Prospectus

• Japanese page (For Prospectus of the 10th IOCM)

The 10th International Organ Competition Musashino-Tokyo

Outline

Official Title

The 10th International Organ Competition Musashino-Tokyo

Purpose

The purpose of the 10th International Organ Competition Musashino-Tokyo is to discover outstanding organists from Japan and abroad, to nurture the development of international relationships, and to form a society where people connect and enrich their lives through music.

History

The Competition was established in 1988.

Sponsor

Organizing Committee of the 10th International Organ Competition Musashino-Tokyo

Co-Sponsor

Musashino City

Musashino Foundation for Culture and Lifelong Learning

Cooperating Agencies

Japan Association of Organists

Japan Organ Society

Yamazaki Baking Co., Ltd.

Schedule

Applications......................Sunday, December 20, 2026 - Friday, January 22, 2027,

23:59 (Japan Standard Time)

Audition........................... February, 2027 (Not open to the public)

Orientation.......................Wednesday, September 8, 2027

First Round.......................Saturday, September 11 and Sunday, September 12

Second Round..................Wednesday, September 15 and Thursday, September 16

Final Round......................Sunday, September 19

Prizewinners’ Concert......Monday (National Holiday), September 20

Venue and Instrument

〈Orientation, First Round, Final Round, Prizewinners’ Concert〉

Musashino Shimin Bunka Kaikan (Musashino Civic Cultural Hall), Recital Hall（Musashino City, Tokyo）

Marcussen & Søn, 1984 

 

〈Second Round〉

Yamazaki Baking Company's Creation Center, Tojuro Iijima Memorial LLC Hall (Ichikawa City, Chiba)

Munetaka Yokota Organ Building and Research, 2026

Jury

Chairperson

Wolfgang ZERER (Germany)　Professor, Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg

Members

Jörg-Andreas BÖTTICHER (Switzerland/Germany)　Professor, Schola Cantorum Basiliensis

Isabelle DEMERS (Canada)　Associate Professor, McGill University

David HIGGS (USA)　Professor, Eastman School of Music

Christophe MANTOUX (France)　Professor, Conservatoire régional de Paris

SZABÓ Balázs (Austria/Hungary)　Professor, Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien

YAMAGAMI-ESPINASSE Haru (France/Japan)　Organist, Église St Saturnin d’Antony

Audition Jury

Chairperson

Wolfgang ZERER (Germany)　Professor, Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg

Members

KAN Tetsuya (Japan)　Chief Organist, International Christian University

MATSUI Naomi (Japan)　Professor Emerita, Seitoku University

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Required Repertory

Audition

Contestants for the First Round of the competition (fifteen contestants, in principle) will be selected based on the submitted video recordings of the required repertoire. The results of this audition will be announced by Sunday, February 28, 2027 on the official website. Selected contestants will receive formal notification and related documents by e-mail. Inquiries concerning the result of the audition will not be accepted.

Required Repertoire for Audition

Applicants should prepare the following two works.
(a) Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750): Trio super “Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend”, BWV 655
(b) Max Reger (1873-1916): Toccata in d-moll, “Zwölf Stücke” op. 59/5

Recording Requirements

• The video must be filmed from the side so that the performer’s whole body is visible, uploaded to YouTube as “Unlisted”, and the video URL must be entered into the application form.
• The order of the pieces must be (a) Bach, then (b) Reger, combined into a single video file.
• The video must be recorded within three months prior to the submission date.
• Performances must be played on a pipe organ, but it is permitted to use different instruments for the two works.
• Absolutely no editing of the video recording is allowed within a piece. However, the Bach and Reger may be recorded separately.
• The video title must include the applicant’s name (using the Roman alphabet), and the recording date and location must be clearly stated in English only in the YouTube description section.

* It is highly recommended that the audio and video quality of the recording be as high as possible.

Required Repertory

First Round

Perform 3 works from (a), (b) and (c). Make one selection each from (a) and (b), and perform both pieces in (c). The order of performance shall be determined by the contestant.

(a) Dieterich Buxtehude (c.1637-1707): Präludium in e, BuxWV 142 or Toccata in F, BuxWV 156
Nicolaus Bruhns (1665-1697): Präludium in e (groß) or Präludium in G
Vincent Lübeck (1654-1740): Präludium in g, LübWV 12

 

(b) Nicolas de Grigny (1672-1703)
From «Veni Creator»: ‹Fugue à 5› and ‹Dialogue sur les Grands-Jeux›
or From «A Solis Hortus (Ortus)»: ‹Fugue à 5› and ‹Point d’Orgue sur les Grands-Jeux›

 

(c) Gaston Litaize (1909-1991): From «Douze Pièces», ‹Lied› and ‹Scherzo›

* These pieces will be considered for the Litaize Prize.

