Bradshaw & Buono International
Piano Competition
Ladies and Gentlemen:
While some of you have understandably expressed concern about the status of matters as they relate to your applications for this year’s Alexander & Buono International String Competition and Bradshaw & Buono International Piano Competition, we wish to assure you that everything remains on course for our carrying out the competitions, even in the face of the international health challenges.
Given that in light of the current global health crisis the balance of the 2020 Carnegie Hall performance season has been canceled, we have made tentative arrangements to have the Alexander & Buono Competitions Winners’ Recital held on Monday Evening, April 18, 2021 for winners of the 2020 Competitions.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at support@alexanderbuono.com
Thank you for your cooperation.
With best regards,
Barry Alexander and Cosmo Buono
Chairmen
Alexander & Buono
2021 info & Dates
APPLICATION DEADLINE:
All applications must be received by Monday, April 5, 2021. Applications received after this date will be assessed a late fee of $50.00, and will only be considered if received on or prior to Monday, April 12, 2021.
COMPETITION ENTRANCE FEE:
$150
LATE FEE: $50 (Applications submitted between April 6 - April 12)
PAYMENT:
Major credit cards are accepted. Payment is required at the time of application submission (Click on "Apply Online" button to proceed).
NOTIFICATION:
Winners will be notified by Friday, May 7th, 2021 at 6:30 PM
WINNER’S RECITAL:
Sunday, May 23, 2021 at 6:30PM | Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall
FIRST PRIZE:
Applicants chosen as First Prize Winners are given their debut performance in Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall as the First Prize. One winner will be chosen in each division.
GRAND PRIZE:
TBD
FREE SEMINAR
"The Business of Music"
TBD
applications for 2021
Applicants may enroll in either the Solo or Ensemble (duo/four hand) classifications, or BOTH.
Please use the "Quantity" option to purchase more than 1 entry for the same applicant. For example, applicants competing in both the Solo and Ensemble classifications must submit a separate enrollment for each category and pay the separate enrollment fee for each application.
For different applicants, please make sure to use "Apply Now" and "Quantity" [1] to apply separately for each applicant.
The full application and required information are available when you click on "APPLY NOW". The application cannot be saved for future edits.
For those of you who are submitting multiple tracks, please use YouTube to create a "playlist" and then submit a single URL/link to that playlist in your application. [See "Create and Manage a Playlist on YouTube"]
First time apply online? Watch this video
Please note: after clicking "Apply Online" above, you will be taken to our application form first before entering the checkout process.
Applications can also be submitted by regular mail no later than Monday, April 5, 2021. Please click here for the mail-in application.
Instructions
AGE DIVISION / CATEGORIES:
The Competition is open to students from age four to adults, and divided into five categories.
Elementary School : 4-11 years
Middle School: 12-14 years
High School: 15-18 years
Amateur Adults: Adults 19 years and older without professional degrees in Music
College/Adults: College students pursuing degrees in Music and/or those who have already launched professional careers.
REPERTOIRE / COMPETITION RULES
Repertoire for the Competition may be solo or piano duo/four hand (one piano) literature chosen from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic, and/or Contemporary eras. Applicants may enroll in either the Solo or Ensemble (duo/four hand) classifications, or BOTH.
Applicants competing in both the Solo and Ensemble classifications must submit a separate enrollment for each category and pay the separate enrollment fee for each application. Applicants may offer a single work or a variety of shorter pieces. A movement of a sonata is also acceptable.
In the Ensemble (duo/four hands) category, the age of the older contestant determines the classification, and arrangements are acceptable. The music for the Ensemble (duo/four hands) category does not have to be memorized.
We accept both audio and video files.
For audio, we recommend MP3 or WAV files. For videos, we recommend any of the accepted YouTube video formats, MOV, MP4, AVI, WMV or FLV.
If you choose to submit your application online (preferred), we recommend that you upload the audio or video file to a permanent file sharing service such as Google Drive, DropBox or YouTube. Temporary file sharing (such as WeTransfer) is not recommended because the file will be deleted after a certain period of time.
Time Limit
There is no absolute time limit for the recording. We recommend 25 mins or less if it is feasible.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the time limit for each division?
There is no absolute time limit, but the ones listed on the site are suggestions.
What are the repertoire requirements?
There are no specific requirements, as we want each applicant to present the work or works they believe best represents their artistry, just as you would do if you were presenting your own recital. Generally speaking, repertoire for the Competitions may be chosen from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic, and/or Contemporary eras. Applicants are not asked to perform specific works. Instead, they should submit works from the specified periods they feel best represent their abilities, and fit within the required time limitations of the different competitions.
Should I submit a video or audio recording?
Both are perfectly acceptable.
If chosen a winner, must I play the same repertoire at Carnegie Hall that I submitted in my recording?
No, winners are permitted to perform different repertoire as long as it fits within the allotted time for the Carnegie program.
If chosen a winner, must I play at the Winners' Recital at Carnegie Hall?
No, you are not required to for the Winners' Recital. We encourage you to participate in this performance however if is at all feasible.
If I am chosen as a first prize winner, how long do I perform in the Winners’ Recital?
The amount of time one has to perform is based on the number of artists chosen and their age category. Generally winners are asked to perform between five and fifteen minutes as part of the Winners’ Recitals.
If I am chosen as a winner, must I perform the same repertoire as I submitted on my application?
No. Winners are free to choose any repertoire they would like for the recital at Carnegie Hall, as long as it fits within the specified time frame.
Is a movement of a larger composition acceptable?
Yes, participants can perform a movement of a sonata or a larger work.
Do I have to do an online application?
No, you may do it online or send it by mail.
I am not sure of which category I should choose, because my age and where I am in school do not match the categories listed.
If for any reason an applicant does not fall within the categories specified, please choose a category based on the age you will be by the deadline date of the application.
How do I know if I should apply as a Professional/College or Amateur Adult?
These categories are based on whether or not one is pursing a formal degree in music. Those who are, are considered professional; all others are amateur.
Will I receive a certificate?
Yes. All first prize winners receive a certificate.