Application Rules

THE ELEVENTH NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION®

Founded and Presented by The Stecher and Horowitz Foundation

JUNE 16-21, 2024     AGES 16-22

APPLICATION RULES

IMPORTANT DATES

March 13, 2023
Online Application available

December 5, 2023
Application submission deadline

March 11, 2024
Notification of acceptance or non-acceptance

June 16, 2024
Contestants must be present at The Manhattan School of Music in New York City at 5:30 pm for the introductory meeting

June 17, 2024
Competition begins at The Manhattan School of Music, New York City

June 21, 2024
Awards Ceremony

ELIGIBILITY FOR COMPETITION

The Eleventh New York International Piano Competition is open to pianists of all nationalities. Applicants must be between the ages of 16-22 during the time of the competition. Applicants must have been born on or before June 16, 2008, and on or after June 22, 2001. The Competition is not open to previous first prize winners of The New York International Piano Competition or any applicant who has studied with a member of the 2024 Competition Jury.

ONLINE APPLICATION PROCEDURES

1. Applications must consist of the following:
a. Completed Online Application Form.
b. Scanned copy of birth certificate, passport, or other official document verifying date and place of birth.
c. Application fee of $150, non-refundable, payable through the online application system.
d. A current one-page biographical profile, including educational background, as a WORD file.
e. Scanned copies of most current concert programs, reviews, and awards received from other competitions.
f. Two (2) different color photographs, suitable for publicity purposes. Images should be HI-RES JPEG files at least 1800 pixels tall x 1200 pixels wide, including one head shot.
g. Two (2) scanned letters of recommendation required: one from your current piano teacher and one from an acknowledged musician familiar with your achievements, signed and uploaded with your application.
h. A 200-300 word essay stating what you would like to accomplish as a result of entering the competition and your future goals as a musician, as a WORD file. If not in English, an English translation must be provided.
i. Four (4) high-quality performance video files, totaling 20-25 minutes, suitable for evaluation. (Refer to Video Files for Admission).
 
2. Completed application must be submitted on Acceptd.com by 11:59 p.m. EST on December 5, 2023. No late applications accepted. Application materials will become the property of The Stecher and Horowitz Foundation.

Applicants should retain copies of submitted materials. The Stecher and Horowitz Foundation will not accept responsibility for any lost documents. Upon receipt of completed application, acknowledgment will be sent to each applicant.

3. Notification of acceptance or non-acceptance to the Competition will be sent to all applicants on or about March 11, 2024. Twenty-two applicants will be selected to participate in the competition. Alternates selected to the Competition will also be notified.
 
4. Questions related to the application may be emailed to the Competition Office.

The Stecher and Horowitz Foundation
119 West 57th Street Suite 1401
New York, NY 10019 USA
Phone: (212) 581-8380 Fax: (212) 581-4186
E-mail: info@stecherandhorowitz.org
www.thenyipc.org

REPERTOIRE REQUIREMENTS

1. Repertoire should include:
a. A prelude and fugue from The Well-Tempered Clavier by J.S. Bach
b. The first movement from a sonata by Haydn, Mozart or Beethoven
c. A significant Romantic composition (or group of shorter pieces) by Brahms, Chopin, Liszt, Mendelssohn, Schubert, Schumann
d. One etude by Chopin, Op. 10 or Op. 25
e. A 20th or 21st century composition (movements or sections are acceptable) the movement or section must be complete
f. Required commissioned work

A 25 minute First Round and a 25 minute Second Round should include repertoire selected from a-f, listed above. This includes time between movements and compositions. The contestant must include the 8 minute required commissioned work as part of the 25 minute program in either the First or Second Rounds. The order of performance will be determined by the contestant.

g. For the final round, contestants are required to perform the first movement of a concerto from the following list:
Beethoven
No. 1 in C Major, Op. 15
No. 2 in B flat Major, Op. 19
No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 37
Chopin
No. 1 in E Minor, Op. 11
No. 2 in F Minor, Op. 21
Grieg
A Minor, Op.16
Mozart
No. 20 in D Minor, K. 466
No. 23 in A Major, K. 488
No. 24 in C Minor, K. 491
Prokofiev
No. 3 in C Major, Op. 26
Rachmaninoff
No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 18
Saint-Saens
No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 22
Schumann
A Minor, Op. 54
Tchaikowsky
No.1 in B flat Minor, Op. 23
 
2. Repertoire must be listed accurately on the Application Form. Include title, number, key, opus, movements and duration of each piece.
 
