Chance of a lifetime to study at a prestigious music school in Surrey

TALENTED pianists, here’s a chance to expand your musical realm at the prestigious Yehudi Menuhin School in Surrey, Britain.

The Overseas Malaysian Winter Piano Academy (OMWPA), established in 2010 by internationally-renowned concert pianist Bobby Chen, is calling for applicants for the 2012 Piano Academy to be held Dec 15-23 this year.

“A common complaint by parents is the lack of musical opportunities for their talented children in Malaysia, and that such opportunities were only made known to a limited number of people,” said London-based Chen via email.

“OMWPA provides the opportunity for all talented musicians around Malaysia to experience top-level learning in a prestigious foreign musical institution,” added Chen, a former student of the Yehudi Menuhin School.

Successful candidates will be able to experience world class musical teachings in a non-competitive environment and be inspired to bring their learning back to Malaysia.

They will also have the opportunity to attend a concert at the Royal Opera House, Royal Albert Hall or the Royal Festival Hall in London.

At the end of the programme, the students will get to perform in a concert at the Yehudi Menuhin Concert Hall.

“The students will get to broaden their individual musical horizons, explore musical possibilities and imbibe a concentrated portion of learning which exists outside Malaysia,” added Sandakan-born Chen, 33.

The 25 selected students of the 2010 OMWPA were taught piano playing, composition, chamber music, improvisation and conducting.

They were also encouraged to make the first step towards creating a Malaysian-based composition by exploring musical traditions of East and West, and incorporating ethnic material from Malaysia into their music.

Since then, some of these students have gone on to win various awards and piano competitions locally and abroad, while two students obtained scholarships to prestigious music schools in the United States.

This year, the Piano Academy will host 35 to 40 students. So far, over 90 candidates have sent their names for an audition to be held in Kuala Lumpur in June or July 2012. (Recorded auditions in DVD format are also accepted.)

In 2010, the students were charged £1,000 (RM4,850) each. This year’s fee has yet to be confirmed.

The OMWPA 2012 is open to all piano students aged 23 and below with an ABRSM Grade 6 (or equivalent) qualification and above. The application deadline is April 30.

For details, call Stanley Chen at 016-830 8835, email him at [e-mail] or go to www.omwpa.com.