(formerly Mesa State College)
Department of Music
Moss Performing Arts Center
1100 North Avenue*
Grand Junction, Colorado 81501
* Although North Avenue is the mailing address of the Moss Performing Arts Center, it is actually located at the corner of 12th St. and Bunting Ave. at 1221 N. 12th St.
Since this festival especially celebrates creativity and originality, the BEST PERFORMANCE OF AN ORIGINAL COMPOSITION prize is a special prize, set at a higher amount (contingent on funding). See the prizes page for details.
Pianists up to age 19 as of 4/12/13 from anywhere in the world.
Applications:
Auditions and recordings are not necessary. Enrollment is open but limited to 24; priority is given to earlier applicants. See application page.
Due to our limit of 24 participants, early applications are strongly encouraged. Early applications need not indicate repertory (repertory will be requested later); the non-refundable application fee will secure a place in the festival.
Repertory and Attendance Requirements:
Students generally play up to 15 minutes of repertory - any style, for one, two, or three pianos. (See also 30-minute PIANO ENSEMBLE option.) After students perform, they will receive about 10 to 20 minutes of constructive verbal feedback from the judges. All students will also receive written comments.
To qualify for First Prizes, all students must attend:
1. The Friday evening "Judges and Director" concert.
2. The Saturday evening Winners Recital.
(Optional events are also highly recommended.)
3. A minimum of 3 adjudications (in addition to their own).
All adjudications are free and open to the general public.
Students who cannot meet all attendance requirements may, at the
discretion of the Director, qualify for honorable mention prizes.
Contact Dr. Houle.
This festival is the only competition of its
kind in the world, combining both classical and jazz idioms in a
constructive educational setting. Students compete for standard
baroque through contemporary repertory prizes, as well as for
novel prizes that promote neglected but important creative skills
and repertory -- e.g., original concerto cadenzas & classical
embellishing/improvisation (skills demonstrated by nearly all
great composers yet all but forgotten today), versatility (needed
to survive in today's competitive market), lyricism (usually
overshadowed by "loud and fast" playing), original compositions
(few venues exist for young serious composers), works by female
composers, tasteful arrangements/transcriptions (often disallowed
in other venues), etc.
We seek to foster diverse and well-rounded musicianship that goes
beyond the "autonomic wizardry" that is often overemphasized in other
competitions. Above all, pianists are urged to develop and
showcase their unique talents and perform with individuality,
personality, exuberance, originality and spontaneity.
The festival has been cited on NPR's Performance Today, various newspapers, and in music periodicals such as American Music Teacher,
Clavier Companion, Piano & Keyboard, Piano Today, and the London-based Piano magazine.
It was also profiled in a major article in the April 2003 issue of Clavier magazine.
Most recently, articles about the festival appeared in the Mesa State College Fall 2010 Newsletter and the March 2009 issue of Grand Valley Magazine. The festival was also endorsed by the International Piano Teachers Guild
"for providing an excellent competition for the piano community."
Supporters have included many piano dealerships at the local and
corporate level. Please patronize our business supporters.
Participants:
Up to 24 students.
Judges/clinicians:
Our world-class judges are generally experts in
both classical and jazz/pop styles as well as all forms of
improvisation. This combination of skills is rare; furthermore,
judges are chosen for their ability to work well with young
people and provide useful, learned and positive feedback, both
verbally and in writing.
Featured adjudicator: John Salmon.
We are pleased to announce that two other
distinguished judges will join Dr. Salmon for the 2013 festival:
Gary Smart and
Monte Atkinson.
Interested in Colorado Mesa University?
If you are a junior or senior in high school and considering colleges, your participation in this festival can double as an official audition to the Colorado Mesa University music program. Contact Dr. Houle.
Donations:
We need and appreciate your generous
support!
Donations have tax benefits, and are payable to Colorado Mesa University Music Department.
IMPORTANT: Please indicate "piano festival" in the memo portion
of checks.
Mailing address for donations:
Dr. Calvin Hofer
Music Department Head, Department
of Music
Colorado Mesa University Moss
Performing Arts Center
1100 North Avenue
Grand Junction, CO
81501
Telephone: 970.248.1163