Musical Bridges Around the World

Texas , United States

Start an Application

Musical Bridges Around the World is a multicultural arts nonprofit organization with the mission to celebrate our shared humanity by providing access to global arts for all!

Formed in 1998 by Russian concert pianist Dr. Anya Grokhovski and a group of music lovers, MBAW promotes cultural understanding through innovative programming of high artistic quality. All MBAW public and community programs and events are FREE thanks to the support of sponsorships, grants, and donations.

CURRENTLY OPEN APPLICATIONS:

GURWITZ YOUTH AMBASSADORS
Application closing deadline: 15 August 2023
Learn more and apply by clicking "Select a Program" under the "Start an Application" section and choosing the program.

COLBURN-PLEDGE MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP
Application closing deadline: 30 June 2023
Learn more and apply by clicking "Select a Program" under the "Start an Application" section and choosing the program.

THE GURWITZ INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION

Application closing deadline: 1 July 2023
Learn more and apply by clicking "Select a Program the "Start an Application" section and choosing the competition. All application rules & requirements are there. Below on the current page is information about the live competition.

Live Competition Information:
Location: San Antonio, TX, USA
Dates: 26 January - 4 February 2024
thegurwitz.org

In the spirit of piano artistry, The Gurwitz International Piano Competition presents public competition to discover the next generation of top young pianists from around the world while bridging the art of classical piano with World Music that celebrates cultural diversity. Performers ages 18 to 32 (inclusive) as of 26 January 2024 are eligible to apply. Twelve contestants will be selected to perform for the four rounds of live competition in San Antonio, Texas, United States. Led this year by Chief Conductor/Artistic Director of the Mexico City Philharmonic, Scott Yoo, an esteemed panel of judges will narrow down contestants each round until three finalists will be awarded Gold, Silver, and Bronze following Round IV with a full symphony orchestra. Additional awards will be given throughout the competition, such as the Junior Jury Award and the Audience Favorite Award. The Gurwitz is a member of both the World Federation of International Music Competitions and the Alink-Argerich Foundation.

SHIGERU KAWAI is the exclusive piano of The Gurwitz 2024 International Piano Competition

--2024 Live Competition Schedule, Program Requirements, and Awards--

Round I - Saturday 27 & Sunday 28 January
- 12 contestants compete over the course of two days with 50-minute recital programs chosen by the contestant.
- Award: Junior Jury Award winner selected at end of round.
Round II - Tuesday 30 January
- 6 semifinalists compete with 45-minute recital programs chosen by the contestant.
- Program requirement:
  1. Work(s) by composer(s) of the participant’s country of origin.
  2. Must feature a work(s) from composer(s) of Latin-American or Spanish origin. (In the case a participant performs a work by a Spanish or Latin-American composer as their ‘country of origin’ piece, this participant must choose another Spanish/Latin-American composer for this work(s).
- Award: Best Performance of a Work by Latin or Spanish Composer winner selected at end of the round.
Round III - Thursday 1 February
- 3 finalists perform solo and with a Latin-American ensemble.
- Program Requirement:
  1. Work written after 1950 (not to exceed 12 minutes).
  2. Commissioned work for piano and Latin-American ensemble by Dr. Aaron Prado.
- All 12 selected contestants will be sent work by September 2023 for preparation.
- Award: Audience Favorite Award winner selected at end of the round.
Round IV - Saturday 3 February
- 3 finalists perform with a full symphony orchestra under the baton of Scott Yoo.
- Program Requirement: Must be one of the following piano concertos-
  - Tchaikovsky, Piotr Ilyich No.1, op.23, TH 55, B-flat minor
  - Grieg, Edvard op.16, A minor
  - Schumann, Robert op.54, A minor
  - Prokofiev, Sergey No.3, op.26, C major
  - Rachmaninoff, Sergei No.2, op.18, C minor
  - Liszt, Franz No.1, S.124, E-flat major
  - Beethoven, Ludwig van No.4, op.58, G major
  - Beethoven, Ludwig van No.5, op.73, E-flat major (Emperor)
  - Ravel, Maurice G major
- Award: Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals winners selected at the end of the round.
Awards Brunch - Sunday 4 February
- Awards are presented along with performances by the three medalists and recognition of competition jury, committees, sponsors, and partners.

--Rules and Regulations--

All transportation to and from San Antonio, Texas will be the responsibility of The Gurwitz, as well as competitor’s visa expenses if any. Lodging for the Competitor will be arranged by The Gurwitz with a host family, who will also provide the Competitor with food, local transportation, and use of a grand piano.
Competitors are expected to arrive by 3:00 pm, January 25, 2024. Any Medalist must remain in San Antonio and take part/perform in the Closing Ceremony on February 4, 2024 in order to receive his or her monetary prize. Other Competitors are welcome but not required to stay through the remainder of the Competition.
The Gurwitz will not provide for expenses for lodging, food or transportation incurred prior to January 24, 2024 or after February 4, 2024.
No lodging will be provided for a Competitor’s family or other traveling companions.
A mandatory meeting of all Competitors will take on January 25, 2024 (exact time to be announced).
Competitors must notify The Gurwitz of any program changes for each Competition Round no later than October 15, 2023. Email communication is preferred. The Gurwitz Artistic Staff will have final approval of programs for each round. In the event that any repertoire is unacceptable, the Competitor will be notified immediately. For questions email elena@musicalbridges.org

No repertoire changes will be allowed after October 15, 2023.

Compositions recorded for the Audition Round may be performed during the Competition Rounds. No piece performed during a Competition Round may be repeated during any other Competition Round.
All works except the Commissioned Work must be performed from memory, both during the Audition Round and during the Competition Rounds.
For the Competition Rounds, each Competitor might be asked to provide to the Judges copies of scores of the performed repertoire.
One time slot will be allotted for each Competitor before the First Round for rehearsal in the Competition concert hall, another one before the Third Round with the chamber ensemble members, and another one with the symphony before the Final Round. Individual rehearsal time slots will be scheduled according to the random drawing competition order.
The order of performance during Competition rounds will be determined by random drawing. No changes will be made in the order of performance except at the direction of The Gurwitz Artistic Director.
Due to the possibility of unpredictable events during the Competition, Competitors must be willing to perform at any time other than their assigned time, as determined by The Gurwitz Artistic Director.
All Competition Rounds and Performances are open to the public.
Voting in all three rounds will be by confidential ballot based on a predetermined scoring system. All decisions of the Jury are final and not subject to appeal.
Competitors are not permitted to make contact or speak with any member of the Jury during the competition. Failure to abide by this rule may result in disqualification.
No Gold, Silver or Bronze Medal winner of The Gurwitz may perform a solo recital within a 50 mile radius of San Antonio prior to January 26, 2026 without permission of The Gurwitz unless he or she first performs a solo recital for the benefit of The Gurwitz within the same area.
All competitors must be dressed in professional or performance attire when at the Competition venue or at Competition-related events.

For technical questions, please visit the Acceptd Help Desk.

Tweets by Musical Bridges Around the World