Music competitions are in no short supply on the nation’s TVs, but one contest stands out from the rest. This July, let the sound of classical music warm winter-chilled fingers and toes at the classical piano event of the year, where gifted young pianists will vie for glory. Patron Sir James Wallace, in conjunction with the Lewis Eady Charitable Trust and the University of Auckland, is proud to debut the inaugural bi-annual Wallace National Piano Competition, which will showcase 16 of the best classical piano talents, all aged under 28, from around the country. 

The illustrious competition will take place over three days, from Friday 5 to Sunday 7 July 2013, at the Auckland School of Music. The final sitting, at the Auckland Town Hall Concert Chamber, begins at 3pm on 7 July.

Each of the 16 contestants - selected from a large pool of initial entrants who sent demos to the competition’s facilitators - will perform two 30-minute programmes over two consecutive days. At the end of the second day, adjudicator Michael Houstoun will announce four finalists, who will each be asked to perform a 45-minute programme at the final sitting.

Seizing the title will offer the winner opportunities many can only dream of. The Wallace National Piano Competition’s total prize pool is $20,000; first place is awarded $10,000 and consideration for performance with the Auckland Philharmonia and Bach Musica and a tour with Chamber Music New Zealand. The competition’s runner-up will receive $5,000, third place $3,000 and fourth place $1,500. An additional ‘encouragement prize’ of $500 will be awarded to one of the four finalists, at the adjudicator’s discretion.

Ticket information: 

All preliminary round pre-sales through The Lewis Eady Charitable Trust,

ph: (09) 524 4119

www.lect.co.nz.

Preliminary round door sales are available (no credit card facilities).

• Preliminary rounds – 5 July at 9:30am, 2pm and 7pm; 6 July at 9:30am, 2pm and 7pm                   
• Adults $15 per session
• Students/children $10 per session 

• All preliminary sessions (six in total)       
• Adults $60                                       
• Students/children $30

Finals concert tickets will be available through ‘Buy Tickets’ www.the-edge.co.nz; there will also be door sales.

• Finals concert – 7 July at 3pm              
• Adults $30                                       
• Students/children $15