Piano Extravaganza! 2013

University of Rhode Island Department of Music

Student Competition

 Sunday, April 7, 2013

On Sunday, April 7th 2013, from 11am to 5pm, the URI Piano Extravaganza! will hold an adjudicated competition open to pianists who have not yet entered college. There are three divisions for the competition; Senior Pianists, Junior Pianists, and Little Pianists. Competitors are required to play from memory. There are no required pieces, and judges require copies of the sheet music.

For the middle and high school students, this competition gives them an opportunity to showcase their years of hard work in a formal, but low key environment. For the younger students, this competition gives them an opportunity to test their wings. All venues will be open to family, friends, and the public.

There will be an honors recital for top-rated competitors sponsored by the Jamestown, RI Piano Association. This is a concert that is open to the public, but it will be at a different location at a later date.


Senior Pianists Division (Concert Hall, Steinway concert grand piano)

9-12th grade, or 15-18 years old (on the day of the competition) if home schooled.

Each performer will prepare a program consisting of 10-15 minutes of music from at least two contrasting stylistic periods.

1st Prize - $150
2nd and 3rd place awards will be awarded along with optional jury merit awards


Junior Pianists Division (Rehearsal Hall, Steinway concert grand piano)

6-8th grade, or 12-14 years old if home schooled.

Each performer will prepare a program consisting of 10-15 minutes of music from at least two contrasting stylistic periods.

Best Overall Prize - $50


Little Pianists Division (Classroom, Boston grand piano)

Up to 5th grade, or up to 11 years old if home schooled.

Each performer will prepare a program consisting of 8-12 minutes of music from at least two contrasting stylistic periods.

Best Overall Prize - a trophy

In addition, there will be several awards given to those who show a special quality. Here is the list of possible awards:

Bach Award for Most Intelligent Interpretation
Beethoven Award for Most Dramatic Playing
Chopin Award for Most Sensitive Playing
Debussy Award for Most Picturesque Playing
Gershwin Award for Most Stylish Playing
Haydn Award for Most Witty Playing
Liszt Award for the Best Fingers
Mozart Award for the Youngest Performer/Most Promising
Rachmaninoff Award for the Greatest Showmanship
Schubert Award for Most Lyrical Playing
Schumann Award for Most Rhapsodic Playing
Tchaikovsky Award for Most Grandiose Playing





Online Registration

You need to prepare a 10 to 15 minute solo program of works from various styles - Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic, or Modern/Contemporary. (Grades 1-5 may prepare a shorter program between 8 to 12 minutes.) List the names of the composers and the titles of the compositions including the keys and opus numbers, if appropriate. Please prepare music originally written for the piano.  Easy arrangements and arrangements of popular themes are discouraged.

Competition Rules

Sample Repertoire From Past Competitions

Winners - 2009

Winners - 2010

Winners - 2011