Call for applications: Heida Hermanns Piano Competition 2022

Founded in 1972, the global contest seeks to advance the careers of accomplished young pianists, string musicians and vocalists around the world.

The competition welcomes pianists aged 18 to 35 and prior entrants (though not finalists) are also welcome to apply.

The competition features two rounds. The preliminary round is online and the application deadline is 31 July.

Preliminary: Online application requirements

• Applicants must submit an all-inclusive video recording via a private YouTube link.
• The video length must not exceed 45 minutes; each piece must not exceed 15 minutes, and the applicants must choose three pieces from their solo piano repertoire that demonstrate their technical mastery, artistic expression and facility in a broad range of genres.
• Each piece must be drawn from three of the five eras, namely baroque (1600-1750), classical (1750-1800), romantic (1800-1900), modern (1900-1960) or Contemporary (after 1960).
• Spoken introduction: Applicants must discuss their reason to perform the selected works. The speech must be at least five minutes and no more than 10 minutes. This must be included before one of the three pieces. Applicants who do not include a spoken introduction will not be considered.
• Proof of age via a valid driver’s licence or birth certificate.
• A brief CV of no more than three pages, providing education, coursework, research activities, performance experience, awards and another relevant background (no promotional materials).
• Phone number and email address.

Final round

• An afternoon masterclass with young pianists, an appearance on public radio, a solo evening performance, and a gala awards presentation, to be held on 13 to 15 January 2022 at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MoCA) in Westport, US, and at the Westport Public Library.
• Each finalist will be required to demonstrate their coaching skills to a young pianist studying in the Westport area. Fluency in English is required.
• Each finalist will also give a solo evening performance, which will consist of approximately one hour of music with brief spoken introductions to the audience.
• Each finalist’s solo evening performance must also include two contrasting movements drawn from ‘In The Bottoms’, ‘Enchantment’ and ‘Tropic Winter’, all solo piano works by African-American composer Robert Nathaniel Dett.
• The remaining music in the solo evening performance will consist of a repertoire entirely of the finalist’s selection.
• All solo evening performances will take place at MoCA Westport on its restored Hamburg Steinway ‘D’ concert grand piano, in front of a live audience as well as on streaming video.

Interested individuals can apply here.

View the original call here.