ARTICLE: COMPETITION FOSTERS GROWTH | Steinway Gallery Singapore
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Competition Fosters Growth

Aspiring young pianists build confidence gradually as they partake in competitions

Any student in any discipline, be it science, art, or language, no matter their talent ceiling — needs barometers to keep them in check.

 

Do you have a great mentor? You have a structured, conscientious practice plan you keep to? That’s great! But what they don’t provide is something fundamentally important, if you’d like to raise your game, and challenge yourself.

 

Now when you think of classical music competitions, you may assume the following: the mood is stoic, the atmosphere is tense, and it’s just quite a daunting prospect.

 

But these competitions should not be feared, as they can be a positive character building experience if approached with the right attitude.

 

Win or lose, these contestants gain more stage experience and learn to play under pressure and build more confidence as they express themselves artistically.

 

It does wonders for musical growth.

 

It’s a platform that enables the most diligent and passionate of students to showcase their dexterity, interpretation, and artistry against a set of grading rubrics and allows them to gauge themselves in areas they can improve upon personally.

 

“This competitive scene would drive and motivate me to pursue my dreams even further,” states Daniel Loo, 15, of Category 3, who is one of the nine finalists competing for the ultimate prize this Saturday.

 

One youth pianist from across three categories of contestants in the final to represent Singapore regionally at the prestigious International Steinway Festival in Hamburg, Germany on 7 September 2018.

 

They’ll get the chance to compete in the regional round against other precocious talents from countries like South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, all while trying to be a better pianist today than they were the day before.

 

“This competition… Steinway is the brand that it is, a prestigious name in the piano industry, is a platform for me to perform, and to be who I am,” says Zhang Yifan Jem, 16, of Category 3, who pushed on and managed to get through to the finals this year, after giving it a second try this time around.

The 4th Steinway Youth Piano Competition will take place at the School Of The Arts’ Concert Hall this Saturday, 5th May at 3pm. 

Get your Tickets at SISTIC here now!

Amateur Solo Category Period Category Popular Category Overall Winners (Period) Overall Winners (Popular)
Age Definition Duration Baroque Classical Romantic Contemporary Theatre/Broadway Film Jazz/Blues Anime Pop Songs
6 and below Born 1 Jan 2019 or later 5 mins Best Baroque Best Classical Best Romantic Best Contemporary N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A. +1st, 2nd, 3rd Prize
8 and below Born 1 Jan 2017 or later 5 mins Best Baroque Best Classical Best Romantic Best Contemporary N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A. +1st, 2nd, 3rd Prize
10 and below Born 1 Jan 2015 or later 7 mins Best Baroque Best Classical Best Romantic Best Contemporary Best Theatre/Broadway Best Film Best Jazz/Blues Best Anime Best Pop Songs +1st, 2nd, 3rd Prize +1st, 2nd, 3rd Prize
12 and below Born 1 Jan 2013 or later 7 mins Best Baroque Best Classical Best Romantic Best Contemporary Best Theatre/Broadway Best Film Best Jazz/Blues Best Anime Best Pop Songs +1st, 2nd, 3rd Prize +1st, 2nd, 3rd Prize
14 and below Born 1 Jan 2011 or later 9 mins Best Baroque Best Classical Best Romantic Best Contemporary Best Theatre/Broadway Best Film Best Jazz/Blues Best Anime Best Pop Songs +1st, 2nd, 3rd Prize +1st, 2nd, 3rd Prize
16 and below Born 1 Jan 2009 or later 9 mins Best Baroque Best Classical Best Romantic Best Contemporary Best Theatre/Broadway Best Film Best Jazz/Blues Best Anime Best Pop Songs +1st, 2nd, 3rd Prize +1st, 2nd, 3rd Prize
18 and below Born 1 Jan 2007 or later 11 mins Best Baroque Best Classical Best Romantic Best Contemporary Best Theatre/Broadway Best Film Best Jazz/Blues Best Anime Best Pop Songs +1st, 2nd, 3rd Prize +1st, 2nd, 3rd Prize

Competition Requirements

Categories

  • Category 1 – Ages 11 and below (i.e. born on or after January 1, 2011)
  • Category 2 – Ages 12 to 14 (i.e. born between and inclusive of January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2010)
  • Category 3 – Ages 15 to 17 (i.e. born between and inclusive of January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2007)

Repertoire requirements

  • Participants must present 3 contrasting selections.
  • Repertoire must include the first movement of a Sonata by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Clementi, or Schubert.
  • No concerti or transcriptions are allowed.
  • Participants are required to perform the exact same repertoire for further stages of the competition.
  • Auditions will be conducted in a continuous, live-recording manner. Re-takes are not allowed.

Duration
Maximum 20 minutes

Entry Fees
$250

Competition Requirements

Categories

  • Category 1 – Ages 11 and below (i.e. born on or after January 1, 2011)
  • Category 2 – Ages 12 to 14 (i.e. born between and inclusive of January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2010)
  • Category 3 – Ages 15 to 17 (i.e. born between and inclusive of January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2007)

Repertoire requirements

  • Participants must present 3 contrasting selections.
  • Repertoire must include the first movement of a Sonata by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Clementi, or Schubert.
  • No concerti or transcriptions are allowed.
  • Participants are required to perform the exact same repertoire for further stages of the competition.
  • Auditions will be conducted in a continuous, live-recording manner. Re-takes are not allowed.

Duration
Maximum 20 minutes

Entry Fees
$250