House of Pianos and Steinway & Sons, Dubai, in strategic partnership with Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), and collaboration with the Emirati Musicians’ Association, and Dubai Opera, announced the inaugural Steinway Piano Competition GCC. According to a media release, the event will take place from April 21-25, 2025, at Steinway Hall in Dubai, and aims to establish Dubai and the UAE as a global hub for musical excellence. The competition is poised to set a new benchmark in musical contests, fostering a deep appreciation for classical and Emirati music within the region, it added.
Open to children up to 17 years old from the GCC region, the competition features two distinctive categories: Classical Music and Emirati Talents. The former pays tribute to the rich tradition of classical music, while the latter, designed specifically for Emiratis, highlights and promotes the music and culture of the UAE. The scores for the Emirati music category were granted by the Emirati Musicians' Association.
The First Steinway Piano Competition aims to provide an unforgettable experience, focusing on the invaluable opportunity for young talents to perform, rather than just offering monetary rewards, the organisers said. According to them, the top laureates will be engaged in projects curated by the organisers and partners, including performances at prestigious venues across the GCC and internationally, such as the Steinway Festival at the Laeiszhalle in Hamburg, Germany; a concert at Steinway Hall in New York, USA; a recital in the Scriabin Concert Series in Grosseto, Italy; a concert at the Dubai Opera Studio; and participation in the UAE Diplomatic Missions worldwide, as well as the EMA Concert Series, among others.
Jury members
The competition jury will feature a distinguished panel of Steinway Artists, renowned Emirati musicians and composers, as well as international and local professors and pianists. Their expertise will not only uphold the standards of the competition but also provide valuable feedback and mentorship to nurture young talents in the GCC region.
House of Pianos and Steinway & Sons Dubai have invited all young pianists in the GCC to apply and showcase their talents. Those who would like to enter the competition have to submit a video recording and application form via the website: www.steinway.ae
Piano camp for Emirati pianists
For Emirati students eager to participate in the competition, House of Pianos, in collaboration with and financed by the strategic partner Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), has announced a six-month intensive piano course starting in October 2024. This program is designed to prepare participants for the 1st Steinway Piano Competition GCC 2025 and includes training from Emirati musicians, composers, and local piano instructors on piano skills, classical music history, theory, and performance of both classical and Arabic music pieces, according to the organisers
To apply for the competition and piano camp, visit our website: Steinway Competition
