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 2022 Contest's presentation

I. 9th International organ competition Pierre de Manchicourt

The concept

The competition is open to organists of all nationalities with no age restriction.They may also decide to compete on one, two or three different and unique instruments.

Béthune, saint-Vaast Church: North-German-polyphony inspired Great Organ (Freytag/Tricoteaux, 2001), 3 kboards / ped / 42 stops. Werkmeister temperament III
Nielles-lès-Ardres, église saint-Pierre : flemish organ (Van Belle/1696, Decourcelle/2005, Cattiaux/2012, 2 cl/19 jeux. No pédal. Short octave. Meantone temperament.
Saint-Omer, cathedral : romantic inspired Great Organ (Cavaillé-Coll, 1855, case from 1717), 4 kboards / ped / 49 stops. Egal tempérament.

> The competition includes two parts, for each organ. 1) a preselection based on records 2) a final.
> Programs are free.
> Timing is imposed.
> The program of the optional price « Contemporary music » in Béthune is imposed.
> Recording preselections on only one organ is tolerated.
> Pieces have to be chosen so that the Jury can appreciate the musical, artistical and technical skills of the candidate
> Each program must correspond, as far as possible, to the features of the organ(s), with the intention of serving both music and instrument(s)

Test rounds

1/ One, two or three pre-selections on recordings ; They have to be sent before July, 1st 2022 Midnight.

2/ Finals in Béthune and/or Nielles-lès-Ardres and/or Saint-Omer.

II. The Prizes

Béthune
First Prize : 4000€
Second Prize : 2000€
Optional Prize « contemporary music » : 2000€
Internet audience Prize

Nielles-lès-Ardres
First Prize : 4000€
Second Prize : 2000€
Internet audience Prize

Saint-Omer
First Prize : 4000€
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 or three First Prizes
> The Price « Contemporary Music » is optionnal.
> In Saint-Omer, the prices will be attributed on Sunday, 2nd October at 5:00 PM during the laureates concert.
> In Nielles-lès-Ardres and 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

Béthune
Léon Berben (NL)
Bernard Foccroulle (B)
Thomas Ospital (F)
Vincent Paulet (F)
Benjamin Steens (F)

Nielles-lès-Ardres
Léon Berben (NL)
Bernard Foccroulle (B)
Thomas Ospital (F)
Arnaud de Pasquale (F)
Benjamin Steens (F)

Saint-Omer
Sophie-Véronique Choplin (F)
Henry Fairs (UK)
Véronique Le Guen (F)
Thomas Ospital (F)
Johann Vexo (F)


The Pierre de Manchicourt competition is organized by Orgues en Béthunois with the financial support of Département du Pas-de-Calais, in partnership with the Cities of Béthune, Saint-Omer, Nielles-lès-Ardres, the community of communes Pays d’Opale and the association les amis de la cathédrale de Saint-Omer.