Twin Cities Piano Competitions: Events in Hyderabad

REVIEW FOR TWIN CITIES PIANO COMPETITIONS

Monica Papp successfully held the 1st and 2nd Twin Cities Piano Competitions in 2006 and 2007 in Hyderabad, and is organizing the 3rd edition this year, which will take place on the 20th, 21st and 28th of September 2008. The competition is the first of its kind in Hyderabad, and follows international standards. Each jury member of the competition has international experience, and has trained abroad in Western classical music. Registrations to the competition opened on 5th August, and will be on till 15th September.

Contestants will compete through three rounds, and the competition culminates in a gala concert, where the winners and the members of the jury will perform. The competition aims to promote Western classical music in Hyderabad and Andhra Pradesh. This year they have sponsors such as ITC Hotel The Kakatiya, Mercedes-Benz and Kawai Pianos. Kawai's headquarters are in Japan, and they are sending a grand piano especially for the competition.

Send an email to twincitiescomp@yahoo.com to register. Only selected contestants for the 2nd round will be charged a Rs. 600 application fee.

Timetable
20th September: 1st round/audition
21st September: 2nd round
28th September: 3rd round & gala concert

The competition is open for everybody in Andhra Pradesh not younger than 8 and not older than 18 years on the 15th of September 2008.

Contestants may enter one of the two categories below:

1. Pieces not higher than grade 3 level of Trinity/Royal/London School of Music exams
2. Pieces at grade 4 level or above of Trinity/Royal/London School of Music exams

The competition will consist of three rounds:

1st round
1 piece of free choice, maximum performance time 1-3 minutes
Venue: Rd. No. 8, Banjara Hills

2nd round
1 piece of free choice (different from first round) and 1 fixed piece, maximum 3-5 minutes
Venue: ITC Hotel The Kakatiya

Note: The fixed piece selected by the judges, one each for Category 1 and Category 2 candidates, will be sent by email.

3rd round
2 pieces of free choice (different from first two rounds), preferably in contrasting style, maximum 3-7 minutes
Venue: ITC Hotel The Kakatiya
Note: 3rd round also includes optional 4 hands special section: 1 piece of free choice

Gala/Final Concert
During the 3rd round, three winners will be chosen from each category, plus a winner from the special 4 hands section. All winners will be invited to perform along with the jury members during the gala concert.
Venue: Hyder Mahal, ITC Hotel The Kakatiya.

Monica Papp, a Bachelor's of Music and a Diploma in Music Education, began playing the piano at age 7. As a young girl she was winner of many competitions, and studied in various famous schools in Europe such as the Bela Bartok Conservatory of Music - Hungary, the University of Music and Performing Arts