Dexter Kennedy won the 2014 Grand Prix de Chartres de Interprétation at the 24th Concours International D’Orgue de Chartres, France, one of the oldest, most prestigious international organ competitions in the world. Ordinarily held at Chartres Cathedral, this year’s competition was held October 28–November 8 at the two Paris Conservatories (Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional and Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse) and the finals in Notre Dame de Paris, due to renovations to the Chartres Cathedral nave. Sixty-three organists from twenty various nationalities sent pre-selection recordings, with twenty-two being invited to compete in the live rounds.
The Grand Prix carries a cash award of €5,000 as well as at least thirty recital engagements in Europe, including Notre Dame de Paris, the Berliner Dom, the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Hall, St. Alban’s Cathedral, along with engagements in Spain, Italy, Luxembourg, Iceland, and Slovakia. Kennedy is the first American to win the Grand Prix de Chartres since 1996.
Dexter Kennedy is instructor of organ at the College of Wooster, Wooster, Ohio, and assistant organist of Christ Church (Episcopal), Grosse Point, Michigan. An alumnus of the Yale School of Music/Institute of Sacred Music and the Oberlin Conservatory, Kennedy is currently pursuing the Artist Diploma at Oberlin studying with James David Christie. Other teachers include Jeffrey Brillhart, Martin Jean, and Olivier Latry. More information about Kennedy can be found at www.dexterkennedy.com.
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