The 2015 Clara Wells Fellowships

Fellows to be in residence at the 2015 Matthay Piano Festival at the

Eastman School of Music  
Rochester, New York
June 8-11, 2015

In 1971, Clara Wells, a devoted student of Tobias Matthay in the 1930s, was memorialized by her husband, the late Samuel Masland, who dedicated funds to the American Matthay Association (after 2002, the American Matthay Associaton became the American Matthay Associaton for Piano, or AMAP) in her name to offer scholarships promoting knowledge of Matthay principles. For many years the Matthay Associaton felt the best use of this bequest lay in providing funds for young pianists to study with teachers trained in Matthay principles via a performance competition. But in 2015, the AMAP Board of Governors has decided to offer two Fellowships underwriting residency at this special commemorative Festival—enabling a more intensive exposure to Tobias Matthay and to our organization.

This year's Fellows will receive:

1.    Full tuition to the Festival, with its inspiring recital performances and varied sessions presenting Matthay principles, as well as this year, an introduction to the teaching and ideals of the late Ccile Genhart;
2.    Financial support for expenses, up to $1000 per Fellow;
3.    Mentorship for all sessions by distinguished AMAP members;
4.    The opportunity to perform a 20-minute program before those in attendance;
5.    The opportunity to have a 15-minute teaching experience by explaining and demonstrating a Matthay principle before those in attendance;
6.    The possibility of participating in a master class conducted by our guest artist, Valerie Tryon;
7.    A complimentary copy of the recently published England's Piano Sage: The Life and Teachings of Tobias Matthay (Scarecrow, 2012); 
8.    A complimentary copy of the seven-volume APR Record CD series devoted to "The Matthay Pupils."

Details concerning eligibility and qualifications:

1.    Awards are available for two (2) piano students, one (1) in each of the two divisions: High School and College.
2.    Open to High School division students between the ages of 15 and 19, and College division students between the ages of 18 and 25 as of June 1, 2015, as verified by a passport or copy of birth certificate.
3.    All applicants must submit three (3) copies of a CD containing two (2) works of contrasting period, style and tempo. The combined music on the CD must comprise a minimum of 10 minutes.
4.    All applicants must submit a letter of application. Please refer to the application form here for details concerning the letter's content.
5.    The applicant's teacher must also submit a letter of recommendation. Please refer to the application form here for details concerning the letter's content.
6.    All materials must be postmarked no later than April 25, 2015. Winners will be notified by May 10, 2015.
7.    The Fellowship winners will be chosen by a panel comprised of members of the American Matthay Association for Piano.
8.    By accepting the Fellowship Award, the winning students agree to attend the entire 2015 AMAP Festival, and participate as required.
9.   If, in the opinion of the Clara Wells selection panel, there are no qualified candidates in one division, two awards may be made in the remaining division at the discretion of the panel.
10.   The Matthay topic for presentation will be determined by the Clara Wells selection panel, after consultation with the award winner and his/her teacher.

Those interested in applying for a 2015 Clara Wells Fellowship will find the application form here.


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