For the eighth time, the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln and the Historische Stadthalle Wuppertal open their doors for the International Organ Competition between 28 and 31 August 2025. The designated instrument for the competition and ensuing concerts is the Sauer Organ in the internationally renowned Großer Saal of the Historische Stadthalle Wuppertal. A high calibre jury guarantees the quality of the competition and decides on the awards.

Application deadline: 31 May 2025

Registration and further information at: www.wuppertaler-musiksommer.de

CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION

THE COMPETITION

The competition consists of a preliminary round (via submission of MP3 recordings), two public competition rounds in the Historische Stadthalle between 28 – 30 August 2025 and a concert given by the winners on 31 August 2025.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Organists of any nationality who were born after 31 August 1990 can take part in the competition.

REGISTRATION FEE

€ 50.00

PRELIMINARY ROUND (VIA MP3 UPLOAD)

The MP3 files to be submitted must include: 1. A fast movement from one of Johann Sebastian Bach’s six trio sonatas 2. The first or last movement from one of the following symphonies: Charles Marie Widor, Symphony No. 5, No. 6, No. 8 Louis Vierne, Symphony No. 2, No. 3, No. 6

INTERMEDIATE ROUND (28 + 29/8/2025)

The following are to be played in the intermediate round: a programme of your choice, including a work composed after 1980. Total duration: maximum 40 minutes

FINAL ROUND (30/8/2025)

A programme of 50 to 60 minutes in length. The selection is free in terms of the number of works, epochs and composers, but a work by Naji Hakim is mandatory, whose 70th birthday is being celebrated this year. A single movement or individual movements from larger cycles can also be played. The programme must not contain a piece from the previous rounds. The decision of the jury will take into account the concept for the programme and the public performance.

WINNERS’ CONCERT (31/8/2025)

The competition winners will give a public concert performance of works from their competition repertoire on Sunday, 31 August 2025 at 11 am. Judges will select the pieces together with the winners after the final round.

JURY

Prof. Dr. Winfried Bönig, organist of Cologne cathedral (chairman) Zuzana Ferjencikova Dr. Naji Hakim

PRIZES

1st prize: € 8,000 2nd prize: € 5,000 3rd prize: € 3,000

COMPETITION OFFICE

Historische Stadthalle Wuppertal GmbH Ms. Ann Kathrin Heinz Johannisberg 40 42103 Wuppertal Germany Tel. +49 202 24589-11 Fax +49 202 455198 heinz@stadthalle.de

CONCERT VENUE

Historische Stadthalle Wuppertal Johannisberg 40 42103 Wuppertal

ORGANISER

Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln in cooperation with Historische Stadthalle Wuppertal GmbH

With the kind support of Dr. Jörg Mittelsten Scheid