Borderland Chopin Festival 2023

Concerts, Masterclasses, Competition, Lectures, Community Engagement - Free and open to the public

Friday, March 3rd, 1:30 p.m.

Masterclass. UTEP Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall

Friday, March 3rd, 5:30 p.m.

Chopin: Poetry and Art. UTEP Geology Reading Room

Saturday, March 4th, 10:30 a.m.

Masterclass. UTEP Fox Fine Arts Room #340

Saturday, March 4th, 6:30 p.m.

Pre-Concert Lecture: Chopin and his Time. UTEP Fox Fine Recital Hall

Saturday, March 4th, 7:30 p.m.

Concert:

Magdalena Baczewska, piano. UTEP Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall

Sunday, March 5th, 2:30 p.m.

Concert and awards ceremony. UTEP Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall

Saturday, March 25th, 7:30 p.m.

Concert:

Prof.Andrzej Pikul (Poland). UTEP Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall

The Borderland Chopin Festival was created by Steinway Artist and UTEP piano professor Dr. Oscar Macchioni to promote the music of beloved Polish composer Frédéric Chopin, as well as other composers from unrepresented groups, in the Borderland region (West Texas, Southern New Mexico, and Chihuahua, Mexico). Dr. Macchioni's vision includes annual concerts, masterclasses, lectures, community outreach, and a piano competition for students from the Borderland region.

Mission Statement

•To promote Chopin's music in the Borderland region, including West Texas, New Mexico, and Chihuahua, Mexico.

•To bring world-renown Chopin experts to perform, teach, and engage with the Borderland community.

•To engage local students of all levels in learning and performing Chopin's music.

•To promote works by unknown and underrepresented composers.

•To promote healthy competition among students by awarding prizes for the best performance of a Chopin’s work: Mazurka, Waltz, Nocturne, Prelude, and major works (Scherzo, Ballades, Sonatas, Impromptus, and chamber music), among others.

•To engage music students, whose instruments are other than piano, in arranging and performing Chopin's music.

•To provide presentations on Chopin and other composers’ life, including art, literature, politics, and music.

•To engage students, faculty, and artists in providing recitals and presentations to underserved communities such as schools, shelters, prisons, community centers, etc.

PIANO COMPETITION AND MASTERCLASSES:

Festival Committee

Dr. Oscar Macchioni, UTEP

Dr. Lindsey Macchiarella, UTEP

Dr. Brian Jarvis, UTEP

Mrs. Anna Habicht

Mrs. Joanna Ruszczyk

Mrs. Joanna Sikorski

Mr. Adam Baginski

Mr. Mark Watts

Mr. Joe Lecher

Festival Guests

Dr. Magdalena Baczewska, Columbia University

Dr. Luis Sanchez, Texas A&M Commerce

Dr. Daniel Linder, The University of Arizona

Dr. Lindsey Macchiarella, UTEP

Dr. Leslie Waters, UTEP

Dr. Melissa Warak, UTEP

Prof. Andrzej Pikul, Cracow Academy of Music

The Borderland Chopin Festival (BCF), Piano Competition, Masterclasses, Lectures, and Community Engagement activities, is an annual festival honoring the life and works of Frédéric Chopin and other composers.

All events are free and open to the public.

In addition to cash awards, winners of the 1st Prize in each category will participate in a masterclass by our guest artist Magdalena Baczewska on Friday, March 3rd at 1:30 p.m., and perform at the Winner’s Recital on Sunday, March 5th, at 2:30 p.m. Both events will be held at UTEP's Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall.

Winners of the 2nd and 3rd Prizes in each category will participate in a masterclass by UTEP piano professor Dr. Oscar Macchioni on Saturday, March 4th, 10:30 a.m-1:30 p.m. This event will take place at UTEP's Fox Fine Arts Music Room 340.

APPLICATION AND VIDEO SUBMISSION DEADLINE:

February 13, 2023, 11:59 p.m. MST.

Application Fee: $25 USD Non-refundable. Look for Piano Competition icon under Products in the bottom of the page.

ELIGIBILITY:

Open to all talented pianists currently studying in El Paso, Texas, Las Cruces, New Mexico, Ciudad Juarez and Chihuahua, Mexico. UTEP and the BCF are not responsible for participants’ visas, travel and lodging.

PRIZES:

All participants will receive a certificate of participation.

All prize winners will receive the opportunity to participate in a masterclass.

Categories A, B, and C cash prizes are generously sponsored by El Paso Music Teachers Association (EPMTA).

Category A Awards: 1st Prize $150; 2nd Prize $100; 3rd Prize $75

Category B Awards: 1st Prize $200; 2nd Prize $150; 3rd Prize $100

Category C Awards: 1st Prize $250; 2nd Prize $200; 3rd Prize $150.

Category D Awards: 1st Prize $300; 2nd Prize $250 3rd Prize $200.

Special Prize for a UTEP piano student: paid Summer Session at the Academy of Music of Krakow, Poland (August 2023), Registration, Tuition, Room Board and airfare.

Additional Prizes: $50 for the Best Performance of a Chopin's Prelude, Mazurka, Nocturne, Waltz, or Major Work (Sonatas, Scherzos, Ballades, Impromptus, Barcarole, etc.). Generously sponsored by Mr. Joseph Lecher.

CATEGORIES:

Category A: 5th Grade and Under.

Category B: 6th-8th Grade.

Category C: 9th-12th Grade.

Category D: College Level.

Late or incomplete submissions will not be accepted. The decisions by the judges are final.