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The Virginia Waring International Piano Competition (aka VWIPC) is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization, Tax ID # 33-0025613, located in Palm Desert, California.
The VWIPC brings classical piano music to the California Desert through outreach concerts to schools, the community and by hosting eight days of an international piano competition every other year with participants coming from around the world.
All first rounds of the Competition are free to the public, with low ticket prices for the Solo Finals and the Concerto Finals with Orchestra. Performance opportunities and cash prizes are awarded to the winners.
Contestants participate in both solo and concerto events as well as Master Classes in each age category. Winners have earned performance opportunities in Vienna, London, Rome, Carnegie Hall (NYC), Florida, Denver, Snowmass, San Francisco, as well as Palm Springs and Palm Desert, California.
A special category in the Senior Division is devoted to performances of the music of Ernst Krenek, the Austrian composer who for many years made the desert his home. Sponsored by the Krenek Society and the composer's widow, the winner in this category performs in Vienna and in Steyr, Austria.
Venue Partners for the Competition are the Indian Wells Theater on the Palm Desert Campus of the California State University, San Bernardino and The McCallum Theatre. Community support includes a large cadre of volunteers who provide housing for competitors and transportation and other services throughout the competition. The Competition is governed by an active Board of Directors. (Click here for list of Board of Directors and Executive Committee.)
Major support comes from The Annenberg Foundation, the HN and Frances C. Berger Foundation, the McCarthy Family Foundation and from JoAnn McGrath and her Foundation. Presenting sponsor is The City of Palm Desert and The City of Indian Wells is Platinum Sponsor. Other supporters include the City of Rancho Mirage and the Conte Foundation. Numerous competition awards are underwritten by local patrons and foundations. Steinway is the official competition piano.
In 2004 Dr. Patricia Taylor Lee was named Artistic Director. (Click here for her bio.)
