Competitor Questions

Where should competitors go when they arrive?

For those arriving by plane: All competitors and those travelling with them (teachers/parents) will need to contact either their assigned host family for pick-up from Austin Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA).

For those who will be staying at Holiday Inn Town Lake: The hotel offers a courtesy shuttle which departs from the upper level of the airport. You will need to contact the hotel front desk once you land (+1 512-472-8211). The shuttle departs from the upper level (Arrivals) of the airport. As you exit the upperlevel, make a right and walk all the way to the end of the curbside (near the Delta signs).

For those who wish to use a taxi service: The taxi pick-up line is run by the airport and is on the lower level once you exit the luggage pick up area. Cross the road to the middle meridian and walk towards the right. You can also contact the taxi service directly at Yellow Cab (+1 512-452-9999). Yellow Cab also offers a convenient app which can be used for hailing a cab throughout your stay in Austin. The app is located on their website: www.yellowcabaustin.com

How does a competitor register?

 There will be a registration table for competitors on the main floor of the Butler School of Music near the stairway (see map at back of packet). The registration table will be available starting Thursday, February 20 through Friday, February 21 from 9:00am – 5:00pm. If you arrive outside those hours, the Music Service Center, also on the main floor, is open until 10:00pm and will have registration materials and information available.

When you register, will receive a registration packet, which includes a competition timetable and the complete competition program book. You will also receive all important contact telephone/mobile numbers that you may need; please also make sure that we have a valid mobile number for you or your parent while you are in Austin, so we can contact you quickly when needed.

When coming to the Butler School of Music for the first time, orientation tours will be available at the Registration table (9:00 am – 5:00pm). There a competition staff member will show you around the campus so you know where to find the practice rooms, the performance halls, the pianist’s rooms, the resting lounge, and more.

Please visit the Competition Office first when you come to the Butler School of Music between Saturday, February 22 – and Saturday, March 1 and sign in so we know where to find you if we need to contact you.

The Competition Office is located on Floor 3M of the Butler School of Music. Take the elevator up to Floor 3M, and walk straight ahead out of the elevator along the hallway (windows along your left). The Competition Office is mid-way down this hallway on the right (MRH M3.111).

Where does a competitor go for help?

Your first point of contact if you have any queries should be the Competition Office on Floor 3M of the Butler School of Music (MRH M3.111).

During the competition rounds there will be a backstage competition staff member attending to the competitors performing.

When does a competitor perform and rehearse with their accompanist?

The order of performance will be drawn by lot on:

Senior competitors playing early the next day will start rehearsing with their collaborative pianist that evening unless they already had their rehearsal earlier that day.

NOTE: There will be a reception for competitors immediately following the Welcome Event on the 4^th Floor of Bass Concert Hall in the Texas Performing Arts building (see map). Food and refreshments will be available for competitors. Following this reception, there will be transportation available for competitors who wish to attend the Opening Concert at the Long Center. Detailed instructions and transport arrangements will be provided during competitor registration.

Where do competitors practice?

A total of 30 practice rooms with an upright piano are available on the Floor 6 of the Butler School of Music (see map). As there are fewer rooms than competitors, we ask you to be considerate and fair about the use of practice rooms and give next day performers some priority. Individual practice slots should not exceed 3 hours at a time and we ask you to sign in and out of practice rooms with the Practice Room proctor on Floor 6. The Practice Room proctor will be available February 20 – March 1. During the time that the Practice Room proctor is not available, you will need to check in with the Competition Office on Floor 3M.

Who do I speak to if I have questions about the collaborative pianists?

Anne Epperson is in charge of the collaborative pianists. She is reachable at: pianneo@aol.com

Where do competitors practice with their accompanist?

Rehearsal time with the official pianist is approximately 35 minutes for Senior and 45 minutes for Junior candidates. The official pianists will arrange your rehearsal time directly after the drawing of the order of performance. The official pianists each have one practice room.

Their rooms are on various floors of the Butler School of Music building (MRH):

What are the practice room hours for competitors?

