Music Festivals and Competitions

Benefits of joining music festivals

There are many valuable reasons to take part in competitions and festivals. These events offer a clear goal to work toward and create an environment where we can measure our progress and recognize the results of our dedication. Observing high-level performances by peers can be both motivating and inspiring, often pushing us to aim even higher. Fortunately, a wide variety of these opportunities are available throughout the year.

Why Local Competitions Matter

Local competitions serve as valuable practice opportunities to improve skills, rather than merely collecting medals. Some competitions may lack professional vision or integrity, as they are often launched for personal or business benefits. By focusing on well-structured, credible events, we ensure meaningful growth and recognition for both of them.

When selecting a competition, it’s essential to assess its quality and purpose. A good local competition is defined by:

The opportunity to receive hands-on feedback or a brief lesson from the adjudicator.
The reputation and credentials of the adjudicator.
High standards for award distribution, recognizing only a limited number of top performers.
The competition’s history and credibility.
Policies ensuring that organizers do not allow their immediate students to compete.
The value and opportunities associated with the awards (e.g., cash prizes or significant recognition).
The dedication and extra effort that the competition requires from teachers to participate and support their students.

Not Every “International Competition” Is Created Equal

At the national and international levels, these criteria still apply—with the exception that participants do not receive hands-on feedback or a brief lesson from the adjudicator. We have organized competitions into tiers based on their history, artistic standards, and reputation. Truly reputable competitions are often supported by globally recognized affiliations, such as membership in the World Federation of International Music Competitions or inclusion in the Alink–Argerich Foundation.

It’s important to understand that any organization can create a competition and label it “international,” regardless of its actual credibility or impact. The title alone doesn’t guarantee quality, fairness, or professional value. That’s why careful research into a competition’s background, affiliations, jury, and structure is essential before participating.

INTERNATIONAL (Tier 1)

CHOPIN INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION (Warsaw, Poland)
Founded: 1927	Frequency: Every 5 years	Top Prize: €40,000
Next Competition: October, 2025	Deadline:	Ages:

^{since 2004}

VAN CLIBURN INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION (Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.A.)
Founded: 1962	Frequency: Every 3 years	Top Prize: $100,000 USD
Next Competition: May 21-June 7, 2025	Deadline: October 16, 2024	Ages:18-30

^{since 2007}

QUEEN ELISABETH INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION (Brussels, Belgium)
Founded: 1937	Frequency: Every 4 years	Top Prize: €25,000
Next Competition: May 5-31, 2025	Deadline: November 27, 2024	Ages: 18-30

^{since 2004}

TCHAIKOVSKY INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION (Moscow & St. Petersburg, Russia)
Founded: 1958	Frequency: Every 4 years	Top Prize: up to $130,000 USD
Next Competition: 2027	Deadline:	Ages: 19-32

LEEDS INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION (Leeds, West Yorkshire, England)
Founded: 1963	Frequency: Every 3 years	Top Prize: £30,000
Next Competition: September 8 –18 2027	Deadline: October 31, 2023	Ages:

ARTHUR RUBINSTEIN INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION (Tel Aviv, Israel)
Founded: 1974	Frequency: Every 3 years	Top Prize: $40,000 USD
Next Competition: 2026	Deadline:	Ages: 18-32

^{since 2005}

FERRUCCIO BUSONI INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION (Bolzano, Italy)
Founded: 1949	Frequency: Every 2 years	Top Prize: €30,000
Next Competition: November 20-30, 2024, August 27-September 7, 2025	Deadline: May 15, 2024	Ages: 17-31

^{since 2010}

HAMAMATSU INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION (Hamamatsu, Japan)
Founded: 1991	Frequency: Every 3 years	Top Prize: ¥4,000,000
Next Competition: November 8-25, 2024	Deadline: March 31, 2024	Ages: up to 33

^{since 2001}

SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION
Founded: 1977	Frequency:	Top Prize: $50,000 AUD
Next Competition:	Deadline:	Ages: 18-32

^{since 2015}

INTERNATIONAL (Tiers 1.5-2)

