At just 21 years of age, Jake Street ’10 has already made his mark in the international music world.
Competing this week in the Andre Marchal International Organ Competition in Biarritz, France, Street won the Prize for the Best Performance of French Music, and was one of three finalists for the “Grand Prix.” Street received his award (and the accompanying cash prize of 1,000 Euros) from Jacqueline Englert-Marchal, daughter of the famous organist Andre Marchal (1894-1980), founder for the competition.
The jury cited Street’s performance of Cesar Franck’s “Pastorale” and the Alexandre Guilmant’s "Final" from Sonata #1 in D Minor, as the best performances of French music in the entire competition.
As an American competing in a French competition, Street says he feels humbled and privileged to have been selected for the Prize for French Music. “The competition was a fantastic experience, and it was a great honor to make it all the way to the finals,” exclaims Street. “I was able to play all of the music I had prepared, and I feel that I tried my hardest while having fun making music. I really couldn’t be happier with how it turned out.”
The music major from North Reading, Mass., who studies at Holy Cross on a full-tuition organ scholarship, was one of 16 organists worldwide, and one of only two Americans, selected to take part in the competition.
“Jake has really prepared like a professional for this competition,” says James David Christie, Distinguished Artist in Residence at Holy Cross and Street’s mentor. “He was chosen over candidates with doctorates, candidates from major music conservatories around the world and former first prize winners in other major international competitions. Needless to say, he has done Holy Cross very proud.”
The competition is one more honor Street can add to his already impressive resume, which includes performing with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and first place finish in the American Guild of Organists Regional Competition for Young Organists in June. Next summer, he will travel to Germany on a concert tour.
“The competition inspired me to work harder than ever before, and I’m looking forward to having the chance to compete again,” adds Street.
As the recipient of the Holy Cross Organ Scholarship, Street performs on the 1985 four manual, fifty-stop mechanical action organ located in St. Joseph Memorial Chapel, and assists in all aspects of the chapel music program. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the installation and dedication of the Taylor & Boody organ and James David Christie’s 25th year as Distinguished Artist in Residence at the College.
Below are three pieces performed by Street. Franck and Bach are the pieces he sent to qualify for the competition in France. La Nativite du Seigneur was recorded during a concert at Holy Cross last year. RealPlayer is required.
Pictured: Jake Street '10, who studies at Holy Cross on a full-tuition organ scholarship, performs on the College's Taylor & Boody organ in St. Joseph Chapel.
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