3. Submitted repertoire is subject to approval by the Competition Artistic Committee.
 
4. Applicants accepted to the Competition are required to perform the repertoire submitted on the Application Form as well as the submitted video files. No changes will be permitted.
 
5. All repertoire must be performed from memory, except for the Ensemble Round repertoire.
 
6. If requested by the Jury, contestants must have available a copy of the edition used in the preparation of each work of the repertoire performed. Contestants must also have available an additional copy of the concerto for the accompanist. No photocopies will be accepted.

REQUIRED COMMISSIONED REPERTOIRE

As an additional requirement, contestants accepted to the Competition will be sent a new work for solo piano, commissioned by The Stecher and Horowitz Foundation for the 2024 New York International Piano Competition. The score will be sent approximately twelve weeks in advance. It will not exceed eight minutes in length and must be performed from memory. Contestants have the option of including it in the First or Second Round.

REQUIRED ENSEMBLE ROUND REPERTOIRE

As an additional requirement, contestants accepted to the Competition will be sent designated one piano, four hands repertoire approximately twelve weeks in advance. Parts will be pre-selected, not exceeding twelve minutes in length. This repertoire does not have to be memorized. Teams will be chosen by a drawing and all teams will perform the same repertoire for the ensemble round. (See Competition Procedures No. 6)

VIDEO FILES FOR ADMISSION

1. Four (4) submitted video files should be selected from the repertoire listed under Repertoire Requirements. Include in the following order:
a. Prelude and Fugue by Bach
b. First movement of the sonata (no repeats)
c. Romantic composition (or group of shorter pieces)
d. Etude by Chopin
 
2. All video recordings must be of high and professional quality, (a minimum of 720p) and recorded at the same location. No editing is allowed. The video recordings must be made with one fixed camera, mounted on a tripod, focused on the right profile and hands of the pianist.
 
3. Each work must be uploaded as an individual video file.
 
4. All video files must be recorded within four months prior to submission.

COMPETITION ROUNDS

A FIRST IN THE WORLD OF INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITIONS, all 22 contestants will be scheduled to perform in all four Rounds of the Competition. There will be no elimination of any contestant by the Jury throughout the Competition.

First Round
The Jury will hear a twenty-five (25) minute recital of the submitted solo repertoire. This includes time between movements and compositions. The compositions and order of performance will be determined by the contestant. The contestant will not be interrupted unless the designated time is exceeded.

Second Round
The Jury will hear a twenty-five (25) minute recital of the submitted solo repertoire. This includes time between movements and compositions, and not repeating repertoire from the preliminary round. The compositions and order of performance will be determined by the contestant. The contestant will not be interrupted unless the designated time is exceeded.

Make sure you have included the required commissioned composition within the time period of either the First or Second Rounds.

Final Round
The Jury will hear the first movement of the submitted concerto. An accompanist at the second piano will be provided by the Competition.

Ensemble Round
A FIRST IN THE WORLD OF INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITIONS, each contestant is paired with a fellow contestant to display their musicianship in creating a personal and unique collaboration during the Ensemble Round. The Jury will hear the designated ensemble repertoire.

COMPETITION JURY TO BE ANNOUNCED

COMPETITION PROCEDURES

1. The Screening Jury will evaluate the entire application and the submitted video files.
 
2. The order of performance of contestants will be determined at the Introductory Meeting by a drawing and maintained throughout the Competition, including the Ensemble Round. All contestants are required to be present.
 
3. The Competition will be judged by a distinguished international panel of Jurors.
 
4. In the event there are changes due to unforeseen circumstances, all contestants must be ready to perform at a newly assigned time during the Competition.
 
5. Each contestant will be assigned a schedule and provided with an accompanist for rehearsing the first movement of the concerto.
 
6. Each team will be assigned a schedule and provided with a coach for rehearsing the designated ensemble repertoire.
 
7. Each contestant is required to attend all educational seminars, master classes and special events associated with the Competition.
 
8. All phases of the Competition will be open to the public.
 
9. Contestants accepted to the Competition must waive all claims and fees for audio and video presentations, recordings and photographs, performances on radio or television, either live or on tape attributed to any activities of the Competition. The Stecher and Horowitz Foundation reserves the right to record all rounds of the Competition for its own purposes, and to use said audio or video at any time without any payment of fees or royalties to the performers. The Stecher and Horowitz Foundation, its assignees or licensees may not be held liable for any payments to performers, derived from materials attributed to Competition performances. Contestants are obligated to sign a release form yielding all rights to such materials to the Foundation, its assignees or licensees.

