The countdown to the first piano key being struck for the Missouri Southern International Piano Competition is underway.

Beginning April 19, 35 contestants from around the world will make Joplin their home and participate in the competitive contest.

“People find this competition hard to get into,” said Vivian León, director of the MSIPC.

Contest hopefuls must submit a 20 to 30-minute audition video of them playing a variety of solo works. If contestants make it past the preliminary round, a more complicated and challenging semi and final round audition takes place.

“We have stiff requirements,” León said.

Applications have been filed from all over the world. Several are from Asia and Russia and the United States. But in some instances, the application requires Len to check out a detailed map. One applicant this year is from Kyrgyzstan.

“Sometimes we don’t even know where the country is,” she said.

León began her career at Southern as a music instructor. The department head at the time asked her if she would be willing to help coordinate the project, which began in 1987. The effort took more time than expected. So eventually, León had to quit her instruction position and also closed down her own music studio so she could devote her time to the event.

“I knew the piano competition had so much potential,” she said.

Over the years, winners have been from Hong Kong, Russia, the United States, South Africa and Hungary.

The 2002 grand prize winner was Robert Henry.

The top winner receives $10,000 and a chance to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

“These people are so talented,” she said.

All 35 contestants stay in Joplin with host families during the weeklong competition. Host families must have proper amenities for the contestant in order for them to be considered as a host.

Dr. Brad Kleindl, dean for the school of business, and his family had a contestant from the Czech Republic.

“Not only was he a perfect guest, but he practiced on our piano at an astounding level,” Kleindl said.

Kleindl thought it would be a positive experience for his family because his two sons were taking piano lessons.

“For my sons to see someone at that skill level was pretty amazing,” he said.

His family has stayed in contact with the contestant over the years.

“He’s sent us photos of his wedding,” he said.

The Kleindl family will once again be a host family this year.

“Once they get here they are taken care of by the community,” León said. “They immediately have a support system.”

León said the competition does wonders for the University’s international mission.

“We’re getting Missouri Southern’s name out there on an international basis,” she said. “We want to make the University the center of culture in this area.”