Dunedin's Rachel Swindells wins NZAO Competition
Monday, 02 June 2008 07:21
Dunedin's Rachel Swindells took out first prize ($1500 and the Alan Hewson Memorial Trophy) at the New Zealand Association of Organists Congress in Auckland at Queen's Birthday. The second prize of $750 was shared by Eunice Ha Choi and Nicholas Sutcliffe, both of Auckland.
The judges' decision was announced at the Congress dinner on Sunday night 1 June by NZAO President Peter Gilmour and it was met with strong applause by the gathering. The margins between the top players were extremely narrow, he said.
Swindells, who has competed unsuccessfully for several years, said by phone from Dunedin that "the standard was very high and she was surprised but thrilled to win this time". She plays at both Dunedin Cathedrals, being organist at St Joseph's and Organ Scholar at St Paul's.
The winning performances were of Bach's Fantasia in g minor (BWV 542) and Litainies by Jehan Alain.
Mr Gilmour expressed the gratitude of NZAO to all who made the competition possible: competitors, judges and timekeeper, and the sponsors: the Eric Winstone Memorial Organ Trust, Piano Traders Ltd, the South Island Organ Company and the Auckland Organists' Association.