The Heida Hermanns International Competition

Competitions - A Public Audience Is Welcome At All Events

2008 - Voice
2009 - Strings
2010 - Piano
 2011 - Woodwinds


The four categories rotate every four years. The aim of The Heida Hermanns International Competition is to give young artists aged 19 through 30 (for voice, 19-35) support in the early stages of their careers. This Competition attracts contestants from all over the United States, including many foreign musicians studying or working here. Pianists Andrew Armstrong, Max Levinson, and Christopher O'Reilly; clarinetists Charles Neidich and Todd Palmer; baritone Christopheren Nomura; flutist David Fedele, and the Alexander Quartet are all winners who have gone on to important careers. Distinguished musicians who have judged for the Competition include Licia Albanese, Nina Beilina, Anton Coppola, Doriot Anthony Dwyer, Jerry Hadley, Theodore Lettvin, and Seymour Lipkin.

A PUBLIC AUDIENCE IS WELCOME AT ALL EVENTS
Prizes
First, Second, Third, and Honorable Mentions - $5000, $2500, $1500, and $500, respectively
The Public Is Invited
The 2008 Heida Hermanns International Voice Competition welcomes a public audience for both the all-day Semi-Finals on Saturday, December 6, 2008 (10:00 am - 5:30 pm), and the 3-hour Finals Concert on Sunday, December 7, 2008 (3:00 pm - 6:00 pm).

Admission on December 6:
Free all day

Admission on December 7:
$20 for adults, under 18 free
Who Is Heida Hermanns, and Why Is This Competition Named After Her?

Heida Hermanns was a world-class concert pianist and child prodigy. A Jewish refugee, she fled Nazi Germany with her two great loves - her husband, Artur Holde, and the music in her heart. Artur became her agent, and for many years, Heida had a very successful concert career. Artur and Heida eventually took up residence in Westport, Connecticut. After Artur's passing, Heida founded this competition for piano, woodwinds, voice, and strings in 1971, and in 1972 - along with Josephine Barnett, Ruth Steinkraus Cohen, Brenda Lewis Cooper, Joanne DeBergh Dublin, and Harriet Salerno - founded this organization. Initially called Performers of Southern Connecticut, it quickly grew to become Performers of Connecticut. As the membership became more audience-based than performer-based, the name was changed to Connecticut Alliance for Music. Heida lived in Westport for over 40 years, promoting and endorsing all the arts. During her last years with us, the Competition was re-named in her honor. The Artur and Heida Hermanns Holde Foundation continues to support the arts, and we are grateful to its directors for their loyal support of this Competition.