Pianists who play music popularized in America during the early 20th century have begun competing for $6,000 in Mississippi.
The Oxford Eagle reports the World Championship Old-Time Piano Playing Contest is being held Thursday through Sunday in Oxford. The competition, in its 43rd year, also includes workshops with judges.
University of Mississippi music professor Ian Hominick brought the contest to Oxford after it spent 41 years in Monticello, Illinois. He says between 400 and 500 are expected to take part in the weekend's events.
The main contest portion is being held in Nutt Auditorium, and a recently added junior division will feature performers between ages 8 and 17.
Hominick says the winner will need to do something unique aside from playing memorized classics, and be diverse and imaginative.