“Stecher and Horowitz Foundation Goes Global”
Musical America
December 12, 2008
The Stecher and Horowitz Foundation announces two major changes in its biennial New York Piano Competition (NYPC). For the first time the Competition will accept contestant applications from outside the United States effective January 15, 2009 for the summer of 2010, a change in the procedures of accepting applications only from students (American or foreign) who were pursuing studies in the United States. With this development the 2010 Competition will be known as the New York International Piano Competition. In addition, it will expand its age category upwards from 14-18 years to 16-21 years — this affords contestants in the late teens the opportunity to interact musically with promising young adults, serving as a challenging incentive toward greater achievement. The original concept of allowing all contestants to complete their participation without elimination will remain the same, fostering the fullest musical interaction between contestants throughout the entire span of the competition. The New York International Piano Competition remains true to its predecessor’s philosophy that the primary goal of a musical competition is to further the musical development of its contestants.
The New York International Piano Competition will bring students together for a week-long event which will include three competition rounds and a series of masterclasses, as well as an ensemble round in which contestants are paired up for one-piano, four hand repertoire. The New York International Piano Competition’s philosophy of no elimination is unique; each contestant will perform in all of the rounds and be judged by some of the most distinguished members of the music community. Each contestant will return home a winner, either as a prize or finalist award recipient. Based on long professional experience, The New York International Piano Competition believes that, although winning is always exciting, it is more important to provide a climate for learning and sharing that makes every contestant a winner.
The Stecher and Horowitz Foundation, a non-profit organization, is an outgrowth of the renowned Stecher and Horowitz School of the Arts which was founded in 1960 in Cedarhurst, New York. Until 1999 the school was Nassau Countys leading conservatory of music, attended by some 15,000 students during its thirtynine year history. The Foundation is now dedicated to an expanded concept that seeks to inspire and support outstanding young musicians worldwide.
Melvin Stecher and Norman Horowitz, Executive Directors of the Stecher and Horowitz Foundation, have devoted a lifetime to the musical education of young people. Internationally recognized as one of the most distinguished duopiano teams of their generation, Stecher and Horowitz are equally renowned for their multifaceted activities as performers, teachers, composers and educational consultants – activities that have earned them a unique position in the world of music.
Having been co-directors of a school for the performing arts for 39 years, (19601999) it was apparent to both principals that the most important and formative years for developing interested young musicians were the preteen years and into the early twenties, a good decade of concentrated and formative development. The New York Piano Competition was originally founded on this premise.
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By Hemsing Associates
Public Relations for the Arts
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