First established as a scholarship competition for piano students, Mary Walker, a prominent piano teacher in Pomona, founded the John Child Walker Music Competition in 1954 in memory of her husband, John Walker. She was a member of the Pomona Valley Musicians’ Club, which continues to sponsor the competition to this very day.

Throughout the years, the Walker Music Competition has continued to grow as a local music competition to foster excellence, creativity and recognition for the musical talent in our community. As of today, Walker Music Competition continues to aim to develop confidence in skills and poise in performance in every young musician.

MISSION

To provide a platform where young musicians are given the opportunity to expand their musical horizons, motivating through competition and inspiring through performance.

MUSICIANS’ CLUB OF POMONA VALLEY

The Musicians’ Club of Pomona Valley is a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization and was founded in 1938. Its main purpose is to promote the appreciation and development of classical music in the community, both through its sponsorship of the Walker Music Competition for young students and through its monthly recitals by members which are free and open to the public.

All teachers participating in the Walker Competition must be members of the Musicians’ Club. This enables the Club to continue its support of the Walker competition and the students who participate in it. Benefits of Club membership - besides providing for the continuance of the Walker competition - include a monthly emailed newsletter from the Club and the opportunity to participate in monthly Club recitals. More information about the Musicians’ Club can be found on its website: musicclubofpomonavalley.com

FUNDING THE WALKER MUSIC COMPETITION

The Walker Music Competition is funded mainly through gifts and donations. The Club appreciates the support it has so generously received from teachers and parents in the past and looks forward to continued support in the future.