Welcome to the John Child Walker Music Competition website!
The 2019 John Child Walker Music Competition was held on Friday, May 24 - Saturday, May 25, 2019. A big "thank you!" to all students, parents and teachers who had contributed their time and talent to this event. We hope everyone who participated carries away a sense of accomplishment, no matter where they placed.
The names of all 2019 winners, along with a photo, is posted under the "Winners" menu tab.
The 2020 Competition will be held on Friday May 22 and Saturday May 23, 2020.
For more information, please contact us at walkermusiccompetition@gmail.com, or:
John Child Walker Music Competition
PO Box 1375
Claremont, CA 91711.
PURPOSE:
Development of individual musical excellence and artistic potential of young talented area musicians.
PLACE:
Claremont Community School of Music
951 W. Foothill Blvd, Claremont CA 91711
ABOUT THE WALKER COMPETITION
The Walker Competition was started in 1954 as a scholarship competition for piano students by Mary Findlay Walker, a prominent piano teacher, in memory of her husband, John Walker. She was a member of the Musicians' Club of Pomona Valley, which has sponsored this event ever since. The Walker Competition has grown throughout the years but remains primarily a local area music competition.
ABOUT THE MUSICIANS’ CLUB OF POMONA VALLEY
The Musicians’ Club of Pomona Valley, founded in 1938, is a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization. Its members include area music teachers, performers, and music lovers. The Club’s purpose is to promote the appreciation of classical music in the community. One of its main activities is presenting free, monthly music recitals by its member which are open to the public.
Teachers entering students in the Walker Competition are asked to join the Club through a $40 entrance fee. This fee helps the Club support the costs of the competition and also helps strengthen and grow the Musicians Club with new members. As members, teachers will receive monthly newsletters from the Club, and will also be invited to share their talents (if they wish) with the community through performing in Club recitals. The Club hopes that through these measures the performance and appreciation of classical music will be encouraged in students and teachers alike and kept in the forefront of culture in the Pomona Valley. More information about the Musicians’ Club can be found on its website, musicclubofpomonavalley.com.
FUNDING THE WALKER COMPETITION
The Walker Competition is funded mainly through gifts and donations as well as through entrance and application fees. 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.
EVERYONE CAN ENJOY THE WALKER COMPETITION
Whether you are a teacher, contestant, or community music lover, this competition is open for you to enjoy--from the all-day competition to the public Winners' Concert awards ceremony in the evening, where the first-place winners of the day perform.