Oberlin’s Cooper International Competition for Piano returns

The Thomas and Evon Cooper International Competition returns in 2023, bringing some of the world’s most talented young musicians to the campus of Oberlin College and Conservatory every summer, the college announced April 7.

The 2023 competition will see a return of the piano competition with a slightly condensed format and the finals featuring three pianists in performances of complete concertos with The Cleveland Orchestra at their home venue, Severance Hall, in Cleveland.

The competition will take place from July 29 through Aug. 4, and is open to outstanding pianists from around the world between the ages of 13 and 18.

The prize package totals $40,000 in cash awards — including a $20,000 first prize — and all three concerto finalists will be awarded full four-year tuition scholarships to Oberlin Conservatory, pending admission.

The last time the Cooper Competition for piano was held was in 2018. The pandemic interrupted the cycle and international travel.

“We are thrilled to bring back the Cooper piano competition and to collaborate with the Cleveland Orchestra once again as we celebrate the best young piano talent in the world,” said Oberlin professor of piano Robert Shannon, Cooper piano competition director and jury chair.

Daily competitive rounds begin on July 31, and build toward the finals on Aug. 4, in which three finalists each perform a complete concerto with The Cleveland Orchestra, conducted by David Robertson.

An Honors Recital, celebrating outstanding performances from the competition’s semifinal round, will take place on Aug. 3 in Oberlin Conservatory’s Warner Concert Hall. All rounds of the competition and the Honors Recital are open to the public. Sessions in Warner Concert Hall are available free of charge.

Tickets for the Cooper Competition Concerto Finals at Severance Hall will be available at www. clevelandorchestra.com or by calling (800) 686-1141. All rounds will be webcast live to a global audience via oberlin.edu/ livestream.

The 2023 Cooper Competition jury consists of esteemed pianists from the Oberlin Conservatory faculty and acclaimed performer-pedagogues from throughout the world.

The jury is led by charge” and helps children build social-emotional skills, Keathley said.

Cooper Piano Competition Director and Oberlin Conservatory professor of piano Robert Shannon. It includes fellow Oberlin professors — and winners of international competitions — Angela Cheng, Dang Thai Son and Stanislav Ioudenitch.

Distinguished visiting jurors include Ewa Pobocka, a prize-winner of the 10th International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw and a teacher at the Academy of Music in Bydgoszcz; and Boris Slutsky — soloist, recitalist and professor at The Yale School of Music. Applications for the 2023 competition must be submitted by April 25.

For a complete competition schedule, application and more information, visit www.oberlin.edu/ cooper-competition.

Founded in 2010, the Thomas and Evon Cooper International Competition is dedicated to presenting an international competitive opportunity to outstanding young musicians.

It is made possible through the generosity of Thomas Cooper, a 1978 graduate of Oberlin College, and his wife, pianist Evon Cooper.

The Cooper Competition alternates annually between piano and violin and is open to participants between the ages of 13 and 18.

Council also codified the name of the “Oberlin Underground Railroad Center,” which just makes official “what we’ve already been calling it for years,” Meadows said. That building is at 278 S. Main St. In related business, council discussed growing concern about doggy-dos and doggy-don’ts at Prospect

Park behind the Oberlin Enrichment and Activity Center.

With children using the facility more and more, there are concerns that citizens have created what Councilman Ray English called “an informal dog park” there. Oberlin has a leash law and a pooper-scooper ordinance, which not everyone is following, Councilman Kelley Singleton said.

“I think we need clear signage and need to enforce our ordinance to create a safe space for the children playing there,” English said.

City Manager Rob Hilliard said efforts will begin with education and clear signage, and follow with “the full extent of the law.” “Educate, be clear, inform and enforce,” he told council.

‘Senior of the Month’

Each month the Oberlin Rotary Club honors select students as “Senior of the Month.” These young people are recognized for their good character and positive attitude. They have contributed their time and energy to helping the school and community and are excellent role models. The Oberlin Rotary Club will donate $25.00 to a charity or project of the student’s choosing in their name. The Oberlin High School senior honored for the month of March is Alexandra (Sasha) Chen. Chen has been a member of the Academic Challenge team throughout high school, serving as Captain for the last two years. During that time she was twice named as a Lorain County Scholastic Games Standout Scholar. She says she has enjoyed watching the growth of all team members over the years and the spirit of competition with other teams.

Academic Challenge, she says, has encouraged her to learn beyond the bounds of the classroom about the wider world. Her interest in international issues was also sparked by her involvement in the Ohio Model United Nations, reviving this club in her junior year and serving as President for two years. She also serves as coPresident of the Spanish Honors Society.

Chen has been a member of the Drama Club her junior and senior years. She said she is usually behind the scenes doing costume design and stage makeup, but this spring she will make her debut on stage in High School Musical. This show will be performed May 1820 at OHS.

Chen has also played cello in the Oberlin Orchestra program since the 5th grade. She was also chosen to join the Tri-M Music Society, serving as President during her senior year. Tri-M supports the music department and works on projects to spread the love of music across the school district. This past October she was part of the OHS String Quartet for the national tour of Beatles vs. Stones: A Musical Showdown. She says it was exciting to be part of a professional music production, including being interviewed on the local Fox 8 TV station. Being part of the Quartet at this level required tremendous commitment and long hours rehearsing with Ms.

Audrey John Melzer,

OHS Orchestra Director. Her love of music extends to her involvement outside of school. She has played cello with both the Northern Ohio Youth Orchestra (NOYO) and the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra (COYO). She has been taking lessons at the Oberlin Community Music School with many teachers for the past nine years, performing solo and with chamber ensembles.

In addition to the previously mentioned Honor Societies, Chen was also inducted into the National Honor Society. She is a Daughter of the American Revolution (DAR) Good Citizen Award Winner and the DAR Chapter Essay Competition Winner, which provides college scholarship money. She is also a 2021 NOYO Concerto Competition Winner. Chen works as a dining room attendant at Kendal at Oberlin. She says working with members of a previous generation, the people who built the world she was born into, has been a transformative experience. She says Kendal residents are always interested in hearing about school, all her activities, and her plans for the future.

Believing in the Rotary motto, “Service Above Self,” Chen has provided free Spanish tutoring as part of the Spanish Honors Society. She has also volunteered with the Oberlin Heritage Center on the Latino History of Lorain Exhibit, which highlights the Latin American influence on Lorain County. With COYO, she has played in performances that are free to the public, such as the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day concert.

Chen was accepted to Oberlin College (early decision) on a Robinson Scholarship and plans to double major in neuroscience and political science, with a minor in cello performance. She plans to take a gap year following her undergraduate degree to do research and travel abroad. Beyond that, she hopes to attend medical school.