Grieg piano contest open
More music in Minnesota
Photo: M-Production / Colourbox
This year’s piano competition sponsored by the Edvard Grieg Society of Minnesota is open to contestants nationwide.
Edvard Grieg Society of Minnesota
Minneapolis
The Edvard Grieg Society of Minnesota is pleased to announce that its 2023 Piano Competition is now open.
The contest is designed to encourage pianists to explore the music of Edvard Grieg and Nordic composers; raise awareness of the Edvard Grieg Society locally, nationally, and internationally; and provide cash awards and performance opportunities for competition winners.
Age and eligibility
The competition is divided into two divisions:
The Youth Division is open to pianists ages 18 and younger as of Sept. 1, 2023
The Adult Division is open to pianists ages 19 and older as of Sept. 1, 2023
Awards
Each division will have prizes for first, second, and third prize winners:
First Prize: $1,500 cash award and Winner’s Recital Performance, Aug. 2, 2024
Second Prize: $1,000 cash award
Third Prize: $250 cash award
There will be numerous performance opportunities for all place winners!
Application/initial screening
The repertoire requirements for the preliminary round/audio screening are the same for both the Youth and Adult Divisions. Contestants must record and submit a program featuring 20 minutes of solo piano music by Edvard Grieg.
Contestants must submit an application, an MP3 recording, and a non-refundable application fee of $25 no later than April 1, 2023, to the Edvard Grieg Society of Minnesota at edvardgriegsocietymn@gmail.com.
All finalists will be notified via email by May 1, 2023. They must indicate their acceptance to compete in the finals by submitting a brief biography (250 words or less) and a head-shot photo by May 15, 2023.
Finals/live auditions
In-person finals will be held in Minneapolis on Aug. 5, 2023, at Norway House, located at 913 E Franklin Ave., and the adjacent Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church, Mindekirken.
For the Youth Division, the contestants will be required to perform 20 minutes of solo piano music by Edvard Grieg from the Preliminary Round/Audio Screening. Memorization is required.
For the Adult Division, 20 minutes of solo piano music by Edvard Grieg from the preliminary round/audio screening, performed from memory. Additionally, the contests will be required to perform “Sul g,” by Norwegian composer Synne Skouen, which was commissioned for the September 2018 International Edvard Grieg Piano Competition in Bergen, Norway. This piece must also be performed from memory. To obtain a copy of the score, please send an email to the Edvard Grieg Society of Minnesota at edvardgriegsocietymn@gmail.com.
The public is invited to attend the live auditions. A pay-as-able donation is requested. These final auditions will be followed by a reception and winners’ concert open to the public. All finalists are encouraged to attend.
Compliance
By signing an application, contestants agree to submit an honest and complete application and other materials, to follow the procedures, rules, and expectations for all rounds of competition, and to make themselves available to perform for the Winner’s Recital in August 2023, as well as other concerts and outreach activities of the Edvard Grieg Society of Minnesota when possible.
Travel and accommodations
Live-round competitors are responsible for all travel expenses and logistics incurred in connection with the competition.
Questions?
Email the Edvard Grieg Society of Minnesota at edvardgriegsocietymn@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared in the January 2023 issue of The Norwegian American. To subscribe, visit SUBSCRIBE or call us at (206) 784-4617.
