Ball State University’s School of Music will host the fifth National Sursa American Organ Competition—bringing some of the nation’s most talented young organists to campus—Sept 6-7, 2025.
The event, held at Ball State’s Sursa Performance Hall, is free and open to the public. It can also be viewed via livestream. The semifinal rounds will be held from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1:15-3:15 p.m. on Sept. 6, and the final rounds will be held from 12:45-4:15 p.m. on Sept. 7.
“The Sursa Organ Competition not only brings some of the nation’s most gifted organists to Ball State but also celebrates the artistry and versatility of the organ itself,” said Dr. Franklin Larey, director of Ball State’s School of Music and professor of music. “We’re thrilled to welcome the community to Sursa Hall for this weekend of inspiring performances.”
The 2025 competition will feature a pre-professional division and a high school division, with rounds of live performances judged without knowledge of performer identification to ensure fairness. All participants will perform on Ball State’s world-class pipe organ designed by Goulding & Wood Co. This organ was a gift to the University by David and Mary Jane Sursa, whose previous generosity provided funding for the concert hall.
The preliminary recorded round will be judged anonymously by:
- Marko Petričić, assistant teaching professor of organ at Ball State
- Kirby Koriath, professor emeritus of organ at Ball State
- Simon Thomas Jacobs, concert organist, former organist at Christ Church Cathedral, Indianapolis
The live rounds will be judged anonymously by:
- Randall Harlow, professor of organ and music theory at the University of Northern Iowa School of Music
- Edie Johnson, organ faculty at the University of Tennessee
- Mark Herris, director of music at Calvary United Methodist Church in Brownsburg, Ind.
For more information, visit the School of Music’s event page or call 765-285-5400.