Volunteers information session: Sunday 19 October.

“Volunteering for Hastings International Piano is really enjoyable… and brings a glimmer of sparkle to dreary February!” Sue Pascoe

Our fantastic volunteers are the lifeblood of our organisation and contribute hugely to making the biennial competition - and all sorts of other events - a success. We’re always on the lookout for people who are willing to give their time and who’d like to really get involved in the running of our events, whether that’s by having a competition participant to stay, offering the use of your piano for practice, giving lifts or by volunteering at the competition or other events.

Our volunteers tell us being part of the event is enormously rewarding too! As part of our team, you’ll play a vital role, while meeting like-minded music lovers and supporting talented musicians from around the globe.  Hastings resident Sue Pascoe has volunteered for us since 2022, hosting competitors and also working front-of-house at the White Rock and in Priory Meadow during the competition. “It’s such a privilege to be able to support such talented young musicians, and to be able to contribute to such a prestigious competition in my home town” she said. “I love the fact that I’ve met so many other like-minded people through volunteering - and working on the competition really brings a glimmer of sparkle to a dreary February!”

Jo Fairley and her husband Craig Sams are long-standing supporters of HIP, and are regular attenders of our events. They’ve also hosted not one but two competition prizewinners at their lovely home in the Old Town - Thomas Kelly, the 2022 runner-up, and Curtis Phill Hsu, winner of the 2024 competition. “Winning a competition can be the kickstart to a stellar career, and we genuinely feel like stakeholders in these two gifted young men’s success. We’ve also gained such fascinating insights into the music world (and enjoyed listening to some truly transporting piano, with it). I hope that in some small way, the pies, the soup and the love and support we showed Curtis helped make him feel at home, so he could get on and do what he does so spectacularly well... Bravo!!!”

Godfrey Bevan from Battle is a member of our patrons’ scheme, but also supports the competition by driving competitors from place to place. “It’s a bit like being an impromptu taxi service” says Godfrey. “I get to meet the competitors and take them from their digs or the theatre to wherever they are going to be practising. I meet people from all over the world - and as a bonus I even get to hear them play. So far, there hasn’t been a winner I haven’t driven! It can get very busy during competition time, and my wife also volunteers for HIP, but we find it really enjoyable and it’s great to be able to support the organisation too.”

If you’re interested in volunteering for Hastings International Piano, in whatever capacity, you might like to come along to our information session at 1:30pm on Sunday 19 October at the White Rock Theatre. Volunteer co-ordinator Eunice Pugh says “One of the many positives of volunteering with Hastings International Piano is the flexibility. You can choose those tasks, dates and times that suit; no need for a long term commitment". Eunice would love to hear from you even if you’re not able to come to the information session. You can let us know that you’re interested by completing our Enquiry Form and someone will call you back for a chat.

Information Session - open to all; no commitment!

Sunday 19 October, 1:30pm

White Rock Theatre

“We’re already looking forward to hosting some of next year’s contestants during their competition journey. I can’t recommend it too highly for getting ‘under the skin’ of this amazing competition…it’s been a joy, for us, and now we’re following the careers of Curtis and Thomas like the proud ‘piano parents’ we are!” Jo Fairley