PublicThe Wells School of Music at West Chester University (WCU) celebrates a milestone by proudly presenting the 35th Annual Pre-Collegiate National Piano Competition, taking place on Saturday, May 17, with a Winners’ Recital and Awards Ceremony scheduled for Sunday, May 18 at 3:00 p.m. in the Madeleine Wing Adler Theatre at the Swope Music Building and Performing Arts Center, 817 S. High Street, West Chester. Both the Winners’ Recital and a preceding Master Class at 11:30 a.m. in the Ware Recital Hall are free and open to the public.
Approximately 80 young pianists, ages 9–18, from states as far away as Massachusetts will compete for over $5,500 in total prizes. The top performer in the 16–18 age category will receive a $2,000 first-place award.
Founded by WCU’s Assistant Professor of Organ Anita Greenlee, a dedicated faculty member at the Wells School of Music for a little over a quarter of a century, the competition has grown significantly since its inception. Greenlee saved the competition from being dropped by the Borough of Kennett.
Greenlee says, “Performing live is a very different experience than practicing in one’s own living room. Students need opportunities to polish and perfect their performance skills, to do something they can be proud of, and to have experiences on their resumes, particularly if they are seeking performance careers. Competitions can raise the level of talent.”
She adds, “And for those who aren’t looking for careers, developing and perfecting a skill is critical to a student’s brain development.”
Renowned judges, many of whom are musicians and university professors from institutions such as Lebanon Valley College, Rowan University, Tulane, SUNY Potsdam, Immaculata, and West Chester University, will evaluate the performances.
To better accommodate participants and faculty from out of state, this year’s competition and Winners’ Recital are being held over the same weekend. Participating in the concert is a requirement for securing a cash prize. The event’s mid-May schedule also aligns more conveniently with academic calendars.
Students will compete in three age categories—9–12, 13–15, and 16–18—each with tailored performance requirements. Younger contestants present two contrasting pieces from the standard classical repertoire, while older participants prepare 20 – 30 minutes of repertoire and up to three musical selections.
WCU’s Assistant Professor of Piano Dr. Igor Resnianski now helms the event and envisions continued growth.
“In the future, I hope we can expand to include collegiate-level participants and attract even more national talent,” says Resnianski. “We also hope to add more lectures, workshops, and master classes. Securing a naming sponsor would further allow us to support and elevate these young artists.”
While the Saturday competition performances are not open to the public, the following events are: