International Piano Competitions Mark Second Year

TEMPE, Ariz. – Thirty-nine talented pianists from across the globe make their way to Tempe this January as the ASU Herberger College of Fine Arts and the Arizona Young Artist Committee host the second Bösendorfer & Schimmel USASU International Piano Competitions. The public is invited to witness these fantastic talents tickle the ivories Jan. 7-13, 2007 in a competition that is considered one of the best in the United States. A complete schedule of events is listed at: http://herbergercollege.asu.edu/pianocompetition

A total of 147 pianists from 24 countries applied to compete. Of those, 42 were selected by a screening committee comprised of five professional pianists to compete in the semi-final and final rounds. Winners are competing for a host of prizes, including $33,000 in cash awards as well as performances with the Phoenix and the Mesa symphonies and solo recitals in Germany and Austria. 

Pianists hail from China, Israel, Poland and Sweden–to name a few–and also come from some of the world’s most prestigious music schools, including: The Juilliard School; the Moscow Conservatory, the Shanghai Conservatory and ASU Herberger College.

“This is a chance for our community to experience first hand the amazing and talented pianists from all around the globe at a top-tier competition,” says Baruch Meir, associate professor of piano in the Herberger College School of Music and founder, president and artistic director of the competitions.  
   
All recitals and concerts of the international event are held in the ASU Herberger College School of Music building, 40 E. Gammage Parkway in Tempe. The public can attend the free semi-finals, finals and winners’ recitals. 

A ticketed guest-artist concert with Sergei Babayan kicks off the international event 
Jan. 7.  Hailed by critics as a “poet of the piano,” Babayan has received the highest global acclaim for his performances and recordings. 

Sunday, Jan. 7

• 7:30 p.m.:  Guest-artist concert with Sergei Babayan in Katzin Concert Hall in the School of Music building. Tickets are $6-$12. Call (480) 965-6447 to purchase tickets.

Monday, Jan. 8

• 9 a.m.-9:40 a.m.:  Ballots are drawn to determine competitors’ order for the Bösendorfer USASU International Piano Competition (Ages 19-32) in Katzin Concert Hall.
• 9:40 a.m.-noon.: Piano selection
• 1:30 p.m.-6:20 p.m.: Semi-final round

Tuesday, Jan. 9

• 2nd Bösendorfer USASU International Piano Competition (Ages 19-32) in Katzin Concert Hall.
• 9 a.m.-12:20 p.m.: Semi-final round continued
• 3:30 p.m.-5:40 p.m.
• 7 p.m.-9:10 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 10

• 9 a.m.-10:15 a.m.: Registration for Semi-finalists of the 2nd Schimmel USASU Young Artists International Junior and Senior Piano Competitions in Cowley Lobby
• 10:30 a.m.-11 a.m.: Ballots drawn to determine competitors’ order for 2nd Schimmel USASU Young Artists International Junior (Ages 13-15) and Senior (Ages 16-18) Piano Competitions in Recital Hall
• 2nd Bösendorfer USASU International Piano Competition (Ages 19-32) in Katzin Concert Hall
• 9 a.m.-12:20 p.m.: Semi-final round continued
• 3 p.m.: Finalists announced in Cowley Lobby
• 2nd Schimmel USASU Young Artists International Senior Piano Competition 
  (Ages 16-18) in Katzin Concert Hall
• 4 p.m.-7:50 p.m.: Semi-final round

Thursday, Jan. 11

• The 2nd Schimmel USASU Young Artists International Junior Piano Competition
  (Ages 13-15) in Katzin Concert Hall
• 9 a.m.- 11:10 a.m.: Semi-final round
• Noon: Finalists announced in Cowley Lobby

Friday, Jan. 12

• The 2nd Schimmel USASU Young Artists International Senior Piano Competition
  (Ages 16-18) in Katzin Concert Hall
• 8:30 a.m.- 11:15 a.m.: Final round
• The 2nd Schimmel USASU Young Artists International Junior Piano Competition
  (Ages 13-15) in Katzin Concert Hall
• 1:30 p.m.-3:20 p.m.: Final round
• 4 p.m: Announce results for Junior and Senior Piano Competitions in Cowley Lobby.
• The 2nd Bösendorfer USASU International Piano Competition (Ages 19-32) in Katzin Concert Hall
• 5:15 p.m.- 7:45 p.m.: Final round

Saturday, Jan. 13

• The 2nd Bösendorfer USASU International Piano Competition (Ages 19-32) in Katzin Concert Hall
• 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m.: Final round
• 1 p.m.- 2:35 p.m.: Final round
• 3:30 p.m.: Announce results for The 2nd Bösendorfer USASU International Piano Competition in Cowley Lobby
• 7:30 p.m. Winners' Recital and Awards Ceremony for the 2nd Bösendorfer & Schimmel USASU International Piano Competitions in Katzin Concert Hall

The Herberger College of Fine Arts at Arizona State University is dedicated to enriching its students and the community through innovative, collaborative and transforming experiences. Founded in 1964, Herberger College comprises four nationally ranked academic units: School of Music, School of Art, Department of Dance and School of Theatre and Film, plus the Arts, Media and Engineering Program and the ASU Art Museum. To learn more about the college, visit http://herbergercollege.asu.edu