2016 GUIDE TO COMPETITIONS
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Cleveland International Piano Competition & Festival |
ABOUT THIS COMPETITION
The Cleveland International Piano Competition and Festival consists of four rounds of performances, symposia, films, and social events, offering something for casual listeners and music aficionados. Finalists perform concertos with the Cleveland Orchestra.
MAIN OFFICE
20600 Chagrin Blvd., Suite 1110
Shaker Heights, OH 44012
UNITED STATES
WEBSITE
http://www.clevelandpiano.org
ELIGIBILITY
Ages 18 to 30 years old as of August 6, 2016
ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE(S)
Piano |
DETAILS |
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Travel Covered? | Yes | |
Frequency | Triennial | |
Cash prizes | More than $50,000 | |
Additional prizes | Performances | |
Jury chair(s) | Andrea Bonatta, Guest Professor, Mozarteum Salzburg | |
Jury size | 6 to 10 | |
Application deadline | December 1, 2015 | |
Application notes |
Late application deadline 12/15/2015 (late fee applies) |
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SEMIFINALS (live rounds)
Piano. July 24 to August 7, 2016 at the Cleveland Museum of Art and Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio |
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FINALS (live rounds)
Piano. July 24 - August 7, 2016 at the Cleveland Museum of Art and Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio |
COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC?
✔ Semifinals | ✔ Semifinals streamed |
✔ Finals | ✔ Finals streamed |
SOCIAL LINKS





Concert Artists Guild Victor Elmaleh Competition |
![]() ABOUT THIS COMPETITION
The CAG Victor Elmaleh Competition is held annually for solo instrumentalists and chamber ensembles performing classical and non-traditional repertoire. Prizes include cash; BMI Commissioning Prize; Sylvia Ann Hewlett Adventurous Artist Prize; and more than 40 performance prizes with leading orchestras, concert series, and festivals.
MAIN OFFICE
850 Seventh Avenue, Suite PH-A
New York, NY 10019
UNITED STATES
WEBSITE
http://www.concertartists.org
ELIGIBILITY
Any artist 30 years old or younger
ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE(S)
Piano • Strings • All solo instruments and chamber ensembles |
DETAILS |
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Travel Covered? | No | |
Frequency | Annual | |
Cash prizes | None | |
Additional prizes | Performances | |
Jury chair(s) | Not provided | |
Jury size | 6 to 10 | |
Application deadline | April 15, 2016 | |
Application notes |
Early bird deadline is April 1, 2016 |
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SEMIFINALS (live rounds)
October 2016 in New York, exact dates and locations to be announced |
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FINALS (live rounds)
October 2016 in New York, exact dates and locations to be announced |
COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC?
✘ Semifinals | ✘ Semifinals streamed |
✔ Finals | ✘ Finals streamed |
SOCIAL LINKS



