KCOA Organ Competition 2026 - Details

Kent County Organists’ Association
Patron: Dr David Flood
PRESENTS

THE ORGAN COMPETITION 2026

PATRON: MARGARET PHILLIPS

at

ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH, MAIDSTONE, ME15 6YE

Saturday 14th March 2026 at 1300hrs

Open to candidates under 21 years of age on 1st March 2026

Adjudicator: Dr David Flood

Dear Competitor

It gives me great pleasure to announce the syllabus for the 2026 competition has now been published, and reflects changes from previous years. In particular candidates have a greater choice of offerings for the Advanced Class.  A copy of the syllabus appears below this welcome letter.

The age limit is under 21 on 1st March 2026 

We are delighted that Dr David Flood has agreed to adjudicate again.

We hope the experience of participating in the competition will not be daunting, rather that it will enhance the playing ability and musical career of competitors and we look forward to welcoming you to All Saints’ Church, Maidstone.

James Bryant G.T.C.L.

(Chair, KCOA Organ Competition sub-committee)

SYLLABUS

Please read all sections carefully and note all entries must be completed through our website on the official form

Advanced:  Grade 7 level upwards (including diploma standard)
Candidates should offer two contrasted pieces of their own choice, one of which should be by J.S. Bach or a major contemporary of his, with a total playing time of between 10 and 15 minutes.

Intermediate: Grade 5 & 6 level
Candidates should offer two contrasted pieces of their own choice, with a total playing time of between 7 and 12 minutes.

Elementary: Grade 3 & 4 level
Candidates should offer two contrasted pieces of their own choice, with a total playing time of between 5 and 8 minutes.

Candidates may find it useful to refer to the 2026 syllabuses published by ABRSM and Trinity College at the appropriate levels (as indicated above) for each class in selecting their pieces.  Choices from either of those lists will be accepted, provided that they are suitably contrasted.  Other pieces not on those lists which may be offered will be subject to approval by the adjudicator at the point of entering the competition and we may need to ask for a copy to be provided. N.B. Submissions cannot be altered beyond the closing date for applications.
 
Practical information for competitors

There is a public address system.  Competitors will be given guidance in its use and are encouraged to announce the pieces they are performing.

Candidates will be allowed one hour for rehearsal on the competition organ for the most part on either Saturdays' the 28th February or the 7th March before the date of the competition.  They should contact James Bryant to book a practice session on e-mail at james_bryant1@sky.com.  A teacher may be present to help at this session, but may not assist on the day itself, when arrangements will be made for page-turners if required.  Candidates are responsible for managing their own registrations; the services of a registrant are not permitted. Channels   of adjustable pistons will be available to each candidate; a record should be kept of these settings after the practice session, and checked before performing on the day.  Please note that competitors may only adjust pistons on the stepper system; pre-set departmental pistons cannot be altered.

Competitors are invited to take pride in informing people at interviews and on their CV that they have participated in this competition.

Click here to enter: Enter Competition

Competition Prizes

Our Adjudicator
David Flood made an early start in his glittering career.  At 15 he was a parish organist, then an Organ Exhibitioner at St. John’s College, Oxford, followed by a year at Clare College, Cambridge.  He was appointed Assistant Organist at Canterbury Cathedral in 1978, then Organist and Master of the Choristers at Lincoln Cathedral in 1986.  Two years later he was back at Canterbury in a similar post, a position from which he retired in December 2020.

The closing date for entries is 31st January 2026  There is no charge for entry.  Please note that the number of candidates in any class may be limited if a large number of applications is received.  Early applications for entry are therefore advised.

This year entries will only be accepted electronically through the website using the link provided below. You will be given an opportunity to save your entry as you wish. Any queries should be addressed to the competition chairman at james_bryant1@sky.com

Directions

Maidstone is well served by transport links and directions can be obtained by inputting the post code ME15 6YE .

Organ Specification

https://npor.org.uk/survey/N12296

😁Click here to enter: Enter Competition