Van Cliburn Amateur Competion

[Shagdac]

I am planning to "try" and enter the Van Cliburn Competition for Amateurs for 2006 and have begun to prepare now w/ a coach. They recommend you play what you love to play and from the heart, not necessarily the "fastest, loudest and hardest" sounding pieces. However, after much research it seems that's what most of the other entries are playing. Many times the same pieces are played over and over, only by different finalists. Does anyone have any experience with this competition, or entering before? Any suggestions for pieces to consider for audition tape/CD?
Also, looking for advise on songs from different periods.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[hunkyhong]

first of all, for cliburn, you have to make it through a number of rounds. So if your repertoire isn't "beefed" up, then i suggest you wait. But going to competitions are so fundamental to you as a musician. it is about the learning experience and the growth. And trust me, the quality of other musicians will blow you away. But in allhonesty, if you don't have at least one full recital program yet, then i don't suggest you takle such a big beast. Look for some local competitions and young artist concerts or something. As for repertoire, go broad. choose a partita of bach, one prelude and fugue, scarlatti sonata, beethoven or mozart sonata, some etude of liszt or chopin, and some 20th century (prokofiev or scriabin). Thats enough for you to work on for the next couple of years!

[sharon_f]

hunkyhong,

You do realize that this post is 4 years old and that he was asking for advice regarding the 2006 competition? So unless you have a time machine....

[faulty_damper]

He's actually a she.  And no, I don't think she has a time machine.

[birba]

What qualifies an amateur?  And what's the age limit?  (For the next competition.)  And if you work as a hack pianist in an opera house?  Can you be considered an "amateur"?

[nyonyo]

What qualifies an amateur?  And what's the age limit?  (For the next competition.)  And if you work as a hack pianist in an opera house?  Can you be considered an "amateur"?

There is only two real amateur piano competitions that I know, the one in Houstan and Busono in NY. These two real amateur competitions prevent people with music degree to join.

The rest are for whoever claims that he or she is an amateur. There were people who competed in Tschaikovsky or real Van Cliburn competition who joined the amateur competitions. Basically, if you pay the enterance fee and your playing is good enough, you will be accepted and have fun in the competition.

You have to be 35 or older for Van Cliburn Outstanding Amateur competition.