Now in its forty-seventh year, the purpose of the Renée B. Fisher Piano Competition is to nurture growth and development of young pianists, to reward them for outstanding achievement in the classical repertoire, and to encourage them to acquaint themselves with, and to perform, contemporary music. In 2003, Neighborhood Music School proudly accepted the management of this legacy at the request of the Renée B. Fisher Foundation.
The Piano Competition consists of two separate divisions: Elementary/Middle School Division (Grade 8 & below) and High School Division (Grades 9-12). Past Fisher prize winners have gone on to attend all the major U.S conservatories at the undergraduate and graduate levels, to participate in major piano competitions, and to serve on the piano performance faculties of major colleges and community music schools.
A special feature is that through the Renée B. Fisher Composer Awards, two composers each year are chosen internationally to create new works for performance at the competition. These are required pieces, designed to introduce students to living composers and their work and to be premiered at the Winners’ Concert. The scores are then made available to anyone wishing to play, perform, or teach them.
Applicants to the Piano Competition must currently live or study in Connecticut. The competition consists of two separate divisions: Elementary/Middle School Division (Grade 8 & below) and High School Division (Grades 9-12). Applications for the Composer Awards are welcome to apply for the commission in one or both divisions.
Renée B. Fisher was an elegant writer, an accomplished musician, a dedicated teacher and a devoted wife and mother. The Renée B. Fisher Piano Competition and The Renée B. Fisher Composer Awards were founded in 1977 by Renée B. Fisher’s husband to celebrate her legacy and inspire future generations to make beautiful music.
The winning scores from previous competitions are available to anyone wishing to play, perform, or teach. Students, and teachers are encouraged to share these works and enjoy!
