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215: 19th Century Piano (15 & 16 Years)

Fri 11 Jul 2025, 2.15pm

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Solo Event
Event Age
15 to 16 years (only entrants who are between 15 and 16 years old as of 31 December 2025 can take part in this event)
Total Performance Time
8 minutes
Venue
Chippen Street Theatre
Supported by
Daniel Herscovitch, Sydney Eisteddfod Jubilee Fund

Entry Information

Own choice of one or more items excluding Chopin (see Event 205 or if aged 15 Event 218). Total performance time of up to 8 minutes, which includes time taken between items.

Adjudicator

Maxwell Foster

Maxwell’s engagements for the 2024/05 season include a tour with pianist Alexander Raineri, showcasing the rich repertoire written for Piano Four-hand, appearances in the Brisbane Music Festival and a regional tour of Queensland, presenting a program of solo piano that illumines the many ways that “night” has been represented by both bygone and living composers. He has recently performed with members of the Orava Quartet and the New World Symphony, and he regularly entertains audiences in venues across the Baltimore and Washington D.C. area. Other notable performances from this year include the Dame Myra Hess Concert Series in Chicago and the presentation of Southern Cross Soloists’ “Maps and Journeys” at the Melbourne Recital Centre. In 2025, Maxwell joined the artistic team at the Queensland Ballet as their inaugural piano fellow. Maxwell also dedicates much of his time to teaching. He coaches chamber music at Johns Hopkins University and maintains a large private studio, providing lessons both in-person and virtually. Holding positions at Johns Hopkins University, Artist Music Conservatory and the International School of Music, Maxwell teaches all levels of piano performance, from young beginners discovering the joys of music to advanced, college-aged students. Originally from Brisbane, Australia, Maxwell commenced his piano studies at the age of three. After studying with Jenny Flemming at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, he relocated to Melbourne to attend the Australian National Academy of Music, where he received guidance from Rita Reichman. Throughout his time in Melbourne, Maxwell established a strong presence in the classical music community. He was the recipient of first prize at the ABC Young Performer Awards and has performed alongside every major orchestra within Australia. He has performed at venues such as Hamer Hall, the Sydney Opera House, Carnegie Hall, and Wigmore Hall. In pursuit of his musical education, Maxwell ventured to the United States and obtained Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the Juilliard School, where he studied with Seymour Lipkin and Hung-Kuan Chen. He furthered his studies by completing a Master of Musical Arts degree at Yale University and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University under the tutelage of Yong Hi Moon.

Important Notes

Conditions

At the discretion of Sydney Eisteddfod Management, selected place-getters aged 15 years may qualify for Event 220: Sydney Eisteddfod Alf & Pearl Pollard Memorial Instrumental Awards for Performance Excellence (13-15 Years). Please refer to the Piano Rules & Conditions of Entry. Your entry is accepted under these conditions.

Prizes

Winner: $250 & Medal
2nd: $150 & Medal
3rd: $100 & Medal

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