News

Schulich student Alcée Chriss has won 1st place at the 2017 Canadian International Organ Competition

Published: 25 October 2017

We are thrilled to announce that two of our current students have placed in the 2017 Canadian International Organ Competition: Alcée Chriss in 1st place and Nicholas Capozzoli in 3rd place. Alcée Chriss also won the $5,000 Bach Gérard-Coulombe prize, earning himself a performance opportunity at the upcoming Montréal Bach Festival. Hans-Ola Ericsson, Schulich's Area Chair in Organ and Church Music, comments: "I'm filled with happiness and respect. I'm deeply moved at what they did and I shed more than one tear yesterday. It's a team effort and they make us all so proud."

Founded by John Grew, Professor Emeritus of Organ and Church Music at Schulich, the CIOC is an international competition that brought 20 competitors from 14 different countries to Montreal for three rounds of competition. Learn more about the festival in this article by the McGill Reporter.

Excerpt from My Scena:

"Chriss believes that the CIOC is one of the most demanding competitions on the circuit. “Contestants must prepare over three hours of music. This is why this competition attracts the best of the best.” He says he also entered this competition because of the “level of the jury.” The CIOC also differs from other competition in its demands of playing several different organs during the three rounds. He says in preparation of his final round rehearsal he came with a specific list and architectural plan, citing that each organ with it distinctive dimension calls for precision preparation. Chriss’ prize package is $25,000 CAD, a CD recording and distribution offer, a 3-year career management and a series of concerts. Chriss also won the $5,000 Bach Gérard-Coulombe prize, which earns him a performance opportunity at the forthcoming Montréal Bach Festival."

Continue reading here.

Back to top