NIIOC

The NI International Organ Competition for organists aged 21 and under: substantial monetary prizes, recitals and international masterclasses.

[NIIOC @NIIOC1]

We are delighted to announce 2 further prize recitals for our Senior Competition. The iconic spaces are:

Eglise Saint-Sulpice, Paris
& St George's Hanover Square @mayfairparish.

Entries close Friday 10 July 👉 https://t.co/1hpKI6T5UW

@Organ_Festival @ChoirandOrgan

[NIIOC @NIIOC1]

An exceptional evening, as we welcomed Alexis Grizard to Belfast - winner of 1st Place and the Gold Medal for Interpretation at the 2025 @Organ_Festival, our official partner.

Alexis dazzled the audience, receiving 2 standing ovations. We wish him every success.

@ChoirandOrgan

[NIIOC @NIIOC1]

⭐️ Our full list of international PRIZE RECITALS will be announced next Monday, 25 May. Full monetary prizes, special awards and categories can be viewed at https://t.co/1hpKI6T5UW

Entries close Friday 10 July ⭐️
@Organ_Festival @ChoirandOrgan

[NIIOC @NIIOC1]

Recital with Alexis Grizard, 1st prize winner and recipient of the Gold Medal for Interpretation at last year’s @Organ_Festival - our Partner Festival.

Do join us in the heart of Belfast on Friday evening at 7.30pm.

Supported by the National Lottery, through @ArtsCouncilNI

[NIIOC @NIIOC1]

@Organ_Festival @BelTel @irish_news @news_letter ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[NIIOC @NIIOC1]

@Organ_Festival @BelTel @irish_news @News_Letter ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Richard Yarr MBE DL @musoman74]

A pleasure to welcome Sir @johnmrutter to Belfast on Saturday, as Patron of @CW_Armagh.

800 singers supporting the #charity and singing with joy, in Belfast Cathedral.

More of his music in this Sunday’s #SoundsSacred @bbcradioulster/@BBCSounds at 5pm.

#legend

[NIIOC @NIIOC1]

https://t.co/7YjKmk6Dj6

@Organ_Festival @ChoirandOrgan @RCO_Updates

[NIIOC @NIIOC1]

Entries Open! With a winner’s package of over £5,000 in the Senior Category, this is the first flavour of some exciting opportunities to come.

Visit: https://t.co/7YjKmk6Dj6

Armagh, 17-19 August 2026

@Organ_Festival @ChoirandOrgan @RCO_Updates @davidhconductor @CW_Armagh

[NIIOC @NIIOC1]

A very Happy Easter to you all!

Full details of our 2026 competition will be announced on Monday 13 April, including jury, categories and monetary prizes. Applications can also be received from this date.

@Organ_Festival @ChoirandOrgan @RCO_Updates @CW_Armagh

🐣🐣🐣

[BelfastLieutenancy @BLieutenancy]

Such a wonderful evening of dance, food and culture as The Mudra Academy of Performing Arts UK support Action Cancer. Richard Yarr MBE represented HM Lord Lieutenant.

[Charles Wood Festival @CW_Armagh]

Come & Sing with John Rutter in Belfast!

As we continue to meet the finalists of our Charles Wood International Song Competition that are competing next week, we’re already looking ahead to another very special moment in the Charles Wood calendar. Don’t forget that Sir John Rutter will be joining us for a Come & Sing at St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast on Saturday 18th April 2026 at 3pm.

This is a rare opportunity to sing under one of the most beloved choral composers of our time. The afternoon is open to all singers whether you sing regularly in a choir, at school, in church, or simply for the joy of it. No audition or preparation is required and music will be provided on the day.

Tickets are £20 and can be booked at https://t.co/m29IJvMGE5

[Charles Wood Festival @CW_Armagh]

A message from the composer himself…

We’re absolutely delighted to share this short video from John Rutter, who will be joining us in Belfast for a very special Come & Sing event.

It’s a rare opportunity to perform his music under his own direction, and we’re very much looking forward to singing together in St Anne’s Cathedral for what promises to be a special and enjoyable afternoon of choral music-making.

St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast
Saturday 18 April 2026
Open to all singers

If you love choral music, this really is one not to miss.

Full details and booking here:
https://t.co/Gl2d03WEWb

[NIIOC @NIIOC1]

We are thrilled to have received Charitable Status from @CharityCommNI as NIIOC looks forward to considerable developments in 2026.

Registration Number: 110511

Our thanks to Cleaver Fulton Rankin Solicitors for their invaluable support throughout this process.

[Richard Yarr MBE DL @musoman74]

Handel’s #Messiah in #Handel’s church. An unforgettable & spiritual performance, conducted by Richard Gowers - winner of @NIIOC1 - as part of the @LHandelFestival.

Unsurprising to see Richard’s class take him to this level. A pleasure to meet his fiancée @Mishkapianist too!

[NIIOC @NIIOC1]

Congratulations to the Chair of our 2025 jury, Sophie-Véronique Cauchefer-Choplin who celebrated her 40th anniversary as Titular Organist of Saint-Sulpice, Paris, yesterday. 90 wonderful minutes of improvisation to a silent film. Our Founder Richard Yarr was delighted to attend.

[BelfastLieutenancy @BLieutenancy]

Richard Yarr MBE DL on behalf of HM Lord Lieutenant has conducted a Citizenship Ceremony. Fantastic support from The Irish Guards cadets Mollie Kydd and Zara Dickson.
Congratulations and welcome all.

[NIIOC @NIIOC1]

A great chance to hear our 2024 winner, perform one of his prize recitals.

[Westminster Abbey @wabbey]

Everyone's welcome in the Abbey at 5pm on Sunday for a free recital by Jan Liebermann, winner of the 2024 Northern Ireland International Organ Competition. He'll be playing music by Wagner, Dupré, Bach and Duruflé as our Young Artists' Platform series continues.

Find out more at: https://t.co/FDPPZHIgU7

[Richard Yarr MBE DL @musoman74]

Thanks to the Friends of Armagh @churchofireland Cathedral for their invitation to speak at their annual dinner last night, on the life-long impact of being a chorister: the discipline, opportunities and joy. Pictured with current and former Deans. @_cathedralmusic @abcb_council

[Charles Wood Festival @CW_Armagh]

Attention School Teachers and Choir Directors!

Our training day is back again as our 2025 Festival continues, taking place on Thursday 23rd October at the Synod Hall, St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Cathedral, Armagh.

Whether you're looking to refine your skills or boost your confidence, this workshop is perfect for you!

Time: 10:30am - 4:30pm
Cost: £30 (Lunch Included)

Under the expert guidance of choral expert Dan Turner, this training will cover essential aspects such as effective warm-ups for your choir, Finding and selecting appropriate repertoire, recruitment, vocal techniques for teachers and young singers, building confidence in choral conducting and managing choir learning.

This is an excellent opportunity to enhance your skills with bespoke sessions tailored for both primary and post-primary educators, and a perfect development event for any music teachers, facilities and avid learners.

Book your place now: https://t.co/JYc9IwvXW6

@Education_Ire @paulgivan @NIACfEd @Education_NI @abcdtweets @SupportIrishMus @ArtsCouncilNI @WeAreTheMU