The Fort Wayne National Organ Competition took place March 17 at the First Presbyterian Church, Fort Wayne, Indiana.
First place was awarded to Jihye Choi, originally from South Korea and currently pursuing a performance diploma at Indiana University, Bloomington. The award is $2,000 and a recital at the church during the 2018–2019 season.
There was a tie for second place between two University of Kansas students, senior Audrey Thomas and second-year master’s student Shayla Van Hal. Each received a $750 prize.
Judges were Jonathan Moyer, Rhonda Sider Edgington, and Todd Wilson.
The biennial competition was started in 1960 and is the longest running national organ playing competition in the United States. For information: http://firstpresfortwayne.org/.
Audrey Thomas, Shayla Van Hal, and Jihye Choi (photo credit: Lea Powers)
