Kansas University Alumnus Takes Top Prize In Organ Competition

Horton, who is assistant professor of organ at Dordt College, in Sioux Center, Iowa, qualified for the finals of the competition and traveled to Kaliningrad to compete in the Concert Hall of Kaliningrad Philharmonic Society. Seven finalists competed for top honors.

Horton performed Dieterich Buxtehude's Te Deum laudamus, BuxWV 218, Jehan Alain's Intermezzo, Tariverdiev's "Quo vadis" from Chernobyl Symphony and Bach's Allein Gott in der Hoh sei Ehr, BWV 664 and was awarded the top prize of $5,000 and a statue carved from local Kaliningrad amber.

In addition to 1st place, Horton also was the recipient of a handful of awards from the competition, including the Moscow State Government's Special Prize, the Omsk Philharmonic Society's Special Award, the Special Award of St. Jacobi Kirche, Lubeck, the Special Prize of Foundation Art of the Good and the Kaliningrad Audience Prize. Horton was invited back to perform in Moscow, Omsk and Kaliningrad in December as a reward for the Special Awards and Special Prize.

Horton expressed his admiration for the city of Kaliningrad and its rich appreciation of music.

"Kaliningrad is a model for arts management in the 21st century and I hope to see more places following their lead," said Horton. "They have encouraged a broad base of corporate and community support; the public turns out in droves for concerts and genuinely appreciates fine music-making."

The Mikael Tariverdiev Organ Competition, named after the Russian film composer, is held once every two years in the Hall of Kaliningrad Philharmonic Society. Kaliningrad was selected as the site of the competition because of its convenience for European traveling and because it is surrounded by countries with rich organ traditions, such as Poland and Lithuania. -- www2.ku.edu