Desert Charities News - Oct-Nov-Dec 2024

Change may be hard, but evolution is exhilarating. The possibilities are limitless, and opportunities must be made and seized. These are the sentiments of the new Artistic Director of Palm Springs International Piano Competition, Robert Koenig. “We are redesigning an entire airline while rebuilding its whole fleet of airplanes that are in midair,” said Koenig laughingly. “Palm Springs International Piano Competition is in the middle of a giant evolution that will impact the entire Coachella Valley—it is going to be a real turning point for our community.” Over the past four-plus decades, Palm Springs International Piano Competition—or PSIPC for short—has gone through several evolutionary moments. From its beginnings in 1978 as a segment of a piano conference named for its founder, Joanna Hodges. Through the 90s when the competition rose in international stature, becoming The Waring, championed by pianist Virginia Waring alongside beloved benefactor, Peggy Cravens. To today, where in 2022, it began operating under its new name and with a renewed sense of purpose through the visionary leadership of PSIPC Board of Directors President, Joe Giarrusso. “When I came on board, I was tasked with taking this remarkable piano competition into the future with innovative new ideas and structure, while drawing on the inspiration and legacy of our founders,” Koenig explained. “We are elevating the level of our season programming and raising the visibility of our international competition and the Coachella Valley.” The official start of PSIPC’s season on January 27 is the very embodiment of this sentiment. It will be a marriage between celebrating and paying homage to one of the organization’s most beloved benefactors, Peggy Cravens, while introducing one of today’s rising stars, Nathaniel Zhang. “Annual benefits are often seen as obligations, but I’m here to promise you that this one is not,” said Koenig. “Virtuoso Voyage launches our season and breathes new life into who we are right now today. The young pianist we are presenting, Nathaniel Zhang, was the 2019 winner of our Junior Competition and he is already setting the music world on fire.” PSIPC has had a long history of supporting the next generation of pianists. Since its founding in 1978, it has hosted hundreds of young pianists from 24 countries across Junior, Intermediate, and Senior Collegiate level competitions. LET THE VOYAGE BEGIN: “When countries send their athletes to compete in the Olympics, they send the best of the best,” said Koenig. “That is what PSIPC is for pianists. They are here to compete and give it their all. It is an historic time that everyone should be a part of.” For ten days in April, more than two dozen young pianists, selected from an expected pool of more than 100 applicants from around the world, will come to Palm Springs to compete for $30,000 in prizes—a significant increase over the past several Competitions. The final round will present the four finalists with orchestra at the McCallum Theater on April 21. “This life-changing experience is instrumental for young pianists as they begin their quest for a professional career in music,” commented Koenig. “And audience members get a rare opportunity to see history in the making. This is one of those “remember where you were when” moments.” It’s not just the Competition that will be getting a boost, some main-stay events will also be getting a refresh. PSIPC & Friends debuted last season to much success. It is a fun-filled evening that celebrates the talents of PSIPC’s Board of Directors. This season’s concert on February 27, will have an added layer. Robert, with his long artistic reach, is going to invite a few “surprise” guests from the Coachella Valley to join the party. “PSIPC has an incredibly talented Board of Directors,” commented its Board President, Joe Giarrusso. “We have pianists, vocalists, wind players, and composers that comprise an active group of individuals who are dedicated to guiding us by using their lived experiences.” Sandwiched in between the opening of the season and the Olympics of the piano is a reprise of one of PSIPC’s most successful and wholly unique experiences, The Return of David Maiocco as Liberace. On March 20, attendees will be ushered into the famed pianists’ palatial estate for an immersive evening of opulence and sparkling music making. If you’d like to learn more about PSIPC, how to support the organization or order your tickets for the season, please visit psipc.org. PSIPC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. PSIPC EMBARKS ON A NEW JOURNEY