March 6: Pianists take stage for Clavierfest

Fifty talented young pianists from throughout the state will gather Saturday, March 6, in the Wright Music Building’s music hall to compete in the final round of competition in this year’s Clavierfest event.

The day’s final contest will get under way at 7 p.m. in the music hall and will feature the competition’s 12 top finalists.

Charlene Harb of Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music — as well as keyboard faculty members from MTSU’s McLean School of Music — will serve as guest adjudicators to choose the final 12 contenders for the 7 o’clock performance, which is free and open to the public.

“High excitement will be in the air Saturday evening for this dramatic event,” says Raymond Bills, MTSU music professor and Clavierfest committee member.

At the close of the March 6 finals, a panel of judges from the McLean School’s keyboard faculty will choose a winner in each of the event’s four age categories, Bills reports, with each winner receiving a medal and cash prizes totaling $850.

Now in its eighth year, the annual Clavierfest contest is co-sponsored by the MTSU Public Service Committee and the Steinway Piano Gallery of Nashville.

For more information regarding the March 6 Clavierfest contest, contact the music school at MTSU by calling 898-2493.