 *For First Rounds and Senior Semi Finals only*

If you don’t know where to find the warm-up room, go to the Competition Office and ask someone to take you there.

Five minutes before your performance a Competition staff member will take you backstage, confirm your order of performance and announce you to the jury and the audience.

For Junior Finals at Bates Recital Hall

At the Competition Office you will get information about your schedule for the Junior Finals (beginning Wednesday, February 26). Practice rooms will continue to be available to you at the Butler School of Music (Floor 6). Backstage staff members will collect you from your practice room and take you to the stage in time for your rehearsal or Performance.

For Senior Finals at the Long Center

At the Competition Office, you will get information about your transportation to the Long Center and Competition staff will show you to your practice rooms there. Backstage staff will collect you from your practice room and take you to the stage in time for your rehearsal or Performance.

Where and when will the results be announced?

The results of each round will be announced shortly after the last competitor has performed. The announcements will take place on stage at the venue where the respective round was held:

Sunday, February 23, 4:50pm (16:50h) – Senior 1^st Round

Tuesday, February 25, 5:40pm (17:40h)– Junior 1^st Round

Wednesday, February 26, 8:30pm (20:30h) – Senior Semi-finals

Friday, February 28, 9:35pm (21:35h) – Junior Finals

Saturday, March 1, 11:15pm (23:15h)  – Senior Finals

Times are approximate depending on how long the judging takes. However we ask you all to be in the hall at the indicated time.

The official Prize Giving Ceremony will take place prior to the Closing Gala Concert on Sunday, March 2 at the Kodosky Donor Lounge from 5:00pm to 6:00pm. Please be all present to celebrate. Please wear dress clothes; it will be the occasion for press photos, and it will be followed by a “Handover Reception” by our future hosts, the City of London.

Instructions about transport to the Long Center and details about the ceremony are available at the Competition Office nearer the time.

What happens if a competitor doesn’t get selected into the next round?

We want you to enjoy your time in Austin – regardless if you advance to the next round or not.  It is the nature of competitions that not all of you will be prize winners; however, there will be some great opportunities in Austin that will make it worth your while to stay throughout the entire competition.

•  Attend concerts and talks or get some career advice. All competition concerts are free to competitors. There will also be a panel discussion on career paths led by Joji Hattori before the Chamber Music concert on Monday, February 24 at 6:00pm (18:00h) at Bates Recital Hall.
• Masterclasses with jury members on Thursday, February 27 and Saturday, March 1.
• An opportunity to give a masterclass and recital to young violinists at Austin schools.
• A number of prizes in addition to the official finalists prizes; you might win a prize even if you are not a finalist!
• Consultations with jury members to discuss your performance on Saturday, March 1 between 1:30pm and 4.00pm at the Butler School of Music. Check Competition Office for the individual juror’s rooms and sign up for your consultation.

Will there be Violin First Aid?

Should competitors have any problems with your instrument or bow during the event, Charles Ervin offers an emergency violin and bow maker service (adjusting instruments and rehairing bows for if necessary). Charles’ shop is close to the Butler School of Music, and during the competition he is available to meet you on site to help with instrument issues.

For emergency violin or bow repairs make an appointment by calling Charles at +1 512-467-2277

*Please note that instrument repair charges from Charles Ervin are not covered by the Butler School of Music or the University of Texas at Austin.

Where do competitors go to eat during the day?

Participants of the Menuhin Competition can eat daytime meals at the Under the Oaks Cafe, located in the Thompson Conference Center across the street from the Butler School of Music (see map). You will receive food vouchers for your meals at the time of your registration. Note that your parents, friends or teachers will have to pay for their own meals.

Opening hours for the Under the Oaks Café are:

Where do competitors go to rest during the day?

During the competition week Monday - Friday:

Co-Op Student Center (Fine Arts Building Lounge)

DFA 1.101

February 24 – February 28

6:00am – 7:30pm

During the weekends:

We will choose designated area in the Butler School of Music.