The positive power of competitions: it is about providing artistic development, educational enhancement, scholarships, seminars, master classes and performance opportunities

American Music Teacher, April-May, 2003 by Melvin Stecher, Norman Horowitz

Constance Keene, jury chair

"This is one of the finest competitions I've ever served on, and I've been on many. First of all, Mr. Stecher and Mr. Horowitz have had years of experience with young people. I was astounded because I've been on all these other juries, and the contestants are not 14 and 15; they are up to 32 for the most part, and they don't play with this kind of enthusiasm. I think by this time they're so bored, so worried that they might hit a wrong note. That has become the particular, what shall I say, `bugaboo' of the people who go into it professionally, because you know they hear a recording, and the recording company doesn't want any wrong notes."

Abbey Simon, judge

"With reference to competitions, we can't function very well with them, and we can't function very well without them. And, we're at a critical point, which is why this is rather interesting, because Stecher and Horowitz have tried a new format, and it's working out at this point for everyone concerned. In the first place, the contestants really have a great opportunity to play and show their whiz, because we don't eliminate anybody, which is a novel idea. It's a little scary at first, but we're listening to twenty-two piano concertos, and, nevertheless, it's, I think, up to this point very successful. One day you say, `I wish we could eliminate this one,' but we can't eliminate, and then you hear them the second day, and it's a whole different story. They play much better, more relaxed, and they're not under the pressure of opening night. In any competition, the first round is a life and death struggle, but they're lucky here because they come back for three rounds.

"I am always listening. I'm sure the other members of the jury and juries all over the world just want to be touched. Whether it's a virtuoso attack at the piano, or whether it is a poetic point, we love to find someone who has a personality."

Robert Sherman, moderator

"The competition was so well organized. The kids [were] so great and the results so satisfying that you both should be totally thrilled (not to mention exhausted). I've been a judge at several `ordinary' competitions and have never seen such warm, happy connections amongst the players, nor indeed such open contentment expressed by all the jury members."

Peter Goodrich, Steinway & Sons

"I've attended many competitions throughout the country, and the level of ability and artistic achievement is really extraordinarily high. I don't know how Stecher and Horowitz have done it, but they have assembled a fantastic group of pianists from all over the country. What we are hearing here is first rate in every sense."

Elsa Jean Davidson, dean of students, Manhattan School of Music

"It is a unique competition, and I think it has been incredibly well thought out. It's a whole week of experiences for all twenty-two contestants on an equal basis, and they are all out there trying to do their best. I like the idea of no elimination, something have not seen before. This is total emersion in their art. I am just amazed at the level of expertise. I find that very, very exciting. They're technically wonderful. There's some wonderful musical expression that is so impressive."