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Moments of Music Foundation

Derek H. Jones, MD
Piano Concerto Competition for Amateurs & Teachers

 

Artistic Director: Rufus Choi

Executive Director: Deborah H. How

Music Director: Yongjae Kim
General Information: mmfconcertocompetition@gmail.com

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2021 Competition - TBD

Detail of 2021 is not determined nor scheduled yet. Unfortunately, all the concert venues are still closed in Los Angeles, we're unable to plan at this moment. 

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2020 Competition -CANCELLED

2020 competition is cancelled due to pandemic. 

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2019 Repertoire

One movement of any standard piano concerto written before the late 19th century.

All concerto movements must be approved by the MMF Board of Directors and Conductor of the Gala Concert Orchestra.

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2019 Competition

First Round Video Upload Deadline: September 1, 2019 (Sun), 11:59 PM PT

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Final Round (Live Audition) Competition: September 22, 2019 (Sun), Afternoon

Steinway Piano Gallery Beverly Hills

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Winners Gala Concert with Orchestra: October 27, 2019 (Sun), 4:00 PM

Zipper Hall – Colburn School, Los Angeles​

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APPLICATION FORM

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Competition Information, Rules, & Guidelines

  1. One movement of any standard piano concerto written before the late 19th century.

    • All concerto movements must be approved by the MMF Board of Directors and Conductor of the Gala Concert Orchestra.

  2. The Moments of Music Foundation Piano Concerto Competition for Amateurs and Teachers will be held in two rounds.

  3. The First Round will be in video upload format.

    • First Round Video Upload Deadline: September 1, 2019 (Sun)

      • Video must be of concerto movement to be performed with orchestra. Video may be recorded with 2nd-piano or orchestral accompaniment.

      • A $60 non-refundable application fee and a scan of a proof-of-age document (for example, birth certificate, passport, or driver’s license) for each applicant must be submitted online on or before the application deadline for the First Round.

      • Competitors selected to advance to the Final Round will be notified on or before September 5, 2019.

  4. The Final Round will be in live audition format in Greater Los Angeles area.​

    • Final Round (Live Audition) Competition: September 22, 2019 (Sun), Afternoon, Venue TBA – Los Angeles

      • Competitors will be responsible for their own travel and housing.

      • Competitors must be age 32 or older as of September 1, 2019.

      • Previous winners may enter the competition again after sitting out for two years. For example, a winner in 2016 may participate again 2019.

      • ​A $95 non-refundable application fee for each competitor for each movement must be submitted online on or before the application deadline for the Final Round.

      • The concerto movement(s), and, if applicable, cadenza(s), must be memorized.

        • ​Competitors who do not play their concerto movement from memory will be disqualified and not eligible to be selected as a winner.

      • Competitors may prepare more than one concerto movement, but may only be selected as a winner for one concerto movement.​

      • Competitors must provide their own collaborative pianist (accompanist).

        • ​Competitors will need to arrange rehearsals with and are responsible for all payments to their collaborative pianist. 

        • For competitors that need assistance securing a collaborative pianist, MMF will provide a list.

      • The decisions of the judges are final.

      • Judges are not obligated to select a winner.

      • Any competitor who at any time contacts a judge regarding this competition and/or its results will be disqualified.

      • The submitted Moments of Music Foundation Online Application Form & Competition Agreement for the Moments of Music Foundation Concerto Competition for Amateurs and Teachers shall be deemed an acceptance and agreement of the applicant to the Competition Rules & Information stated on this page.​

      • Winners will perform their concerto movement with orchestra.

      • There will be a minimum of two rehearsals with orchestra; schedule TBA.

  5. Winners Gala Concert with Orchestra: October 27, 2019 (Sun) at 4 pm, Zipper Hall – Colburn School, Los Angeles

 

In the event of any dispute, claim, question, or disagreement arising from or relating to the terms and conditions of this Competition or the Competition Agreement, or the breach thereof, Moments of Music Foundation shall use its best effort to settle the dispute, claim, question, or disagreement. To this effect, they shall consult and negotiate with each other in good faith, and recognizing their mutual interests, attempt to reach a just and equitable solution satisfactory to both parties. If they do not reach such solution within a period of sixty (60) days, then upon notice by either party to the other, all disputes, claims, questions, or differences shall be finally settled by arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association in accordance with the provisions of its Commercial Arbitration Rule

