The Carlene Neihart International Pipe Organ Competition was held on Saturday, April 12, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at Village Presbyterian Church, 6641 Mission Road, Prairie Village, Kansas.
The three finalists that were selected were required to play: Fantasy and Fugue in g minor, BWV 542, by J.S. Bach, a work by a romantic composer, and a work characteristic of the 20th Century.
The first place $2500 award winner was Ahreum Han. She is currently working toward her master's degree at Yale as a student of Thomas Murray. Additionally, she received the artist's diploma from the Curtis Institute of Music as a student of Alan Morrison. She lives in New Haven, Connecticut In addition to the Bach, she played Clair de Lune from Pièces de Fantasie- Op. 53 by L. Vierne and Te Deum, Op.11 by Jeamne Demessieux.
The second place Casavant Frères award of $1500 was won by Jared Ostermann. Jared is currently working toward the master's degree at Notre Dame and is from Niles, Michigan. In addition to Bach, he played Sicilienne from Suite Op. 5, Durufle and Tanz -Toccata by Anton Heiller.
The third place award of $1000 was won by Samuel Gaskin, a high school student from Beaumont, Texas. In addition to Bach, he played Choral in a minor by Cesar Franck and Poemes: I and III by Thierry Escaich.
Judges for the contest were, Carlene Neihart, Dr. John Obetz and Dr. Ruth Krusemark. Chris Oelkers, from Austin, Texas. was also involved in selecting the finalists.
Nancy Stankiewicz, Competition Chair and Treasurer, organized and supervised the competition and Mark Ball, director of music at the Village Church, arranged practice opportunities and other duties required to hold a successful competition. They are members of the AGO as were the ushers Dan Brown, Cheryl Dittmar and Barbara Fleming.
The next Carlene Neihart International Pipe Organ Competition will be held in the spring of 2010. More information can be found on the web site organcompetitions.com
