International Piano Paralympics coming to Vancouver, BC in 2009

From The Georgia Straight in Vancouver, B.C., Canada. The Web site has a clip of the first International Piano Paralympics in 2005.

Vancouver is gearing up to host the 2009 international Piano Paralympics, "Unheard Notes", with a special demonstration concert November 9 that includes one-handed Canadian pianist, Raoul Sosa, at the UBC School of Music Recital Hall, 7 p.m.

First held in 2005, in Yokohama, by the Japanese-based Institute of Piano Teachers and Disabled Research Association, the goal of the Piano Paralympics is to encourage and provide a platform for piano students young and old with disabilities to perform.

Organizers of the event are hoping pianists with disabilities, from physical to developmental, will attend this weekend's concert and get involved in preparing for next year's big event.