First Adult Amateur Competition

October 23rd, 2004
St. Thomas University

First Adult Amateur Competition

In October 2004, the Chopin Society of Houston, inspired by the Van Cliburn Amateur Pianist Competition, organized the first Chopin Competition for the Adult Amateur Pianists.

It was a very inspiring and joyful event, open to non-professional pianists over the age 27. The contestants created a very special category of people, brought to the competition stage by pure love and passion for Chopin’s music.

The competition was divided into two categories: Competative and Non-Competative. Awards were presented in the Competative category. Participants in both categories received written critiques from the judges.

Contestants in the competative category were required to perform one of the following pieces:

  • Prelude in D-flat Major, Op. 28, No. 15
  • Nocturne in E Minor, Op. 72, No. 1
  • Noctorun in C-sharp Minor, Op. Post.
    Performance time was limited to 12 minutes.

    There were four contestents in the competative category and three in the non-competative category.

    The jury consisted of two members:

  • Clive Swansbourne from Great Britain
  • Calogero Di Liberto from Italy

    Winners

    Silver John Slaby
    Bronze Marina Tishkova
    Honorable Mention Rodrigo Herrera
    Jun Xu