Rules and Guidelines

Students and parents are responsible for carefully reading and following the rules below. Failure to abide by these rules will result in disqualification of the applicant. 

CATEGORIES

There are 7 different Categories:

  • Category A1, A2: ages 6-9  ⇒ Category A is divided into two subcategories according to repertoire level* and years of piano study in order to create a fairer competition.

  • Category B1, B2: ages 10-13  ⇒ Category B is divided into two subcategories according to repertoire level* and years of piano study in order to create a fairer competition.  

  • Category C: ages 14-16

  • Category D: ages 17-18

  • Category E "Amateur Pianists": ages over 19 (no upper age limit), open to anyone who does not hold and is not currently pursuing a major or minor degree in Piano Performance or under professional management. Students who are enrolled in other university music programs (for example: music education, composition, conducting, etc.) are welcome to participate in this category.
 *The repertoire levels of Categories A1, A2, B1 and B2 are set according to the Royal Conservatory of Music Piano Syllabus. If the applicant or applicant's teacher is not familiar with this program, specific examples of repertoire are given below and can be used to decide the applicant's level.

All ages are calculated by year. The participants' category is determined by their age as of December 31, 2023 (for example, if the participant's birthday is on May 2012, she/he will turn 11 years old in 2023, and that will be considered the official age to enter the competition).

The repertoire rules of this competition follow the standard division of style periods: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionist and Contemporary (20th-21st centuries).

Repertoire pieces cannot be arranged or simplified (except for method book pieces allowed in Category A1) and they cannot be in styles outside of the standard piano repertoire (like Pop or Jazz).

When presenting a Sonata, Sonatina, Suite, or other collections of pieces, the participants must choose only one of the movements or pieces. Preludes and Fugues can be played together as one work (stand-alone Preludes or Fugues will also be accepted). When presenting a set of Variations they must be played entirely.

The Performance time indicated for each category is the maximum length accepted. There is no minimum time requirement: performances will be judged based on the quality of performance, not their length. Recordings that substantially exceed the time limit of their category will not be accepted.


Category A1

 Ages 6-9, with less than 2 years of piano study AND performing repertoire at or below RCM Level 1

  • Repertoire: 2 pieces of any style, must be memorized

  • Performance time:  up to 5 minutes

Examples of RCM Level 1 repertoire:
⇒ W.A.Mozart: Minuet in F Major K.2  
⇒ L.v.Beethoven: Écossaise in Eb Major WoO86
⇒ J.Krieger: Minuet in A Minor (from Partita No. 6 in B flat Major)
⇒ F.J.Haydn: German Dance in D Major, Hob. IX:22, no. 2

Any repertoire below the level of these pieces is acceptable for this category

Piano method book pieces (for example, Alfred, Bastien, Faber, etc.) are allowed in this category.


 Category A2

 Ages 6-9, with more than 2 years of piano playing AND performing repertoire at or above RCM Level 2

  • Repertoire: 2 pieces from different style periods, must be memorized

  • Performance time: up to 8 minutes
Examples of RCM Level 2 repertoire:
⇒ P.I.Tchaikovsky: The Sick Doll (from Album for the Young, op.39 no.7)
⇒ R.Schumann: Soldier’s March (from Album für die Jugend, op. 68, no. 2)
⇒ D.Kabalevsky: Scherzo (Twenty-four Pieces for Children, op. 39, no.12)
⇒ J.P.Rameau: Menuet en rondeau (Minuet in Rondo Form) (from Pièces de clavecin,1724)

Any repertoire above the level of these pieces is acceptable for this category

Piano method pieces are not allowed in this category.



 Category B1

 Ages 10-13, with less than 3 years of piano study AND performing repertoire at or below RCM Level 3
  • Repertoire: 2 pieces from different style periods, must be memorized

  • Performance time: up to 8 minutes

Examples of RCM Level 3 repertoire:
⇒ C.Petzold (attr. to J.S.Bach): Minuet in G Major Anh.114 (from Notenbuch der Anna Magdalena Bach) 
⇒ M.Clementi: Sonatina in C Major, op.36 no.1 (one movement)
⇒ J.F.Burgmüller: Arabesque (from Vingt-cinq études faciles et progressives, op. 100, no.2)
⇒ J.S.Bach (attr.): Musette in D Major Anh.126 (from Notenbuch der Anna Magdalena Bach)

Any repertoire below the level of these pieces is acceptable for this category

Piano method book pieces are not allowed in this category. 


