The Cleveland International Piano Competition (CIPC) and the Canton Symphony Orchestra announced today that they will partner for the CIPC Young Artists Competition next year. Four finalists of the competition, two in the Junior Division and two in the Senior Division, will perform with the Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Gerhardt Zimmermann to determine the final rankings.  It is the first time the Canton Symphony will perform in Cleveland’s University Circle area.

“This partnership presents an opportunity for young pianists to play with an outstanding orchestra made up of top tier musicians,” said CIPC President and CEO Pierre van der Westhuizen.  “It is not only a tremendous incentive to do well in the competition, it is an amazing learning opportunity for the pianists with the skills and confidence to make it to the final round.”

“The Canton Symphony is very much looking forward to our collaboration with the Cleveland International Piano Competition for the Young Artists Competition,” stated Gerhardt Zimmermann, Music Director of the Canton Symphony Orchestra.  “It is always a joy to work with upcoming young artists, those musicians who will be the bright stars of the next generation.”

CIPC Young Artists is an international competition for pianists ages 12 through 18.  The event will be held May 13-22, 2015 at Baldwin Wallace University in Berea, Ohio, with the final round taking place in Gartner Auditorium at the Cleveland Museum of Art on Friday, May 22, 2015.  Contestants will participate in two age groups: Juniors (age 12 to 15) and Seniors (age 16 to 18).

Students in each age group will perform three solo rounds and one final round with the Canton Symphony Orchestra in front of audiences and an international jury.  All candidates will perform two rounds before the first jury vote.  Six candidates from each age group will advance to the semi-final round and two candidates from each age group will advance to the final round.


About the CIPC
The Cleveland International Piano Competition, recognized worldwide as one of the most respected and high profile roads to a professional career in classical music, will soon celebrate its 40th anniversary.  In these 40 years, it has grown from a competition organized by volunteers into a multi-faceted, professionally managed organization that presents four major programming components: The Cleveland International Piano Competition; The CIPC Young Artists Competition; CIPC ArtsConnect; and the CIPC Concert Series.

About the Canton Symphony Orchestra
Founded in 1937, the Canton Symphony Orchestra is a fully professional ensemble and organization dedicated to performing concerts that enrich, educate and entertain. Under the direction of Gerhardt Zimmermann, the orchestra performs classical, pops, holiday, and educational programs. 

Media Links
Cleveland International Piano Competition website
Canton Symphony website

For media inquiries, please contact:

Cleveland International Piano Competition
Della Homenik, Director of Communications
dellahomenik@clevelandpiano.org | 440-653-5005

Canton Symphony Orchestra
Irene Barker, Director of Marketing
ibarker@cantonsymphony.org | 330-452-3434, ext. 610 

Kirshbaum Demler & Associates, Press Representative
kboone@kirshdem.com | 212-222-4843

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