The 2025 Norah Sande Award is open to PIANISTS who are aged 18 to 25 (inclusive) on 1st July 2025 who were born, or who are resident, training or working in Kent, Sussex, Surrey or the London postal area.
The Norah Sande Award has been enabled by a substantial bequest from the late Norah Sande, in memory of her Grandmother, Alice Mary Caffin. Its object (and the wish of the legatee) is to encourage and support young musicians at the commencement of their careers.
First prize £2000 and two performance opportunities
Second prize £1000
Third prize £500
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The winner will be invited to be the Piano Concerto soloist with the prestigious Eastbourne Symphony Orchestra and there is also a possible second recital opportunity. The organisers reserve the right to alter or withdraw these opportunities if necessary. |
CELEBRATED ROMANIAN YOUNG PIANIST RADU-GABRIEL STOICA
ADDS EASTBOURNE’S NORAH SANDE AWARD 2025 TO HIS LIST OF INTERNATIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS
2025 Norah Sande Award winner Radu-Gabriel Stoica |
The Norah Sande Award, an international piano competition held in Eastbourne since its launch twenty years ago, was won on 6th July by Royal College of Music pupil Radu-Gabriel Stoica who thrilled the Birley Centre audience with a range of exciting pieces. This impressive 24 year old Romanian has already won many international awards including the Frederick Chopin and the Schumann Piano competitions and performed in prestigious concert venues in Italy, Romania, Germany and the UK’s Wigmore Hall and St. Martin-in-the-Fields. Currently studying for a Masters in Performance at the RCM under Prof Ian Jones, he is a C.Bechstein scholar and also has a London Symphony Orchestra Conservatoire Scholarship.
The final stages were held in the purpose-built concert hall at the Birley Centre, Eastbourne College. Fourteen semi-finalists performed a 20 minute programme on Saturday 5th July before a prestigious adjudication panel, Richard Deering (Chairman) Caroline Clemmow and Michael Young - keyboard exponents of international repute. The adjudicators debated at length as this year’s semi finalists had proved to be such a talented group. Three were chosen to perform a full recital programme incorporating classical, romantic and contemporary pieces the following day. Richard Deering wrote that Radu, the winner, gave "a commanding performance, both interpretatively and pianistically… with some excellent colourings”.
JOIN THE AUDIENCE FOR THE 2026 FINAL ROUND
PIANO RECITALS
BY AN EXCITING NEW GENERATION OF INTERNATIONAL YOUNG ADULT PIANISTS TRAVELLING TO EASTBOURNE TO COMPETE IN THIS PRESTIGIOUS TWO DAY EVENT
Birley Centre, Eastbourne College, Carlisle Road, Eastbourne BN21 4EF
Dates to be Announced
Semi-Final - Saturday
Free entry and the audience is welcome to join and leave between performances.
Final - SundayThree finalists play a full recital programme
Tickets: £15.00 on the door (Under 18s Free)
Three finalists perform a full recital programme incorporating classical, romantic and contemporary pieces
c. 5.30pm Announcement of winner and runners-up
Tickets for Sunday's final can be booked at the Award's front of house desk at the semi-final with any remaining seats sold at the door.
Children can have free entry to hear these inspirational musicians in the Final.
Patron Freddy Kempf wishes all entrants well for the 2025 Competition.
Photo: Monique Deul