By: Kim Rendfeld—
Muncie, IN—A few Ball State University students will participate in an international piano competition right on campus.
For the third year, Ball State will be one of a handful of sites worldwide to host the preliminary round of the Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition.
On Nov. 8-12, music lovers can enjoy performances by 48 young pianists in the 600-seat Sursa Hall. Ball State joins London, Manchester (England), Berlin, Milan and Tokyo as sites to audition for the next phase of the competition in Hastings, England, from Feb. 22 to March 3. The six finalists will play with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. First prize is 15,000 pounds and more performance engagements.
“The pianists coming to Ball State are some of the best young musicians in the world,” said Robert Palmer, The Ruth Weldy Mauzy and Mary Weldy Porter Distinguished Professor of Music. “They have studied since a young age and have been preparing for international competitions for years. The caliber of the performers, the hours they put into practicing for these auditions — this is a one-of-a-kind event for them — and for the audience.”
In addition, Kenneth Broberg, the 2017 winner of Hastings International, will perform with the Muncie Symphony Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 11 in Sursa Hall. Also the Silver Medalist of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, Broberg will play Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto no. 3. in D Minor, Op. 30.
Sursa Hall is designed to foster a close connection between performers and audiences, and its acoustical tuning capabilities allow performers to adjust the hall’s sound qualities. The pianists will practice on Steinways and perform on a rare Hamburg Steinway D.
The competition at Ball State will run 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8; 10:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9; 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10; 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11; and 9:30 a.m.-6:45 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12.
Admission is free on Wednesday and Thursday. For the other days, daily admission is $15, $10 for seniors and $5 Ball State faculty, staff, students and alumni. For tickets, call Emens Auditorium at 765-285-1539 or 877-99-EMENS or Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000.
Admission to Broberg’s concert is $30 in advance ($35 at the door), $5 for K-12 students and free to Ball State students (with ID) in advance ($10 at the door). For tickets, visit munciesymphony.org. MSO concert ticket holders may use their tickets or ticket stubs for free admission to Hastings competition performances at Ball State.
