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.