Young Keyboard Artists Keyboard Competition
Grand Rapids Community College is proud to Announce the Dates for the 2027 Bach Young Keyboard Artists Competition.
Registration Fee
$20
Application Deadline
Entries and Fees must be postmarked by Friday, January 15, 2027.
Contest Date and Location
Saturday, February 6, 2027 at the Albert P. Smith Music Center
Winners Recital
Friday, March 5, 2027
7 p.m.
Albert P. Smith Music Center - Linn Maxwell Keller Recital Hall
The Grand Rapids Bach Festival was first organized in 1997 by mezzo-soprano Linn Maxwell Keller. What began as a one-time event grew into a biennial, community-wide festival in 2007 under the musical direction of Karl Hochreither, director of the prestigious Bach Choir of Berlin. Over the years, local professional music organizations—most notably the Grand Rapids Symphony—have assumed leadership of the festival. Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) also honors the legacy of its founders by hosting the 2027 Bach Young Keyboard Artists Competition and Recital.
Categories and Age Requirements
- Anna Magdalena Notebook: suggested for students in grades 2 to 6*
- Little Preludes and Fugues (Little Preludes for Wilhelm Friedeman, Six Little Preludes for Beginners, Six Little Preludes, Little Fugues and Preludes with Fughettas): suggested for students in grades 5 through 8.*
- Two Part Inventions: suggested for students grades 5 through 8*
- Three Part Inventions: suggested for students grades 9 through 12.*
- Suites, Partitas (two contrasting movements required): suggested for high school students, grades 9 to 12.*
- A Prelude and Fugue from the Well-Tempered Clavier, books I or II: suggested for high school students, grades 9 to 12.*
- Collegiate Division: Italian Concerto, Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue, Toccatas, a complete French or English Suite or Partita, a Prelude and Fugue from the Well-Tempered Clavier, books I or II. Open to college undergraduates who attend a college or university in Michigan.
Contestants in this category must perform all movements of the work chosen.
Additional Information
1. Any student residing or studying in Michigan is eligible.
2. There will be a first-place winner in each category. (At the judge’s discretion, the number of entrants and quality of performance in a given category may justify second and third- place winners).
3. All repertoire is to be memorized and one copy is to be provided for the judge. Please number all measures.
4. Any student may enter a category higher than their grade designation.
5. Students may enter in up to two categories.
6. Winners in each category will perform in a Festival Concert at Grand Rapids Community College on Friday, March 5, 7 pm.
*Please note: There is considerable variance in levels of difficulty in each category. Teachers are encouraged to choose literature that best fits individual student abilities. The most difficult pieces in each category will not necessarily have an advantage. Excellence of performance is the primary consideration. The objective will be to provide a broad representation of Bach’s keyboard works, suitable for young performers of all ages.
Questions?
For more information about the Young Keyboard Artists Competition, please contact
Dr. Debora DeWitt Ph.D.
Professor and Piano Dept. Chair
Music Department
143 Bostwick Ave NE
Grand Rapids MI, 49503
Phone: (616) 234-4192
Email: ddewitt@grcc.edu