Contestants in November 4, 2024 competition: Anna O’Neill, Austin Becksvoort, Dr. Richard Rotman (founder), Samuel Shuler, Caitlyn Brown
ANNAMAE ROTMAN YOUNG ORGANIST COMPETITION – 2024-2025
The Annamae Rotman Young Organist Competition was founded in 2013 by Dr. Richard Rotman in honor of his mother and is an annual competition. We thank him for his generous support of young organists.
• Eligibility – A competitor must be 24 years of age or under as of August 1 of the competition year and be a resident of Kent County, MI or any county adjacent to Kent County and/or a resident student attending a junior high school, senior high school, college, or university in Kent County or any county adjacent to Kent County (Ottawa, Muskegon, Newaygo, Montcalm, Ionia, Barry, or Allegan Counties)
• Competition Date – November 4, 2024
• Application Date – Due by October 1, 2024. A maximum of four applications will be accepted based on date of receipt. APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED FOR THIS SEASON
If only one application is received, the competition will be cancelled. You may apply online here: ANNAMAE ROTMAN YOUNG ORGANIST COMPETITION APPLICATION
• Previous first place winners of this competition are eligible to compete in this competition again in two years.
• Venue – First (Park) Congregational Church, 10 East Park Place, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.
• Application Fee – $50 (nonrefundable)
• Repertoire – Two or more pieces of contrasting styles and representing different time periods and congregational songs.
Required selections:
Baroque style – J. S. Bach or another Baroque composer (can include the Eight Preludes and Fugues – Bach/Krebs), Trio Sonatas, and/or Chorale Preludes. One work or any combination of two works by Baroque composers for a minimum of 7 minutes.
A contrasting work(s) of the competitor’s choice – Examples are Brahms, Duprè, Widor, Franck, Hindemith, or others from the 19th, 20th, or 21st century eras for a minimum of 7 minutes.
4 stanzas of “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” per the pdf as found here: PDF of hymn
Performance Time:
20 minutes maximum for all selections, hymn, and console preparation; memorization is not required and will not influence the judges’ decisions.
Application:
Application must be accompanied by a $50 entry fee, submitted here: https://paypal.me/gragocompetitions?country.x=US&locale.x=en_US
Application due by October 1, 2024. APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED FOR THIS SEASON
Questions? Contact Rebecca Snippe (rdh9@calvin.edu) or Peter Kurdziel (music@basilicagr.org)
Awards – Cash prizes of $1500 first place, $1000 second place, $500 third place.
Judges – Three judges will be paid for their services plus a travel allowance. The judges may be local but may not be nor have been a teacher of any of the competitors.
2024-2025 Venue – First (Park) Congregational Church, 10 East Park Place, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. Skinner Organ Company 1930; Rebuilt by M. P. Moller Organ Company 1969 & 1988. Rebuilt by Muller Pipe Organ Company 2005; Four Manuals, 81 Ranks
Practice Details – Each competitor will be assigned practice times and memory levels with the competition coordinators. Each competitor will receive equal practice time. Competitors should not use the competition instrument regularly and should practice alone. A minimum of three hours practice time will be allowed.
ANNAMAE ROTMAN YOUNG ORGANIST COMPETITION APPLICATION.
2024-2025 Contacts: Peter Kurdziel, music@basilicagr.org
Rebecca Snippe, rdh9@calvin.edu