10th Xavier Darasse International organ Competition

The competition consists of the conception and interpretation of a one-hour public concert (final round) in the presence of a prestigious jury and as part of the 13th Toulouse-Les-Orgues International Festival in October 2008. Two previous heats, in May (preselection) and in September (semifinal), will consist of presenting extracts from this programme.
A diverse jury of 22 personalities, magnificent and varied organs, complete freedom of choice for instrument and programme, genuine opportunities for practice, financial help for travel expenses and, if your plans deem it necessary, the possibility to include other artists such as instrumentalists or singers in your final concert.

The competition is open to all organists born after 31 December 1973.

PRE-ENROLMENTS

As from now, you may let us know if you wish to take part in the competition by forwarding a simple CV (by e-mail, fax or post). You will then receive full details and rules of the competition with an application form (by e-mail, fax or post).



PRESELECTION BY NUMERICAL RECORDING
By the latest May 10th, 2008 (postmark attesting), you must send to us by post :
- the application form, completed fully, together with the required documents
- your project, fully detailed and timed, together with a one-page written presentation (optional) in English or French
- a numerical recording (DAT, CD or mini-disc) including extracts of your programme (25 to 30 minutes) with a written declaration bound by honour that no copying or editing has been used in the recording
- the application fee of € 50.
The jury for the preselection will retain 12 to 16 candidates for the semifinal.


SEMI FINAL IN TOULOUSE (October 3 - 4, 2008)

A public concert in front of the full jury : interpretation of extracts from your programme on the chosen organ (25 to 30 minutes).


FINAL IN TOULOUSE (October 7 - 8, 2008)
A public concert in front of the full jury : concert of one hour’s duration as part of the 13th Toulouse-Les-Orgues Festival.

The Prizes
FIRST PRIZE : € 6 000
SECOND PRIZE : € 4 000
THIRD PRIZE : € 2 000
FOURTH PRIZE : € 1 000

Some concerts in Europe
The First Prize will be the prize winner of the ECHO of the year 2009 and will be invited to give a concert in the 11 towns of this association : Alkmaar, Bruxelles, Freiberg, Fribourg, Göteborg, Innsbruck, Lisboa, Toulouse, Treviso, Umag, Zaragoza.
Festival directors of ECHO, invited as members of the jury, could proposed concerts to candidates of their choice.

Financial help

The 12 to 16 candidates chosen for the semifinal heats must be present in Toulouse from September 29 until October 5, 2008.
The ½ non-admitted finalists will receive financial assistance for their travel expenses and accommodation, on proof of receipt, for up to € 300.
For the final, expenses of the accompanying artists will be reimbursed, on proof of account, for up to € 500.

For any information, pre-enrolments and competition rules, please contact :
Les Arts Renaissants
24 rue Croix Baragnon
F 31000 TOULOUSE
Tél. & Fax : + 33 (0) 5 61 25 27 32
les-arts-renaissants@wanadoo.fr