Sağlam wins 8th annual WC International Piano Competition
Turkish pianist Korkmaz Can Sağlam claimed first prize at the 8th annual Weatherford
College International Piano Competition this weekend.
The competition, held Friday and Saturday in the Alkek Fine Arts Center, drew a record audience and was the first year to feature a string ensemble in the final round.
“This year, WCIPC truly entered a new stage of innovation and expansion in every way,” said Dr. Hyeyoung Song, event organizer. “Attendance increased nearly fourfold, and what was once a one-day event has now become a two-day celebration of music and community. Above all, this was a moment in which we experienced the power of music — connecting individuals to individuals, institutions to institutions and our local community to the world.”
Sağlam’s win includes a $10,000 prize, funded by private donations and contest entry fees. South Korean pianist Jihyung Youn earned second prize ($5,000), followed by Russian-American pianist Daria Podorozhnova in third place ($3,000) and South Korean pianist Dongju Kim in fourth place ($2,000).
Born in Ankara in 1999, Sağlam also won the 2021–22 Vendome Prize for Piano and has performed at Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall, Kioi Hall in Tokyo and Melbourne Recital Centre, among other major international venues. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from The Juilliard School, a Master of Music degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music and is currently pursuing an Artist Diploma at SMU’s Meadows School of the Arts.
His debut album, “Solace,” was released in March 2024 on the Sono Luminus label. As first prize winner, Sağlam will return to WC for a concert engagement during the 2026–27 academic year.
This year’s competition introduced several changes. For the first time, WCIPC held live regional auditions in South Korea last fall, building partnerships with leading universities there.
“It was especially meaningful that one of the pianists selected through this process went on to receive fourth prize, which once again affirms the value of this global connection,” Song said.
The competition also expanded to a two-day format and debuted its piano quartet final round, in which the four finalists performed alongside the WC Chamber Music Ensemble, selecting from works by Mozart, Schumann, Brahms or Fauré.
“This was a bold step,” Song said. “Through the chamber music final round, audiences were able to experience a deeper dimension of music-making. We also clearly saw how this competition is growing not only as an artistic platform, but also as an important part of the college and the wider community.”
The four finalists were evaluated by an internationally acclaimed jury comprised of Victor Rosenbaum (USA), Tamás Ungár (Hungary/USA) and Sofya Gulyak (Russia/USA).
Twelve semifinalists representing talent from across the globe competed in 25-minute solo recitals on April 10 before four finalists advanced to the Saturday afternoon final round.
Eleven of the semifinalists were hosted in local Parker County homes during the competition, another new initiative this year, and were treated to tours of local landmarks, including Chandor Gardens.
“What began as a small college initiative has now grown into a city-wide embrace,” Song said. “In the spirit of true Southern hospitality, our host families opened their homes to international pianists, offering not just accommodation, but warmth, care, and a genuine sense of belonging.”