Caius Organ Scholar wins prize at International Organ Competition

Eben Eyres (Peter Walker Organ Scholar, Music 2022) was awarded third prize in the senior category of the Northern Ireland International Organ Competition.  

The Northern Ireland International Organ Competition (NIIOC) was established in 2011, to provide opportunities for talented young organists, aged 21 and under. The competition is officially partnered with the St Albans International Organ Festival and is affiliated with the prestigious Charles Wood Summer School.  

Eben was amongst 13 young organists from six countries who participated in the senior category of the competition this year, which took place on Monday 12 August in St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral, Armagh.  

Copyright © Liam McArdle

Photo taken for the Northern Ireland International Organ Competition

“Just having gone to the competition at all was a brilliant opportunity, to not only meet the jury comprised of internationally renowned organists Thomas Trotter, Anna-Victoria Baltrusch and David Hill, but also my fellow competitors, making connections with both the present and the future of the organ world,” Eben says. 

“It is a nice reward for the many, many hours of time the preparation consumed. Furthermore, third prize includes three recitals, at St George's Hannover Square, Galway and Glasgow Cathedrals, a further opportunity to expand both my CV and my connections, but more importantly, a chance to play music on great organs in wonderful buildings, which ultimately is the reason for doing all these things.” Eben chose to play Bach: Fugue in Em BWV548ii ("Wedge"), Litaize: Scherzo, and Duruflé: Toccata from Suite Op.5 pour Orgue. Eben adds: “The requirements were for a 20-minute programme with at least one work by J.S. Bach, so with those constraints I tried to make a programme that would both show off my range of ability,  technically and musically and give variety to the listener.”  

Eben expressed his gratitude for the supportive community of organ scholars at Cambridge, many of whom also entered the NIIOC this year. He says: “To have the chance to go to such competitions with friends all wanting one another to do well and ultimately to make great music is at least as rewarding as any prize. It was fantastic to see wider Cambridge success with two fellow Cambridge organ scholars being highly commended.”  

In addition to the support he has received from his peers, Eben is also thankful for the support and guidance from members of music staff at Caius. “I'm incredibly grateful to everyone who gave advice and help in preparing me for the competition, in particular Matthew Martin (Precentor and Director of Music) and Harrison Cole (Assistant Organist) here at Caius who were invaluable, especially for my Duruflé,” says Eben. 

“I’d also like to thank my organ teacher Stephen Farr for his infinite wisdom and attention to detail, and finally Yejoon Park for tirelessly listening to endless recordings of my playing and being unfalteringly honest in her feedback.” 

For more information about Eben Eyres, and his role within Music at Caius as the Peter Walker Organ Scholar, you can read his biography on the choir website.  and you can read more about his recent acheivements, such as recieving the Brian Runnett Organ Prize here.   

For more information about the Northern Ireland Internal Organ competition please visit their website.