The 2023 Bernstein Piano Masterclass Series

Bernstein Australia and Bernies Music Land are proud to present an outstanding opportunity for young piano students. Created in 1988 by Professor Max Cooke OAM and Bernstein Australia, to encourage young piano students and provide a friendly yet competitive environment for students to excel in piano performance.

How it Works

Students are invited to perform one piece of up to five minutes on a beautiful grand piano in front of a small audience. The guest teacher then delivers a personalised lesson focusing on one or two key areas of improvement, with plenty of encouragement and clear tips to take home.

please click here for the 2023 brochure 

Bernstein Masterclass Benefits:

  • Perform on world class Bernstein grand pianos.
  • Receive a valuable lesson from one of Australia’s top educators and pianists.
  • Ideal for students preparing for an examination or recital.
  • The enrichment of hearing other young pianists.
  • You may be selected to compete in the National Bernstein Piano Competition, 1st October 2023 in Melbourne.

2023 Brochure

 

1 masterclass per student per year.

Your enrolment can be moved to another date subject to availability.

Refunds are not available within 14 days of the Masterclass session.

 

 

 

Bernstein Masterclass Information and Policies

Please note the Terms and Conditions below. Ticket purchase indicates your acceptance of these policies.

Ticket $59 for 1 masterclass participant, includes up to 4 audience members free. Teacher audience tickets are free.

Age Limit and Recommended Level

Junior: 8 to 12 years, Senior: 13 to 16 years, Age at 1st October 2023.

Students of any level may perform in a Bernstein Masterclass Session. The minimum standard recommended for Bernstein Piano Competition consideration; Junior: Grade 3 AMEB or equivalent, Senior: Grade 5 AMEB or equivalent.

After you have purchased a Masterclass ticket, we will email you to request the Performer’s date of birth and details of the piece they will be performing.

Masterclass Bookings

Due to popularity, students are eligible to enter one Masterclass per year. Entries close 7 days prior unless sold out.

Copyright

For all events you must bring legal sheet music of any piece you play. You can purchase an original score or book from a music shop or a legal online provider (such as www.sheetmusicplus.com or www.sheetmusicdirect.com), or borrow an original score from a library, teacher or friend.

No exceptions will be allowed.

Photography, Video and Recording.

No photo, video, audio or other recordings are permitted during Masterclass or Bernstein Competition events. A photo opportunity is available at the end of the session so as to not disturb the performance.

Bernstein Piano Competition Selection

At each Masterclass, the guest teacher will select students to invite as finalists for the Bernstein Piano Competition, held on Sunday 1st October in Melbourne. Selected students will be invited by email within 1-2 days and can accept or decline by reply email. Past 1st place winners are not eligible to be selected for the same Competition division.

Questions?

Please call us on 9872 5122.

Masterclass tickets

The National Australian Bernstein Piano Competition

The Bernstein Piano Competition is Australia’s longest running brand sponsored Piano Competition.

Created in 1988 by Professor Max Cooke OAM and Bernstein Australia, the Bernstein Piano Competition was designed to encourage young piano students and provide a friendly yet competitive environment for students to excel in piano performance. Professor Cooke insisted that a competition must first “give back” with an educational opportunity for the young pianists.

Over 40 years later, the Bernstein Piano Competition has encouraged generations of young pianists.

Connecting students with some of Australia’s leading pianists and educators provides a unique and enriching experience for young piano students.

In addition to receiving a valuable lesson, young pianists benefit from performance experience as well as by hearing other performance.

Each year, Masterclass heats are held at Bernstein Piano Dealers in Sydney, Cairns, Brisbane, Perth and Melbourne. At each Masterclass heat, selected students are invited to compete as finalists in the National Bernstein Piano Competition, held in Melbourne in October.

Over the years, Bernstein Australia has flown finalists to Melbourne for a sensational competition event.

Excellent cash prizes totalling $950, as well as beautiful trophies and certificates are presented.

The 2023 Bernstein Piano Competition will be held at Bernies Music Land on Sunday 1st October 2023.

Bernstein Piano Competition Information, Terms and Conditions

Age Limit:Junior: 8 to 12 years Senior: 13 to 16 years Age at 1st October 2023.

Minimum Standard Recommended:Junior: Grade 3 AMEB or equivalent. Senior: Grade 5 AMEB or equivalent

Competition Selection:At each Masterclass, the guest teacher will select students to invite as finalists for the Bernstein Piano Competition. Selected students will be invited by email within 1-2 days and can accept or decline by reply email.

Competition Performance:Finalists are required to perform two contrasting pieces of up to 8 minutes (under 12 years) or maximum 10 minutes (13 to 16 years).

Competition Time Limit:Performances over the time limit may not be eligible for prizes and a minimum penalty of 2% will be deducted for going over time.

Competition Program Changes:Finalists are requested to submit their performance selection for the program. No program changes will be permitted after 1pm on Tuesday 26th September 2023.

Copyright:You must bring a legal copy of music for any piece you play at the Bernstein Piano Competition. Staff will be required to sight this on check in.* If you are playing with music, then please bring a photocopy of both pieces for the adjudicator. This photocopy will be destroyed after the event.* If you are not playing with music, please provide the original music for the adjudicator. This will be returned to you at the end of the event.

Competition Adjudication:Two adjudicators will be present for each section. The adjudicators decision is final.

Competition Warm Up:Warm up is not available on the Competition day, however students are welcome to call 9872 5122 to book a 20 minute rehearsal time in week prior to the event.

Past Winners:Past first place winners are not eligible to be selected for the same Competition division.

Audience Tickets:

A limited number of free audience tickets are available and can be booked by telephoning 9872 5122.

Enquiries:

Please direct all enquiries to Michelle Capicchiano, Promotions Manager, Telephone 9872 5122 or email michelle@musicland.com.au