Launching the great Portland pianists of the future: Portland Piano International and Portland Youth Philharmonic collaborate on youth piano concerto competition
For the last 90+ years Portland Youth Philharmonic has held a biennial Piano Concerto Competition with the prize of performing with the PYP. As we did in 2019, Portland Piano International / SOLO will present the biennial Piano Concerto Competition on Friday evening, January 15, 2021, to select the soloists for upcoming Portland Youth Philharmonic performances. Hearing the piano stars of tomorrow will be a thrill for the ages; please join us for this special event.
When PYP approached us in 2018 to collaborate with them on the Competition, we were thrilled. It's such an honor to host this event. The 2019 Competition, which was open to the public, attracted a record-breaking 250-person audience and was judged by a distinguished national jury.
We will continue the tradition of this marvelous Competition, and would love for you to join us. The Finals of the Competition will be a public, ticketed event held at Lincoln Performance Hall at Portland State University or, if a public gathering is not possible, by other arrangements, but on the same date. The jury will include pianists selected from outside the geographic area of the Competition participants. Pianists in the Portland Metropolitan area (who reside within a 75-mile radius of Portland) and who will be high school seniors or younger in the academic year 2021-22, are eligible. The Competition is open to all who qualify.
Two prizes will be awarded:
FIRST PRIZE
Performance of a full concerto with the Portland Youth Philharmonic at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall during the 2021 / 2022 season
Professional photo shoot prior to the performance (Courtesy of Portland Youth Philharmonic)
A $1,000 scholarship toward future study (Courtesy of Portland Piano International)
Two SOLO Piano Series subscriptions for 2021 / 2022 (Courtesy of Portland Piano International)
SECOND PRIZE
Performance of a first movement of a concerto with PYP’s Portland Youth Conservatory Orchestra during the 2021 / 2022 season
A $500 scholarship toward future study (Courtesy of Portland Piano International)
Two SOLO Piano Series subscriptions for 2021 / 2022 (Courtesy of Portland Piano International)
Dates and deadlines:
November 16, 2020 – Application deadline
December 31, 2020 – Notification of applicants
January 15, 2021 – Finals held
2021 / 2022 Season – Prize winners perform with PYP orchestras
“This collaboration allows PYP to utilize the deep connections that PPI has in the international piano community to bring highly qualified jurors to Portland for the Competition,” explained musical director David Hattner. “This allows these amazing young local pianists to showcase their talents and gain performance experience. We are really pleased to have this collaboration bring the Competition to a new level.”
Portland Piano International / SOLO is dedicated to presenting the finest pianists in the world in recital settings and outreach activities for the purpose of enriching and educating our community. Funders and sponsors include the Oregon Community Foundation, Regional Arts & Culture Council, Work for Art, James F. and Marion Miller Foundation, ESCO Foundation, Oregon Arts Commission, National Endowment for the Arts, Portland Piano Company, Higgins Restaurant, Portland State University and All Classical Media.
Portland Youth Philharmonic, founded in 1924, is a vibrant community of 300 young people from 100 schools, who explore their passion for music, grow as individuals, and make lifelong friendships. Led by Musical Director David Hattner since 2008, PYP is comprised of four large and two smaller ensembles and is open by audition to young musicians ages 9-23. In addition to its ensemble programs, PYP also provides music education to youth throughout the community through children’s concerts, classes, workshops, coaching, and conductor visits available at no cost and without audition to schools and individuals, serving 13,000 children annually.