Category B2

Ages 10-13, with more than 3 years of piano study AND performing repertoire at or above RCM Level 4
  • Repertoire: 2 pieces from different style periods, must be memorized

  • Performance time: up to 10 minutes. 

 Examples of RCM Level 4 repertoire:
⇒ R.Schumann: The Wild Horseman (from Album for the Young, op.68, no.8)
⇒ G.F.Handel: Air in B flat Major, HWV 471
⇒ L.v.Beethoven: German Dance in E flat Major no. 9 (from Twelve German Dances, WoO13)
⇒ M.Clementi: Sonatina in G Major, op.36 no.2 (one movement)

Any repertoire above the level of these pieces is acceptable for this category


Piano method book pieces are not allowed in this category.

Category C

Ages 14-16 
  • Repertoire: 2 pieces from different style periods, must be memorized
  • Performance time: up to 15 minutes


Category D

Ages 17-18*
  • Repertoire: 3 pieces from at least 2 different style periods**, must be memorized
  • Performance time: up to 20 minutes
*Applicant cannot be pursuing a major or minor degree in Piano at college level. Arts high school students are allowed.
**For example: 2 pieces from the Baroque period and 1 from the Romantic, or 3 pieces from 3 different style periods (Baroque, Classical, and Romantic).


Category E: Amateur Pianists

Ages 19 and up (no upper age limit)*
  • Repertoire: 2 pieces from any style period**. Memorization is not required.
  • Performance time: up to 15 minutes
*Amateur Pianists' category is open to anyone over 19 years old who does not hold and is not currently pursuing a major or minor degree in Piano Performance or under professional management. Students who are enrolled in other university music programs (for example: music education, composition, conducting, etc.) are welcome in this category.
**Both pieces can be from the same style period.

PRIZES

Cash prizes will be awarded to the first prize winners of each category. 2nd and 3rd prizes will receive diploma certificates. In addition, all participants will receive written comments from the judges and certificates of participation.

  • Category A1 -- 1st prize: $70
  • Category A2 -- 1st prize: $90
  • Category B1 -- 1st prize: $90
  • Category B2 -- 1st prize: $110
  • Category C -- 1st prize: $120
  • Category D -- 1st prize: $140
  • Category E -- 1st prize: $120

    DEADLINES

    • Application deadline: January 10th
    • Video Submission Deadline: January 20th

    APPLICATION FEES

    • Category A1: $45
    • Category A2: $50
    • Category B1: $50
    • Category B2: $55
    • Category C: $60
    • Category D: $65
    • Category E: $60

    Application fee will not be refunded under any circumstances.
     Payments will be processed via PayPal.

    RESULTS

    Winners will be announced on February 28, 2023. This announcement will be live on the SCIPC YouTube channel and will be followed by an online stream of the 1st prize winners' video performances. Following this online event, the results and performances will be posted on this website. (Note: the 1st prize winners' videos will remain posted until February 28, 2024).

    All participants will receive written comments from the judges via email within one week of the results being announced.

    VIDEO SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

    • The cover sheet provided below needs to be printed and be visible in each video. The performer can hold it up to the camera before playing, or it can be positioned in a place that remains visible throughout the performance. This is very important because it proves that the recording is made solely for the purpose of this competition. Please open one of the following links and print it from your web browser. It can be printed in Color or Black&White.

    Open cover sheet in PDF formatOpen cover sheet in JPG format

    • All recordings should show the performer's face and hands.
    • Applicants should submit separate Youtube links for each piece. Edits and cuts to individual pieces are not allowed.
    • Include your name, composer, title, and category in the title of the video.  Example: "Martha Argerich - Chopin: Etude in C major, Op.10 No.1. Category D"
    • Youtube videos should be set as unlisted or public so they can be accessed by the judges (note - videos listed as "public" will be accessible by anyone).
    • Videos will never be shared with anybody apart from the judges and the SCIPC Team. However, 1st prize winners' videos will be displayed publicly on this website and the SCIPC YouTube channel until February 2024.
    • Applicants will not be judged on the quality of their instrument or recording equipment. However, we strongly encourage applicants to record on the best available instrument and equipment. Electronic keyboard recordings will be accepted.

    ADDITIONAL RULES

    • 1st prize winners from previous years cannot compete again in the same category.
    • Late applications will not be accepted.
    • Changes to the participant's submitted repertoire will only be allowed before January 5th and should be notified by email (info.scipc@gmail.com).
    • Recordings that substantially exceed the time limit for their category will not be accepted.
    • Decisions of the judges are final.
    • Application fee will not be refunded under any circumstances.