New partner and new name
Weimar National Competition for Practical Piano Playing is sponsored by the Carl Bechstein Foundation
The Weimar competition popularly known as the "Schupra Competition" has a new name and is now called the Federal Competition for Practical Piano Playing in Schools CARL BECHSTEIN. As a new partner and sponsor, the Carl Bechstein Foundation replaces the Braunschweig-based piano manufacturer Grotrian-Steinweg as the long-standing cooperation partner of the University of Music FRANZ LISZT Weimar.
The 16th National Competition for Practical Piano Playing in Schools CARL BECHSTEIN will take place from 25 to 28 April 2024 under a new name in the Hall Am Palais of the University of Music FRANZ LISZT Weimar.
"This means that the continuation of the Schupra Competition is secured for the long term," says a delighted Competition Director Prof. Gero Schmidt-Oberländer, who teaches as Professor of Practical Piano Playing at the Weimar University of Music.
"The philosophy of the Carl Bechstein Foundation coincides with that of the competition, namely to work on the musical education of children and young people." Schmidt-Oberländer also acknowledges the merits of the previous partner: "Without the initiative and long-standing support of the Grotrian-Steinweg company, the competition would not exist in this form. After all, the company has generously sponsored 15 competitions."
The purpose of the new partner, the Carl Bechstein Foundation, is to promote piano music and piano playing on a broad level. Piano playing is to be promoted emphatically and in the long term as an important living cultural asset. Support is given to projects and institutions that introduce children and young people to the piano at an early age and motivate them to play the piano in the long term.
"Music lessons in schools are of particular importance to us," says Gregor Willmes, Chairman of the Board of the Carl Bechstein Foundation. "Because this is where interest in music can be awakened and deepened. The piano traditionally plays a major role in this because of its versatility as a solo and accompanying instrument. The National Competition for Practical Piano Playing motivates student teachers to pay special attention to this. This was the reason for us to immediately offer our support when a new partner for this competition was sought."
The CARL BECHSTEIN National Competition for Practical Piano Playing in Schools focuses on the diverse skills of free improvisation, song playing as well as playing the score and sight-reading. The "Schupra" competition has existed for more than 30 years. The organiser of the competition, which has been held every two years since 1992, is the Weimar University of Music in cooperation with the Federal Association for Music Education (BMU).
More information: www.hfm-weimar.de/schupra
[29 August 2023]