GENEVA INTERNATIONAL MUSIC COMPETITION (Geneva, Switzerland)
Founded: 1939	Frequency:	Top Prize: CHF 20,000
Next Competition:	Deadline:	Ages:

^{since 2007}

INTERNATIONAL PADEREWSKI PIANO COMPETITIO N (Bydgoszcz, Poland)
Founded: 1961	Frequency:	Top Prize: €30,000
Next Competition:	Deadline:	Ages: 16-32

^{since 2004}

I NTERNATIONAL BEETHOVEN PIANO COMPETITION (Vienna, Austria)
Founded: 1961	Frequency: Every 4 years	Top Prize: €30,000
Next Competition: May 16-24, 2025	Deadline: November 1, 2024	Ages: up to 30

^{since 2018}

LISZT UTRECHT INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION (Utrecht, Netherlands)
Founded: 1986	Frequency:	Top Prize: €25,000
Next Competition:	Deadline: September 1, 2024	Ages:

^{since 2001}

INTERNATIONAL JOANN SEBASTIAN BACH COMPETITION (Leipzig, Germany)
Founded: 1950	Frequency: Every 2 years	Top Prize: €20,000
Next Competition:	Deadline: March 13-21, 2025	Ages: 16-32

HONENS INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION (Calgary, Alberta, Canada)
Founded: 1992	Frequency: Every 3 years	Top Prize: $100,000 USD
Next Competition: October 16-24, 2024	Deadline: October 30, 2024	Ages:
QUARTERFINALS 2 to 4 March 2025 in Berlin 17 to 19 March 2025 in New York	SEMIFINALS & FINALS 16 to 24 October 2025 in Calgary

^{since 2010}

SEOUL INTERNATIONAL MUSIC COMPETITION (Seoul, South Korea)
Founded: 1996	Frequency:	Top Prize: $50,000 USD
Next Competition:	Deadline:	Ages:

CHINA INTERNATIONAL MUSIC COMPETITION (Beijing, China)
Founded: 2019	Frequency:	Top Prize: $150,000 USD
Next Competition:	Deadline:	Ages:

MONTREAL INTERNATIONAL MUSICAL COMPETITION (Montreal, Quebec, Canada)
Founded: 2002	Frequency:	Top Prize: $30,000+ CAD
Next Competition:	Deadline:	Ages:

^{since 2010}

CLIBURN INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR PIANO COMPETITION & FESTIVAL
Founded:	Frequency:	Top Prize:
Next Competition: June, 2027	Deadline:	Ages: 13-17

GINA BACHAUER INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS PIANO COMPETITION (Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.A.)
Founded: 1976	Frequency: Every 4 years	Top Prize: $50,000 USD
Next Competition: June 16-29, 2024	Deadline:	Ages: 19–32

^{since 2006}

GRIEG INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION (Bergen, Norway)
Founded: 2000	Frequency:	Top Prize: €30,000
Next Competition:	Deadline:	Ages:

^{since 2004}

HILTON HEAD INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION (Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, U.S.A.)
Founded: 1996	Frequency:	Top Prize: $20,000 USD
Next Competition: March 10-17, 2025	Deadline: September 30, 2024	Ages: 18-30

INTERNATIONAL (Tiers 3-4)

ARTHUR FRASER INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION (Columbia, South Carolina, U.S.A.)
Founded: 2003	Frequency: Every year	Top Prize: $5,000 USD
Next Competition: June 9-15, 2024	Deadline: March 15, 2024	Ages: 13-18

COOPER COMPETITION AT OBERLIN
Founded: 2010	Frequency:	Top Prize: $20,000 USD
Next Competition:	Deadline:	Ages: 13-18

GINA BAUCHER INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR & YOUNG ARTISTS COMPETITION
Founded:	Frequency:	Top Prize: $10,000 USD
Next Competition:	Deadline:	Ages: 11-18

GEORGE GERSHWIN INTERNATIONAL MUSIC COMPETITION (New York City, U.S.A.)
Founded:	Frequency:	Top Prize: $5,000 USD
Next Competition:	Deadline:	Ages:

NEW ORLEANS INTERNATIONAL MUSIC COMPETITION (New Orleans, LA, U.S.A.)
Founded:	Frequency:	Top Prize: $10,000 USD
Next Competition:	Deadline:	Ages:

