A major piano competition for those under 14 is scheduled for April 18, and the winner will take home a digital piano.
Called the Kawai Junior Piano Competition, it aims to encourage music culture among children and youth. This is the first edition of the annual competition. Theme Piano, a piano store and school in Koramangala, are organising the event in association with the Majolly Music Trust.
With participants from all over South India, the event provides opportunities for “music appreciation, musical understanding, and interactions with distinguished teachers,” according to a note from the organisers.
Finals are open to the public at 6 15 pm. Entry is free. Pauline Warjri, well-known pianist, is the judge and Masayuki Nishio (director and senior executive officer of Kawai, Japan) is the chief guest.
The first prize is a Kawai digital piano (CN 24) and a gift voucher from Alfred Publishing. The second and third are cash prizes and book vouchers. The top three also win master classes with the judge.
City Express spoke to pianist Neecia Majolly, who is the guiding spirit behind Majolly Music Trust, about the event.
How has the response been so far?
This is the first year of the competition, and we have a whopping 39 entries for our first time, which is wonderful! This will be an annual event.
Tell us about your experience of organising such contests.
I have organised competitions before (eg, the Outperformers Singing Competition), and this particular one is in collaboration with Theme and Kawai pianos. It is a big event to handle, but loads of fun and satisfaction, knowing we are encouraging young people in music.
Are participants concentrated in eastern Bangalore, which is known for its Western music culture?
This competition is open to South India. Most participants are from Koramangala, Indiranagar, Cantonment, and some are from Chennai too.
Any tips for participants?
Be confident, and enjoy your pieces on stage.
What skills do you look for in participants? Is it open to all kinds of piano playing (classical, jazz, Indian raga)?
This is actually western classical piano only, for participants up to 14 years of age. The criteria were announced last December: four pieces from a set repertoire that they have to prepare, so most of them are practising furiously as we speak!
Kawai Junior Piano Competition. April 18, Alliance Francaise.