Young local pianists take stage during annual showcase

by Valerie Cowan

This Sunday marks the sixth annual Summer Showcase of Young Pianists, a performance by talented, pre-collegiate musicians held at 3:00 p.m. at Tuesday Musical Club. The young performers are winners of the Junior Tuesday Musical Club Competition, the Janice K. Hodges Competition, and the Texas Music Teachers’ Local Performance Contests. The event is free and open to the public.

The ten young pianists, ranging in age from 9 to 19, will perform a variety of pieces ranging from Beethoven and Chopin to local composer Dr. Peter Petroff.


Performers of the 2010 Summer Showcase

 “Our goal is to showcase some of the San Antonio area’s most promising young, pre-college pianists in recital,” said Nancy Plourde, Vice President of Education and Outreach for the San Antonio International Piano Competition (SAIPC). “Most of them have very impressive resumes, which include winning or placing in numerous other state and local competitions. We try to have a range of ages represented.”

The Showcase, which debuted in 2006, honors the memory of one of SAIPC’s longtime board members. Sheva Fischer, who also served as SAIPC’s executive vice president, showed her dedication and generosity by hosting contestants and holding fund raiser events in her home.

“She was particularly interested in encouraging young people to enjoy and participate in musical activities, and her family chose to sponsor this event in her memory,” Plourde said.

Many of the Summer Showcase artists from previous years have studied music in college and pursued performing and teaching careers.

“One of the performers from the first showcase, [Peter Steigerwald], has graduated with a music degree from the University of Houston and is now back in San Antonio teaching piano,” Plourde said.

For more information on this Sunday’s free performance, visit http://sahearts.com/event/detail/441255345/A_Summer_Showcase_of_Young_Pianists.