It is sponsored by Thomas and Evon Cooper and is presented jointly by the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and the Cleveland Orchestra.
The competition gives three finalists the opportunity to play a complete concerto with the Cleveland Orchestra.
[3] The competition originated as the Oberlin International Festival, first organized by Emeritus Professor Joseph Schwartz in 1985.
In 1995, Professor Robert Shannon became the director and the first annual Oberlin International Piano Competition was launched.
By the time of its final edition, it gave the winners opportunities to perform with leading orchestras in China, such as the Shanghai Philharmonic.