This spring 25 very young pianists will participate in the CIPC Young Artists Competition and Institute, the first multi-round, international version of the former Piano/Ohio program organized by CIPC since 2005.
CIPC Young Artists will welcome piano students from around the world for juried performances, as well as master classes from members of the jury. Students will perform in two age groups: Juniors (age 12 to 15) and Seniors (age 16 to 18). Prizes will be awarded in each age group, with a first prize of $10,000 and $25,000, respectively.
“We are grateful to Zoya Reyzis, a long-time patron and member of the board, who is generously presenting the first prize in the Senior Division,” said CIPC President and CEO Pierre van der Westhuizen. “I also want to acknowledge the late Dr. John Flower, who was instrumental in the creation of the original youth competition in 2005, and later provided an endowment that now benefits CIPC Young Artists. We remember him very fondly.”
CIPC Young Artists is similar in structure to the Cleveland International Piano Competition. Students in each age group will perform three solo rounds and one final round with orchestra in front of audiences and a professional jury, with all candidates performing two rounds before the first jury vote. Six candidates from each age group will advance to the Semi-Final round and three candidates from each age group will advance to the Final round. CIPC is very pleased to partner with the Canton Symphony Orchestra for the Final round, with Maestro Gerhardt Zimmermann conducting.
The event is being hosted by Baldwin Wallace University and the Cleveland Museum of Art. The solo round performances, guest artist recitals, and institute events will take place at the University, while the final round performances and the gala will be held at the Museum.
There will be much to enjoy for local audiences, including young piano students. All performances will be open to the public for a nominal cost, with $5.00 student tickets available at the door. In addition to the student performances, four special recitals will be presented featuring internationally known guest artists including 1999 medalist Vassily Primakov who will perform at the opening ceremony. Lastly, for the serious piano students here in Northeast Ohio, CIPC is partnering with Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) to organize master classes with members of the jury. For more information regarding this opportunity, please contact Sophié van der Westhuizen by email at [email protected].
Last, but not least, what’s a CIPC event without a party? We’ll do it up right on the last night, with a gala reception before the Final round performances, just to set the tone and put everyone in a celebratory mood for our finalists. Mark you calendars now so you don’t miss the fun!
Click HERE for a full schedule of all CIPC Young Artist events.