Provincial Piano Competition - Winner performs at CFMTA Nationals

Congratulations to the winners of the 2023 Provincial Piano Competition!

1st Place - Erich Herchen

Erich Herchen started his piano studies at 3 years of age in 2008 and is currently studying with Mrs. Colleen Athparia. In Bogota, Colombia, age 12, he performed his concert debut featuring works by Albeniz, Chopin, de Falla and more. Erich was awarded first class honours with distinction for his ARCT piano diploma with the Royal Conservatory of Music in 2019. He also completed his Licentiate (LRCM) with the Royal Conservatory in 2021. He has won or placed highly in a number of competitions including the Canadian Music Competition, Calgary Performing Arts Festival, North West International Piano Ensemble Competition, and others. He has also performed solo recitals, including fundraising recitals for charity. He is enrolled to begin studies in both engineering and music performance at the University of Calgary in the fall of 2023.

Competition Details

For advanced students of ARMTA members. The winner of this Provincial Round Competition must be prepared to represent the province of Alberta in the CFMTA National Piano Competition July 5-8, 2023 in Edmonton as part of the CFMTA/FCAPM Conference The runner up must be prepared to replace the winner should circumstances make it impossible for the winner to compete at the National Competition.

Generous prizes are made possible through the continuing support of the ARMTA Recognition Fund.

Eligibility

Competitors must be:

studying piano at the undergraduate level or lower as of the date of application
no older than 24 years of age as of January 1, 2023
Canadian citizens or landed immigrants
piano student of an ARMTA teacher at the time of application

Semi-Final Round – Video Submission

A link (YouTube, Google, etc.) to applicant’s unedited performance of the following is to accompany the application:

the Canadian composition
the complete composition from the Classical or Baroque period

While it need not be professionally recorded the quality should not compromise the integrity of the performance.

The video must show the performer’s hands clearly.
Including the feet in the full profile would be helpful but he priority is sound quality.
Participants should record their program in one session continuously.
Semi-final round video applications must not exceed 45 minutes in total length.

Three competitors will be selected for the final round.

Final Round – Live Performance

All works must be for solo piano at roughly the Associate Level (some non-core pieces at lower levels that provide artistic interest or variety are acceptable) .

Required: One complete Canadian composition
Required: One complete composition from the Classical or Baroque period
A variety of shorter works to form a well-balanced program of 30-45 minutes.
Recommended to be eligible for additional prizes at the National competition
- one composition by Chopin
- one Baroque composition
we encourage all participants to read the CFMTA national competition guidelines, which will allow students to make informed choices around potential scholarships and other considerations which will become relevant, should they advance to the national competition.

The stylistic balance of the program will be taken into consideration by the judge(s). All performances must be from memory.

Prizes

1st Place: $1000 from the ARMTA Recognition Fund. An additional $1000 from the ARMTA Recognition Fund after representing Alberta in the National Piano Competition.*

2nd Place: $1000 from the ARMTA Recognition Fund.*

3rd Place: $500 from the ARMTA Recognition Fund.

Dorothy Buckley Prize: $250 for the Best Performance of a Canadian work

Best Performance of a Romantic work: $500

Prize sponsored by ARMTA Edmonton Branch:
Thelma Johannes O’Neill Prize: $250, Awarded to the first place winner.

*The winner will have the opportunity to undertake the ARMTA Young Artist Tour in spring 2023 at venues throughout Alberta. The second place winner must be prepared to represent Alberta at the National Competition should the first place candidate be unable to do so. In addition, in the event the first place winner is unable to participate in the Alberta Young Artist Tour, the second place winner will be given the opportunity.
NOTE: The winner who represents Alberta at the National Competition must pay an entry fee of $250.

Deadlines and Application Procedures

Applications for the ARMTA Provincial Piano Competition must be received on or before January 1, 2023. The competitors must submit with their application form:

Complete lists of their Provincial repertoire and National repertoire (semi and finals) in order of performance with the exact time of each selection. No changes to the program will be allowed after submission.
A YouTube link of their screening round performance

Late applications will not be accepted under any circumstances. A confirmation of receipt of application will be sent by email.

For more information, contact Eric Nyland.