AAF offers Support

In 2009, AAF took the initiative to do something special which participants at competitions can enjoy, namely a reception where they can meet and talk and where they are offered a variety of food and drinks free of charge.

This proved such a success that it was decided to continue with this initiative in the following years. Between 2009 and 2018, more than 80 international piano competitions received the offer of financial support by AAF.

Also in 2019, AAF will provide financial support again to several selected competitions. AAF will reserve up to 1200 Euro for each event to be properly organised.

See below for further details

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of reception will it be?
AAF would like to see that all contestants are well-looked after during a competition.

For example: during the deliberation of the jury after the first round, all contestants have to wait quite long. (Sometimes several hours.) Naturally, they are tense and not seldomly also tired and hungry (as they mostly also try to use every opportunity to practice, as long as they are in the competition).

Many times, it can be observed that nothing is arranged for the contestants during these difficult hours.

It would therefore be the perfect moment to serve them food and drinks, in other words: to look after them a bit more. At the same time, they will have a good opportinity to make new friends and to make contacts that may be useful in the future.

This is the kind of reception that AAF suggests and that AAF would like to stimulate and support.
Will it be a big or small reception?
AAF recommends that the reception be well-organised, and that there be a sufficient quantity and variety of food and drinks available for all the contestants.

AAF will try to monitor this.

If an AAF representative cannot be present, AAF will ask for some proper feedback from the organisers as well as from some contestants.
Which competitions will be considered?
All AAF member piano competitions are eligible, as long as there are at least two rounds (at least one eliminatory) and at least 20 pianists are allowed to enter. Also a few other piano competitions will be considered.
What if a competition already organises such a reception?
If a competition already organises such a reception for participants, AAF will still offer this competition the possibility to receive the financial support.
How many competitions can receive this support?
Each year, between six and ten international piano competitions will be offered the AAF support to organise the Reception for Participants.
How are the competitions chosen?
Until 2015, the competitions were chosen randomly by an official notary.

Since 2016, it is decided by the AAF Board which competitions may receive AAF's offer of support.

An important consideration is that the event should be meaningful and that it can be anticipated that an AAF representative will be able to attend.

Attention is paid to avoid that the same competition is offered the possibility of assigning the AAF Award as well as AAF's support for a reception.

Competitions wishing to organise the AAF Reception with AAF's financial support may also take the initiative and contact AAF.