The BMC Solo Piano Competition is sponsored by the Zimmerli Foundation. This competition is open to any full-session piano student. Specific rules and registration information will be given out during the summer season.
Structure
Students compete with a solo program of their choice, lasting 30 to 40 minutes and containing repertoire chosen from at least three style periods. Repertoire must be approved by BMC piano faculty. Because of the format of the competition, potential competitors are encouraged to perform shorter works. Single movements from multi-movement works, e.g., sonatas, are allowed.
The competition occurs on campus in two rounds after arrival onto campus:
- In the preliminary round competitors perform approximately 12 minutes. Competitors select the first piece; a judge may ask for any other piece from the competitor’s repertoire list. The preliminary round is closed to the public.
- In the final round, each finalist performs a twenty-minute program drawn from the competitor’s repertoire list. Winners are announced at the end of the concert.
Prizes
Winners will receive cash prizes between $500-3000. Should no finalist come from the High School division, the high school student who places highest in the preliminary round will receive a cash prize. Previous first prize winners are not eligible to enter again.