The Joseph Israel Bookstaber Memorial Competition is held in honor of the memory of a talented young man who loved to learn a great deal of music just for the joy of it, with no interest in becoming a professional musician.  This competition was created to encourage other such young pianists in their love of music.

Bookstaber Competition Chair: Rebecca Eng

Eligibility

• The competition is open to any pre-college piano student who studies with a New Jersey teacher.  The teacher does not need to be a member of the New Jersey Federation of Music Clubs in order to enter a student.

• In keeping with the rules of various international competitions for amateur musicians, competitors may use their music, provided that the page turner is unobtrusive and is not the teacher, coach, or parent.  The competition will be judged on the basis of musicality, technical ability, and interpretive accomplishment.

Awards

1st place  - $750

2nd place - $500

3rd place - $250

First, second, and third place winners are required to perform in the NJFMC Gold Cup & Competition Winners Concert in order to receive the monetary award.  First place winners are not eligible to compete in subsequent years.

Repertoire Requirements

Performance time length: 30 minutes

• A Baroque work - A Prelude and Fugue from the Well Tempered Clavier, Toccata, four movements of a dance suite, or an equivalent work
• A Classical work (two movements of a Sonata or a set of Variations)
• A Romantic work
• A Post-Romantic or Modern work

Dates of Competition and Concert

• Applications must be postmarked by: March 26, 2025
• Competition Date: April 26, 2025
• Gold Cup Concert - Winners must perform in order to receive their award.
• Click here for Gold Cup Concert details and information.

Application

• Entry fee: $65.  Please make checks payable to NJ Federation of Music Clubs, Inc.
• Fill in the application form and send the form and check to Rebecca Eng. 
• Click here for the application form.

Contact

Please contact Bookstaber Competition chairman, Rebecca Eng, at bookstabercompetition@gmail.com if you have any questions.