The 2015 Lynnwood Farnam Competition, Canada’s oldest organ competition, concluded May 20 in Montreal. First prize ($1,000 plus recital engagements) was awarded to Alex Ross, assistant organist of Christ Church Cathedral, Montreal, and an undergraduate student of Hans-Ola Ericsson at McGill University. Second prize ($500) was awarded to Maria Budacova, a graduate student of Prof. Ericsson. The other two finalists (also McGill students) were Helen Tucker and Stephen Boda.
The jury included Yves-G. Préfontaine, organist of the Grand Séminaire de Montréal; Scott Bradford, director of music, Church of St. James the Apostle; and Scott Tresham, music producer at CBC Radio Montreal. This year’s competition was held at the Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul, home to Casavant Opus 1457 (IV/107), built in 1931. For information: www.rcco-montreal.org/farnam.html.
