Message from Dr. David Viscoli, Minnesota State University, Mankato
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In 2004 I was
invited to be an examiner for the International Piano Performance Examinations
Committee's Piano Performance Examinations. As a frequent competition
adjudicator in the United States, I was impressed with the organization and I
would like to share my thoughts.
Charlene Chia and her staff have an extremely well run organization that serves
an important purpose. The IPPEC provides the necessary assessment program for
Taiwanese pianists. Through the examinations, piano students are able to
compare their progress against a set of international standards. By bringing in
examiners from different countries, the program is well rounded in its
adjudication. Taiwanese pianists can therefore see how their level of playing
is compared to pianists in other countries. This is also extremely beneficial
to the teachers of these students.
Some of the Taiwanese students choose to pursue musical degrees at universities
and colleges outside of Taiwan. I believe these examinations help the students
to know where their current level of playing is and to give them the beneficial
feedback to reach the levels necessary for entrance into foreign universities.
The IPPEC also has agreements with several foreign universities (including ours)
in which students can use their piano examinations in Taiwan as auditions for
study abroad. In this way the examinations serve two important purposes. Every
country should be so fortunate to have a program that identifies the strengths
and weaknesses in the performance and preparation of young pianists.
Overall, I was impressed with the number of students in Taiwan that were
participating in these examinations. This shows the seriousness with which the
students and teachers in Taiwan take their piano studies and instruction. I am
certain that the International Piano Performance Examinations Committee will
continue to have success in this very important program.
David Viscoli, D.M.A.
Associate Professor of Music, Piano
Minnesota State University, Mankato
U.S.A.
website: www.mnsu.edu/music
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