About the Competition
The Dallas International Piano Competition is presented in celebration of the piano and its extensive repertoire, offering important performance opportunities to aspiring young performers from all over the world. Professional and pre-professional, formally trained pianists, including those with advanced degrees in music, are encouraged to apply. Three rounds of competition take place before an internationally renowned jury panel, and prizes are awarded to the most outstanding competitors. Held annually in Dallas, Texas, the Dallas International Piano Competition is an event that brings together musicians, members of the community, businesses and organizations, and heightens the appreciation of the vast repertory written for piano and orchestra.
Winners of the competition enjoy widespread recognition, publicity, a professional performance opportunity with the Dallas Chamber Symphony, and a recital at the Meadows School of the Arts. The DCS will also invite the winner to perform with the orchestra at Dallas City Performance Hall.
Educational Focus
The Dallas International Piano Competition is unique in that it is a piano competition with a focus on pianist development and nurturing young talent. It is not only a competition that attracts some of the most talented young, professional and pre-professional pianists, but also a forum where young pianists — including those who do not advance in the competition rounds — can receive expert training and career-building guidance from faculty. At the SMU Meadows School of the Arts, they participate in a public masterclass and private lessons with renowned pedagogues. For more information about the masterclass and private lesson offerings available to competition participants, click here.
A Celebration of Chamber Music
Participants also have the unique opportunity to focus on chamber repertoire, as the Dallas Chamber Symphony excels in celebrating the vast literature written for piano and smaller, more intimate orchestral instrumentations. While there are no hard instrumentation requirements that dictate a participant’s choice of competition repertoire — as the DCS is an orchestra with full symphonic capabilities — applicants are encouraged to explore those works for piano that are well suited for accompaniment by a chamber orchestra.
A Part of the Dallas Chamber Symphony’s Subscription Season
Public attendance is welcome at all three competition rounds, during masterclasses, and at the Winners’ Recital. All competition events are held at Caruth Auditorium at the SMU Meadows School of the Arts. For tickets and more information about public events, and to get directions, click here.