The Augustana University School of Music (SoM) is excited to announce its biannual J. Earl Lee Collaborative Piano Competition on Feb. 17-18, at Hamre Recital Hall in the Fryxell Humanities Center.
The Spring 2023 J. Earl Lee Collaborative Piano Competition is a one-of-a-kind-competition for accomplished pianists ages 13-30 from across the globe. The competition provides contestants the opportunity to collaborate with members of the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra (SDSO) and faculty members of the Augustana SoM.
“There is no other event like this in the world, and we’re excited to see and hear these talented young artists from across the country , ” said Dean of the Augustana School of Music Dr. Peter Folliard.
In December, applicants were required to go through a pre-screening process — meeting a list of requirements through video recordings, which included an introduction, instrumental and vocal collaboration, as well as a memorized solo performance. Contestants were then chosen by the Lee Piano Competition Committee and invited to compete in the festival this spring.
As part of the competition, four contestants will now take part in the 2-day, in-person competition, with Round 1 taking place on Friday, Feb. 17, and Round 2 on Saturday, Feb. 18.
The first day of the competition will feature open rehearsals with all of the contestants, as well as a recital of their solo performances in front of a live audience and judges. The second day will provide the opportunity for three finalists to rehearse and perform with the Dakota String Quartet. The festival will conclude with an awards ceremony where the finalists will receive cash prizes, as well as a high-quality audio/video recording of their performance for personal use.
All of the performances will be livestreamed (Friday and Saturday’s events), and are free and open to all teachers, students and the general public. To view the full schedule of the Spring 2023 J. Earl Lee Collaborative Piano Competition, visit augie.edu/LeePianoFestival.
About the J. Earl Lee Piano Festival
For more than a decade, Augustana University has hosted a biannual piano festival held in honor of Dr. J. Earl Lee and his wife, Dr. Clara Lee ‘39, professors emeriti of music and speech. The festival has been funded by the generous and longstanding estate gifts of Karl O. Lee and his mother, Augustana 1908 alumna Agnes Lee. The celebration of the piano in the fall features a pre-college competition, which is a solo competition.