PIANO > Annual Piano Competition
June 23 - August 9, 2012

FIRST PRIZE $7,500
SECOND PRIZE $3,000

Left: Magdalena Ondicova, First Prize
Right: Jiao Sun, Second PrizeThe 17th annual Chautauqua Piano Competition will be a rewarding and exciting event during the piano program, and is open only to students enrolled in the program. The Preliminary Round will be held on July 22 in the Sherwood-Marsh Piano Studios Concert Room; the Semifinal and Final Rounds will be held in Lenna Hall on August 1 and August 4. A Winners Recital is held at the conclusion of the program. All rounds are open to the public.

Competition Repertoire

Preliminary Round --- 15-18 minutes*

• One etude by Debussy
• One additional etude of virtuosity (not Debussy)
• One lyrical piece (e.g. Chopin Nocturne, Brahms Intermezzo, Debussy Cloches à travers les feuilles, Mozart Rondo in A minor)
• Commissioned work by Doug Opel (3-5 minutes) http://www.dougopel.com

Semifinal Round --- 20-25 minutes*

• Free choice of repertoire demonstrating at least two different style periods
• Two works from the Preliminary Round may be repeated

Final Round --- 35-40 minutes*

• Free choice of repertoire demonstrating at least two different style periods

Please note:

* In honor of the sesquicentennial of the birth of Claude-Achille Debussy, all competitors must incorporate one étude and at least one other work by Debussy into their complete competition repertoire.

Repertoire must be solo piano music only.

Transcriptions are acceptable.

Complete competition repertoire must represent at least four different style periods; a baroque or classical work must be included.

Excerpted complete movements from multi-movement works are acceptable.

All repertoire must be performed from memory.

Returning students may not use repertoire they have previously performed in this competition.

Timings for each round should be noted.

"The summer Piano Program at Chautauqua Institution has been a recognized American treasure for many decades.  Students can expect the perfect blend of inspiration and rigor in a magical setting, where personal and musical growth is guided by a superb faculty. I truly loved being a part of it!"

Carol Leone, Keyboard Chair, SMU Meadows School of the Arts, Dallas

"I was so fortunate to have met and learned from the wonderful piano faculty and the piano lovers! This is the place where you should come at least once in your lifetime to explore and encourage yourself. Everyone becomes a family in the name of music. Superb!!"

Misun Moon - Korea