NORAH SANDE AWARD 2025
A piano competition for Young Adult Pianists of Kent, Sussex, Surrey and London postal districts
COME ALONG AND HEAR THE FINAL ROUNDS!
To be held in the BIRLEY
CENTRE, A STATE-OF-THE-ART BUILDING FOR PERFORMING ARTS at Eastbourne College,
Carlisle Road, Eastbourne BN21 4EF
The past years have provided a thrilling two days of polished performances by leading young pianists including former BBC Young Musician of the Year, Kodo Osado.
Birley Centre, Eastbourne College, Carlisle Road, Eastbourne BN21 4EF
SATURDAY 5th JULY 2025 : Semi-Finals
From 9:30am - entry free throughout the day
SUNDAY 6th JULY 2025 : Final - Tickets £15.00
2:30pm Recital programmes by three finalists
c. 5:30pm Announcement of winner and runners-up
The internationally-renowned Norah Sande Award attracts exceptional entrants including several BBC Young Musician of the Year finalists and the two afternoons of performances have become a popular annual date in the cultural calendar of Eastbourne – a chance to hear some of the most exciting young adult pianists on the brink of their professional careers. Last year’s winner, Dominic Doutney had just graduated from the Royal College of Music, receiving the prestigious Tagore Gold Medal for his outstanding contribution to the Royal College. The Birley Centre audience could hear why this talented performer had already won competitions around the world. Dominic has made appearances on BBC Radio 3 performing Chopin and on CNBC. He has been a soloist with the Malaga Philharmonic and Leipziger Symphony Orchestra and recitalist in Moscow, Greece, France, Canada and in London’s Cadogan and Wigmore Halls, St John’s Smith Square, St Martin in the Fields and the Elgar Room at the Royal Albert Hall. As part of his Norah Sande Award Dominic performed in recitals with the Eastbourne Symphony Orchestra and at the prestigious Huntingdon Performing Arts Centre to great critical acclaim.
On Saturday the semi-finalists perform 20 minute programmes. Entry is FREE and the audience is welcome to join and leave between competitors’ performances. On Sunday three finalists will each play a full recital programme incorporating classical, romantic and contemporary pieces, none of which will have been played during the semi-finals. Tea is served whilst the adjudicators deliberate. The results will be announced c. 5:30pm with the winner being presented with a cheque for £2000 and a future recital opportunity.
Tickets for Sunday's final
can also be booked at the Award's front of house desk
on Saturday 6th July with any remaining seats sold at
the door.
Children can have free entry to hear these inspirational musicians in the Final.