media releases - Unisa International Piano Competition

The University of South Africa (UNISA) will host the 12^th Annual Unisa International Piano Competition in the ZK Matthews Great Hall at the Main Campus (Pretoria) from 19 January to 4 February 2012.

Thirty one competitors from countries around the world will take part. The competition will kick off with the official opening ceremony in the ZK Matthews Hall at 19:00 on Thursday, 19 January 2012.The adjudication will be done by an international jury.

The Music Academy of Gauteng Youth Jazz Orchestra, directed by renowned jazz musician Johnny Mekoa, will appear as guest artists at the opening ceremony.

The first round of the competition will take place on Friday, 20 January and Saturday, 21 January respectively, with sessions at 10:00, 13:00 and 19:00 each day.

The third round will take place on Thursday, 26, Friday 27 and Saturday 28 January with two sessions each day at 14:00 and 19:00.

The competition finals are scheduled to take place on Tuesday, 31 January and Wednesday 1, Friday 3 and Saturday 4 February, with six finalists each performing two different piano concerti with the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra.

For more information about the piano competition visit www.unisa.ac.za/musicfoundation