About Us

MISSION

The mission of the Hilton Head International Piano Competition is to encourage and support excellence in the performance of classical piano music by showcasing the talents of young pianists on the threshold of their careers in a competition adjudicated by internationally acclaimed judges, and to offer additional performance opportunities.

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ABOUT OUR COMPETITIONS

The Hilton Head International Piano Competition, one of the leading international piano competitions in the United States, holds an international competition each year- an adult competition for pianists 18 – 30 years of age in the even numbered years, and a young artist competition for pianists 13 – 17 years of age in the odd-numbered years. The competition draws its audience from countries the world over .

The HHIPC will present its 18^th competition, March 4 – 9, 2013 with the young artist competition. Twenty of the world’s best pianists, ages 13 – 17, compete in three exciting rounds of competition, for $11,500 in cash prizes, plus a Summer Music School Scholarship in 2013 or 2014 valued at up to $5,000, a return performance with the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra and other performance opportunities. The prestigious 2013 international jury is composed of five internationally acclaimed pianists from four different countries.

Competitors and an adult chaperone stay in the homes of Host Families; 180-200 volunteers staff all Competition events; Island residents invite the judges into their homes for dinner during the week of Competition and others offer their grand pianos to the judges for personal practice.

Most of the twenty competitors serve as Ambassadors to our local schools. Ambassadors perform at one of the public or private local schools and dialogue with students about life in their home country.  Several thousand students in our area benefit from, and are inspired by, this wonderful outreach program. The competition also provides the opportunity for students from local schools to attend the competition, many of whom have never before been exposed to a live performance.

The HHIPC for pianists ages 18 – 30 will return March 10 – 17, 2014, where twenty pianists will compete in four rounds of competition for $35,000 in cash prizes plus engagements, including a recital at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall in New York City, a return performance with the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, and other engagements.

Special events during the week, free and open to the public, include Master Classes given by six of the judges to six non-advancing competitors, and a special Lecture/Recital by the 2014 Jury Chairman.