Word reaches us of an exciting development for the classical music buffs:
In 2013 the Southern Highlands International Piano Competition (SHIPC) is bringing its finals to Canberra for the first time. The biennial competition enters its fourth season having grown to become an internationally renowned competition.
SHIPC Artistic Director Gerard Willems AM, Associate Professor of Piano at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, said he believed the calibre of the competitors required the competition to seek an alternative outstanding venue to host the performances.
“This competition is highly regarded and by now well established. It has gained a well-deserved place in the firmament of international pianos competitions,” Willems said.
The competition will continue its valuable partnership with the Canberra Symphony Orchestra which has accompanied finalists, including former Canberran Edward Neeman, in previous competitions in the Southern Highlands. This year 27 competitors from 17 countries including China, Japan, Italy, Russia, Germany and America will compete for three positions in the competition finals. Finalists will have the chance to share in total prize money of $50,000 and perform with Orchestra to an expected sold-out hall.
Artistic Director Gerard Willems AM said he was looking forward to a robust competition that would bring welcome attention to this superb part of the Highlands.
“We are looking forward to further strengthening the relationship between the Southern Highlands and our nation’s capital that has been building through our relationship with the Canberra Symphony Orchestra and ACT competitors represented in the competition,” Willems said.
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