9th Annual National Piano Festival
The Piano Festival Dublin 2018 marks the 9th Annual National Piano Festival, held at Rathgar Methodist Church, Dublin 6. Open to pianists of all ages, the event celebrates community, inclusion, and the power of live performance. With participants ranging from 4 to 84, the festival offers a unique opportunity to perform, compete, and share the joy of music.
This year’s festival introduces exciting features such as Bitcoin-matched cash prizes, new concerto categories, and the prestigious Clive Gouldson Awards. With esteemed adjudicators Veronica McSwiney and Roy Holmes, the competition promises inspiring performances, expert feedback, and a welcoming atmosphere for both beginners and advanced pianists.
We look forward to welcoming you to our 9th Annual National Piano Festival! Our Festival is a unique opportunity for all to celebrate the piano whilst acting as a platform for pianists to convey the musical messages of great composers. We all know & appreciate the power of live performance and how it can instantly change the way we feel. Pianists are urged to develop and showcase their unique talents and perform with individuality, personality, originality and spontaneity.
Our motto for this year is “Community Involvement and Inclusion” – precisely the reason why we moved the Festival to the lovely Rathgar Methodist Church, Dublin 6 – which also serves as headquarters for the Piano Academy of Ireland. Participant’s ages range from 4 – 84 (there is no upper/lower age limit) and will travel from the four corners of Ireland. With round-the-clock blockchain piano performances, it is a real celebration of this incredible instrument and pianists are urged to develop and showcase their unique talents and perform with individuality, personality, originality and spontaneity! Beginners are most welcome too! Participants will be rewarded with certificates of commendation, feedback reports from esteemed pianists, an appreciative ‘positive’ vibe…as well as trophies & medals, €500 in cash prizes….and this year – MATCHING BITCOIN PRIZES thanks to our sponsor Bitex.ie – Irelands Oldest Bitcoin Provider (that’s a total of €1000 in cash prizes) plus this year’s FREE GIFT for all participants is sponsored by GSMsolutions.ie! Two warm-up pianos will help participants get in the zone!
It is through the arts and particularly through the channel of music that we can be inspired and we pride ourselves in providing a nurturing & positive platform for budding pianists to perform and excel in a Festival of their own! It is indeed a great honour to present this year’s Festival on the 9-ft Kawai Concert Grand of the late Bob Smyth, who generously bequeathed this magnificent instrument to our Piano Academy. Bob lived in Rathgar and who many of you will know and remember for his gentle manner & welcoming soirees and this year’s NEW Concerto Category is in his honour. Our magician Piano technician friend, Martin Walsh, is currently working on preparing the piano in time for the Festival!
We are delighted to welcome this year’s esteemed adjudicators Veronica McSwiney & Roy Holmes.
Thanking you for your support!
Please spread the word & pass on the Information Brochures & application forms to your teachers & students, our Festival being an ideal platform for pianists for all ages and levels. The closing date for entries is EXTENDED TO
Sunday 11th February 2018.
Entry fee: €25
Prizes
1st Prize
Cup and Gold Medal
the Emerald Award and a cash prize of €50 will be presented to the best performance of a piece by an Irish Composer from any category
2nd Prize
Silver Medal
Virtuoso Cup and a cash prize of €50 will be presented to the winner of the Solo Etude Open category
3rd Prize
Bronze Medal
€100 cash prize will be awarded to the winner of the NEW Concerto category.
THIS YEAR'S SPECIAL PRIZES
The Clive Gouldson Awards:
A cash prize of €100 will be presented to the overall Junior Winner.
A cash prize of €200 will be presented to the overall Senior Winner.
ALL CASH PRIZES WILL ALSO BE MATCHED WITH THE SAME in Bitcoin VALUE – the modern day version of the PRIZE BOND! Many thanks to Bitex.ie – Irelands Oldest Bitcoin Provider for providing this prize.
- Solo Under 6 years
- Solo Under 8 years
- Solo Under 10 years
- Solo Under 12 years
- Sonatina Under 12 years*
- Solo Repertoire Under 12 years**
- Solo Under 14 years
- Solo Under 16 years
- Solo Under 18 years
- Solo Etude Open (no age limit)***
- Piano Concerto Open (no age limit)****
- Solo Adult Bronze Jubilee Pre-Grade 5 (over 18)
- Solo Adult Silver Jubilee Post-Grade 5 (over 18)
- Duet Under 10 years
- Duet Under 16 years
*To perform the first OR last movement from any Sonatina.
**To present 5 – 7 minutes of contrasting repertoire, minimum of 2 pieces representing different styles/moods. Please note performers presenting a programme under the time limit will not be considered for a prize.
***To present one Piano Etude by one of the following composers: Hummel, Moscheles, Herz, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Chopin, Liszt, Alkan, Henselt, Smetana, Gottschalk, Saint-Saens, Moszkowski, Lyadov, MacDowell, Debussy, Busoni, Godowsky, Scriabin, Rachmaninov, Bartok, Stravinsky, Szymanowski, Prokofiev, Lutoslawski, Ligeti, Glass, or Bolcom.
****To present one movement from a piano concerto of own choice. Orchestral part to be provided by the competitor. A second piano will be provided.
2018 Adjudicators – Veronica McSwiney & Roy Holmes
2017 Adjudicators: Colma Brioscu & Dr. Orla Mc Donagh
2016 Adjudicators: Una Hunt & Mairead Hurley

2015 Adjudicators: Anthony Byrne & Conor Linehan

2014 Adjudicators: Dr. David Mooney & Dr. Mary Lennon

2013 Adjudicators: Dr. Mary Lennon & Prof Pádhraic Ó Cuinneagáin

2012 Adjudicator: Prof Pádhraic Ó Cuinneagáin

2011 Adjudicator: Prof Ray Keary RIAM

2010 Adjudicator: Prof Lance Coburn RIAM