Gawon International Award |
ABOUT THIS COMPETITION
Since 2005, the Gawon International Award has been bestowed on promising young pianists. The applicant must be able to demonstrate superb potential achievement in piano and provide exceptional recommendations from acclaimed musicians and international awards.
MAIN OFFICE
Sambo Hills 102
Pyungchang 12 Gil
Jongno-Gu, Seoul (110-847)
SOUTH KOREA
WEBSITE
http://www.gawonaward.com
ELIGIBILITY
Pianists of any nationality between 17 to 30 years old
ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE(S)
Piano |
DETAILS |
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Travel Covered? | Yes |
Frequency | Biennial |
Cash prizes | $10,000 to $50,000 |
Jury chair(s) | Oksoo Han |
Jury size | 1 to 5 |
Application deadline | December 31, 2017 |
FINALS (live rounds)
September 2018, Seoul, South Korea |
COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC?
✘ Semifinals | ✘ Semifinals streamed |
✘ Finals | ✘ Finals streamed |
Honens International Piano Competition |
![]() ABOUT THIS COMPETITION
The Honens International Piano Competition takes place in Calgary, Canada every three years. The competition searches for an emerging complete pianist-a 21st-century artist for 21st-century audiences. The Honens Prize Laureate is awarded $100,000 CAN and an artistic and career development program valued at a half-million dollars.
MAIN OFFICE
888 10th Street SW
Calgary, Alberta, T2P 2X1
CANADA
WEBSITE
http://www.honens.com
ELIGIBILITY
Pianists of all nationalities, aged 20 to 30 years old on 30 August 2018, with the exception of previous Honens Laureates and professionally managed pianists, are eligible to apply.
ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE(S)
Piano |
DETAILS |
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Travel Covered? | Yes | |
Frequency | Triennial | |
Cash prizes | More than $50,000 | |
Additional prizes | Performances | |
Jury chair(s) | Not provided | |
Jury size | 6 to 10 | |
Application deadline | November 30, 2018 | |
SEMIFINALS (live rounds)
Ten pianists advance to the semifinals to perform solo and collaborative recitals, August 30 to September 3, 2018, Jack Singer Concert Hall, Calgary, Canada |
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FINALS (live rounds)
Three pianists advance to the Finals, September 6 and 7, 2018, Jack Singer Concert Hall, Calgary, Canada |
COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC?
✔ Semifinals | ✔ Semifinals streamed |
✔ Finals | ✔ Finals streamed |
SOCIAL LINKS





The Hong Kong International Piano Competition 2016 |
![]() ABOUT THIS COMPETITION
The competition scheduled to take place in October 2014 was postponed to 2016 due to social unrest in Hong Kong. The postponed Competition will now take place between 26 September and the 11 October 2016. Applicants who are first prize-winners of competitions members of the World Federation of Music Competitions are automatically accepted to participate in the competition and will enter directly into Round II. Travel costs are covered ONLY for those contestants who go on to Round II.
MAIN OFFICE
Room 206 A, 2nd Floor, St. George's Building
No.2 Ice House Street, Central
HONG KONG
WEBSITE
http://www.chopinsocietyhk.org
ELIGIBILITY
Pianists from all over the world whose dates of birth are on or later than the September 27, 1986
ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE(S)
Piano |
DETAILS |
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Travel Covered? | Yes | |
Frequency | Triennial | |
Cash prizes | $10,000 to $50,000 | |
Additional prizes | Performances | |
Jury chair(s) | No single chairman. Chairmanship by College of Jurors | |
Jury size | 11 or more | |
Application deadline | June 1, 2016 | |
Application notes |
Applications to reach the office of the competition any time from now until the 1st of June 2016. Should the apllicant have problems meeting this deadline, he/she should contact our office to agree on an acceptable alternative date. |
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SEMIFINALS (live rounds)
Friday and Saturday, October 7 and 8, 2016, City Hall Concert Hall, Hong Kong |
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FINALS (live rounds)
Sunday and Monday, October 9 and 10, 2016, City Hall Concert Hall, Hong Kong |
COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC?
✔ Semifinals | ✘ Semifinals streamed |
✔ Finals | ✘ Finals streamed |
SOCIAL LINKS


