LIER - On the occasion of '1510-2010, 500 years of Carillon', the city of Lier is organizing the International 'Alexius Jullien' Carillon Competition in cooperation with the 'Collegium Campanarum Lyrae'.

This contest is unique amongst carillon contests since it is mainly focusing on 18th century music of the Low Countries. It will create a forum that brings together highly qualified musicians, the appreciation of the 18th century repertoire, performance tradition, carillon culture, the general public, and the media. The contest takes place on Saturday 11 September (selection stage) and Sunday 12 September 2010 (final).

ELEGIBILITY
The most promising, aspiring carillonneurs from throughout the world are invited to participate. There is no age limit.

INSTRUMENT
All performances will be played on the 18th century carillon of the Lier Saint Gummarus tower, cast by Alexius Jullien in 1704 and restored by Royal Eijsbouts in 2004. This carillon is a meantone instrument of 52 bells (G⁰, B-flat⁰, c¹, d¹ chromatic to d⁵) with a total weight of 30 tons. It transposes down a minor third and is the heaviest 18th century carillon of Western Europe.

PERFORMANCE CONDITIONS
All competitors will be offered optimum and equal conditions for practice at the instrument. Please contact secretary to the jury Willem Van de Weerd   for more details.

During the selection stage all candidates are required to play the obligatory work and one or two pieces of their own choice. The total playing time shall be 15 to 20 minutes. The jury may interrupt a performance if the allowed time is exceeded. The order of performing is assigned by lot. Performers will be known to the members of the jury. The three competitors who receive the highest marks will be selected to compete in the final.

During the final session all candidates are required to play the obligatory work and two or three pieces of their own choice. Candidates are permitted to play the same piece(s) as performed during the selection stage. The total playing time shall be 25 to 30 minutes. The order of performing is assigned by lot. Performers will be known to the members of the jury.

JURY
Members of the jury for the selection stage are: Gideon Bodden (carillonneur, campanologist), Koen Cosaert (carillonneur, campanologist), Geert D'hollander (carillonneur, composer).

Members of the jury for the final session are: Gideon Bodden (carillonneur, campanologist), Koen Cosaert (carillonneur, campanologist), Geert D'hollander (carillonneur, composer), Gustav Leonhardt (harpsichordist), Wieland Kuijken (gambist), and Bernard Winsemius (carillonneur, organist)

Freddy Mariën (director of the Academy of Music at Lier) is the non-voting president of the jury, while Willem Van de Weerd (president of 'Collegium Campanarum Lyrae') is secretary to the jury. The decision of the judges will be final. Prizes may not be awarded at the judges' discretion.

PRIZES
The first prize is an amount € 2000 and 8 carillon concerts in Belgium and the Netherlands in 2011. The second prize is € 1750 and 6 carillon concerts. The third prize is € 1500 and 4 carillon concerts.

APPLICATION
Candidates must send a completed entry form to arrive no later than 1st of June 2010 (postmarked). The entry form shall be accompanied by a registration fee of € 40. The organizers reserve the right to refuse any entry and return the registration fee without providing a reason. No appeal against their decision is possible. After approval by the organizers, candidates will receive a confirmation and additional practical guidelines.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The organizers reserve the right to make a recording of a performance at the pre-selection or the final session and shall have full rights of ownership in and use of such recorded performances. By entering, each participant accepts and agrees to the contest rules.

OBLIGATED PIECE AND OTHER SCORES
The obligated piece is a short set of three 'lessons' for harpsichord written by Jean-Baptiste Loeillet ('of London'). Approved candidates will make their own transcription for carillon. They shall send one clean copy of that transcription, as well as a copy of each work they intend to play, no later than the 15th of August 2010.

Since this contest is mainly focusing on 18th century music of the Low Countries, only non-carillon scores from that time period and composers of that region are allowed like transcriptions of any kind (e.g. harpsichord, organ, or any solo-instrument with figured bass, orchestral music etc.).

Composers of that era are for example Boutmy, Fiocco, De Fesch, Loeillet ('of Ghent' & his nephew 'of London'), van Noordt, van Maldere, Le Blan, vanden Gheyn etc. Upon request, candidates interested in more music to choose from can receive the complete harpsichord suites by Fiocco, vanden Gheyn, and sonatas for flute and basso continuo by Loeillet (digital versions).

Once again, no original scores for carillon (neither "De Gruijtters Carillon Book", nor "vanden Gheyn Carillon Preludes" etc.) are permitted.

This text and the application form is available as PDF-document