State piano students slated to compete

LEWISTON – The Pine Tree Piano Competition will be held from 1 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, April 28, at the Olin Arts Center at Bates College.

The statewide event is open to students whose teachers are members of the Maine Music Teachers Association. These students will compete at the elementary, junior and senior high school levels.

Entrants will be play two memorized pieces of contrasting styles from the various periods of music, as well as a work by Dr. Seymour Bernstein.

Trophies will be awarded to the first, second and third place winners in each age group. Winners also may be invited to perform in a program at a later date.

Bernstein will be one of the judges for the competition. He is a prolific composer and is one of the most sought-after clinicians in the United States and abroad. His compositions include teaching materials for students at all levels as well as concert pieces.

He is an author of several books on music and piano playing. He plays as a guest performer with chamber ensembles and is a juror of a number of international competitions. He maintains a private studio in New York City and is an adjunct associate professor of music and music education at New York University. Bernstein is a summer resident of Maine.

The event is open to the public.