The Concours Musical International de Montréal (Montreal International Musical Competition) begins today as 24 musicians from around the world vie for a prize package worth over $150,000. The First Prize is $30,000 plus a Career development programme valued at $20,000. The Second Prize is $15,000 while the Third Prize $10,000. Additional prizes include Award for the Best Canadian Artist and the Joseph Rouleau Award for the Best Artist from Quebec, both worth $5,000.
The CMIM was established in 2002 for voice, violin and piano, and rotates over a three-year cycle. This year's competition is for piano. In addition to the four Canadian participants Tina Chong, Younggun Kim, Steven Massicotte and Avan Yu, competitors come from Australia, China, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, Poland, Russia, South Korea, Switzerland and the U.S.
In addition to the competition itself, they are hosting a number of free events at the Place des Arts’ new Grand Foyer Culturel, the Espace Georges-Émile-Lapalme. From May 24 to 28, you can take a free piano lesson with a professional, bring your kids to workshops for 3 to 9 year-olds, or visit the piano bar happy hour at Place Deschamps wine bar.
On May 29, two Master Classes will be offered at Tanna Schulich Hall l’Université McGill. The first is with Jean-Philippe Collard in the afternoon, and the evening class is with Arnaldo Cohen.