Competition Rules 2026

Application Form: All participants must complete and submit the official application form.
Application Fee: A non-refundable $125 application fee must be paid at the time of submission. The registration fee can be paid with common credit cards via our website. The registration fee cannot be refunded in the event of withdrawal from the competition
Supporting Documents: Participants must provide proof of age and nationality, a recent photograph of professional quality, and a biography.
International/Non- U.S. applicants are responsible for obtaining their travel documents and visas to the USA. Please consult the nearest American Embassy or Consulate for advice. Early submission of the application package is highly recommended, as it may take several weeks to obtain proper travel documents

Preliminary Round: Participants submit a video recording of their performance.
Semi-Final Round: Twelve selected participants perform live in front of a jury.
Final Round: Four finalists perform the required repertoire and a contemporary piece from a live composer. All performances are open to the public. The order of performance will be drawn before each round.

Preliminary Round: A free choice of pieces, but must include one Prelude and Fugue (belonging together) from the “Well Tempered Clavier“, by Johann Sebastian Bach (book 1 or book 2) - Must not exceed 15 minutes.
Semi-Final Round: A varied program including works from at least three different periods. Must not exceed 30 minutes
Final Round: One classical sonata from the choice of the candidate. One major piece from the romantic period or a choice of several pieces. One piece or a choice of pieces from the modern or contemporary period. Pieces from the previous rounds cannot be repeated. A short piece from a living composer will be sent to each candidate one month before the semi-finals. Your selections must not exceed 45 minutes.

Memorization: All pieces must be performed from memory.
Dress Code: Formal concert attire is required for all live performances.
Time Limits: Strict adherence to time limits for each round.
- Preliminary: 15 minutes
- Semi-Finale: 30 minutes
- Finale: 45 minutes
The chairman will terminate any presentation exceeding the given time frame.
During each round candidates may choose the order in which they wish to perform their program.

Jury Composition: The jury will consist of renowned international pianists.
Judging Criteria: Performances will be judged on technical proficiency, musicality, artistry and overall presentation.
Conflict of Interest: Jury members must declare any conflicts of interest and abstain from voting on participants they have taught or have a personal relationship with.
Prizes and Awards
- Monetary Prizes: Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three participants.
- Special Awards: Additional awards may be given for the best performance of a specific composer or piece.
- Certificates: All participants will receive a certificate of participation.
First Prize Winner will be invited to the Piano on the Rocks International Festival, in Sedona, AZ
The jury may determine by unanimous decision that no first prize will be awarded. The second prize will be granted to the top ranking participant instead. The chairman has to justify such a decision publicly.
The decisions of the jury are final. No appeals are permitted.

Travel and Accommodation: Participants are responsible for their own travel and accommodation expenses.
Practice Facilities: Practice rooms will be available for participants during the competition.
Code of Conduct: Participants are expected to conduct themselves professionally and respectfully at all times.
Applications that do not meet the requirements of the competition can be rejected
The organizer of the competition is authorized to photograph, film and make sound recordings and/or digital/electronic recordings at all concerts or events within the period of the competition and to use these recordings for publicity purposes. In particular the organizer reserves the right to authorize radio and TV stations to record and broadcast (e.g. via radio and television, including on-line) all events of the competition. No claims for reimbursement for participants may arise from this.
The competition organizer reserves the right to use selections from the competitions and prize winners’ concerts on a CD and/or DVD, which will serve to publicize the participants and document the competition. Beyond this, the competition organizer reserves the right to release and distribute or permit the distribution on its own or through third parties of contributions to the competition in sound form, on analogue and/or digital sound or data media in any format or process (including as digital downloads via online distributors), either commercially or non-commercially.