Festival Guidelines

• The purpose of this festival is to encourage and promote composers of contemporary organ music.

• It also aims to create a centre in which performers can search for new works.

• The festival is open to composers of all ages and nationalities, published or unpublished. Some preference is given, however, to the type of work included in exhibition-concerts so as to ensure the quality of public events.

• Preference is given to ‘concert music’ for organ (as opposed to liturgical music). This does not imply that a piece should not be of liturgical use, rather, that it is equally befitting of the concert hall.

• Works for organ and other instruments are considered, provided that performers can be made available and that practical elements (such as the amount of space at a venue or tuning with the organ) are not a difficulty.

• It is not a requirement that items included in the festival must be first performances. Compositions are welcomed irrespective of their history.

• There are three performance options available to composers wishing to include their music: either they perform the music themselves, they choose to select an interpreter of their choice, or they request that their composition is delegated to a student taking part in the festival (see performers).

• Performers should endeavour to be available to perform at any exhibition-concert during the Festival. Once the organisers have decided in July the works to be included in these exhibition-concerts, performers will be notified. They can then book adequate rehearsal time on the allocated organ. If a performer's availabilty is restricted, please make this known to the Festival Director on the application form.