SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION Introduction
Since its inception in 2019, the Singapore International Piano Competition (SIPC) has established its reputation as one of the foremost international piano competitions in Asia. It seeks to provide a world-class professional platform for talented pianists from all over the world and lives up to its prestige by attracting outstanding competitors and inviting distinguished international jury members. During its 2021 competition (virtual), it attracted more than one million viewers worldwide.
The diversity of the Singapore International Piano Competition is reflected in its encompassment of three different categories:
SIPC - for pianists age 16 to 32 ready for an international concert career
SIPC JUNIOR - for young budding talents up to age 17, demonstrating exceptional promise
SIPC AMATEUR - for non-professional piano enthusiasts of all ages
The SIPC and SIPC JUNIOR are biennial events alternating every year, while the SIPC AMATEUR remains a stable annual event.
The 2022 SIPC (online) February 10-25
CEO Ms. May Zhang
President, Global International Musicians Association
Artistic Director Mr. Xiaohan Wang
Head of Piano, Tianjin Juilliard School Pre-college
Distinguished Professor, China Conservatory of Music
Executive Director Ms. Chuifun Poon
Executive Director, Rubinstein International Youth Piano Competition
Assistant to the Director, PianoTexas International Festival & Academy
Jury Chair Mr. Arie Vardi
Distinguished Professor, Hannover School of Music and Drama, Germany
Distinguished Professor, Buchmann Mehta School of Music, Israel
Juries Ms. Yoheved Kaplinsky
Chair of Piano, The Juilliard School, USA
Mr. Daejin Kim
Dean, School of Music, Korea National University of Arts, Korea
Music Director, The Chanwon Philharmonic Orchestra, Korea
Professor of Piano, Academy of Music in Gdańsk and Bydgoszcz, Poland
Professor of Piano, The Peabody Conservatory of Music, USA
Mr. Albert Tiu Associate
Professor of Piano, Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, Singapore
Mr. Danwen Wei
Professor of Piano, Central Conservatory of Music, Beijing, China
Prizes and Awards
First Prize USD 15,000
10 Concerts in Asia
One Professional CD Recording
Second Prize USD 8,000
Third Prize USD 5,000
Fourth Prize USD 1,000
Fifth Prize USD 1,000
Sixth Prize USD 1,000
Commissioned Work Prize USD 1,000
Classical Sonata Prize USD 500
Jury Discretionary Award USD 500
Rules and Regulations
Open to pianists of all nationalities, age 16 to 32 (born between January 1, 1990 and January 1, 2006)
First-prize winners of the past SIPC are not eligible to apply.
Current students of the 2022 SIPC jury members are not eligible to apply.
Pre-selection Application materials to be submitted
A copy of your pictured ID, passport or birth certificate showing your name and birthdate.
Two different professional portrait photos in high resolution (minimum 1.5 MB).
Recommendation letters from two professional musicians preferably of international standing (your own teacher may be included). The letters may be sent by email directly from the recommending musicians or forwarded by the applicant.
15 to 20 minutes video of free repertoire but must include at least one lyrical piece (slow movement of a classical sonata is permitted).
The performance must be played on a 7-foot or larger well-tuned grand piano.
The video must be recorded with one single camera, and the camera must be placed at a distance and at an angle which clearly shows the entire side profile of the pianist from the top of the head to the feet and including the fingers on the keyboard. The camera must be completely stationary at all times.
The entire pre-selection round must be recorded in one continuous take. No cut or editing will be accepted.
Upload the video on Google Drive, YouTube, Dropbox or any other viable format.
Failure to record in accordance with the above requirements will be disqualified.
USD 200 nonrefundable application fee to be paid to the following account:
(Wire transfer)
Bank Name: United Overseas Bank Limited, Singapore
Account Name: Singapore Nanyang Education Research Centre
Account Number: 3403028655
Bank Address: No. 80 Raffles Pl, 1 UOB Plaza, Singapore 048624
SWIFT: UOVBSGSG
Bank Code: 7375
Branch Code: 019
(Direct deposit)
Bank Name: United Overseas Bank Limited, Singapore
Account Name: Singapore Nanyang Education Research Centre
Account Number: 3403028655
Bank Address: No. 80 Raffles Pl, 1 UOB Plaza, Singapore 048624
Please present wire transfer or deposit receipt together with all other application materials.
All application materials to be submitted by email to: poonchuifun@icloud.com
Application Deadline: November 20, 2021
Pre-selection Result: December 5, 2021
30 candidates will be selected to the Preliminary round.
12 candidates will be selected to the Semifinal round.
6 candidates will be selected to the Final round.
Video Recording Requirements for Preliminary, Semifinal and Final Rounds
Candidates must record each round in a separate video file.
All pieces in each round must be recorded in one continuous take, without any editing or modification. Violation of this rule will result in disqualification and application fee will not be refunded.
Except for the commissioned work, all pieces must be played from memory.
Repertoire played in each round may not be repeated in subsequent rounds, including pieces played in the pre-selection round.
Videos of all the three rounds must be submitted together by the deadline: January 31, 2022
SIPC will reimburse each candidate up to USD 500 for the venue and recording fees, upon proof of official receipts.
Preliminary Round 20 to 25 minutes (program order is at the discretion of the candidate)
Two virtuosic études, one of which must be by Frédéric Chopin.
Free choice of one or more pieces.
Semifinal Round 50 to 60 minutes (program order is at the discretion of the candidate)
One complete sonata by Ludwig van Beethoven (excluding Op. 49 and 79) or by Franz Schubert. Repeats are at the discretion of the candidate.
Commissioned work (max. 8 minutes). Playing from the score is permitted.
Free choice of one or more pieces.
Final Round
One complete piano concerto of free choice, to be performed with a second piano.
Accompanist’s piano must be a 7-foot or larger well-tuned grand piano.
Cuts in the orchestral tutti are at the discretion of the accompanist.
Announcements of results will be made on SIPC website: sipc.sg and on Facebook.
Key Dates
Application Deadline November 20, 2021
Pre-selection Result December 5, 2021
Video Submission Deadline January 31, 2022
Preliminaries Broadcast February 10-14, 2022
Preliminaries Result February 15, 2022
Semifinals Broadcast February 16-20, 2022
Semifinals Result February 21, 2022
Finals Broadcast February 22-23, 2022
Award Ceremony on Zoom February 25, 2022
Contact
poonchuifun@icloud.com
sipc.sg
The SIPC Organizing Committee reserves the right to publish all videos on website and social media.
The Singapore International Piano Competition is a registered member of the Alink-Argerich Foundation (AAF). It is hosted by the Global International Musicians Association and co-hosted by the Singapore Music Teachers Association.
Global International Musicians Association - Host
Established in 2017, The Global International Musicians Association (GIMA) brings together performers, educators, and music industry entrepreneurs by presenting competitions, concerts and master classes. It promotes collaboration in the international music field, elevates teaching skills, and broadens horizons. It endeavors to cultivate a new generation of music talents by creating a positive musical environment filled with opportunities.
The Singapore Music Teachers’ Association - Co-host
The Singapore Music Teachers’ Association is an independent non-profit organization established in 1966 to promote and strengthen professional music teaching in Singapore. With the support of the National Arts Council of Singapore, the association has organized many major events in Singapore, such as the Singapore Performers’ Festival-Chamber Music Competition and the Singapore International Piano Pedagogy Symposium. www.smtasingapore.com