PRIZES and AWARDS totaling $60,000

THE JOYCE B. COWIN PRIZE
Awarded to the First Prize Winner
Cash Award: $20,000
Concert and Recital Appearances

SECOND PRIZE
Cash Award: $10,000
Concert and Recital Appearances

THIRD PRIZE
Cash Award: $5,000
Concert and Recital Appearances

FOURTH PRIZE
Cash Award: $2,500
Concert and Recital Appearances

MELVIN STECHER AND NORMAN HOROWITZ PRIZES
    FIRST PRIZE – ONE PIANO, FOUR HANDS ENSEMBLE
Cash Award: $3,500 divided between the winning team

    SECOND PRIZE – ONE PIANO, FOUR HANDS ENSEMBLE
Cash Award: $2,500 divided between the winning team

BEST PERFORMANCE OF REQUIRED COMMISSIONED WORK
Cash Award: $2,000

FINALIST AWARD
In addition to prizes awarded to the winners, a cash award of $1,000 is presented to each of the remaining contestants.

1. All contestants are required to attend the Awards Ceremony.
 
2. Prize winners who are selected to appear in recitals (no more than four appearances per year unless mutually agreed upon) following the Competition, and arranged under the auspices of The Stecher and Horowitz Foundation, are obligated to perform for a period no longer than three years after the Competition. The Competition will provide accommodations if travel to and from destination of concert exceeds 100 miles each way.
 
3. Taxes will be deducted from prizes and awards according to the U.S. income tax laws in effect at the time of the competition.

PRACTICE AND REHEARSALS

1. Daily practice facilities are made available at the Manhattan School of Music. Contestants are required to utilize assigned studios at all times. Parents, teachers or guests are not permitted in the rehearsal studios at any time.
 
2. Each contestant will be given an assigned time to become familiar with the Steinway Piano on stage prior to the First Round.

TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATIONS

1. Contestants accepted to the Competition are responsible for their travel arrangements and expenses to and from the Competition.
 
2. Contestants will be provided with accommodations by the Stecher and Horowitz Foundation free of charge during the time period of the Competition, and are required to stay at the Manhattan School of Music Dorm for the duration of the Competition. Family members can make their own reservations to stay at the dorm at their expense.
 
3. Contestants participating in the Competition under the age of 18, must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
 
4. All contestants must arrive in New York City, no later than 1:00 pm, June 16, 2024, to be present at the Manhattan School of Music for the introductory meeting of the Competition at 5:30 pm, and the drawing of the order of performance. Contestants traveling more than 2,500 air miles must arrive in New York City on June 15, 2024, one day earlier. This allows for travel fatigue or jet-lag.
 
5. Applicants requiring visas should consult the nearest American Embassy or Consulate for advice.

GENERAL RULES

1. The decision of the Executive Committee shall be final in all matters of the Competition. Arrangements or other matters pertaining to the Competition not covered by the rules may be made without prior notice by the Executive Committee.
 
2. The decisions made by the Jury of the Competition are final and are not subject to query, review or appeal.
 
3. The Stecher and Horowitz Foundation will be the sole arbiter of any allegation.
 
4. Any contestant can be disqualified for failure to comply with the rules and procedures pertaining to the Competition.
 
5. At the time of printing all information within this Application was deemed correct. The Stecher and Horowitz Foundation reserves the right to make changes if necessary.
 
6. Rules of the Competition may be amended by action of the Executive Committee.
 
7. NYIPC Contestants must not have any commitments during the time period of the competition, beginning on June 16, 2024. No exceptions will be allowed.
 
8. Contestants are not permitted to contact or speak with any member of the Jury at any time during the Competition.
 
9. The English language governs any/all interpretation of the Application Rules and the Application Form.

THE ELEVENTH NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION®

APPLICATION FORM

  • Applications must be completed and submitted online.
  • All applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. EST on December 5, 2023.
  • No late applications will be accepted.
  • Online application available March 3, 2023: https://app.getacceptd.com/thenyipc

Contact Info


The Stecher and Horowitz Foundation
119 West 57th Street, Suite 1401
New York, NY 10019

Phone: +1 212 581 8380
Fax: +1 212 581 4186

E-mail:
info@stecherandhorowitz.org


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Created for the New York International Piano Competition

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