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Berkley-Pendell Piano Competition

History

In 1986, joint ISMTA chapters established the Berkley-Pendell Scholarship Fund in honor of the founding members of the original chapter, Helen Berkley of Winfield, IL and Verona Pendell of West Chicago, IL.  The West Suburban, Naperville, Salt Creek and Waubonsie Valley Chapters of the ISMTA sponsor and participate in the Scholarship Fund's activities:  Naperville, Salt Creek, Waubonsie Valley, and West Suburban.

 

The purpose of the Berkley-Pendell Scholarship Fund is to encourage and promote the cause of good music.  The Participating Chapters jointly sponsor an annual piano competition for school-aged students whose teachers are members of the participating chapters.  The winners of each division are awarded cash prizes, may be invited to perform at a meeting of one of the chapters, and receive other honors and recognition.

Berkely-Pendell Piano Competition on Hiatus for 2012

BERKLEY-PENDELL REVIEW COMMITTEE

 

The Berkley-Pendell Piano Competition will be on hiatus in 2011-2012.  All interested ISMTA members are invited to participate in a review committee to determine the future course of the competition.  The committee will solicit feedback from ISMTA members to find out the strengths and weaknesses of the competition, and what changes could be made to encourage more teachers to enter their students. 

 

The Berkley-Pendell Fund, named after the two founding members of West Suburban ISMTA, was established in 1986.  Its purpose is to provide ongoing financial support for the Berkley-Pendell Piano Competition, held every spring until 2011.  Money is raised each year from entrance fees for the competition and contributions from the four joint West Suburban chapters (Naperville, Salt Creek, Waubonsee, and West Suburban.) 

 

The competition is open to students through grade 12 who study with ISMTA members.  In the past five years, there have been anywhere from 11 to 18 teachers participating, and from 22 to 62 students.  The lowest numbers were in 2011, and the highest in 2010. 

 

Many reasons have been cited as to why enrollment is down, from insufficient award money to the high level of the other competitors.  The current enrollment fee is $25, and the prize money ranges from $75 to $175, with 10 possible prizes totaling $1075.  There were only 6 prizes awarded in 2011, totaling $700. 

 

Committee members are sought from all the joint ISMTA groups—West Suburban, Naperville, Waubonsee and Salt Creek.  If you can help, please contact Bonnie Brewster, Joint Chapter President, at bonniebrewster1954@gmail.com, or 630.615.0413.