The bad news is that due to the corona pandemic, the Ettlingen International Competition for Young Pianists final auditions scheduled for August 8 to 16, 2020 in Ettlingen cannot take place.
The good news is that instead of following the easiest way and cancel the competition they decide to go online. Some digital competences and lot of resilience is all we need nowadays and Ettlingen International Competition is a good example for all of us in the EMCY network.
There were so many reasons why they carried out the preliminary round like no health risk and no financial costs for the participants and at the same time giving to the musicians a new goal and motivation in this dark period. A certain feedback was possible thanks to the communication of the results. At that time there was also still hope that the competition could take place in August.
The positive response – 288 registrations fro 33 nations – showed them that the decision was the right one. However the pandemic continues and make it impossible for everyone involved to plan travels, get visas and organise accommodation. In addition, in Germany big events are still prohibited by law until the end of August.
They therefore have to cancel the competition planned for August, but they are organizing a new, additional event: the “Online Finals 2020”. For this, the 20 best-ranked applicants in each category can register again if they wish to.
Why are they organizing an online competition?
– They want to send a positive signal, not simply cancel or postpone indefinitely.
– At least 40 participants have a goal and can present themselves.
– Music lovers worldwide are integrated through streaming.
– The keen competition-fans in Ettlingen may be able to experience the „competition-atmosphere“ through “public viewing”.
In the meanwhile they can’t do without looking positively to the future and they announce the 18th International Competition for August 6 to 14, 2022. The age limit in category B will be exceptionally extended by two years, so everyone who could not participate now has still the chance to be heard in Ettlingen.
More information on their website here.
