Robert Horton, a 2003 Kansas University graduate, recently won first place in the fifth-annual Mikael Tariverdiev International Organ Competition in Kaliningrad, Russia.

Horton, who is assistant professor of organ at Dordt College, in Sioux Center, Iowa, qualified for the finals of the competition and traveled to Kaliningrad earlier this month to compete in the Concert Hall of Kaliningrad Philharmonic Society. Seven finalists competed for top honors.

Horton performed Dieterich Buxtehude’s “Te Deum laudamus, BuxWV 218,” Jehan Alain’s “Intermezzo,” Tariverdiev’s “Quo vadis” from Chernobyl Symphony and Bach’s “Allein Gott in der Hoh sei Ehr, BWV 664.” He received the top prize of $5,000 and a statue carved from local Kaliningrad amber.

In addition to first place, Horton also was the recipient of a handful of awards from the competition, including the Moscow State Government’s Special Prize, the Omsk Philharmonic Society’s Special Award, the Special Award of St. Jacobi Kirche, Lubeck, the Special Prize of Foundation Art of the Good and the Kaliningrad Audience Prize. Horton was invited back to perform in Moscow, Omsk and Kaliningrad in December as a reward for the Special Awards and Special Prize.

For more information, contact KU’s music and dance department at 864-3436.