About the Savler Contest The Roberta Savler Piano Contest, originally known as the Chicago Area Music Teachers Association (CAMTA) Annual Piano Contest, was founded in 1980 by Nancy Ostromencki. Over the years, through various directors and the input of CAMTA members, the Contest evolved and quickly established itself as one of Chicago area's largest and most important events of its kind. Students gather every Spring to compete for trophies and a performance opportunity. Winner or not, contestants gain invaluable experience and feedback from prominent local musicians. Many of our past winners have gone on to pursue successful careers in music. As a pianist, teacher, and editor, Roberta Savler (1911–1992) touched the lives of many and was loved dearly by practically all who knew her. Grace Olson, who took lessons from her at the Oak Park branch of Sherwood Music School (now Sherwood Conservatory of Music) in the 1930's recalls her as a kind and patient tutor. According to former Contest Chair Heidi Mayer, Ms. Savler was "extremely intelligent, detail-oriented, actively involved in CAMTA, and seemed very 'old-school' when it came to teaching. She was the only teacher I ever knew that would bring a metronome to the [Achievement In Music] exams to make sure the students knew not only the notes and fingering but could actually play up to tempo." In 1996, the CAMTA Annual Piano Contest was renamed to honor the late Ms. Savler and her selfless contributions to the organization. Hannah Voigt, a friend of Ms. Savler later in her life and one of several CAMTA members who pushed for this homage, points out that "oddly enough, she really didn't like contests! But CAMTA, at the time of her death, had no other avenue through which to honor her." Be that as it may, it was none other than Ms. Savler herself who came to the rescue of Ms. Ostromencki when the latter first introduced the idea of a piano contest at a CAMTA board meeting. "[My idea was rejected] by quite a few of the board, however, Roberta did speak up and told all that were present at the meeting that I should be allowed to give it a try," she remembers. "If she saw that someone believed in an ideal with their whole heart and would put their whole heart and work into [that ideal,] she would give them her support and urge others to support." Ultimately, regardless of the philosophies involved about contests, it is only appropriate that Ms. Savler can be honored through what has become CAMTA's leading program with the help of her fond encouragement. Ms. Ostromencki, now a resident of Tucson, Arizona, has started a Savler Contest there and is working with current CAMTA Savler Contest Chair Junichi Steven Sato to coordinate the two events. What the future holds for this collaboration is still uncertain, but it promises to be very interesting.

CONTEST HISTORY 1980: First competition takes place 1995: Contest moved from Fall to Spring 1996: Contest renamed in honor of Roberta Savler 2000: Present repertoire requirement format established 2002: Contest goes online at camta.org 2005: Contest gets its own website address at savler.org