The Paderewski Music Society in Los Angeles, a nonprofit organization, was established only two years ago by a group of prominent musicians and music lovers alike to promote the legacy of the great Polish pianist, statesman and philanthropist, Ignacy Jan Paderewski.
On February 27, 2010, the Chopin Year, our Society celebrated Chopin 200th Anniversary with a concert at Zipper Hall at the prestigious Colburn School in downtown Los Angeles. The event was hosted by the popular actress, friend, and benefactor of the Society, Jane Kaczmarek.
That venue will also be the site of our main event of 2010, the first AMERICAN PADEREWSKI PIANO COMPETITION. It will be held between 26th and 29th of May, 2010 and will be open to pianist of all nationalities between the ages of 16 and 32. The goals of the competition are twofold: to encourage and help the young generation of pianists following in Paderewski’s footsteps and, in a broader context, to promote music and culture and its all important place in society. Throughout his life Paderewski was deeply engaged in promotion of both of those aims. He dedicated his life to artistic and humanistic ideals whether as a concert pianist, diplomat and statesman, or philanthropist.
We would like to encourage you to follow Paderewski’s example! Please support the Competition and the Society with your generous, tax-deductible donation. We plan to organize a world-class, recurring competition but it will not happen without you. In these economically difficult times it is especially important that we support the arts, which usually are the first to suffer. Yet, it is also in difficult times that we realize even more strongly how important the arts are to our lives and how truly essential and indispensable they are if the artistic soul of us as a people is to be preserved.
Let us support the world’s best young pianists who will come to Los Angeles to compete. Let us celebrate music and the continuity of tradition. Let us promote the simple goodness, dignity and generous humanity exemplified by the great Paderewski.
Please make your donation by using PayPal or if you prefer to send a check, please make it out to the Paderewski Music Society and mail to: 8504 Independence Avenue, Canoga Park, California 91304.
Suggested, tax deductible, donation of one hundred dollarsor more would be greatly appreciated and listed in the Competition program. Contributions of any amount will be sincerely valued.
Our goal is to collect at least $60,000 by the end of March 2010. Unfortunately we have not accomplished that - our budgetary gap as of April 9, 2010 is near $15,000; the Competition can not be cancelled at this point, so please be generous.
