Young Pianist Competition

The Application Deadline is May 1, 2024!

Open to high school students ages 13-18, all finalists in the Young Pianist Competition perform a solo recital and solo with the MostArts Festival Orchestra during the festival week. The Grand Prize Winner is invited back to Alfred University for a solo performance during the MostArts Festival the following season. The Grand Prize Winner is also eligible to become a "Young Steinway Artist."

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Congratulations to our 2023 Winners!

$10,000 Grand Prize: Anna Bray, 16 years old from Sterling, VA
$5,000 2nd Prize: Sophia Lin, 16 years old from Falls Church, VA
$2,500 3rd Prize: Emily Qi, 13 years old from Sammamish, WA
$1,500 Judge's Discretionary Award: Landon Fringer, 16 years old from Santa Monica, CA
$500 Merit Certificate: Collin Parker-Szekely, 17 years old, Abington, PA

2019 Young Pianist Competition winner Carey Byron performs and speaks of her MostArts Festival experience.

Eligibility

The MostArts Festival Young Pianist Competition is open to high school pianists ages 13-18 as of the competition date. Applicants must not be under professional management. Applicants must attend a school in the USA.

Application Regulations and Instructions

Applicants interested in being considered must submit a YouTube video along with the completed application form and a non-refundable application fee of fifty US dollars (US $50.00). You may also print out the application form and mail with check or money order made out to "MostArts Piano Competition."
The video must be of high quality. No editing is allowed. The video recording must be made with one fixed camera, mounted on a tripod, focusing on the right profile and hands of the pianist.
All repertoire to be performed in the competition MUST be submitted on the video recording for the preliminary round: Solo Recital and Mozart Piano Concerto movements.

View Required Repertoire
Applicants must submit their respective Mozart Piano Concerto recording with piano accompaniment or with an orchestra.
Recordings must be labeled with applicant's name and repertoire along with respective timings of each composition.
All applications must be received by the application deadline of May 1, 2024.
No changes in repertoire will be permitted past the deadline.
All applicants will be notified in early May.
Finalists will be sent further instructions.

Required Repertoire

The Second and Third Movements of any Mozart Piano Concerto with cadenza if indicated.
Solo Recital Repertoire: Must include one etude of virtuosity by Chopin, Liszt, Scriabin or Rachmaninoff, and at least two contrasting works from two different periods of the contestant's choice not less than 20 minutes nor to exceed 25 minutes.
Compositions for "prepared piano" are not permitted.
All music must be performed by memory for the preliminary/digital media and final round.
Finalists should be prepared to perform all submitted repertoire in concert at the time of competition.

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Housing will be provided for all finalists and their escorts. These accommodations will include dormitory style rooms and meals on campus.
The contestants will have access to good pianos for practice in the Miller Performing Arts Center.
The decision of the judges is final.
The MostArts Festival assumes no responsibility for injuries sustained by the contestant or their escorts during their stay at the festival.
The MostArts Festival reserves the right to use any photographs from the festival competition. There will be a professional photographer present.
The MostArts Festival reserves the right to use any recordings from the competition.
For more information, contact Dr. Lisa Lantz, Artistic Director.