi Jeans Memorial Prize for her performance in the semi-final.

The competition judges were Sarah MacDonald (RCO President from 1 July 2024, Director of Music at Selwyn College Cambridge, Director of the Girl Choristers at Ely Cathedral, Cambridge University Organist), Robert Sharpe (IAO President and Director of Music at York Minster) and Katelyn Emerson (International Concert Organist). 

Judge Katelyn Emerson said: “The judging panel were very impressed by the playing of all the finalists and semi-finalists this year. Each player should be commended for their performances and we very much look forward to seeing all that each of these players pursue and accomplish in the future.”

Sarah MacDonald added: “What a joy to hear such gifted young organists, so ably demonstrating such a high standard of musicianship and technical ability. My warmest congratulations to all of the semi-finalists and finalists, and in particular our eventual winner.”