THE FLORENCE PRICE INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION
Celebrate the Whole of It
MISSION STATEMENT
It is the mission of the Florence Price International Piano Competition and Festival to celebrate and promote the legacy of Florence Price through a multifaceted annual event held in Price’s home state of Arkansas. Over three days of competition rounds, guest artist recitals, faculty workshops, masterclasses and presentations, Florence Price’s music will receive considerable public recognition. The festival takes place at the University of Arkansas Fayetteville Fulbright College of Arts and Science, enriching not only the university and Fayetteville communities, but also the state, region, nationally, internationally through social media and live streaming.
The competition itself seeks to reimagine and rejuvenate the traditional format of the piano competition as a platform to feature not only superb piano performances, but also . There will be special attention paid to diverse and innovative programming, as well as public speaking. As such, the event will empower young musicians who advocate diversity as a central part of their musical identities. The festival encourages competitors to include works on their programs that speak to their own backgrounds and identities as people, musicians, to share their unique and distinctive voices as artists.
MESSAGE FROM ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Welcome to all of the competitors, those attending the festival, guest artists, adjudicators and public.
We are thrilled to bring together such a remarkable group of musicians who represent a wide spectrum of piano music in their innovative programming. We look forward to hearing from all of you as we celebrate the life and long legacy of Florence Price, one of the most distinctive voices of American music who had her early beginnings in her home state of Arkansas. The University of Arkansas Fayetteville is home to Florence Price’s papers, photographs, letters, manuscripts. It is a treasure for our community that is still being explored to this day.
As you may know, Florence Price composed more than 300 compositions in her life. She knew well that being an African American female created insurmountable obstacles in the promotion of her music. In spite of tremendous forces standing in her way, she kept trying to get her music out into the world. Being a woman or an African American should not be a handicap, it should not stop talent being discovered. Competitions create opportunities and exposures for young artists. With our vision for the International Florence Price Competition, we are dedicated to uplifting the voices, amplifying the creative expressions of composers and celebrating increasing diversity in music; we want to feature those who are overlooked; we want to listen to those who are seeking to have their voices heard.
The International Florence Price Competition is a fitting tribute to her legacy, a reimagining and reformatting of the traditional piano competition to feature prominently the music of underrepresented composers. Through performing and speaking, this event will also be an open stage for those who passionately program diverse music, an opportunity to share their unique stories and bridge the gaps between music and audiences. We invite the entire community to feel involved. Come share with us; meet and hear distinctive young talents; open your hearts and minds to experience new music; be our witness as we carry on Florence Price’s wish to present music that truly deserves to be heard.
Xiting Yang
Artistic Director