Required Repertory

Second Round

Perform 4 works from (a), (b), (c) and (d). Select one piece from (a), (b), and (c). The order of performance shall be determined by the contestant.

(a) Johann Gottfried Müthel (1728-1788): Fantasie in g or Fantasie in F

 

(b) Johann Sebastian Bach: Sonate Nr. 2 in c, BWV526 or Sonate Nr. 6 in G, BWV 530

 

(c) Johann Sebastian Bach:
Fantasie et Fuga in g, BWV 542
or Praeludium et Fuga in h, BWV 544
or Praeludium et Fuga in e, BWV 548

 

(d) Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847): From «Sechs Sonaten für Orgel» Op. 65, Sonate Nr. 5, D-Dur

Final Round

A recital program including one organ work by J. S. Bach and at least one organ work composed in or after 2001. The allotted time per person (including entry, exit, and intervals between pieces) must be between 40 and 50 minutes, with no intermission, and must have a total duration of no less than 40 minutes and no more than 50 minutes.
Works selected for the First and Second Rounds may not be included. Only original works for organ are permitted; arrangements or transcriptions are not allowed.

Requirements for Finals

• The Final Round program must be clearly specified on the application form, including: (1) composer, (2) title (in the original language) and (3) the duration of each selection. Also include the reason for your selection of repertoire. Once submitted, any changes in a contestant’s program are not permitted.
• Selections from the required repertory of the First and the Second Rounds are not to be used in the Final Round.

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How to Apply

Age Limit for Applicants　

Persons born on or after January 1, 1992 are eligible to participate.

Period for acceptance of applications

Sunday, December 20, 2026 through Friday, January 22, 2027 by 23:59 (Japan Standard Time)
* If you have not received an application acceptance by email from the secretariat by Friday, February 5, 2027, please contact the secretariat.

How to Apply

1. Application

Access the website below and apply online:

The link to access to online application is to be announced.

 

• Please attach the following data:

　- One high-resolution photo of yourself from the waist up, facing the camera

　-A letter of recommendation (in Japanese or English) from an organ teacher or other specialist, as either a PDF or a scanned image file

　- A scanned copy of your passport or other official document that includes your name and date of birth

 

• A link to the unlisted YouTube video must be included in the application.
• Data submitted to the competition will be used solely for screening purposes. However, photos and profiles may be used for the official program and for publicity purposes.

How to Apply

2. Participation fee

A fee of 15,000 Japanese Yen shall be paid in any of the following ways. Any fees incurred in the transfer of funds will be the responsibility of the applicant. Payment must be made during the application period and in Japanese Yen.

 

• Online (PayPal) payment
  The link to access to online payment is to be announced.

 

• Bank transfer to:
  MUFG Bank, Kichijoji Branch
  Account No. 2638662
  Account Holder: Musashino Foundation for Culture and Lifelong Learning
  
  (Information below is for overseas applicants only)
  Swift code: BOTKJPJT
  Bank Address: 1-15-2 Kichijoji-Honcho, Musashino-City, Tokyo 180-0004

 

*As a matter of policy, fees paid to the competition are non-refundable. However, if the competition is cancelled due to force majeure such as natural disasters or epidemics, the application fee will be returned at a later date.

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Travel and Lodging subsidy

Travel Expenses

For the contestants in the First Round, travel expenses will be provided under the following conditions:

 

<Non-residents of Japan>

The secretariat will provide a stipend in Japanese Yen during the orientation on September 8, 2027 (Wednesday), based on the lower of the actual airfare or the maximum limit determined by region as shown below. Receipts or other documents confirming the amount must be presented on the day of the orientation. All other travel expenses shall be borne by the individual.

 

Area and Maximum travel subsidy

Asia: 80,000 Japanese Yen

Outside of Asia: 150,000 Japanese Yen

 

Travel expense grants will be given after any necessary taxes are deducted. (The applicable tax rate is, in principle, 20.42% as of June 2026.)

 

<Residents of Japan>

Travel costs are the responsibility of the contestant.

Lodging Expenses

Lodging expenses (not including meals) for the duration of the competition will be provided for those contestants requiring accommodations, from the evening of Wednesday, September 8, 2027 as follows:

 

• First-round contestants.......... until the morning of Monday, September 13
• Second-round contestants......until the morning of Friday, September 17
• Finalists....................................until the morning of Monday (National Holiday), September 20
• Awardees..................................until the morning of Tuesday, September 21

 

Accommodations will be provided at a hotel designated by the competition sponsors.

