Louise DeFeo Parillo Piano Competition
The Board of the Schenectady-Saratoga Symphony Orchestra association is pleased to announce that the 2026 Louise DeFeo Parillo Piano Competition will be held 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Saturday, May 16 at SUNY Schenectady School of Music.
Competition Details:
- Total performance time: 15 minutes or less
- One advanced Chopin piano solo: e.g. Ballade, Etude, Scherzo, Sonata, or similar
- Plus one elective by any composer
First prize $500
Second prize $200
Open to the most dedicated middle school and high school pianists in the Capital District, by nomination of their piano teachers.
The 2026 application deadline is Wednesday, April 15.
Competition history
This competition was created in 1995 for young pianists in the Capital Region to honor the memory of Louise DeFeo Parillo. Mrs. Parillo was a locally prominent pianist who had her own radio show on WGY in the 1930s and ‘40s and was very active in area music groups. Reflecting the spirit of Louise DeFeo Parillo, the aim of The Parillo Competition is to encourage a life-long enjoyment of music in young pianists, either as accomplished professionals or as dedicated amateurs.
The winners of the 2025 competition were William Xu of Clifton Park (first prize) and Brian Sun of Niskayuna (second prize). William attends Shenedehowa High School and Brian attends Niskayuna High School. They both study with pianist Young Kim.
The Parillo competition is open to Capital District piano students 12 years or older, by nomination of their piano instructors. Winners are recognized at Proctors with cash awards. Especially promising students will be considered for further performance opportunities.
Past winners Ryan Reilly, Christopher Reynolds, Rachel Sohn, and Kyra Lombard have been invited to perform with the SSSO at historic Proctors, to the great delight of our audiences. More recently, William Lauricella performed the Rachmaninov Piano Concerto #2 in C Minor during our 2023-24 season. William is currently a sophomore at the Juilliard School.
Contact:
The Louise DeFeo Parillo Piano Competition
c/o Schenectady-Saratoga Symphony Orchestra
Proctors, 432 State St., Schenectady, NY 12305
Masako Yamada, Chair: myamada@alum.wellesley.edu