THE IMPRESSIONISTIC AND CONTEMPORARY ERAS
Ravel and Debussy were the two most notable composers of impressionistic music.For help in interpreting Debussy's music, consult "The Piano Works of Claude Debussy" by E. Robert Schmitz, 1950, Dover Books, ISBN 0-486-21567-9.
Get it from your favorite local bookstore/music dealer, or see online
To avoid common misprints, see "Checklist of Errors in Debussy's Piano Music" by Arthur B. Wenk, Piano Quarterly, Summer 1969, pp. 18-21 (ask your librarian; if they don't have back issues of PQ, they can get a copy of the article by interlibrary loan).
Anything after about 1900 could be regarded as Contemporary period. However, "contemporary" is somewhat difficult to define otherwise. The judges will be the final arbiters of what falls under this category. The beauty of this festival is that contestants can rest assured that virtually anything played will qualify for at least one category (even if it's not the one the contestant had in mind)! An original composition would certainly qualify for this award (and, of course, for the Best Original Composition award). All contemporary styles -- classical (in the broad sense of the word, not "Classic period"), jazz, pop, gospel, rag, etc. -- are allowed for this category.
To find modern keyboard repertory consult:
Guide to the Pianist's Repertoire by Maurice Hinson: 1st edition, 1973, Indiana U. Press, ISBN 0-253-32700-8; 2nd edition, Indiana U. Press, call # ML 128 P3 H5 1987; 3rd edition published in February, 2001. Check your local library, order from your favorite local bookstore, or order online.
Another terrific reference book is Five Centuries of Keyboard Music: An Historical survey of Music for Harpsichord & Piano by John Gillespie.
Piano & Keyboard magazine devoted an entire issue to piano music of the 20th century -- their November/December 1999 issue. Pages 40 & 41 have a useful list of "Significant 20th Century Teaching Pieces" compiled by Wilma Machover. See your local librarian to request back issues of P & K.