Toronto, October 5, 2009 Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto is proud to launch the First Music Festival which kicks off with CCC Piano Competition 2010 (Canada) to be held from February 20 to March 5 next year. Scotiabank is the presenting sponsor while Yamaha is the official piano. Contestants can challenge their music talents in a variety of about 80 classes. Some of the winners will have the opportunity to perform at the Award Ceremony & Gala Concert scheduled for May 15, 2010 in CCCs state-of-the-art P C Ho Theatre.

Renowned pianist Marietta Orlov, Piano Faculty, University of Toronto and Royal Conservatory of Music, who is also the Honorary Chair of the Organizing Committee, remarked the creation of the competition reflects the multicultural character of this country. It will play a critical role in the future of many aspiring young pianists. I believe that this competition carries the mission to recognize their potential and stimulate them to rise to the heights of their capabilities. Other committee members include the following distinguished jurors:

• James Anagnoson, Dean, Glenn Gould School (also the Honorary Advisor)
• David Louie, Piano Faculty, Glenn Gould School
• Andrew Markow, Piano Faculty, University of Toronto & RCM
• Lynda Metelsky, Piano Faculty, University of Toronto & RCM
• James Parker, Chair in Piano Performance, University of Toronto

Contestants are welcome to enter the different classes including RCM piano Grade 1 - ARCT, Sonatina and Sonata, Bach, Chopin and Canadian Composer. They may also challenge their music talents in the featured divisions of the competition, namely:

• CCC Youth Orchestra Concerto Class Competitors may perform one movement from any concertos of Bach, Haydn and Mozart and provide his/her own accompanist. Two winners selected by the jury will perform with CCC Youth Orchestra at the Gala Concert.
• Age Achievement Class Competitors are expected to demonstrate exceptional musical and technical ability in his/her performance.
• They will select one solo piece of his/her choice to perform and can enter only one class. Championship trophies and scholarships will be awarded to the winning contestant(s) of each class.

Artist Division This advanced recital class is specified to encourage aspiring performing artists to pursue national and international concert performance careers. Contestants must prepare a free choice program of 4045 minutes. Winner will be awarded $1,000 cash prize and will perform in the Gala Concert.

Dr. Ming-tat Cheung, Chairman and President of CCC thanked CCC Youth Ambassadors the Juilliard Duo pianists Langning Liu and Lu Wang for initiating the music festival. He also expressed his gratitude to the highly professional Organizing Committee members for their great efforts in nurturing and paving the way for youth to showcase their talent now and in the future when hopefully some would go into a career in music.

Performing at the launch of the music festival were two very talented young pianists. Stephanie Zou, aged seven, won the Gold Award of junior piano concerto in Kiwanis Music Festival, the first place for Age Achievement in Markham Music Festival and the 2nd place of the Age 7 and under group at the national Canadian Music Competition in 2009. Jonathan Mak, 12 years old, was awarded first place in the piano age 10 and under category at the national Canadian Music Competitions in 2007 and is the first prize winner of the 16 and under category in the 2009 Manchester International Concerto Competition for Young Pianists. Both Stephanie and Jonathan were selected to play in world renowned pianist Lang Langs master class held in Toronto last year.

For enquiry and registration regarding the piano competition, please call Lorraine Wu at (416) 292-9293 Ext. 229 or email lorraine.wu@cccgt.org. Deadline of application is December 10, 2009. For details please visit www.cccpianocompetitions.org.