First-year St John’s student wins University-wide organ competition

Pascal Bachmann, Junior Organ Scholar at St John’s College and a first-year Music student, has won the Brian Runnett Organ Competition.

The biennial competition is held in memory of Brian Runnett (1935-1970) who served as Organ Scholar at the College from 1960 to 1963 under the direction of George Guest before his death in a car accident at the age of 35.

Pascal said: “I’ve been playing the organ for around four years, but played piano before that, having begun at the age of five. I started the organ simply out of curiosity. Winning the Brian Runnett Competition is a great delight!”

An exceptionally strong field of six applicants from across the University of Cambridge played on St John’s College Chapel’s new Harrison & Harrison organ, which features historic Father Willis pipework dating back to 1889. Entrants are required to perform two pieces from a prescribed list of works.

“Our six candidates should be commended for their performances, all of which showed a high level of talent and careful preparation"

Pascal was named the winner following his performance of Duruflé’s Scherzo, and Nicolaus Bruhns’ Praeludium in E minor. The adjudicators were Sarah Baldock, Director of Music at Winchester College, and Gordon Stewart BEM, concert organist and presenter of the BBC’s Songs of Praise for 15 years.

“The new St John's organ is marvellously colourful and versatile, with an extraordinary warmth and profundity of sound. Its modern playing aids are also very useful for the organist from a practical perspective,” added Pascal, who takes away an £800 prize.

The judging panel was chaired by the College’s Director of Music, Christopher Gray, who said: “Our six candidates should be commended for their performances, all of which showed a high level of talent and careful preparation. Pascal’s performances stood out to the judges for their musicianship, architectural awareness, technical finesse, and sense of style.”

As Junior Organ Scholar at St John’s College, Pascal plays during the seven sung services each week during University of Cambridge full term – Evensong Tuesday to Sunday at 6.30pm, and Eucharist on Sunday at 10.30am.

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27/2/2026

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