Piano Festivals - School of Fine and Performing Arts

Preparing young artists by building a foundation of skills for today's music world

Celebrate the piano through concerts, masterclasses, and competitive and non-competitive performance event

Bach Family Festival

This festival encourages piano students in grades 4-12 to study works by J.S. Bach and members of his extended family - both solo and collaborative works for piano, harpsichord, or organ. Sunday, October 25, 2026

Sonatina-Sonata Festival

This festival provides an opportunity for students in grades 4-12 to perform Sonatas or Sonatinas in a competitive environment and receive an evaluation. Sunday, January 31, 2027

Photograph of a group of children and adults standing on a stage holding certificates, likely at an award or recognition ceremony. Background features a large display with a collage design, green curtains, and an American flag on the right side, highlighting a formal event setting.

Photograph of a music classroom setting with a woman standing and gesturing, likely instructing or conducting, and a person seated at a grand piano. The scene includes blurred individuals in the foreground, suggesting an engaged audience or students during a lesson or rehearsal.

Photograph of a piano lesson showing a student seated at a grand piano and an instructor standing beside, pointing at sheet music on the music stand. Background includes a students sitting at desks, emphasizing a music education setting.

Photograph of a man in a suit standing on stage next to a grand piano, holding a microphone and a piece of paper, likely addressing an audience. The setting appears to be a formal event or recital, with audience members visible in the foreground and a green curtain on one side of the stage.

Photograph of a piano recital in a dimly lit auditorium with an audience seated in rows facing a stage where a pianist performs. Ceiling features colorful acoustic panels in yellow, orange, and red, and audience members appear attentive, some holding programs.

Photograph of a man in a suit sitting in an auditorium or conference hall with rows of orange seats. The man is clapping, suggesting an event or presentation is taking place.

Photograph of a bald man playing a black Steinway & Sons grand piano, viewed from above showing both keyboard and internal strings. The piano's open lid reveals detailed strings, hammers, and soundboard, highlighting craftsmanship and musician's engagement.

Photograph of a woman playing a black Steinway & Sons grand piano on a wooden floor with a green curtain backdrop. The pianist is seated on a black adjustable bench, wearing a shiny silver top and black pants, focused on the keys.

Photograph of a stage setup for a musical performance featuring a grand piano, a microphone stand, and a large decorative letter "N" on the right side. A person stands near the microphone, likely preparing to perform or speak, with a green curtain backdrop and wooden floor visible.

Photograph of a man speaking to two women in an indoor setting with a wooden floor and a grand piano in the background. The man wears a black jacket and patterned shirt, while the women have blonde and dark hair, suggesting a casual or professional conversation.

Photograph of four people standing in front of a black backdrop with a collage of smaller photos arranged in a large letter "N." Three individuals hold certificates recognizing achievements in a festival honor recital, with names and awards clearly visible on the certificates.

Photograph of three people standing on a wooden stage around a black grand piano with "Steinway & Sons" visible on its side. The individuals wear casual to semi-formal attire, with one person in a black jacket and jeans, another in a white top and blue jeans, and the third in a red and white patterned shirt with light-colored pants.

Photograph of a person playing a grand piano on a wooden stage with a green curtain backdrop. The scene includes a piano bench, a large vertical display with a collage of images on the right, and audience heads visible at the bottom.

Photograph of three people standing on a wooden stage next to a grand piano, dressed in formal and semi-formal attire. The setting suggests a musical performance or recital, with a dark backdrop and stage lighting highlighting the individuals and piano.

Photograph of an award ceremony on a stage with a grand piano and green curtain backdrop, showing several young recipients lined up to receive certificates from two presenters. Audience members are seated in the foreground, observing the formal event in a wood-paneled auditorium.

Photograph of a group of people standing on a stage in a theater or auditorium, likely during an event or presentation. Audience members are seated in rows facing the stage, with individuals dressed in formal and casual attire, and a piano visible in the background.

Photograph of a person playing a grand piano on a wooden stage with a green curtain backdrop, viewed from audience seating. Audience members are visible in foreground, and a large display board with collage images is positioned to the right of the piano.

Photograph of two musicians playing a grand piano on a wooden stage with a green curtain backdrop. The piano is positioned center stage with one musician seated at each end, highlighting a duet performance setup.

Photograph of an empty auditorium featuring rows of black and orange seats facing a stage with a grand piano and a microphone stand. Ceiling panels in shades of yellow and orange create a wave pattern, and a large letter "N" is displayed on the stage near a wooden organ.

Photograph of an empty auditorium featuring rows of brown cushioned seats facing a stage with a grand piano and an organ. Ceiling has alternating orange and beige acoustic panels arranged in a geometric pattern, with dark wood-paneled walls surrounding the space.

Photograph of five people standing behind a table with a decorated cake that reads "2024 Piano Festival," along with coffee, cookies, and folded black cloth items. The setting appears to be an indoor event or celebration, with a door and window in the background indicating a formal or institutional environment.

Photograph of a spacious indoor area with people engaging in various activities, including a woman arranging items on a green-covered table and groups conversing near a staircase. The setting appears to be a social or professional gathering, with bright overhead lighting, large windows, and a modern staircase as key structural elements.

Photograph of a rectangular celebration cake decorated with white frosting and a black border. Cake features an illustration of a grand piano and the words "Piano Festival" written in black icing, indicating an event related to piano music.

Watch Past Honors and Guest Recitals

Have questions? Contact

Anthony Olson
Professor of Music and Coordinator of Keyboard Studies
aolson@nwmissouri.edu

Donate

Northwest's Piano Festivals bring young pianists to campus for performance opportunities, master classes, and experiences with outstanding guest artists. Your support helps make these opportunities possible and allows us to continue building and growing the festivals for future generations of young musicians.

To make a tax-deductible donation to the Northwest Piano Festivals, use the link below and select Other, and put Piano Festival in the Designations field.

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