AWARDS & HONORS

2008 Dublin International Organ Competition, 1st Prize

Organist Joseph (Joey) Ripka ’09 has won first prize at the Dublin International Organ Competition, held on June 28, 2008, at Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin, Ireland. In addition to 5,000 euros, his award includes recital engagements in Ireland, the U.K., and continental Europe.

Ripka, from Elk River, Minnesota, is an Artist Diploma student studying at the Conservatory with Professor of Organ James David Christie. “This is one of the most prestigious … international organ competitions,” says Christie. “Joey really deserved this honor … he had the repertoire in his fingers, in his heart and soul.”

Ripka and two other finalists were required to present a 40-minute program for the finals round that included a work by Olivier Messiaen, whose centenary is being celebrated this year. Ripka performed Messiaen’s Transports de Joie, J.S. Bach’s Allein Gott in der Hoh sei ehr, BWV 662, and Max Reger’s Choral Fantasy on “Wachet auf.”

The Dublin achievement caps a championship season for Ripka; he also won first prizes at the Fort Wayne National Organ Playing Competition in April, and at the Elizabeth Elftman National Organ Competition, held in March in San Marino, California. He is also the second Oberlin student to win first prize in Dublin; Balint Karosi (AD ’05 and MMus ’07) of Hungary was a laureate in 2002.

Thirty-nine organists representing 15 countries vied for the competition, with 16 being selected to compete in the quarterfinals, which commenced June 23, 2008.

Thomas Trotter of Great Britain chaired the Dublin jury, which included Hans Fagius of Sweden, David Higgs of the U.S., Maragreta Hürholz of Germany, and Daniel Roth of France.

2008 Fort Wayne National Organ Competition, 1st Prize

Joseph Ripka was named the winner of the 2008 National Organ Playing Competition in the finals held Saturday, April 5, at First Presbyterian Church, Fort Wayne, Indiana. The six finalists were chosen from 23 preliminary recorded entries. Ripka was awarded a cash prize of $1500 and was presented in recital at First Presbyterian Church on April 20.

2008 San Marino/Elftman National Organ Competition, 1st Prize

San Marino Community Church (Presbyterian) in San Marino, California, hosted the annual Elftman Organ Competition on March 1, 2008. The competition, which promotes and encourages the study and performance of classical organ literature in the church, is held in memory of Elizabeth Elftman, a long time member of the church. The finalists played music of Bach, Vierne, and a piece of contemporary organ liturature written after 1960. Joseph Ripka was awarded the top prize of $1500.

The Honorable Dennis J. Kucinich of Ohio speaking on the floor of the United States House of Representatives, Wednesday, November 19, 2008.

“I also rise in recognition of Joseph Ripka, an internationally recognized and award-winning organist…Mr. Ripka is this year’s winner of the Dublin International Organ Competition and was the 2008 winner of the San Marino/Elizabeth Elftman National Organ Competition”

2006 Finalist in the Nijmegen, Netherlands International Organ Competition (Only American Selected)

2006 Finalist in the 58th Annual Prague Spring International Organ Competition

2005 Finalist in the Third International Organ Competition of Erfurt, Germany.