The first Chicago Amateur Piano Competition will be held next year from June 24 – June 27, 2010 (Thursday through Sunday). Applications are now being accepted from amateur pianists who pursue piano playing through love of the instrument and its repertoire, rather than as a professional occupation or for financial benefit. Competitors are expected to be at least 30 years of age at the time of the competition, and may be neither a faculty member at a music school nor a student pursuing a degree in piano performance.

Competitors are expected to perform up to 10 minutes of solo repertoire in the first round, up to 20 minutes in the semi-final round, and from 20 – 30 minutes for the five competitors who reach the final round. There are no restrictions on the type of repertoire that may be performed, and competitors may perform more than one selection in any round, as long as no selection is repeated in later rounds. Individual movements from larger works may be performed, and competitors need not perform from memory.

Applications must be accompanied by a ten minute CD or DVD recently recorded and featuring two or more selections representing different musical styles and technical demands.

Competitors who do not advance to the next rounds will be given an opportunity, if they wish, to perform their prepared programs publicly during the competition, which will also feature a master class and lectures.

Up to eight cash prizes will be awarded. The first prize winner will receive $1,000 and the opportunity to perform a recital hosted by the PianoForte Foundation.

The competition will take place at the Sherwood Conservatory of Columbia College, located in downtown Chicago. Contestants will have access to practice pianos at Sherwood Conservatory. During the competition, the piano showrooms of PianoForte Chicago, located a few blocks from Sherwood Conservatory, will be open to competitors and the public. Anyone who wishes may sign up for 30 minutes of private practice in any of three showrooms featuring Schimmel, Grotrian, Wendl & Lung, and Steinway grand pianos, plus a selection of Fazioli pianos.

If you are interested in competing, or simply interested in attending the competition as an audience member, visit the website of the Chicago Amateur Piano Competition:

http://chicagopianocompetition.org/

I might do it. It sounds good.
And by the way.....although I'm not one of those who wants to be really severe on the definition of "amateur," I think it's very good that there are these restrictions:

-- "30 years or older" -- IMO this is perhaps the most important detail of all. I don't think the boundary necessarily needs to be quite 30 -- I would be happy with something like 28 -- but I think it's absurd to allow 18 year olds (as the Paris competition does) or 21 year olds (as some others do) into amateurs competitions. One way to see it is, how can someone really be considered an "amateur" musician who isn't old enough to have become a "professional" at anything yet? Many of the very young contestants at amateur competitions have simply been young people who were on their way to becoming professionals.

-- "Must not be faculty members at a college/conservatory level music department" -- This might perhaps seem so obvious that it need not be stated, but astonishingly, at least one amateur competition has felt this wasn't an important restriction.

-- "Must not be actively pursuing a degree in piano performance" -- This overlaps with the minimum-age thing (above) and is an important addition to it.

In short: GOOD JOB on the requirements. I had been thinking of "taking the year off" but this makes me want to come to the Chicago competition.

In order to be a real amateur competition, I really think that a person with piano performance degree should not be allowed to compete. However, the quality of the competition may suffer if the organizers do not allow those semi professional pianists. More over, it is more fun to compete against semi professional pianists than to compete against real amateurs.

What about a time restriction on the Music degree. Say degree must not be in the last 15 years, or 35 years ?? And what about a distinction between an Undergraduate and Graduate degree.

The first deadline for applications to the Chicago Amateur Piano Competition is fast approaching.

March 1st is the deadline for applications under the $100 fee schedule. After that, applications will cost $125.

Quite a number of applications have already been submitted, but there is still room for other amateurs wishing to perform publicly as well as compete for prizes. The June 24-27 competition will also feature performances by professionals, as well as an opportunity for the general public to enjoy some first-rate music making. Also, anyone in attendance can sign up for 30 minutes of private practice on any number of superb concert pianos, such as Fazioli, Schimmel, Steinway, and Grotrian.

Call 312-291-0291 for more information, or check the competition website at
http://chicagopianocompetition.org/

So who is doing this piano competition? I just stumbled on it today!

61 contestants. WOW!!! BIG TIME!

There are quite a few major contenders on the list.

Where do you see the list?

Didn't you get the Email from the competition?

Yes I did, but I didn't notice any list.
I even looked a second time after I saw your post.
Better go look a 3rd time... .....no, still don't see anything.

Go to the competition website, click on "For Competitors". The password is given to you in the Email.

I know!!! I did that!
But no list.

(edit: Oh I see......I needed to click "Schedule."
Thanks!!!)