wisconsin youth piano competition

The MSO and PianoArts Wisconsin are pleased to announce that the WYPC will be offered on June 16-19, 2023. After the 2023 competition, the WYPC will return to the biennial cycle and will be offered next in 2025.

ELIGIBILITY

Open to pianists who, by June 15, 2023 will have reached their 10th birthday, but who will not have reached their 17th birthday by June 19, 2023. Must be a Wisconsin resident to apply.

Juries

Two distinguished panels of professionals will judge the competition.  One for the preliminary round, and one for the June competition.

AwardS

• First Place: $1,000 and the opportunity to perform with the MSO
• Second Place: $750
• Third Place: $500

LOCATION

Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, 1584 North Prospect Avenue, Milwaukee

TO APPLY:

The 2023 Application Form is now available here. The Statement of Agreement is available here. Please select a concerto from the Approved Repertoire List, available here.

PROCEDURE OF THE COMPETITION*

1. Preliminary Round: Contestant creates audio recording of a performance of the first movement of (1) a selected concerto with a second pianist performing the orchestra parts and (2) selected solo of the contestant’s choice.
   1. Recording Your Audition:
      1. Audio files can be recorded using a smart phone or any other recording device.
      2. All audio recordings will be a performance of the first movement of both:
         1. Selected concerto with a second pianist performing the orchestra parts.
         2. Selected solo of the contestant's choice
      3. Please do not send a video submission in order to maintain the anonymity of our judging process.
      4. Accepted audio file forms include .aac, .mp3, .mp4, and .wav.
   2. Submitting Your Audio: 
      1. Upload your audio file to https://spaces.hightail.com/uplink/mso. You can upload directly from many smartphones, a tablet, or by using a computer.
      2. After you add your first recording, the "Message" field and the "Add More Files" field will appear.
      3. In the "Message" field, include the student's first and last name, the pieces and composers used in the audition, and an email address.
      4. The "Add More Files" Field should be used to include additional audio recordings with your submission.
      5. Audio files must be uploaded no later than: April 17, 2023
   3. Questions? Please contact the Milwaukee Symphony Education Department at mcardlee@mso.org.
2. To be considered, the pianist must digitally submit their audio recording and then send their application form, signed Statement of Agreement and check for $15 made payable to the MSO to: Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, 212 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53203. Postmark deadline is April 17, 2023.
   1. If you wish to digitally submit your application form, signed Statement of Agreement, and $15 Credit Card payment, please email these materials to edu@mso.org.
3. Invitations will be sent in early May to up to twelve contestants selected as semifinalists.
4. Registration and classes on June 16-17: Semifinalists will rehearse and attend workshops on working with a conductor ($50 registration fee).
5. Competition and Semifinal Recitals on June 18: Contestants perform the first movement of selected concerto with professional second pianists. Using their own words, contestants speak to the audience about the music they are playing.  Three finalists are chosen to perform in the prize round.
6. Rehearsal on June 19: Three finalists rehearse with a conductor and quintet from the MSO.  Other semifinalists participate in a solo master class.
7. Finals and Awards Concert on June 19: Three finalists perform with a conductor and the MSO quintet to compete to perform with the MSO and for cash prizes.

Contestant recitals are free and open to the public*

Semifinalists must arrive in Milwaukee by June 16 and attend all scheduled events through the evening of June 19.

Proudly presented by the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and PianoArts North American Biennial Piano Competition.

*Please note – The safety of the Wisconsin Youth Piano Competition participants is our top priority.  All of the above information is subject to change due to the Covid-19 pandemic.  We will continue to monitor the situation and make adjustments as necessary to keep everyone safe during this contest.