WASHINGTON INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION (Washington D.C., U.S.A.)
Founded: 1950	Frequency: Every 3 years	Top Prize: $10,000 USD
Next Competition: May, 2027	Deadline: February, 2027	Ages: 18-30

NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION (New York City, New York, U.S.A.)
Founded: 2002	Frequency:	Top Prize: $20,000 USD
Next Competition:	Deadline:	Ages: 16-22

NTD INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION
Founded: 2008	Frequency:	Top Prize: $10,000 USD
Next Competition: October, 2026	Deadline:	Ages: 17-35

PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL MUSIC COMPETITIO N (Palm Springs, California, U.S.A.)
Founded:	Frequency:	Top Prize: $10,000 USD
Next Competition: April 11-21, 2025	Deadline:	Ages: 13-17

ROMA INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION (Rome, Italy)
Founded:	Frequency:	Top Prize:
Next Competition:	Deadline:	Ages:

RUBATO INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITIO N (Oxford, Alabama, U.S.A.)
Founded:	Frequency:	Top Prize:
Next Competition:	Deadline:	Ages:

SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION (San Francisco, California, U.S.A.I)
Founded:	Frequency:	Top Prize: $3,000 USD
Next Competition:	Deadline:	Ages: 4-35

^{since 2022}

SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION (Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.)
Founded: 2008	Frequency: Every 2 years	Top Prize: $3,000 USD
Next Competition:	Deadline: January–May 2026	Ages: Any

SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION (Singapore)
Founded: 2020	Frequency: Every 2 years	Top Prize: $30,000 USD
Next Competition:	Deadline: September 30, 2024	Ages: 16-32

DALLAS INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION (Dallas, Texas, U.S.A.)
Founded: 2013	Frequency: Every 2 years	Top Prize: $2,500 USD
Next Competition: June TBD, 2026	Deadline: December 15, 2025	Ages: 18-35

^{since 2014}

OLGA KERN INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION (Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.A.)
Founded: 2016	Frequency: Every 3 years	Top Prize: $11,000 USD
Next Competition: October 12 to October 19, 2025	Deadline:	Ages: 18-32

PACIFIC STARS INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION (Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.)
Founded: 2022	Frequency: Every Annual	Top Prize: $200 USD
Next Competition: June, 2026	Deadline:	Ages: 18-32

^{since 2022}

ONLINE INTERNATIONAL (Tier 5)

SINGAPORE RAFFLES INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL (Singapore)
Founded: 2014	Frequency: Annual	Top Prize: $2,000 USD
Next Competition: 2026	Deadline:	Ages: 25 and under

^{since 2024}

CRESCENDO INTERNATIONAL MUSIC COMPETITION (U.S.A.)
Founded: 2007	Frequency: Annual	Top Prize: $1,000 USD
Next Competition:	Deadline:	Ages: 3-24

MANHATTAN INTERNATIONAL MUSIC COMPETITION (U.S.A.)
Founded:	Frequency:	Top Prize:
Next Competition:	Deadline: July 5, 2025	Ages:

PACIFIC STARS INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION (U.S.A.)
Founded:	Frequency:	Top Prize: $1,000 USD
Next Competition:	Deadline: August 1, 2025	Ages:

^{since 2022}

GLORY INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION (U.S.A.)
Founded: 2022	Frequency: 4 Times a year	Top Prize:
Next Competition:	Deadline:	Ages:

NATIONAL

CANADIAN MUSIC COMPETITION
Founded:	Frequency:	Top Prize:
Next Competition:	Deadline:	Ages:

NATIONAL CHOPIN COMPETITION
Founded:	Frequency:	Top Prize:
Next Competition:	Deadline:	Ages:

SINGAPORE NATIONAL PIANO & VIOLIN COMPETITION
Founded:	Frequency:	Top Prize: $5,000 USD
Next Competition:	Deadline:	Ages:

U.S.A-NORTHWEST (LOCAL/STATE)

