The Competition is sponsoring two two musical soirées during the winter. The first is on Sunday, February 29, 12:30 PM at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Pollock in Russell Township The Pollocks’ home is a wonderful frame and stone country home situated on a secluded cul-de-sac in Russell Township. This spacious custom-built home radiates elegance and tranquility while providing all of the amenities and features expected in a family home. The brick courtyard and porte cochere lead to creatively landscaped natural gardens.

The performance at will take place at 1:00 PM by Elizabeth Schumann, USA, Quarter-finalist, 2003 followed by a Leap Year Champagne Brunch. Ms. Schumann, age 21, is a candidate for the BM degree at The Cleveland Institute of Music, where she studies with Sergei Babayan, Artist-in-Residence, and winner of the 1989 Competition. She won the Baroque Prize in Cleveland in 2003, and recently received a Young Artist Award from the Gilmore International Keyboard Festival.

The second is on Sunday, March 21, 4:00 PM, at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Gosta Petterson in Shaker Heights. Designed by the architect, P. H. Owen, this 1929 home, in eclectic Tudor style, was designated as a Landmark home by the Shaker Heights Historical Society. The home is decorated with antique Swedish furnishings, including a rare Malmsjö Swedish piano. A brand new spacious garden room overlooks the classic sunken gardens and the formal living room.

The performance will take place at 4:30 PM by Albert Mamriev, Israel, Quarter-finalist, 2003, followed by an authentic Swedish smorgasbord. Mr. Mamriev, age 29, a citizen of Israel, currently resides in Germany where he studies at the Hannover Hochschule für Musik. He won 6th prize at the Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition in 2002, and 4th prize at the Scottish International Piano Competition in 2001.

The cost of each party is $75 per person with $40 tax-deductible. There is limited seating at both events. Come and join us for a celebration of music and conviviality! Two more exciting soirées will take place in the spring of 2003. Watch for these upcoming dates! For more information, contact the Competition office at 216-707-5397 or pgaskins@clevelandpiano.org.