Founded in 1961 by Dame Fanny Waterman DBE DMus FRCM and Marion Thorpe CBE, the 16th Leeds International Piano Competition was held in 2009. It remains in the league of the world's top ten piano competitions including the Tchaikovsky, Chopin, Rubinstein and America's Van Cliburn and is world renowned for being well organised. The whole city seems to be involved and the people encourage a cordial atmosphere with the competitors who are very much welcomed to Leeds.

'The Leeds' as it is affectionately known, has attracted an abundance of potential winners to each of the fifteen Competitions, and did so again in 2009. But what makes young pianists submit to this gruelling ordeal? Few would admit to enjoying the competitive experience but many would agree it is the fairest and most obvious way of introducing themselves to the public.

It has been said that any Competition is as good as its Jury and at each edition of the Leeds International Piano Competition there has been a tradition of selecting jury members of international calibre with expertise, a wide knowledge of the piano repertoire and the skills of the pianist. Some of the world's most eminent professors were included in the Leeds' Jury of sixteen members because they had experience in dealing with the competitors' variances of style and interpretation.

Although prizes are awarded to winners, highly prestigious engagements are offered to the Competition thus allowing not just the winner, but any prize-winner, to be the recipient of such invitations. Competitors are encouraged to capitalise on their experience at Leeds especially in respect of the media exposure which they are guaranteed to receive and particularly an abundance of exposure given to the finalists. Rewards vary, yet careers will flourish from their exposure at Leeds; many runners-up have achieved success on the international concert platform.

Winners at Leeds will be adjudicated critically by the press and will have to prove adept at producing quality performances on the concert platform. After the success at Leeds, the winner is thrown out into the cold to be instantly measured against previous winners of 'The Leeds' and the glut of professional pianists worldwide. It is vital therefore, for any young pianist to attract a top manager, who will remove the pressure of self-promotion and the negotiation of fees but who has the contacts to lead a career along the right paths. It must also be said that individuals have to be responsible for themselves and therefore a level of toughness is paramount to ensure a career is not pushed in the wrong direction.

The future of ‘The Leeds’ depends on the standard of future winners and in August 2012 the 17th Leeds International Piano Competition will commence, promising to create history.