The St Albans International Organ Festival presents arguably the world’s leading organ competition. Its roll-call of past prize-winners includes many of today’s most influential organists.
For two weeks our biennial festival celebrates organs and a lot more besides. A diverse mix of large-scale and intimate concerts, talks, workshops, art exhibitions and fringe events offers something for everyone and complements the organ competition itself. Events are centred around the magnificent Norman cathedral of St Albans and spread out across this beautiful historic city. Important venues in London host additional competition rounds and performances.
The festival attracts leading performers from around the world together with the very best young organists. It was founded in 1963 by the distinguished organist Peter Hurford OBE (1930–2019).
Yesterday, the government provided further guidance on how places of worship can begin to open. Our new advice page offers musicians returning to work in places of worship guidance on performance, rehearsals and employment.
https://www.ism.org/advice/easing-the-lockdown-places-of-worship
The 30th St Albans International Organ Competition began on this day in 2019 for which the St Albans Triptych written by Matthew Martin was commissioned as the set work #YearOfOrgan @Organ_Festival @matthewm76 @RCO_Updates https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1lAUnKsq4c
We join musicians, venues and promoters around the UK in saying #LetTheMusicPlay, and remembering our last live concert before lockdown – by Konstantin Volostnov, back in February
✨ Pilgrimage Puppets Exhibition ✨
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As you walk around the Cathedral you will see 12ft lions, Roman soldiers, Alban, Amphibalus and many more familiar faces from the annual Alban Pilgrimage - a fantastic retelling of St Alban's story.
- Open daily & Free entry
‘We look forward to receiving applications from all around the world, and to making our competitors truly welcome in St Albans’ – @ChoirandOrgan reports on our 2021 competitions https://www.rhinegold.co.uk/choir_organ/st-albans-2021/