Houston Symphony Ima Hogg Competition |
![]() ABOUT THIS COMPETITION
Named to honor the memory of Miss Ima Hogg, a co-founder of the Houston Symphony, this prestigious competition is designed to identify outstanding young instrumentalists and support their pursuit of careers. Ten musicians will be selected to perform in the semifinals. Four finalists will advance to perform with the Houston Symphony to determine the first-prize winner of $25,000.
MAIN OFFICE
615 Louisiana Street, Suite 102
Houston, TX 77002
UNITED STATES
WEBSITE
http://www.houstonsymphony.org/Education-Community/Aspiring-Musicians/Competitions/ImaHoggCompetition
ELIGIBILITY
Ages 16 to 26 years old; U.S. citizen or student studying at a U.S. college or conservatory; all standard orchestral instruments and piano
ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE(S)
Piano • Strings • Concerto Competition - all orchestral instruments and piano |
DETAILS |
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Travel Covered? | Yes |
Frequency | Annual |
Cash prizes | $10,000 to $50,000 |
Jury chair(s) | Hans Graf |
Jury size | 1 to 5 |
Application deadline | January 22, 2016 |
SEMIFINALS (live rounds)
10 semifinalists, June 4, 2016 at Rice University's Stude Concert Hall, Houston, TX |
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FINALS (live rounds)
Four finalists, June 6, 2016 at Rice University's Stude Concert Hall, Houston, TX |
COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC?
✔ Semifinals | ✘ Semifinals streamed |
✔ Finals | ✔ Finals streamed |
International Art Song Competition Stuttgart 2016 |
![]() ABOUT THIS COMPETITION
The International Art Song Competition Stuttgart is a platform for young singers and pianists to present this difficult and beautiful art form in front of a large audience.
MAIN OFFICE
Internationale Hugo-Wolf-Akademie
Jägerstr. 40
D-70174 Stuttgart
GERMANY
WEBSITE
http://www.lied-wettbewerb.de
ELIGIBILITY
The International Art Song Competition Stuttgart 2016 is open to singers and pianists of all nationalities born after December 31, 1982. Each participant may only enter the competition once. A preliminary jury will decide which candidates will participate in the competition, selecting up to 36 duos from among the registrations that arrive complete and on time. The decisions are final; no explanations will be given. There is no legal recourse. Only duos - consisting of one singer and one pianist - can participate in the competition.
ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE(S)
Piano •
Voice |
DETAILS |
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Travel Covered? | No | |
Frequency | Biennial | |
Cash prizes | €10,000 to €50,000 | |
Additional prizes | Performances | |
Jury chair(s) | Peter Schreier | |
Jury size | 6 to 10 | |
Application deadline | June 20, 2016 | |
SEMIFINALS (live rounds)
Thursday, September 22, 2016 at Konzertsaal, Staatliche Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Stuttgart |
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FINALS (live rounds)
Saturday, September 24, 2016 at Konzertsaal, Staatliche Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Stuttgart |
COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC?
✔ Semifinals | ✔ Semifinals streamed |
✔ Finals | ✔ Finals streamed |
SOCIAL LINKS



International Telekom Beethoven Competition Bonn |
ABOUT THIS COMPETITION
The competition focuses on works by Beethoven from every phase of his creative life. The picture of his music is rounded off with compositions by his predecessors, contemporaries, and successors. Along with the compulsory pieces, candidates may put together a free program to show the jury their individual artistic potential. Final rounds are performed with orchestra.
MAIN OFFICE
c/o Beethovenfest Bonn
Kurt-Schumacher-Str. 3
53113 Bonn
GERMANY
WEBSITE
http://www.telekom-beethoven-competition.de/
ELIGIBILITY
Pianists from all nations, as well as stateless persons, who are between 18 and 32 years old at the time of the competition are eligible.
ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE(S)
Piano |
DETAILS |
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Travel Covered? | Yes | |
Frequency | Biennial | |
Cash prizes | €10,000 to €50,000 | |
Additional prizes | Performances | |
Jury chair(s) | Prof. Pavel Gililov, Artistic Director and Chairman of the Jury | |
Jury size | 6 to 10 | |
Application deadline | May 15, 2017 | |
SEMIFINALS (live rounds)
Rounds one and two and the semifinals will are December 7 to 13, 2017, in Bonn, Germany at Deutsche Telekom Headquarters. |
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FINALS (live rounds)
The final with orchestra and prize-giving ceremony will take part on Decmeber 15, 2017, at the Beethoven Hall in Bonn, Germany. |
COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC?
✔ Semifinals | ✔ Semifinals streamed |
✔ Finals | ✔ Finals streamed |
SOCIAL LINKS


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