Class Rank 1

Seattle Young Artist’s Music Festival (Seattle, WA, USA)
Founded: 1970	Frequency: Yearly	Top Prize: Concerto Playoff
Competition: March 24-28, 2025	Deadline:	Ages: gr 5-12
Hands-on feedback or lesson opportunity with the adjudicator.	Yes
The reputation and credentials of the adjudicator.	High
Maintains high standards through limited, carefully controlled award distribution.	Yes
Degree of organizer intervention and board-affiliated participation influencing authenticity.	Minimal
Requires additional teacher commitment and support.	Yes

Performing Arts Festival of the Eastside (Bellevue, WA, USA)
Founded: 1986	Frequency: Yearly	Top Prize: Concerto Playoff
Competition: April 22-26, 2025	Deadline:	Ages:
Hands-on feedback or lesson opportunity with the adjudicator.	Yes
The reputation and credentials of the adjudicator.	High	MAX EXAMPLE: In the 2024 Performing Arts Festival of the Eastside, the Piano Solo for Grades 7-8, Class PS.7-8.C had the maximum number of winners, with a total of 7 winners, comprising: 1 First Place 1 Second Place 5 Honorable Mentions
Maintains high standards through limited, carefully controlled award distribution.	Yes
Degree of organizer intervention and board-affiliated participation influencing authenticity.	Minimal
Requires additional teacher commitment and support.	Yes

The Washington State MTNA Student Performance Competition (Ellensburg, WA, USA)
Founded:	Frequency: Yearly	Top Prize:
Competition:	Deadline:	Ages:
Hands-on feedback or lesson opportunity with the adjudicator.
The reputation and credentials of the adjudicator.		MAX EXAMPLE: In the 2024 Washington State MTNA Performance Competitions, the Senior Piano division had the maximum number of winners, with a total of 7 winners, comprising: 1 Winner 1 Alternate 5 Honorable Mentions
Maintains high standards through limited, carefully controlled award distribution.	Yes
Degree of organizer intervention and board-affiliated participation influencing authenticity.	Minimal
Requires additional teacher commitment and support.	Yes

Class Rank 2

Russian Chamber Music Festival (Mercer Island, WA, USA)
Founded: 2008	Frequency: Yearly	Top Prize: Winner’s Concert
Competition:	Deadline:	Ages:
Hands-on feedback or lesson opportunity with the adjudicator.	No
The reputation and credentials of the adjudicator.	Moderate
Maintains high standards through limited, carefully controlled award distribution.	No	MAX EXAMPLE: In the 2024 Russian Chamber Music Foundation competition, the Piano Division for age 8 had a total of 19 winners, comprising: 3 Gold Medalists 4 Silver Medalists 2 Bronze Medalists 10 Honorable Mentions
Degree of organizer intervention and board-affiliated participation influencing authenticity.	Excessive
Requires additional teacher commitment and support.	No

Chopin Northwest Competition (Bellevue, WA, USA)
Founded:	Frequency:	Top Prize:
Competition:	Deadline:	Ages:
Hands-on feedback or lesson opportunity with the adjudicator.	No
The reputation and credentials of the adjudicator.	Moderate
Maintains high standards through limited, carefully controlled award distribution.	No	MAX EXAMPLE: In the 2025 Chopin Northwest Festival, the 10-Year-Old Division had a total of 16 winners, comprising: Gold Medals: 3 recipients Silver Medals: 5 recipients Bronze Medals: 6 recipients Grand Prix Gold Winners: 2 recipients
Degree of organizer intervention and board-affiliated participation influencing authenticity.	Excessive
Requires additional teacher commitment and support.	No

Seattle NW Festivals (Bellevue, WA, USA)
Founded:	Frequency:	Top Prize:
Competition:	Deadline:	Ages:
Hands-on feedback or lesson opportunity with the adjudicator.	No
The reputation and credentials of the adjudicator.	Moderate
Maintains high standards through limited, carefully controlled award distribution.	No	MAX EXAMPLE: In the 2024 Bach Festival International, the AGE 9 AND UNDER LITTLE PRELUDES class had the maximum number of winners, with a total of 30 winners, comprising: 6 Gold Medalists 9 Silver Medalists 9 Bronze Medalists 6 Honorable Mentions
Degree of organizer intervention and board-affiliated participation influencing authenticity.	Moderate
Requires additional teacher commitment and support.	No