Wettbewerbskonzert mit sechs jungen Organisten

The Bernhardt Foundation awards the Albert Schweitzer Organ Prize for church music talent for the third time in 2026. The nomination concert for the Albert Schweitzer Organ Prize 2026 will take place on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at the Martins Church in Nierstein. The concert consists of two parts, which the audience can also attend separately. During the intermission, the Organ Building Association OMNi will offer drinks and snacks.

In total, six students from the music colleges in Mainz, Frankfurt am Main, and Leipzig will present themselves to the audience and the expert jury. A work by Johann Sebastian Bach will be provided for all participants, while another piece may be freely chosen. The listeners can expect an exciting and moving evening with these highly gifted young organists.

The organ prize, which was awarded for the first time in 2024, is dedicated to the physician, theologian, musicologist, organologist, and organist Albert Schweitzer (1875–1965). It highlights the musical connection between the places Nierstein and Oppenheim: Schweitzer stayed in Nierstein with his art-loving friend Karl Ludwig Schmitt and came to Oppenheim to play the famous Walcker organ.

Since both places now possess exceptionally beautiful-sounding instruments that meet high stylistic and technical standards – the Walcker-Woehl organ in the Katharinenkirche and the Ott-Woehl organ in the Martinskirche – it is appropriate to open the locations with their churches for the promotion of young emerging artists. The competition is organized by Propsteikantor Ralf Bibiella and Dr. Katrin Bibiella. The Bernhardt Foundation finances the execution of the competition and the prize money, with a focus on supporting young people as well as the arts and culture.

Announcement:
In addition to a cash prize, the winner will receive a solo concert in the Katharinenkirche in Oppenheim, scheduled for September 27, 2026.

Max. number of participants: 500 people
Free admission, no registration required