You are here: CSU, Chico | Department of Music | Organizations | Kruschke Piano Competition

Kruschke Piano Competition

Kruschke Poster 2012

Printable Kruschke Competition Rules

Printable Kruschke Application Form

COMPETITION INFORMATION  

Purpose: The 2012 Earl R. and Marilyn Ann Kruschke Prize in Piano Performance gives all entering pianists an opportunity to perform music in a competitive setting and to receive awards to be used for the recipients’ education and career in classical music.

Eligibility: The 2012 Earl R. and Marilyn Ann Kruschke Prize in Piano Performance [the Competition] is open to any talented pianist who is California high school junior or senior, California community college music student and/or California State University undergraduate music student.

PRIZES AND AWARDS

First Prize of $2,000 and Certificate: Awarded by Mrs. Marilyn Ann Kruschke

Second Prize of $500 and Certificate: Awarded by Mr. Dustin Breshears, President of the Music Teachers' Association of California, Butte County Chapter

Special Award of $100 (Viktor Kosenko Award) and Certificate: Awarded by Dustin Breshears, President of the Music Teachers’ Association of California, Butte Branch. Students choosing to perform a solo piece by Viktor Kosenko (1896-1938) will automatically be considered for this year’s Viktor Kosenko Award.

Any tax obligation will be paid by the winner of the prize.

Preliminary Round Repertoire

A five-minute Preliminary Round video recording should be submitted along with the other competition application materials to Dr. Shkoda on or before Tuesday, January 24, 2012. The video recording (DVD is preferred) should consist of a memorized, unedited live performance of a piano solo work or works that best represent the contestant’s current performing ability and should contain the following information:

  • Your name
  • Composer’s name(s)
  • Title(s) of the piece(s)

Only original compositions from a standard piano solo repertoire may be performed in the Competition. Simplified versions are unacceptable.

CSU, Chico piano students entering the Competition have an option to audition alive with a memorized five-minute Preliminary Round Competition program at CSU, Chico on Tuesday, January 24, 2012. For more information about this option, please contact Dr. Shkoda.

Final Round Repertoire

Finalists should perform two memorized solo pieces representing two of the following four categories-Baroque, Classical, Romantic and/or Modern. Both pieces are to be performed in their entirety and within the 15-minute time limit. Performances exceeding the specified time limits may be stopped at the judges’ discretion and can result in disqualification. Repeats are optional. Multiple movements of a work may be entered as one selection. The repertoire chosen for the Preliminary Round may be repeated in the Final Round.

Published editions of the scores of all performed pieces, except for Viktor Kosenko works, must be brought to the Competition’s Final Round, with starting pages marked and measures numbered.

Photocopies of Viktor Kosenko piano works may be used in the Competition's final round. No other photocopies of music scores may be used as this will result in an automatic disqualification of the contestant. 

Procedures and Dates to Remember

  • Competition’s Preliminary Round and Application deadline is Tuesday, January 24, 2012. Your completed and signed competition application accompanied by a five-minute video recording of your playing and a $55 non-refundable competition fee has to be received by Dr. Shkoda on or before January 24, 2012. Make your check payable to CSU, Chico Music Department Keyboard Fund. Please mail your application materials to Dr. Natalya Shkoda, Assistant Professor of Piano and Artistic Director of the 2012 Earl R. and Marilyn Ann Kruschke Prize in Piano Performance, Music Department, California State University, Chico, 400 West First Street, Chico, CA 95929-0805. Late, incomplete, or illegible applications will not be considered.
  • Artistic Director of the Competition will notify the finalists of their status by Tuesday, February 7, 2012. A pool of no more than 10 finalists will be selected after application materials are received and screened.
  • Artistic Director of the Competition will determine specific performance and rehearsal times on Saturday, March 3, 2012 for each finalist and notify the finalists about those times by Tuesday, February 28, 2012.
  • Competition’s Final Round will be held on Saturday, March 3, 2012, at 12:00 PM at Rowland-Taylor Recital Hall, Room 134, Performing Arts Center at California State University, Chico, 400 West First Street, Chico, CA 95929-0805 (Corner of West Second Street and Normal Avenue). A 9-foot concert grand Steinway Piano is the official Competition piano. The Final Round is open to public. Finalists will perform for an invited judge or a panel of judges. Decisions of the judge(s) are final and may not be challenged. All finalists will receive the written comments from the judge(s) and may discuss their performance with the judge(s) after the winners are announced and the competition is over.

Travel and Lodging

All travel expenses and lodging are the contestant's responsibility.

Teacher's Responsibility

  • Each student entered must have studied with his/her current piano teacher for at least six months prior to the competition. Teachers will need to sign the Competition Application Form stating that the students they enter into the competition have studied under them for the past six months.
  • The Artistic Director of the Competition may enter students.
  • Judges of the Competition may not enter students.
  • Applications will be screened to determine that all requirements have been met. If any discrepancy is noted, disqualification may result.

Contestant's Responsibility

  • Previous first prizewinners are ineligible to compete again.
  • Contestants are expected to dress appropriately for the competition and to conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times.

Questions and Contact Information

For more information about the Competition or questions about the appropriateness of a composition or a composer, please contact Dr. Natalya Shkoda.

  • Phone: (530) 898-4043
  • Email: nshkoda@csuchico.edu
  • Mailing Address: Dr. Natalya Shkoda, Assistant Professor of Piano, Artistic Director of the 2012 Earl R. and Marilyn Kruschke Prize in Piano Performance, Music Department, California State University, Chico, 400 West First Street, Chico, CA 95929-0805.