Queen Fabiola Competition

Queen Fabiola Competition
Koningin Fabiolawedstrijd
StatusActive
GenreMusic competition
Location(s)Mechelen, Belgium
InauguratedAugust 28–31, 1987[1]
FounderRoyal Carillon School "Jef Denyn"
Previous eventJuly 10–14, 2019
Next eventJuly 10–14, 2024
ParticipantsCarillonneurs
Patron(s)Fabiola of Belgium
WebsiteOfficial website

The Queen Fabiola Competition (Dutch: Koningin Fabiolawedstrijd) is an international music competition for carillon. It was established in 1987 by the Royal Carillon School "Jef Denyn" to supersede the smaller annual competitions held in Belgium.[2] Named after Queen Fabiola of Belgium, the competition's original patron, it was modeled after the Queen Elizabeth Competition. Its establishment was supported by the Flemish Government, Antwerp Province, and the city of Mechelen.[3]

The competition involves learning several pieces of carillon music across three musical styles: baroque, romantic, and contemporary. It is extended over several days, with each contestant playing twice. A panel of judges award five prizes.[2][4]

Considered the equivalent of top global competitions for piano,[2] it has been described as the most important carillon competition in the world[5][6] and the "Olympics of the carillon"[7][8][9]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Myhre was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b c Keldermans, Karel; Keldermans, Linda (1996). Carillon: The Evolution of a Concert Instrument in North America. Springfield Park District. p. 174. ISBN 0-9652252-0-8. OL 1024319M.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Bordley was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "International Carillon Competition Queen Fabiola". Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  5. ^ Rupert, Randall (3 July 2014). "D'hollander Students Take Top Honors". Bok Tower Gardens. Archived from the original on 7 February 2023. Retrieved 31 July 2023. This four-day competition is undoubtedly the most important in the carillon world.
  6. ^ Rombouts, Luc (2014). Singing Bronze: A History of Carillon Music. Translated by Communicationwise. Leuven University Press. p. 313. ISBN 978-90-5867-956-7. The most important [carillon competition] is the Queen Fabiola International Carillon Competition in Mechelen, which began in 1987 and takes place every five years.
  7. ^ Beldona, Shreya (25 September 2019). "Graduate Wins Prestigious International Music Competition for Rare Instrument". Coppel Student Media. Archived from the original on 16 March 2020. Retrieved 31 July 2023. After only playing the carillon for four years, Johnson received a grant to play at the Royal Carillon Schoolin Mechlem, Belgium after winning the prestigious Queen Fabiola Competition, which is described as the 'Olympics' of the carillon.
  8. ^ "Winning the 'Olympics' of the carillon". University of Rochester. 16 July 2019. Archived from the original on 20 May 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2023. Doris Aman, Johnson's former mentor and coordinator of the University's Carillon Society, describes the Queen Fabiola competition as the equivalent of top global competitions in violin or piano, or the Olympics in athletics.
  9. ^ Cerabona, Ron (17 May 2019). "Canberra Carillon Player Peter Bray to Compete in the International Queen Fabiola Carillon Contest". The Canberra Times. Archived from the original on 12 June 2019. Retrieved 31 July 2023. I'll be the Australian representative at the so-called carillon Olympics.