THE LEGEND OF
THE STECHER AND HOROWITZ FOUNDATION

65 Years Ago The Stecher and Horowitz School of Music Opened (1960-1999).

40 Years Later, it Transitioned to The New York International Piano Competition (2002-2022).

Moving Forward in 2025, The Stecher and Horowitz Foundation, in Collaboration with
The Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Announces:

The Stecher and Horowitz Foundation-MTNA
$25,000 Gateway Prize for Advancement in the Arts

The Stecher and Horowitz Foundation-MTNA
$10,000 Joyce B. Cowin Career Grant

The Stecher and Horowitz Foundation–MTNA
$10,000 Melvin Stecher and Norman Horowitz Career Grant

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The Gateway Prize and the Career Grants are funded by
The Stecher and Horowitz Foundation, and will be presented annually
at the MTNA National Conference.

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The Gateway Prize and the Career Grants were created by The Stecher and Horowitz Foundation. Shortly afterward, the Foundation collaborated with the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), with the orchestration, encouragement, and wisdom of Dr. Gary L. Ingle, immediate past Executive Director and CEO Emeritus of MTNA. The Gateway Prize and the Career Grants were designed to award accomplished classical pianists worthy of recognition, who desire to further their dreams of success in this ever-changing world of the performing artist. Moving forward, The Stecher and Horowitz Foundation has extended its philanthropy with the Music Teachers National Association, making these awards accessible nationwide.

Guidelines to Apply for the Gateway Prize and the Career Grants
   

Applicants for the Gateway Prize must be:

• • • 36 years of age or younger as of November 1, 2025 prior to date of selection

    • a current U.S. citizen or permanent U.S. resident

    • a current, active classical pianist/performer

    • a faculty member of a degree granting musical institution of higher learning

      Applicants are not required to be active MTNA members. Previous recipients of the prize are not eligible to apply.

Applicants for the Career Grants must be

• • • 28 years of age or younger as of November 1, 2025 prior to date of selection

    • a current U.S. citizen or permanent U.S. resident

    • a current, active classical pianist/performer with teaching experience

       Applicants are not required to be active MTNA members. Previous recipients of the grants are not eligible to apply.

The Gateway Prize and Career Grants will be announced at the 2025 MTNA National Conference in Minneapolis.

The first presentation of recipients of the prize and grants will be at the 2026 MTNA National Conference in Chicago.

Questions should be directed to the MTNA National Headquarters at mtnanet@mtna.org or by calling (513) 421-1420.