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I. 10th International organ competition Pierre de Manchicourt

The concept

The Pierre de Manchicourt International Organ Competition was founded by Orgues en Béthunois in 2006.
Its aim is to promote music, organs and the talents that serve them in a spirit of sharing with the public.

- The Competition is open to organists of all nationalities, with no age limit.
- Candidates may compete on one or two instruments of different aesthetics:
Béthune, saint-Vaast Church: North-German-polyphony inspired Great Organ (Freytag/Tricoteaux, 2001), 3 kboards / ped / 42 stops. Valotti temperament
Saint-Omer, cathedral : romantic inspired Great Organ (Cavaillé-Coll, 1855, case from 1717), 4 kboards / ped / 49 stops. Egal tempérament.

> The Competition includes a preliminary round on recording and a final round for each organ..
> Programs are free.
> Timings are fixed.
> The works must be chosen in such a way as to enable the jury to assess the musical, artistic and technical qualities of the candidates.

> The programmes must be consistent with the specific characteristics of each organ.

New in 2024 and 2025

2024

Saint-Omer - Wednesday 2 October: master class by Ulrike Wegele for conservatoire students
Béthune - Monday 7 October: concerts/mediations for schoolchildren by the finalists. These performances will be remunerated.

2025

Residencies and concerts will be offered to the winners in the Hauts de France region. They will be organised in conjunction with the organ classes of the Competition's partner conservatoires.


II. The Prizes

Great Prize : 9000€ (addition of the two first prizes)

Béthune
First Prize : 4500€
Second Prize : 2000€
Internet audience Prize

Saint-Omer
First Prize : 4500€
Second Prize : 2000€

Internet audience Prize

> Each Prize is granted separately
>The jury is not obligated to grant a Prize
> The Pierre de Manchicourt Great Prize will only be granted to a candidate that has received two First Prizes
> In Saint-Omer, the prices will be attributed on Sunday, 2nd October at 5:00 PM during the laureates concert.
> In Béthune, the prices will we attributed at the end of the competition. In these two cities, the finalists can make a concert for scholars, the day after the competition.
> Prize winners will be offered concert gigs in one or several of the competition churches and in partnering cities.
> Finalists that are not granted a prize will receive a financial compensation

III. Jury

Saint-Omer 4th october
Louis Robilliard (F)
Jean-Baptiste Robin (F)
Karol Mossakowski (PL/F)
Ulrike Wegele (D)
Sophie Rétaux (F)

Béthune 6th october
Wolfgang Zerer (D)
Paul Goussot (F),
Isabelle Demers (Canada),
Hina Ikawa (Japon)
Matthieu Magnuszewski (F)

Preselections jury :
Saint-Omer : Sophie Rétaux, Karol Mossakowski, Johann Vexo.
Béthune : Isabelle Demers, Jean-Baptiste Robin, Matthieu Magnusewski

The Pierre de Manchicourt 2024 competition is organised by Orgues en Béthunois with the moral and financial support of the Département du Pas-de-Calais, the associations OEB and Tribune d'Artistes à Saint-Omer, the Communauté d'agglomération de Béthune Bruay Artois Lys Romane, the towns of Béthune and Saint-Omer and in partnership with the respective conservatoires and parishes.