The American Prize in Piano Performance (concerto), 2012

The American Prize in Piano Performance recognizes and rewards the best performances by classically trained pianists in America in 2012, based on submitted applications.

WHAT WINNERS WIN:
The American Prize is more than monetary. In addition to winners receiving cash prizes up to $500, depending on the year, the category and the number of entrants, all winners and finalists receive award certificates, as well as written, unbiased evaluations from our distinguished national panel of judges. Semi-finalists, finalists and winners are announced to national arts media and on our websites, where winners are profiled. Personalized press releases announcing your selection as a finalist, runner-up or winner are sent by us to local media and other contacts you provide as part of your application. Excerpts of winning performances will be posted to The American Prize channel on YouTube.

To see how previous laureates of The American Prize have used their placement in the competitions to promote their careers, please visit The American Prize Winning Links.

DOWNLOAD PIANO CONCERTO APPLICATION HERE (PDF)
POSTMARK DEADLINE for application(s): Monday, January 23, 2012.

OVERVIEW:
The American Prize in Piano Performance is offered in two divisions: solo piano and concerto, with categories based on age, education and experience. Applications may be made by the pianists themselves, by teachers, colleagues, or other knowledgeable individuals. Pianists may apply in the solo piano division, the concerto division, or both.

In Concerto division, the categories are:
    1. professional (the musician has paid employment as a performing pianist or piano teacher)
    2. college/university—pre-professional (the pianist is seriously pursuing a professional music career)
    3. amateur/community (the pianist pursues music as a avocation)
    4. gifted high-school-age pianist

ELIGIBILITY:
The competitions of The American Prize are open to all U.S. citizens, whether living in this country or abroad, and to others currently living, working and/or studying in the United States of America, its protectorates and territories. All application fees must be remitted in U.S. funds.

APPLICATION:
There is a single application form for The American Prize in Piano Performance, concerto division. Select the category which best identifies the applicant.
    1. Send the completed application form by the deadline date.
    2. Include two identical recordings of the applicant in performance, with the selections clearly indicated.
    3. Be sure to sign the form and include the application fee.
    4. Be sure to also email the required information.

The application fee is $35 per application. Make checks payable to HCMT/The American Prize. Application fees are nonrefundable. No incomplete applications will be accepted.

REQUIREMENTS for the RECORDING:

You need not prepare a special tape for The American Prize. A previous recording, whether of a concert made in front of an audience or one created in a recording session without an audience, is perfectly acceptable. Neither the location nor the repertoire of any qualified individual limits eligibility, provided the general guidelines have been met. Excellence within categories is the primary criteria for the selection of finalists and winners.

The American Prize in Piano Performance (concerto division): a recording of a complete concerto (or similar concerted work) from the standard repertoire, performed with the original instrumental accompaniment (orchestra, chamber orchestra, mixed ensemble, etc—not a second pianist). In the high school division a single movement, not whe whole concerto, is acceptable. Solo concertos only. Performers and works must be clearly identified on the disc, cover or video box. We prefer a DVD or VHS video of the applicant, but will accept CD (audio) recordings if no other format is available. No cassette tapes or other electronic media. There are no other restrictions. No materials will be returned.

TIMELINE for this competition:

1. Deadline for postmark of applications: January 23, 2012. Application will be acknowledged by email.
2. Announcement of semi-finalists: begins week of February 27, 2012
3. Announcement of finalists: begins week of April 2, 2012
4. Announcement of winners: begins week of May 7, 2012