9th Annual National Piano Festival
22 - 25th February 2018
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
online entries click here
postal entries click here
Prizes
Prizes
1st prize: Cup & Gold medal
2nd prize: Silver medal
3rd prize: Bronze medal
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.
Three special prizes:
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
Virtuoso Cup and a cash prize of €50 will be presented to the winner of the Solo Etude Open category
€100 cash prize will be awarded to the winner of the NEW Concerto category.
- 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
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
Discover the Musician Within
Phone: Call us at 01 4972333
Email: info@pianoacademy.ie
Address:
Head Office and Studios:
1) 71B Brighton Road, Back of Methodist Church, Rathgar, D06Y497
Office Administration Hours:
Piano Studio:
2) Tennant Hall, Highfield Road,Christ Church, Rathgar
Email: info@pianoacademy.ie
Address:
Head Office and Studios:
1) 71B Brighton Road, Back of Methodist Church, Rathgar, D06Y497
Office Administration Hours:
- WED 6pm-8pm
- THURS 12pm - 2pm
Piano Studio:
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The mission of the IPAI is to promote and support classical piano music around the world by offering specialized piano education, both online and in-person, to individuals of all ages and skill levels.