Youth Junior  Division

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Applicants must be at least 8 years old and not older than 12 years old as of March 15, 2026.

 

Preliminary Round

Video Submission 

 •  One repertoire piece of the performer's choice.  The piece should showcase the performer's technical skill and musical expression.  The video should clearly show the performer's hands, face, and feet for pedaling.

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Regional Competition

Live Performance (Maximum 6 minutes)

Participants may prepare a longer program. The jury may stop the performance once the time limit is reached.

 

Repertoire:

•    One etude (classical or contemporary) 

showing technical difficulty and musical expression

           (e.g.  concert etudes by Chopin, Liszt, Rachmaninoff, Ligeti or Moszkowski; traditional etudes by Czerny or Burgmüller; or pedagogical technical pieces by  Kabalevsky or Kuhlau, appropriate to the applicant's level)

•    One Free choice Piece of the Applicant's Choice ( Non - Etude )

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Regional Winners’ Recital (selected regions)

Live Performance (10 minutes)

    •    Extended program chosen by the performer

 

Final Round (Manhattan)

Live Performance (Maximum 15 minutes)

    •    Contrasting program showing artistry and technical command

    

Final Winners Recital ( Carnegie Hall )

 •    Winners perform 10 minutes solo recital repertoire in final winners recital at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall.  

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Youth Senior Division 

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Applicants must be at least 13 years old and not older than 17 years old as of March 15, 2026.

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Preliminary Round

Video Submission 

 •  One repertoire piece of the performer's choice.  The piece should showcase the performer's technical skill and musical expression.  The video should clearly show the performer's hands, face, and feet for pedaling.

​

Regional Competition

Live Performance (Maximum 8 minutes)

Participants may prepare a longer program. The jury may stop the performance once the time limit is reached.

 

Repertoire:

    •    A contrasting program representing at least two musical periods

    

Regional Winners’ Recital (selected regions)

Live Performance (10-15 minutes)

    •    Extended program chosen by the performer

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Final Round (Manhattan)

Live Performance (Maximum 20-30 minutes)

    •    Contrasting program showing artistry and technical command including one movement of a classical sonata (Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, or Schubert)

   

Final Winners Recital ( Carnegie Hall )

 •    Winners perform 10-15 minutes solo recital repertoire in final winners recital at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall.  

Professional Division 

 

Applicants must be at least 18  years old and not older than 35 years old as of March 15, 2026.

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Preliminary Round

Video Submission 

 •  One repertoire piece of the performer's choice.  The piece should showcase the performer's technical skill and musical expression.  The video should clearly show the performer's hands, face, and feet for pedaling.

​

Regional Competition

Live Performance (Maximum 10 minutes)

Participants may prepare a longer program. The jury may stop the performance once the time limit is reached.

 

Repertoire:

    •    A contrasting program representing at least three musical periods

​

Regional Winners’ Recital (selected regions)

Live Performance (10-20  minutes)

    •    Extended program chosen by the performer

 

Final Round (Manhattan)

Live Performance (30-40 minutes)

    •    Contrasting program showing artistry and technical command including one movement of a classical sonata (Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, or Schubert)

    

Final Winners Recital ( Carnegie Hall )

 •    Winners perform 10-20 minutes solo recital repertoire in final winners recital at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall.