St. Michael’s Church organ will be put through its paces as part of a simultaneous series of free lunchtime recitals, entitled ‘Northern Ireland Resounds’, to celebrate 10 years of the Northern Ireland International Organ Competition (NIIOC) on Tuesday, April 5.

The Enniskillen concert, alongside others in each of the six counties of Northern Ireland, will feature first-prize winners from the past 10 years from Germany, Hungary and Russia, as well as the UK.

These recitals are dedicated to the memory of the Lisburn organ builder, the late David McElderry, former Managing Director of Wells-Kennedy Partnership, who lovingly maintained the organs featured in the performances.

There will also be a gala recital at Belfast Cathedral on Wednesday, April 6 at 7.30pm, featuring all ten of its first-prize winners, preceded by another gala performance at Southwark Cathedral, London on March 28 at 7.30pm.

The Belfast Cathedral evening gala concert will be introduced by Fr. Eugene O’Hagan, of the singing group, The Priests.

Richard Gowers, senior prize-winner in 2013, will also give the NI premiere of a work by Grace-Evangeline Mason, specially composed for NIIOC and the Commission for Victims and Survivors for Northern Ireland, with the piece dedicated to all those touched by The Troubles.

NIIOC stemmed from the demand of local organists who wanted to encourage, challenge and recognise the talents of young performers in a competitive environment. It quickly established itself as one of the leading platforms internationally for committed young organists and rising talent.

Richard Yarr, founder and chair of NIIOC, said: ‘We are very proud that NIIOC has been a proper trailblazer, changing the organ landscape locally and internationally.

“Competitors from Australia, the US, China and all across Europe have come to the beautiful cathedral city of Armagh each August to perform in St. Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral.

‘We’re thrilled to be celebrating our first ten years with these very special concerts featuring ten young organists who are such great ambassadors for the king of instruments, and for our competition.

“NIIOC takes pride of place on their CVs, and I know these events will offer something for everyone.”

Renowned conductor and organist Dr. David Hill is on the judging panel every year and is also a competition patron. Of its development over the past decade, he said: ‘NIIOC has gained an increasing respect internationally as a competition to launch the careers of young organists.

“What a fitting tribute to gather the illustrious prize winners as a way of celebrating ten outstanding competitions.”

The NIIOC anniversary celebrations are sponsored by The Eric Thompson Charitable Trust; The Flax Trust; The Priests Charitable Trust; Randox Laboratories; The Commission For Victims And Survivors For Northern Ireland; The Earl and Countess Castle Stewart; Neil Shawcross; David Scott; Harrison & Harrison Ltd; The London Organ Competition, and Gormley’s Fine Art.