amateur piano competitions

[pou_lenc]

Can somebody advise me please?
I'm looking for some amateur piano competitions that aren't quite as prestigious as things like the Leeds piano comp... Feel that would be in at the deep-end a bit! If anybody knows of any and could give me any info I would be v grateful!
Thanx

[uumedia]

If you're a higher-ed. student, you might want to check www.pianocompetition.uu.nl.

[pou_lenc]

well I'm taking a couple of gap years - so not in higher ed at the moment... but thanks for the suggestion. I keep looking on the internet and all I can find is information for the real big ones...  

[Axtremus]

Pardon me for being nosy, but why would you like to participate in the kind of competitions you ask about?

[pou_lenc]

Um, because I like performing etc but don't want to embarrass myself by trying to compete in things like the Leeds comp and the other biggies overseas because I know I would never get anywhere... I'm not looking for village hall type events, but there must be some GOOD amateur pianist competitions somewhere. The only thing I can really find so far is the Haverhill Sinfonia Soloist competition. Any suggestions anyone...?  

[eddie92099]

Are you at Cambridge University?
Ed

[pou_lenc]

Nope am in the first of at least two gap years... still in a big confusion bout what i want to do in terms of higher education  

[eddie92099]

What are the choices?
Ed

[Shagdac]

The Van Cluburn Piano Competition for Amateurs. You would have to hurry alittle...but there is still time! You can download the application/instructions from the VanCliburn.org website. Must have audition tape/DVD submitted with application by Mar 1st, w/ 1-12 min rep. brief history, etc. The actual competion will be held at the Ed Landreth Hall on the TCU campus in Ft Worth, Texas May 31-Jun5 or 6th. From all applicants they choose 75 to begin the competition. After several days of preliminary competition (10-15min) performance they narrow it to 12 semi-finalists. 2 days for (15-20min) performance, and finally down to 6 finalists for the final phase of the competition. The have 1st, 2nd, audience award, press jury award, etc. This is not so much a competition where one would feel alot of "competitiveness", but more a feeling of commeroderie (sp..). A group of fellow pianists who share a common passion for the piano...getting together to share with one another. During this time you are treated to some wonderful dining in the Ft Worth area, and of course, get to meet Van Cliburn himself, (worth it if just for that)! You can visit the website and also read what Carl Tait has written about it as well. Let us know what you think!

[dinosaurtales]

Pardon my interruption, but this is a topic that gets me going......  I dare say that most of these *amateur* competitions are a joke, mostly because I don't consider many of the contestants to be amateurs.  they may not make their living playing recitals, but they almost all:  got piano performance degress, and work in music at some level.  It's the rare person that majored in engineering, and works as an engineer with a family, and a non- music career that just happens to enjoy playing the piano that competes in these things.  Those guys don't have a chance  - the contestants that make it are almost all professional musicians in my mind.'

[pou_lenc]

Thanx for your help - i went and looked at the van cliburn thingy, but you have to be 35+ and sadly (or not..?) I'm only 19. As for the whole business of "amateur" comps - I know exactly what you mean - hardly amateur most of the time. Unfortunately that is what I am planning on being - another "amateur"... hehe. I'd never make it as a pro so may aswell aim for amateur in inverted comas!  

[Pronske]

Any other good amateur piano competitions in addition to the Van Cliburn?

[shasta]

Any other good amateur piano competitions in addition to the Van Cliburn?

Yes, here are some for you:

New York City International Piano Competition for Outstanding Amateurs:
www.phredpianoexpression.com/Competition.htm

Van Cliburn International Piano Competition for Outstanding Amateurs:
www.cliburn.org

Boston Piano Amateurs Competition:
www.bostonpianoamateurs.org

Gina Bachauer Piano Competitions:
www.bachauer.com

San Antonio International Piano Competition:
www.saipc.org

Amadeus Piano Festival:
www.amadeuspianofestival.org

Berlin International Piano Amateur Competition:
www.ipac-berlin.com

Concours International des Grands Amateurs de Piano:
www.pianoamateurs.com

Bradshaw & Buono International Piano Competition:
www.bbpiano.com/competition.htm

Washington International Piano Competition:
www.wipac.org

Rocky Mountain Amateur Piano Competition:
www.apiano.org/competition.htm

Chopin Society of Houston Adult Amateur Competition:
https://chopinsocietyofhouston.org/Events.aspx/AAC

Murray Dranoff 2-Piano Competition:
www.dranoff2piano.org

Missouri Southern International Piano Competition:
www.mssu.edu/msipc/ipcnews04version.htm

International Festival for Creative Pianists:
www.pianofestival.org

[pianonut]

i thought about this myself, at 44.  i mean, what would i have to lose?  then, i thought, no way am i calling myself an amateur after all this work (from age 8 to 44).  you are 19!  how much moreso.  you could have a career (though it may not be international) easily.  don't think less of yourself and pay $100. to have the title.  the reward just isn't worth being called an excellent amateur the rest of your life.  i'll be dead before i set foot in a hall that has a competition like that.  it's like saying.  do you want to be a loser and have it taped to your forehead.  LOOSSER. 

[Pronske]

Thanks for all of the postings of amateur competitions!  Very helpful.

[BoliverAllmon]

which ones are you leaning towards?

[doowlehcc]

I competed in this year's Washington International Piano Artists Competition (WIPAC).  I wrote a bit of my experience in my web site:   https://www.rickerchoi.com/?p=395

Being a 'real amateur' (meaning I have no music degree) - I don't mind competing against others who did have music degree - simply because I did learn from hearing and talking to them.

WIPAC impresses me most with its practising studios - it is very much available to everyone, and have quite a few grand pianos.

Since it is first time I compete in this type of competitions, I can't compare WIPAC with others, but I did have a good time.