On January 14, 2012, Parkey OrganBuilders of Duluth, Georgia sponsored an organ competition at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans in Shreveport, Louisiana.
The organ—Parkey OrganBuilders Opus 12 of three manuals and 55 ranks—was finished in autumn 2011.
Eight contestants, ranging from juniors in college to doctoral-level students, competed for a first place prize of $2,500 and second place prize of $1,000. Sang Gil (Travis) Gu from Oberlin Conservatory of Music, student of James David Christie, won first place; Yang Sun Yu from the University of Texas in Arlington, student of Linton Powell, won second place.
In addition, both winners played a 30-minute recital at the cathedral, performing repertoire from the competition. Adjudicators for the competition included Faythe Freese, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa; Hollice Watson, First Presbyterian Church, Shreveport; and Jonathan Ryan, artist-in-residence of St. James Episcopal Cathedral in Chicago.
Phillip Parkey thanks those who made the competition possible: Fr. Peter Mangum, rector of St. John Berchmans, and Justin Ward, organist and director of sacred music.
Visit www.parkeyorgans.com for more information.
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