All participants, all ages, are recognized with one special, individually tailored award certificate.
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June 4-13, 2021
First ever virtual festival! Please visit again in the coming months for updated details. Applications are open! - Three age categories:
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This one-of-a-kind festival encompasses classical, jazz and other musical idioms, along with improvisation and composition, in a social constructivist educational setting.
Judges bestow one special, individually-tailored award certificate to each participant to spotlight that person's finest achievement. We are 100% focused on constructive feedback, musical growth, and learning opportunities.
Our uniquely diverse award "menu" celebrates standard baroque through contemporary repertory as well as neglected, yet important, skills -- e.g., improvisations (any style), original concerto cadenzas & classical embellishing (demonstrated by most of history's greatest composers yet seldom seen today), versatility (needed to thrive in today's competitive market), lyricism (usually overshadowed by "loud and fast" playing), original compositions (too few venues exist for young serious composers), works by female composers (underrepresented elsewhere), and tasteful arrangements & transcriptions (often disallowed in other events).
We seek to foster diverse and well-rounded musicianship that goes beyond the "autonomic wizardry" that is often overemphasized in other competitions. Above all, pianists and composers are urged to develop and showcase their unique creative talents and perform with individuality, personality, exuberance, originality and spontaneity.
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RESOURCES FROM RECENT FESTIVALSEducational handout for teachers & students:
Workshop handouts (2018):
Workshops (2017):
Workshop videos:
Since 2015, we have proudly introduced a new Written Composition category (scroll 1/2 way down page) wherein our world-class judges perform the best student "finalist" compositions in recital (YouTube: 2016 & 2017). Young composers get to sit back and listen to their pieces being interpreted by top-notch professionals in recital.
(The 2020 festival was canceled due to Covid-19.) |
UNIQUE ECLECTIC PROGRAMEligibility: Open to all ages in 2021! Requirements: Budding Pianists (age 12 & under):
Teen Pianists (age 13-19):
Lifelong Learners (age 20+):
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Meet Our Festival Leadership Team
Our leadership team is dedicated to providing unique, creative learning experiences and programming for piano students of all ages, teachers, lifelong learners and the general public.
LUKE RACKERSExecutive Director
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EVELYN BILLBERGProgram Director
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ARTHUR HOULEFounder & Artistic Director
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Are you interested in participating in the 2021 Festival for Creative Pianists
but still have questions?
• Email Evelyn Billberg at ev.billberg@gmail.com or call 303-629-9209
but still have questions?
• Email Evelyn Billberg at ev.billberg@gmail.com or call 303-629-9209
Donate Today to Help Support This Amazing Festival!
Your gift helps transform the creativity of young learners. Donations of any size help - from small donations to corporate sponsorships.
We would especially welcome a "masthead" donor (see bottom of this page).
Many thanks to Classic Pianos of Denver, MakeMusic, & Canvas Credit Union, and all of our other generous sponsors!
We would especially welcome a "masthead" donor (see bottom of this page).
Many thanks to Classic Pianos of Denver, MakeMusic, & Canvas Credit Union, and all of our other generous sponsors!
Check Out These Fun Festival Highlights From Previous Years
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From the festival archives - 2011: Buckaroo Blues* by Arthur Houle
*Selected by the National Federation of Music Clubs (2016-2020 Bulletin: one of 14 "Moderately Difficult Class 2" pieces) |
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Praise for the Festival
- The late great DAVE BRUBECK wrote (letter, dated 6/12/02, to Arthur Houle, artistic director & festival founder): "What you are attempting to do in your festival is most laudable, especially in eliminating as much as possible the 'winner take all' dynamic, and encouraging improvisation in both jazz and classical music."
- The festival has been cited on NPR's Performance Today, various newspapers, and in music periodicals such as American Music Teacher, Clavier Companion, Piano & Keyboard, Piano Today, and the London-based Piano magazine. It was also profiled in a feature article in the April 2003 issue of Clavier magazine. Articles also appeared in the Mesa State College (now Colorado Mesa University) Fall 2010 Newsletter and the March 2009 issue of Grand Valley Magazine. Last but not least, the festival was endorsed by the International Piano Teachers Guild "for providing an excellent competition for the piano community."
More informationMailing address for donations:Abundant Silence
P.O. Box 1254 Montpelier, VT 05601 |
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© Copyright 2021 Abundant Silence, a 501c3 non-profit new music organization - www.abundantsilence.org
Abundant Silence does not guarantee or warranty any information contained on this website.
Abundant Silence does not guarantee or warranty any information contained on this website.