Visa Procurement

If an entry visa to Japan is required, the application and procurement of the visa is the responsibility of the individual contestant. If a letter of guarantee is required for visa application, please contact the secretariat.

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Awards and Prizes

Awards and Prizes

First Prize.................. Award certificate and 1,200,000 Yen in prize money

Second Prize..............Award certificate and 800,000 Yen in prize money

Third Prize.................Award certificate and 600,000 Yen in prize money

Litaize Prize.................Award certificate and 2,000 euro in prize money

 

* The prize money for First through Third Prize will be awarded via bank transfer after deductions in accordance with Japanese tax law.

* The Litaize Prize will be selected from among contestants in the First Round and announced along with the results of that round. The prize money for the Litaize Prize will be awarded by the Association Gaston Litaize.

 

Other finalists............Award certificate

Audience Award (awarded to finalist selected by audience vote) .............Award certificate, souvenir

Other Awards

The First Prize winner will be provided the opportunity to perform on tour in Japan during the 2029 fiscal year at the invitation of Musashino Foundation for Culture and Lifelong Learning.

* The details will be posted on the Foundation’s organ website as soon as they are finalized.

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Others

Orientation

Contestants must attend the following orientation.

Time: 15:00, Wednesday, September 8, 2027

Place: Musashino Civic Cultural Hall

Order of Performances

The order of performances of the First, Second, and Final Rounds, and rehearsal times, will be decided by drawing at the following times:

• First Round......... During the orientation
• Second Round.... Immediately following the announcement of Second Round contestants
• Final Round.........Immediately following announcement of Final Round contestants

 

Contestants must arrive at the appropriate venue by the designated time. In the case of a late arrival, performance will only be permitted if the chair of the Executive Committee, in consultation with the chair of the jury, determines that it will not disrupt the overall progress.

Rehearsals

Contestants will be given rehearsal time at the competition venues. Practice time at other venues may also be provided for those desiring additional practice time. Applicants should state their preference at the time of application.

Registrants

Contestants must make provision for their own registrant, if one should be required. If an applicant wishes the secretariat to provide one, this should be noted in the application.

Judging

Judging will be conducted according to judging standards set by the Organizing Committee. The judging for the First and Second Rounds will be conducted blind. No objections may be raised against the decisions of the jury.

Performance Rights

All competition-related performances become the legal property of the competition sponsor as noted below.

Competitors may make no objections to this, nor may they request financial compensation for said performances. 

• Radio or televised broadcasting or dissemination via Internet.
• Audio and/or visual recordings, whether broadcast or released online.
• Taking of photographs and/or videos and the duplication thereof, as well as their distribution and/or sale.

Prizewinners’ Concert

Those who have been awarded First Prize, Second Prize, Third Prize, Litaize Prize, and the Audience Award, must perform in the Prizewinners’ Concert to be held on Monday (National Holiday), September 20, 2027 at the Musashino Civic Cultural Hall. Please note that no performance fees will be paid.

Community Concert

Contestants who do not pass the First or Second Rounds may be invited to participate in a “Community Concert” during the competition period. Those who pass the audition will be contacted by the competition organization, and details will be decided at that time.

Addendum

Any issues arising in regard to the above articles will be resolved based on the original Japanese version and in accordance with Japanese law.

Contact

Secretariat of the 10th International Organ Competition Musashino-Tokyo

Musashino Foundation for Culture and Lifelong Learning, Department of Arts and Culture

Musashino Civic Cultural Hall, 3-9-11 Naka-cho, Musashino-City, Tokyo 180-0006 JAPAN
Telephone: +81-(0)422-54-8822 Fax: +81-(0)422-54-2014
E-mail: organ@musashino.or.jp

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Organ specifications

• Musashino Civic Cultural Hall, Marcussen & Søn Orgelbyggeri, 1984 （PDF 347.5 KB）
• Yamazaki Baking Company's Creation Center, Munetaka Yokota Organ Building and Research, 2026 （PDF 459.2 KB）

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Download “Prospectus” (PDF)

• Prospectus PDF (English) （PDF 1010.9 KB）
• Prospectus PDF (Japanese) （PDF 1.8 MB）

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Organizing Members of the Competition

Organizing Committee

Chairperson

TAKEUCHI Michinori　President, Musashino Foundation for Culture and Lifelong learning

Assistant Chairperson

MATSUI Naomi　Professor Emerita, Seitoku University

Members

AMANO Hiroaki

Director, Civic Activities Promotion Section, Musashino City

HIROE Rie
Professor, Tokyo University of the Arts; Board Member, Japan Association of Organists

