2024 prizewinners, Curtis Phill Hsu and Harmony Zhu return to Hastings this September for a concert with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra featuring two undisputed pillars of the Romantic piano repertoire.  

Four of our previous prizewinners return to Hastings for a very special weekend of events at Fairlight Hall: Curtis Phill Hsu and Harmony Zhu, winner of first and second prize in 2024; Mariamna Sherling, who won third prize in 2022;  and one more pianist is yet to be announced.

For the past few months, we’ve been hard at work behind the scenes, creating a beautiful new website for Hastings International Piano which has been designed and built by Larking, a creative agency based in St Leonards.

Sounds of Creativity, a free workshop series combining live classical piano with guided creative art sessions, launched this year at the White Rock Theatre. The workshops were designed to harness the therapeutic benefits of music and art and aim to support members of the Hastings community experiencing mental health challenges, social isolation, and a lack of access to cultural activities

We are thrilled that our patron, the world-renowned pianist, Sir Stephen Hough, has agreed to write a test piece for the 2026 competition

At Hastings International Piano, we’re committed to making a real difference in our community and our Learning & Participation programme aims to find ways to give back to the local area through the piano.

Join Sir Stephen Hough, our Patron for an intimate recital in the glorious surroundings of Fairlight Hall.

We have some truly fabulous prizes on offer, many of which are money-can’t-buy experiences— access to exclusive places and events. A weekend with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and tickets to Plumpton races…

At Hastings International Piano, we’re committed to making a real difference in our community and our Learning & Participation programme aims to find ways to give back to the local area through the piano.

Hastings Piano Competition’s 2022 third prize winner Mariamna Sherling returns to Hastings with a festive recital featuring Bach, Liszt, and Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker suite.

Our schools programme has now reached over 500 children in Hastings. Last week, Sam Glazer and pianist Rose McLachlan inspired 20 Key Stage 2 students at St Paul’s CE Academy.

Lithuanian pianist Gabrielė Sutkutė, who took part in the competition in visited St Michael’s hospice.

The overall winner of the 17th Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition is Curtis Phill Hsu with a scintillating performance of Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor Op.23.

The overall winner of the 17th Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition is Curtis Phill Hsu with a scintillating performance of Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor Op.23.

At Hastings International Piano, we’re committed to making a real difference in our community and our Learning & Participation programme aims to find ways to give back to the local area through the piano.

We were delighted to welcome ITV to film some of our wonderful launch event this afternoon where 2022 second-prize winner Thomas Kelly wowed commuters and supporters with a performance in an unlikely venue… Hastings Train Station.

Music in the Meadow is making a triumphant return in 2024, transforming the Priory Meadow Shopping Centre into a hub for local pianists to showcase their talents. We’re inviting players of all ages and skill levels to book their slots to play a Bechstein Grand Piano in front of an audience.

This year the Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition is introducing a new addition to the competition. For the first time, all participants will be required to perform a newly commissioned piece. The commission for 2024 is Time Unredeemable, by the distinguished composer Lera Auerbach.

Lithuanian pianist Gabrielė Sutkutė inspires over 100 students aged 9 to 11 in music workshops, where they had the unique opportunity to compose their own original music using keyboard instruments.

Hastings International Piano, the organisation behind the Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition, is delighted to announce that the composer, writer, painter and internationally-renowned concert pianist Sir Stephen Hough, has agreed to be its Patron.