 

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2019 Winners (alphabetical by last name)
 

  • Martin Philip Carlson (Los Angeles, CA)
    Haydn: Piano Concerto in F Major, Hob. XVIII:3
    I. Allegro
     

  • Tsoline Hajian (Los Angeles, CA)
    Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 12 in A Major, K. 414
    I. Allegro
     

  • Shirley Hsin-I Hsieh (Tarzana, CA)
    Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11
    I. Allegro maestoso
     

  • Darren Lee (Toronto, ON, Canada)
    Grieg: Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16
    I. Allegro molto moderato
     

  • Dr. Minji Noh, DMA (Orange, CA)
    Saint-Saëns: Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22
    I. Andante sostenuto
     

  • Darren Wirth (Aurora, CO)
    Schumann: Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54
    I. Allegro affettuoso

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Winners Gala Concert with Orchestra
October 27, 2019 (Sun), 4:00 PM

Zipper Hall – Colburn School, Los Angeles​

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2018 Piano Concerto Competition Winners

Winners Gala Concert with Orchestra: December 2, 2018 (Sunday), 4:00 pm

The Colburn School – Zipper Hall, Los Angeles, CA

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Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 9 in E-flat Major, K. 271 “Jeunehomme”

Movement I. Allegro

Hyun Jeong Lee (teacher)

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Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major, K. 467

Movement I. Allegro maestoso

Mark Richman (teacher)

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Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37

Movement I. Allegro con brio

Hyongsoon Kim (amateur)

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Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21

Movement I. Maestoso

Hyoung Wuk Kim (teacher)

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Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, Op. 15

Movement I. Maestoso

Daniel Alan Shewmon (amateur)

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Liszt: Piano Concerto: Totentanz in D minor, S. 126

Jung Hee An (teacher)

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2017 Piano Concerto Competition Winners

Winners Gala Concert with Orchestra: October 21, 2017 (Saturday), 7:30 pm

The Colburn School – Zipper Hall, Los Angeles, CA
Yongjae Kim, Conductor

 

Chopin
Piano Concerto No. 1 in e minor, Op. 11

  • Movement I (Allegro maestoso): Dr. Kookhee Hong (DMA)

  • Movement II (Romanze – Larghetto): Dr. Tae Yeon Lim (DMA)

  • Movement III (Rondo – Vivace): Dr. Tae Yeon Lim (DMA)

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Grieg
Piano Concerto in a minor, Op. 16

  • Movement I (Allegro molto moderato): Dr. Tara McCannel (MD, PhD)

  • Movement II (Adagio): Dr. Tara McCannel (MD, PhD)

  • Movement III (Allegro moderato molto e marcato – Quasi presto – Andante maestoso): Dr. Yvonne Tsai (MD)

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2016 Piano Concerto Competition Winners

Winners Gala Concert with Orchestra: November 5, 2016 (Saturday), 7:30 pm

The Colburn School – Zipper Hall, Los Angeles, CA
Yongjae Kim, Conductor

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Mozart
Piano Concerto No. 20 in d minor, K. 466

  • Movement I (Allegro): Sue Zhou-Walsh

  • Movement II (Romance): Martin Philip Carlson

  • Movement III (Allegro assai): Lina Kim Lee

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Beethoven
Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major, Op. 15

  • Movement I (Allegro con brio): Shuo Zhai

  • Movement II (Largo): Dr. Minji  Noh (DMA)

  • Movement III (Rondo: Allegro): Dr. Minji Noh (DMA)

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2015 Piano Concerto Competition Winners

Winners Gala Concert with Orchestra: October 25, 2015 (Sunday), 3:00 pm

The Colburn School – Thayer Hall, Los Angeles, CA

Lorenzo Marasso, Conductor

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Mozart

Piano Concerto No. 9 "Jeunehomme" in E-flat Major, K. 271

  • Movement I (Allegro): Sylvie Ollivier

  • Movement II (Andantino): Mark Richman

  • Movement III (Rondo): Dr. Alan Shewmon (MD)

 

Beethoven

Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat Major, Op. 19

  • Movement I (Allegro con brio): Dr. Calvin Lee (MD)

  • Movement II (Adagio): Jeremie Favreau

  • Movement III (Rondo): Dr. Michael Rosove (MD)

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