Just recently I offered my services to Hastings Musical Festival as a driver for the contestants in the Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition. The competitors, all young and from all around the world, need to be ferried to and from the White Rock Pavilion and their places of rehearsal.
All volunteers were asked to attend a meeting at Fairlight Hall, home of David and Sarah Kowitz who are major sponsors of the competition. I was very impressed at the number of volunteers involved in all aspects of the festival (I counted around 60) and I was also impressed by the organisation involved. We were given an overview of the International Piano Concerto side of the festival and were told that it is now recognised as second only to the Leeds competition, one of the leading piano concerto competitions in the world.
This year the six finalists will be accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra over the two evenings of March 3 and 4 at the White Rock Theatre. Just over 150 entrants were auditioned from 29 countries including 40 from America. From these around 45 contestants have been selected and they will all be performing at the White Rock from February 23. (Further information and details are on the competition website).
Not only do the competitors play in the competition, but several of them visit local schools and demonstrate their skill to the pupils. If you are a school teacher, do visit the website and you will find some special offers.
There are no subsidies for this event and it is very much due to the generosity of the Kowitz Family Foundation, and also to the dedication of the many volunteers who give up their time throughout the year, that it is such a success and still growing in size and importance. The HIPCC has given me a lot of pleasure over the past few years and it is good to able to lend a small hand in return. So, look up those dates and be prepared for a real treat.
Photo: HIPCC