"France's Chartres International Organ Competition,
probably the world's most prestigious" (Dallas Morning News)

Dong-ill Shin

Grand Prix d'Interprétation
Chartres Competition 2006

"Obviously a player of formidable discipline and considerable musicality. Mr. Shin gave everything a lovely, natural pliancy...dispatched with panache."
(Dallas Morning News)

"He really played wonderfully! Impeccable technique and mature musicality. His spoken comments were relevant, brief and illuminating. In addition, he was a delightful guest and most enjoyable personally."
(James P. Bounemani, St. James' Episcopal Church, Los Angeles CA, presenter 2007)

"Dong-ill Shin offered different periods of music in a very skillful
way, with an amazing technique, sensibility, and talent." (ABC, Seville, Spain)

Born in 1974, organist Dong-ill Shin won first prize in the national competition for piano sponsored by the Korean Times at the age of ten. When he was eleven years old, he made his debut with The Pusan Philharmonic Orchestra playing Mozart's Concerto in d minor No. 20. Attracted by J.S. Bach's music and the orchestra-like colors produced by the organ, he began his studies with Dr. Sun-woo Cho at the age of 14. Later at Yon-sei University in Seoul he studied with Dr. Tong-soon Kwak and completed his Bachelor of Music degree in 1997.

He then studied in France with Jean Boyer and received the Diplôme National Superieur de Musique from the Conservatoire National Superieur de Musique de Lyon in Organ, Harmony, Fugue, Analysis, Improvisation & Basso-Continuo. His dissertation at the conservatoire was on the study of Tabulatura Nava by Samuel Scheidt which focused on J. P. Sweelinck's influences on him. His studies continued with Olivier Latry and Michel Bouvard at the Conservatoire National Superieur de Musique de Paris in the prestigious Cycle de Perfectionnement program, which is the highest program in the French National Conservatory system. He also undertook private studies with Marie-Claire Alain for Organ and Françoise Marmim for Harpsichord. During his years of study in France he won several scholarships including awards from the Darazzi Foundation, the Meyer Foundation and Société Générale. In 2004 he completed his Artist Diploma Degree at the Boston Conservatory on a full scholarship studying with James David Christie.

Dong-ill Shin is a prize winner of international competitions such as Musashino-Tokyo International Organ Competition in 1996, Ciurlionis International Piano and Organ Competition, Lithuania and the 51th Prague Spring International Music Festival and Competition in 1999, the 21st St. Albans, Great Britain in 2001, and the National Young Artists Competition in Organ Performance of the AGO in 2004. He has been a featured artist on KBS Radio in Korea, France Musique & MEZZO Television in France, Lithuanian National Television and Radio & WCRB in USA. He has given numerous concerts in France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Norway, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, USA and in the Far East at such prestigious venues as Cité de la Musique, Notre Dame de Paris, La Madeleine, Cathedrale de Lyon, Monpellier and for the Festival d'Orgue de Rennes, Musashino Bunkakaikan, Japan, Busch Hall at Harvard University, Methuen Music Hall, Washington National Cathedral, etc.

Dong-ill Shin was organist at Marsh Chapel, Boston University and Interim Director of Music at Jesuit Urban Center, Boston where there is historic 1863 Hook & Hastings Organ. He is currently the Organist/ Music Associate at First United Methodist Church of Hurst, TX, and teaches organ at Texas Wesleyan University.