INAGAKI Hideo
Honary President, The Musashino Chamber of Commerce and Industry; President, Musashino City Urban Tourism Corporation

KENJO Takehide

Professor, Seikei University

MINOWA Junko

Chairperson, Musashino City Community Council on Child Plan Promotion; Professor, Musashino University

MIZUSHIMA Akira

President, Musashino Junior Chamber

OHKI Mari

Visiting Lecturer, Tokyo College of Music

TOKUOKA Megumi

Visiting Lecturer, Tokyo University of the Arts; Organist, Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre, Toyota City Concert Hall

TSUBOI Yoshiko

Musashino City Community Research Association; Vice-Chairperson, Central Community Council

TSUJIMOTO Akihiko

Vice Chairperson, Musashino City Social Education Committee; Professor, Hosei University

YAMADA Tsuyoshi

President, Social Welfare Corporation Musashino

YAMANAKA Sakae

President, Musashino International Association

Executive Committee

Chairperson

MATSUI Naomi

Members

OHKI Mari

TOKUOKA Megumi

SAITO Yasuko　Executive Director, Musashino Foundation for Culture and Lifelong Learning

Subcommittee for Jury Selection and Repertoire Selection

MATSUI Naomi
OHKI Mari
TOKUOKA Megumi

Secretariat

Musashino Foundation for Culture and Lifelong Learning

Honorary Committee Members

Marie-Claire ALAIN (France) ♰	Juror, Fifth Competition
Christoph BOSSERT (Germany)	Juror, Sixth Competition
Michel BOUVARD (France)	Juror, Fifth and Sixth Competitions
Guy BOVET (Switzerland)	Juror, Second and Eighth Competitions
Jean BOYER (France)　♰	Juror, Third and Fourth Competitions
Xavier DARASSE (France) ♰	Juror, First Competition
Hans-Ola ERICSSON (Sweden)	Juror, Eighth Competition
Thierry ESCAICH (France)	Juror, Seventh Competition
François ESPINASSE (France)	Juror, Fifth and Eighth Competitions
FASSANG László (Hangary)	Juror, Nineth Competition
Bernard FOCCROULLE (Belgium)	Juror, Seventh Competition
Arvid GAST (Germany)	Juror, Seventh Competition
Jon GILLOCK (USA)	Juror, Sixth Competition
Lorenzo GHIELMI (Italy)	Juror, Third Competition
Bernhard HAAS (Germany)	Juror, Eighth Competition
Gerre HANCOCK (USA) ♰	Juror, First Competition
HAYASHI Yuko (Japan) ♰	Juror, First and Sixth Competitions
HIROE Rie (Japan)	Juror, Seventh-Nineth Competitions
HIRONO Tsuguo (Japan)	Juror, Second-Sixth Competitions
Jan Willem JANSEN (The Netherlands)	Juror, Third and Fifth Competitions
Piet KEE (The Netherlands) ♰	Juror, First Competition
KIM Jisung (Republic of Korea)	Juror, Nineth Competition
Leo KRÄMER (Germany)	Juror, First Competition
Edgar KRAPP (Germany)	Juror, Second and Third Competitions
KUBOTA Seiji (Japan)	Juror, Fourth and Fifth Competitions
KWAK Tong-Soon (Republic of Korea)	Juror, Fourth Competition
Mireille LAGACÉ (Canada)	Juror, Sixth Competition
Ludger LOHMANN (Germany)	Juror, Fourth Competition
Matthias MAIERHOFER (Austria)	Juror, Nineth Competition
Andrea MARCON (Italy)	Juror, Fourth and Fifth Competitions
Thomas OSPITAL(France)	Juror, Nineth Competition
Pier Damiano PERETTI (Italy)	Juror, Seventh Competition
Karel PAUKERT (USA) ♰	Juror, Second and Third Competitions
Michael RADULESCU (Austria) ♰	Juror, First and Sixth Competitions
Yves RECHSTEINER (Switzerland)	Juror, Nineth Competition
Daniel ROTH (France)	Juror, Second Competition
SHIN Dong-ill (Republic of Korea)	Juror, Eighth Competition
SUZUKI Masaaki (Japan)	Juror, Fifth Competition
Carole TERRY (USA)	Juror, Fourth Competition
David TITTERINGTON (UK)	Juror, Eighth Competition
Krzysztof URBANIAK (Poland)	Juror, Nineth Competition
Harald VOGEL (Germany)	Juror, Fifth Competition
Dame Gillian WEIR (UK)	Juror, Second Competition
YOSHIDA Minoru (Japan) ♰	Juror, First-Third Competitions
Wolfgang ZERER (Germany)	Juror, Fifth Competition

 

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