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I. Dates and Venue

> Deadline for submission of preselection recordings: June 12, 2026 (midnight)
> Semi-Final: Friday, September 18 – 6:00 p.m. (Saint-Vaast Church)
> Final: Sunday, September 20 – 1:30 p.m. (Saint-Vaast Church)
> 5:00 p.m. – Recital by James David Christie (jury member)
> 6:00 p.m. – Award Ceremony.

II. Prizes

First Prize: €6,000
Second Prize: €4,000
Third Prize: €2,000
A special €200 prize will be awarded to the finalist receiving the highest number of Facebook “likes”.
> The jury reserves the right not to award a prize.
> Semi-finalists and finalists who are not prizewinners will receive a financial grant of €400.

III. The Jury

Benjamin Alard (France)
James David Christie (USA)
Léon Berben (Netherlands)

IV. Concept

> The Pierre de Manchicourt International Organ Competition was founded in 2006 by Orgues en Béthunois.
> Its mission is to promote music, the organ, and emerging talent in a spirit of sharing and accessibility to diverse audiences.
> The competition is open to organists of all nationalities, with no age limit.
> It consists of an anonymous preliminary round (based on recordings), followed by a semi-final and a public final in Béthune.
> The programs are partially free, with required works and timing constraints.
> Candidates must select works allowing the jury to assess their musicality, artistry, and technical skill.
> Programs must reflect the specific character of the Saint-Vaast organ in Béthune: Grand polyphonic organ in the North German style (Freytag/Tricoteaux, 2001), 3 manuals/pedal, 44 stops, Valotti temperament.

V. New Features for the 11th Edition

For the prizewinners:
> A four-day academy led by a jury member or internationally renowned musician, open primarily to active participants from previous or future editions and to conservatory students as auditors.
> Artist residencies may be offered to laureates in collaboration with partner conservatories.
> “Young Audience” concerts and outreach events will target schools and conservatory classes.

The competition is organized by Orgues en Béthunois, with the support of the Département du Pas-de-Calais, the Communauté d’Agglomération de Béthune-Bruay Artois Lys Romane, and the City of Béthune, in collaboration with partner conservatories.