We’re pleased to bring you this extended interview between Awadagin Pratt and Artina McCain. Read more about Awadagin Pratt’s accomplishments as a pianist, conductor, and music education advocate in the Winter 2022-2023 issue of Piano Magazine. Not yet a subscriber? Subscribe now for only $7.99/mo or $36/year.
Nina Simone was an American songwriter, pianist, and one of the most influential recording artists in the twentieth century. In 2023, her name will also become synonymous with piano competitions at the inaugural Nina Simone Piano Competition, founded by Awadagin Pratt.
Outside of her many successes in songwriting, jazz, gospel, and classical music, she also had an unrealized dream of becoming a concert pianist. In 2021, Pratt won a Sphinx venture grant that allowed for the planning of the competition. When asked what the inspiration was for the event, he stated, “There are many African American pianists who have unrealized dreams of becoming concert artists, just like Nina Simone.”
His inspiration came from another young pianist. “I came across an exceptional pianist who should have had opportunities to begin a career, but it didn’t happen. They were at a good school but did not receive sufficient mentoring from their teacher on how to pursue a career. Knowing that this couldn’t be the only person impacted by a lack of support, we wanted to provide a forum to highlight young African American pianists and to provide a competition platform similar to what Sphinx does for string players… creating more opportunity and high visibility for budding talent.”
There are many African American pianists who have unrealized dreams of becoming concert artists, just like Nina Simone.
Awadagin Pratt
The competition will have three categories: ages 10-13, ages 14-17 and age 18 and older, with no upper age limit. While the competition is centered on classical music, the repertoire is not strictly limited to the standard classical canon. Pianists with abilities in other genres are encouraged to apply and to include some of those works in their competition programs. Pratt believes that one of the strengths of African American pianists is being able to bring culturally specific parts of their background into performance spaces. It’s a gift that should be recognized.
The competition comes with hefty prize money (up to $50,000) and an opportunity to perform with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Unlike other competitions that have preset concerto lists, applicants can choose concerti from the entire repertoire.
Long term, the goal of the institution is to directly support and help jumpstart the career of 100 pianists and have their talents on the radar of top-tier orchestras in the next ten years. Eventually, they will expand further and start commissioning works for the competition.
The 2023 winners will be a part of the Art of the Piano festival and the Salon 21 series during the regular season, both presented by Pratt. Applications are due March 1 and the competition will be held June 19-25, 2023. For more information, go to Nina Simone Piano Competition.
You can read more about Awadagin Pratt’s accomplishments as a pianist, conductor, and music education advocate in my interview with him for the Winter 2022-2023 issue of Piano Magazine.
