The 61st World Federation of International Music Competitions (WFIMC) General Assembly, hosted by Concours musical international de Montréal (CMIM) closed on a record high with the induction of six competitions and four associate members to the Federation, the election of Mr. Florian Riem, CEO Tongyeong International Music Foundation & Isangyun Competition (Korea) to the Board, the presentation of a Lifetime Achievement Award to Mr. Richard Rodzinski, and a hometown welcome to its newest member, the Canadian International Organ Competition.
Founded in 1957, the WFIMC is the premiere governing body of the world’s music competitions. Based in Geneva, the WFIMC is a network and advocacy organization. An elected Board of Directors governs the WFIMC. The organization is built on a Charter of Statues. The constituency of the 120 member competitions democratically votes on all resolutions.
During the May 11-14 meetings, the following resolutions were passed:
Six new competitions fulfilled the requirements of the statues to enable membership. The Federation warmly welcomes: the International Edvard Grieg Competition(Bergen, Norway), the Schoenfeld International String Competition (Harbin, China), Concours International de Piano (Istanbul, Turkey), the Longwood Gardens International Organ Competition (Kennett Square, USA), the Primrose International Viola Competition (Los Angeles, USA) and the Princess Astrid International Music Competition (Trondheim, Norway). The WFIMC also approved the addition of a voice discipline to current member; The Aram Khachaturian International Competition.
The WFIMC also welcomes four associate members, which align with the mission of the Federation. The WFIMC welcomes: Alink-Agerich Foundation (The Netherlands), Verbier Festival Academy (Switzerland), Young Classical Artists Trust (United Kingdom), and Young Concert Artists (USA).
Following the call for nominations, Mr. Florian Riem, CEO Tongyeong International Music Foundation & Isangyun Competition (Korea) won the vote for a Board vacancy.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Mr. Richard Rodzinski, recognized for his exceptional services to competitions in his roles as General Director, International Tchaikovsky Competition (Moscow), and as Executive Director, Van Cliburn Competition. Mr. Rodzinski is a former WFIMC office holder.
The WFIMC is thrilled to announce that the 2018 General Assembly will be held in Glasgow, a UNESCO City of Musichosted by the Scottish International Piano Competition, April 5-8 at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. “The Board of the Scottish International Piano Competition looks forward to welcoming delegates to the 62nd Annual General Assembly being held in Glasgow for the first time,” said Administrator Mr Ian Mills
About the World Federation of International Music Competitions
The WFIMC proliferates the message of competition values to key cultural, government, and educational influencers. The WFIMC is the only organization dedicated to international music competitions.
The WFIMC fosters musical excellence across all disciplines believing that the experience of a WFIMC competition is a vital career step from the conservatoire to the concert hall.
The WFIMC membership believes, that competitions offers young musicians of any nationality or social background an opportunity to gain invaluable experience on the international stage, allowing them to master the demands of peak level performance, and to discover music in an atmosphere that fosters global citizenship, camaraderie, and curiosity. The WFIMC proliferates the message of fellowship as the essence of competition spirit, allowing artists and audiences across nations to connect through the democracy of music.
The WFIMC supports members by promoting the activities of its competitions. The WFIMC provides a forum where peak level competition stakeholders assemble to network, share ideas, and learn through best practice programs.
