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New for 2012


Harpsichord Course

Chetham's has produced outstanding harpsichordists over the years, including Steven Devine, Richard Egarr and Sophie Yates. Chetham's former student and current harpsichord tutor Charlotte Turner will lead this new course for 2012. Chetham's has some fine instruments, including a superb one made by Andrew Garlick , and applications are welcome from experienced players as well as complete beginners to the harpsichord. If you wish to book an hours trial lesson please tick the box on the application form


2012 Amateur Piano Competition

Presented by Chetham’s, Pianist & Yamaha

This exciting new competition will showcase the semifinal and final stages during the first part of the 2012 summer school. Selected semifinalists will have the opportunity to attend the summer school and perform in front of an international jury.

The Winning Prize

  • To perform with Manchester Camerata in August 2013 at the Royal Northern College of Music
  • Interview inside the UK’s bestselling piano magazine, Pianist
  • Winning performance recorded onto the cover CD of Pianist magazine
  • Receive a free place on the 2013 Chetham’s International Summer School and Festival for Pianists.
  • Perform a lunchtime recital at the Yamaha Artist Services Recital Room in London
  • Perform an evening recital at the 2013 Chetham’s International Summer School & Festival for Pianists

Further details available at www.pianistmagazine.com

 

HOW TO APPLY

General

  • The Competition is open to entrants from all countries
  • You must be 30 years or over (born before 1st January 1981)
  • You should not derive your principal source of income from piano performance or piano instruction
  • You should not be studying music at a music school/conservatoire/university
  • Entrants with a piano diploma from a conservatoire are still eligible to enter
  • Piano teachers are not eligible to enter this competition
  • Entrance fee of £25
  • If you reach the semifinals/finals stages, your accommodation and food will be provided by the Competition. Please be aware that travel to and from the Competition in Manchester is not included
  • If you reach the semifinals/finals stages, you can perform from memory or use the sheet music – the choice is yours. No performers will be penalised for using sheet music

 

Requirements

An unedited CD of minimum two contrasting works played by you should be submitted along with the application form. The recording must be without announcements and last no more than 15 minutes. Please bear in mind that the quality of your recording will affect the jury’s ability to accurately judge your performance.

 

Please include a short covering letter, telling us a bit about yourself, your hobbies and dreams – along with the recording and application form.

 

You will be notified of the result of your entry by Friday 29 June 2012 ok with us All those entering should be aware that the semi finals will take place during the day on 21 August at Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester. Semi finalists will be asked to perform a free-choice programme of no more than 15 minutes in front of a small jury. Works submitted for the recorded preliminary round may be performed again. We recommend performing at least two pieces of different styles at the semi finals.

 

A maximum of eight pianists will be chosen to go through to the finals. Finalists will be notified at the end of the day on 21 August. Finalists will be asked to perform a free-choice programme of no more than 15 minutes, on stage, in front of audience and jury. Works submitted for the preliminary and semi final rounds may be performed again. We again recommend performing at least two pieces of different styles at the finals.

 

You can perform from memory or using the sheet music – the choice is yours. No performers will be penalised for using music.

 

CATEGORIES

CLASSICAL – your recording and subsequent performances must display contrasting classical styles with a minimum of two pieces (e.g. Classical & Romantic, Baroque & 20th Century; Baroque & Romantic, and so on). You are welcome to offer more than two works provided the total playing time does not exceed 15 minutes.

MODERN – your recording and subsequent performances must display at least two modern pieces in a style that you wish. (The pieces can be your own compositions, if you prefer.) Modern is defined as anything from Jazz, Rock, Latin, Salsa, Song, Cole Porter, Dave Brubeck, Billy Joel, Blues… you name it! We are looking for a personal and/or improvisatory approach to standard compositions. You are welcome to offer more than two works provided the total playing time does not exceed 15 minutes.

 

Please send your recording, cover letter, and application form to:

Attn: Lauren Roberts

Pianist magazine

Warners Group Publications

5th Floor

31-32 Park Row

Leeds

LS1 5JD

Applications must be received no later than

Tuesday 1 May 2012