The 2021 international piano concerto competition takes place in Hastings from February 25 to March 6 next year. And, with a first prize of £15,000, the competition gives six finalists the opportunity to perform a complete concerto with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
The competition entry is now by video audition only in a move to become more environmentally friendly, and entry via the website closes on October 19 2020.
For 2021, the Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition is delighted to welcome Professor Vanessa Latarche of the Royal College of Music as jury president, who will be joined by a panel of international jury members. Also new for 2021, the competition is offering all twelve semi-finalists the opportunity to perform a concerto with a chamber orchestra.
For more information please visit https://www.hastingsinternationalpiano.org/2021-competition/
The Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition has evolved from its earliest days as part of Hastings Music Festival to become an internationally-renowned competition for young concert pianists from around the world, attracting 170 applicants in 2019 across global auditions, 40 of which come to compete in Hastings. Their prize: the opportunity to perform with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra on our two-night final and to win a first prize of £15,000.
The inaugural Hastings International Piano Festival took place in February/March 2020 as the concerto competition moves to every other year.
Piano Festival fundraises educational outreach
Hastings International Piano Festival was curated to raise funds for both our planned programme of educational outreach opportunities for children and young people in Hastings, Rye and the East Sussex surrounding area and our globally respected International Piano Concerto Competition.
The piano festival was a multi-genre celebration of the piano involving pop, classical, jazz and contemporary musicians and singer/songwriters, and produced world class concerts while maintaining a focus on engaging with and giving learning opportunities to young people in the south coast Sussex region during the festival two week period.
The festival offered free tickets, workshops and music making masterclasses for children and young people, whilst maintaining a programme of headline performances. The festival aims to raise funds for the Piano Concerto Competition which will return in February/March 2021.
Image Credits: Hastings International Piano Competition .