HOW TO APPLY?
- Record your performance including compositions that you wish to present in Colors of Chopin International Piano Competition. Recording guidelines:
- Set your camera for a good video and audio quality.
- If you use a smartphone or tablet, place it horizontally.
- Make sure your whole silhouette and hands are visible.
- Upload your video to YouTube or similar website and send us a link via the application form.
- You can also use your previously recorded performance.
- You can enter one recorded programme in more than one category. You can also submit separate recordings for participation in different categories. If you do not wish to select any of expert categories, you may enter only the main one.
- The length of the programme in each category should not exceed 15 minutes (except Sonata and Concerto). If this is exceeded, the jury reserves the right to listen only to the time specified in the rules and to judge on that basis only.
CATEGORIES
Choose one of the five main categories:
- Prodigy (9 years old and younger)
- Junior (10-13 years old)
- Senior (14-19 years old)
- Master (20 years old and above)
- Amateur (no formal musical education and without age limit)
* Participant’s age by the current deadline date.
You can choose to enter Expert Categories (this is not obligatory). Each category is a separate competition. It is possible to enter many additional categories as you see fit.
The Entry Fee for the Competition is €65 for the Main Age Category and €35 for each Expert Category.
- According to the selected categories, the form will calculate the price of the application for you.
- After completing the application form, you will be redirected to the secure payment platform to make your entry fee payment.
Expert categories:
Sonata | Rondo |
Waltz | Variations |
Nocturne | Concerto |
Etude | Romantic Music |
Mazurka | Impressionism |
Polonaise | Baroque |
Ballade | Classical Period |
Prelude | Lyrical Piece |
Scherzo | Virtuoso Piece |
Fantaisie / Berceuse / Barcarolle | Own Composition |
Impromptu | 20th and 21st Century |
The categories are structured in such a way that you can participate not only by performing works by Chopin. For example, in the expert category “Sonata”, you can enter also a sonata by Beethoven. In the category “Ballade” you can enter a ballade by Brahms. The same applies to the other categories.
EVALUATION
- Each participant will be evaluated by a panel of esteemed judges, who will score the performance on a scale of 0-25 points. The scoring is divided into several categories:
- Technical proficiency
- Personality
- Musicality
- Interpretation and artistic vision
- Professionalism of preparation
- Each category (including expert categories) is a separate competition, a separate evaluation and a separate diploma.
- You are guaranteed that the Jury will listen to your entire recording.
- The decision of the jury is final and indisputable.
WHAT DO YOU RECEIVE?
Awards
- In each category, Participant who receives 24-25 will be awarded Gold Prize, 22-23 points will be awarded Silver Prize, 19-21 points will be awarded Bronze Prize and 16-18 points will get Laureate Title
- Participants will receive an e-diploma for each category in which they participate.
- Teachers can receive e-certificates on participant’s request.
- An extensive commentary from the jury (if you request it during the application). It is designed to help your further musical development.
- The “Pianist of the Year” award will be given to the winner who presented the highest artistic level in a given year.
- The “Chopinist of the Season” award will be given to the contestant who obtained the highest evaluation of a Chopin’s piece in a single edition of the competition.
- The “Versatile Pianist” award will be given to the contestant who received the highest score in the biggest number of categories.
- Photos and video links of a selected winners will be featured in the Universal Maestro Society Winners’ Gallery
- The jury panel may wish to award Special Prizes (Excellent Musicianship, Technique etc.)
- The Universal Maestro Society offers to interview the best winning artists in Maestro Magazine.
- Social Media exposure
- Online Chopin Gala Concert and other opportunities
DISCLAIMER
The organizers reserve the right to make changes to the regulations if necessary. All changes will be communicated promptly to registered participants.
By taking part in the competition, the participants agree to the possible publication and popularization of their recordings and photos submitted for promotional purposes. The organizers reserve the right to edit and crop the photos submitted for publication on the Internet.