THEMA

Established in 1986, the Terrace Hill Piano Competition is held annually at the Iowa Public Television studios in Johnston, Iowa. The Senior competition is always held on the second Saturday in February, and the Junior competition the preceding Friday evening. The dates for 2017 are February 10-11. All judging is done by out-of-state music professionals. Visit the official THEMA website for entry requirements and application forms.

Junior Competition

All entrants must be in grades 9-11 in an Iowa high school, or be Iowa residents with equivalent home-school status. The competition will take place Friday evening, February 10. Applications must be postmarked by January 7, 2017. Two winners will be named, with each receiving a cash prize of fifty dollars, courtesy of Des Moines Music Teachers Association and Music Teachers of Central Iowa.

Senior Competition

All entrants must be high school seniors graduating from an Iowa high school or be Iowa residents with equivalent home-school status. If already graduated, they must be entering their freshman year at a college/university during the upcoming academic year with a major or minor in music. The competition will take place on Saturday, February 11. Applications must be postmarked by January 7, 2017. 

Scholarships

The three Senior-level finalists will be awarded scholarships over a two-year period to enroll as a music major or minor at any Iowa college or university. The winner will receive $10,000, second-place $5,000, and third-place $3,000. Appreciation and thanks is extended to West Music for its annual contribution of $3,000 toward these scholarships.

2017 THEMA winners:

Junior Division:
Yuvia Maldonado
Ashley Xu

Senior Division:
FIRST PLACE: Roberto Gemignani      
SECOND PLACE: Shana Liu 
THIRD PLACE: Carter Nath                

2016 THEMA winners:
Junior Division:
co-winners:
Shana Liu
Chason Yan

Senior Division:
1st place:  Matt Bourland
2nd place:  Mario Jordan
3rd place:  Nicholas Leung

2015 Winners:
Junior Division:
Alex Dou, Cedar Falls
Linda Peng, Cedar Falls

Senior Division:
1st Place:  Jacob Miyazaki, West Des Moines
2nd Place:  Craig Jordan, Ames
3rd Place:  Christian Vallery, Hampton