Akerk Organ Competition

On October 5, the 36th edition of the SGO Organ Competition will take place at the Akerk. This is a wonderful collaboration between the Groningen Orgelland Foundation and Groningen Churches. For organ enthusiasts, this is a unique opportunity to play on the world-famous Arp Schnitger organ. The organ was built by Arp Schnitger in 1702 and was later modified and expanded by Johannes Wilhelmus Timpe and Petrus van Oeckelen. It is also known as a Schnitger-Timpe-Van Oeckelen organ.

Age Categories

This year, the competition has three categories:

• up to 18 years
• from 18 to 25 years
• 25 years and older

Participants must not have followed a conservatory education or started before September 2024.

Preliminary Rounds and Final

During the preliminary rounds, each participant plays approximately ten minutes of organ literature. Participants are free to choose the work they wish to perform! The best players from each category will be selected for the final. In the final, participants will perform the piece from the preliminary round again. Study time will be organized for participants in consultation.

Jury

The jury for this competition consists of:

• Peter Westerbrink (organist of Akerk Groningen)
• Leo van Doeselaar (organist of Martinikerk Groningen)
• Willeke Smits (organist of the Hooglandse Church in Leiden)