Phyllis Rappeport Piano Legacy Series 2024

PHYLLIS RAPPEPORT

The Phyllis Rappeport Legacy Series is dedicated to upholding the values of the late Phyllis Rappeport, distinguished Emeritus Professor of Piano at WMU, who ardently and lovingly proffered to hundreds of students throughout her lifetime. Phyllis had no limits to her generosity. She was charitable with her time, she consistently supported the Arts and art education in subtle and more substantial ways, and she was enthusiastically forthcoming in sharing her vast experience and knowledge. Though she dedicated herself to elite ideals, Phyllis was not elitist: she excluded no one in the exchange of musical ideas and the opportunity to experience artistic impact. In her honor, we strive to avail opportunities to support and educate students, teachers, and the community.

2024 Phyllis Rappeport Piano Legacy Series

February 17, 2024

The 2024 PRLS day will include both the Young Artists Exposition and guest lecturer, Marvin Blickenstaff.  While students perform in the competition, teachers may attend the lecture with Mr. Blickenstaff. Following a lunch sponsored by the Western Michigan University student chapter of MTNA, there will be a short recital and a masterclass with Mr. Blickenstaff.

When:

Saturday, February 17, 2024

Where:

Dalton Center Recital Hall
Irving S. Gilmore School of Music
Western Michigan University

Schedule:

10 am:  Young Artist Exposition
10 am - 12 pm: Blickenstaff Lecture
12 pm - 1 pm: Lunch
1 pm - 2 pm: Recital presentation
2 pm - 4 pm: Blickenstaff Masterclass

Marvin Blickenstaff, Guest lecturer

We are delighted to welcome the world-renowned educator and pianist, Marvin Blickenstaff, Emeritus Professor at Goshen College and Lecturer at The New School for Music Study in Princeton. A dear friend of Phyllis Rappeport, Mr. Blickenstaff prescribes the philosophy that teachers touch lives and create inspired citizens, resulting in a more beautiful world.

Learn more about Marvin Blickenstaff.

Register

Registration Fee: $25 fee for teachers/ $10 for students for Lecture, Recital, Masterclass and Lunch (sponsored by MTNA WMU)
$5 discount for teachers when you register with a friend

Young Artists Exposition

The Phyllis Rappeport Young Artists’ Exposition is an opportunity for students to prepare a specialized repertoire, perform in a large hall on a Steinway D piano for friends and family, receive feedback regarding their performances from a professional pianist, and be eligible for modest prizes of educational benefit. 

Register for competition

Application deadline: February 1, 2024
Application fee: $15 

  • Up to $3000 in scholarship money towards studies at the Irving S. Gilmore School of Music for an incoming student during the 2024/2025 academic year 

  • THREE $500 package prizes consisting of a $200 Meyer Music gift card, a $100 Gilmore International Piano Festival voucher, and a $200 Cash Award sponsored by the Kalamazoo Area Music Teachers Association

  • Jonathan Cook Prize in memory of Jonathan Cook: $200 Cash Award sponsored by Laurie M. Marshall for a self-composed work

Eligibility:  

  • The competition is open to all pre-college students, ages 12-18 as of February 17, 2024

Rules and Regulations:

  1. Contestants are to perform two pieces from the following time periods:

    1. One Classical Sonata or Sonatina movement, composed between 1770-1815

    2. One piano work, composed after 1945

  2. The Classical piano movement is to be performed from memory: the piano work composed after 1945 can be performed with the score.

  3. Only complete, unabridged solo piano works in the original form and key will be accepted. No concertos or arrangements may be used. 

Need ideas for post-1945 repertoire? Want to connect your students with someone to help them with a composition? Please feel free to email Lori Sims at lori.sims@wmich.edu