Uniqueness of The Stars of Summer
International Piano & Vocal Competition & Festival
The Stars of Summer: A Journey of Musical Excellence and Unique Opportunities
The Stars of Summer International Piano, Vocal, and Dance Competition stands as a beacon of talent, cultural celebration, and unique opportunities for young musicians, vocalists, and dancers worldwide. Held in the picturesque Cleveland Cultural Gardens, this competition has redefined traditional music events by offering more than just a stage for competition. Here’s why we’re different:
A Talent Agency and Producer in One
The Stars of Summer is not just a competition—it's a combination of talent agency and producer. Our unique format allows participants not only to compete but also to perform professionally, starting at our iconic One World Day Celebration. Winners are given the chance to showcase their skills on the grand stage of the Cultural Gardens, with the Snowbelt Symphony Orchestra backing many of their performances.
Performance with Orchestra: A Key Opportunity for Young Talent
This year, we're thrilled to expand the opportunity to perform with the orchestra. For the first time, in addition to the traditional piano concerto category, we’re introducing Solo, Duet, and Trio performances with the Snowbelt Symphony Orchestra. This new addition ensures that more students will have the invaluable experience of performing with a professional orchestra.
A Multi-Cultural Showcase
Our competition is not just about performing; it's about celebrating cultural diversity through music. Each year, we introduce new categories to honor different musical traditions. In previous years, we have featured Italian, Ukrainian, and Armenian music, and this year, we’re proud to announce the addition of the Tchaikovsky Award and the Latin Music Award. These special categories encourage young musicians to explore the rich cultural heritage embedded in the music they perform.
Inaugural Dance Competition
We’re excited to announce the inaugural Dance competition at The Stars of Summer in 2025! With years of productive partnerships with the Cleveland Ballet Theatre, we are now giving young dancers a platform to shine and display their artistry in various dance styles. We believe this addition will continue to foster cultural expression and enhance the artistic diversity of the competition.
Sponsorship and Special Prizes
One of the most unique aspects of our competition is the opportunity for sponsors to create their own special prizes. We offer a range of awards, from the Grand Prix to the MusiCats Prize (celebrating music about cats), as well as the Italian, Ukrainian, Armenian, Tchaikovsky and Latin Music prizes. These special prizes, coupled with other categories, help highlight diversity and recognize talent in a variety of musical forms. Additionally, the Grand Prix, based on total points rather than a commission decision, ensures that every participant has a fair shot at recognition.
Expanding the Experience
From national recognition to potential invitations to perform in prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and National Opera Houses in New York, London's concert halls, The Stars of Summer offers unmatched exposure for young performers. It’s not just a competition—it’s a career-launching experience that connects students to global opportunities.
Looking Forward
As we approach the 6th Annual The Stars of Summer in 2025, we continue to focus on providing meaningful opportunities for students to grow in their artistry, gain exposure to professionals in the field, and connect with audiences from all around the world.
The Harmony Showcase: A Symphony of Stars, our grand Laureates’ concert, will be the focal point of this year’s festival, and we can’t wait for you to be part of it!
Invitations to Partner Productions
Winning The Stars of Summer is not just about the competition itself.
It opens doors to unique opportunities in the world of music.
Participants may be invited to join partner productions, such as opera performances and orchestral concerts, effectively launching them into the professional realm.
In 2023, one of the highlights was an extraordinary performance by an eight-year-old
pianist Spencer Zhang who secured the Grand Prix.
This young prodigy had the honor of performing in the
Opera in the Italian Garden concert with a rich history dating back
to 1930 and the audience of almost three thousand people.
Continuation on Partner Stages
The Stars of Summer isn't just a one-time event. It provides young musicians with a chance to
continue their musical journey on partner stages. After participating in the competition's first
round, winners have the opportunity to advance and perform in finals held by partner
organizations on the distinguished stages, including the legendary Carnegie Hall in New York
City and prestigious venues in London. This continuity nurtures their growth as artists and
broadens their horizons.
Unique Opportunities
The Stars of Summer isn't just about competition; it's about nurturing and expanding young
talent. It offers a range of unique opportunities, including:
1. Performing with an Orchestra: A select group of participants gets the chance to
perform with an orchestra in several concerts. This early exposure to orchestral
collaboration is invaluable for budding musicians.
2. Piano Concertos of Moderate Difficulty: The competition selects a Concerto-of-the-
Year by composers featured in the NFMC (National Federation of Music Clubs) bulletin.
This challenges participants and broadens their repertoire. They can use NFMC repertoire
to compete in the American Composers Category which promotes American Composers
to the broad public.
3. Meeting Living Classics: The competition provides the rare chance to meet and learn
from living classical music legends.
4. Hearing Live Classics: Audiences get to witness live performances by celebrated
classical musicians, bringing them closer to the heart of the art form.
High Potential for Special Prizes
Winning special prizes is a significant part of The Stars of Summer.
The Grand Prix, for instance, includes not only the top winner but also runners-up,
determined by total points rather than a commission's decision.
Italian music prize and Ukrainian prize motivate young musicians
to learn about the culture and perform beautiful music.
Additionally, the competition features the
unique Musicats Prize, celebrating compositions about cats.
These special prizes encourages both novice and experienced performers and enjoy
generous sponsorship.
Sponsors also have the opportunity to establish their own prizes, contributing to the
competition's vibrant and supportive community. The distribution of awards is carefully
organized, with multiple categories ensuring a fair playing field for all.
A Joint Production with CCGF World On Stage
Starting in 2022, The Stars of Summer has collaborated with CCGF World On Stage to create a unique production.
This partnership showcases the works of various teachers and includes guest
artist performances, captivating dance presentations, and a multicultural
flavor in the choice of music.
In 2023, the International Music Night Gala event featured a Cleveland premier of the
Irish Poem by composer Alexander Peskanov who played piano part alongside his wife,
renowned flutist Lu-Ann Peskanov and Snowbelt Symphony orchestra.
The Centennial Peace Plaza of the Cultural Gardens sets the stage for the Gala concert.
National Press Recognition
The Stars of Summer has earned recognition from the national press, further cementing its
reputation as an innovative and influential event in the world of classical music.
In summary, The Stars of Summer International Piano & Vocal Competition & Festival isn't
your typical music competition. It's a platform that offers young musicians a pathway to
professionalism, providing them with extraordinary opportunities to perform, collaborate, and
grow in the world of classical music. Its unique blend of competition, partnership, and
performance makes it a standout event on the musical calendar, and its impact extends far
beyond the competition stage.