Mission »

The Virginia Waring International Piano Competition encourages and promotes musical culture in the Southern California Desert through its educational outreach programs and by holding a biennial piano competition with participants  from around the world.  

• The VWIPC offers education outreach to the community and schools.

• The VWIPC recognizes and nurtures the career paths of gifted young pianists from around the world with opportunities to perform both nationally and internationally.
  

• This competition, held in Palm Desert, California, continues as a major world piano event. 

• There are separate competitions for Juniors (12 and under); Intermediate (13-17) and Senior (18-35).  Each division has solo and concerto competitions. 

• The Senior Division has an Ernst Krenek Prize and a Chamber Music Prize in addition to the solo and concerto competitions. 

• All concerto finalists play with orchestra. 

• Steinway is the official piano of the competition.