Film 2 videos of your performance (s) – 2 videos of contrasting pieces for solo piano from two different eras of classical music including Baroque, Classical, romantic and 20th Century must be performed memorized and submitted with your YouTube link.

• Submissions must contain the applicant’s name and complete title of the performing piece.
• Recordings must be performed in one continuous stream without edits or alterations.
• The performer’s entire body should be clearly visible throughout the duration of the recording.
• No music sheets, books or additional materials should be on the music stand.
• Videos should be submitted through YouTube following the instructions below. Other platforms won’t be accepted.
• Performers and accompanists should be dressed professionally. Casual attire and/or sportswear is not permitted.
• YouTube links must have the proper settings (as described below): Video manager → Videos → Basic info → from the drop-down menu, please choose “Public” or “Unlisted” (do not choose “Private”).

VIDEO SUBMISSION AND REGISTRATION DEADLINE: MARCH 25, 2025
Scan QR Code to register

IMPORTANT DATES

• January 1 - March 25, 2025
  Registration
• March 29 - 30, 2025
  Competition Auditions
• April 28 - May 3, 2025
  Winner's Celebration Concert
• The committee has the final right to adjust the categories and classes.

COMPETITION RULES AND REGULATION

Auditions will be conducted in the following ways:

• Online auditions via video submissions for Vancouver/Calgary/Ottawa regions.
• Students, teachers, parents and audience members should not approach the judges for any reason before or during the competition.
• Contestants should wear their best performance attire.
• STEINWAY PIANO GALLERY CANADA reserves the right to photographs, records, or videos submitted by contestants and winners for usage in marketing material. No extra fee will be paid to the contestants.
• By entering the competition, registrants automatically agree to accept and abide by these rules and regulations.
• STEINWAY PIANO GALLERY CANADA reserves the right to the interpretation of the Terms and Conditions of the regulations.

Divisions and Repertoire requirements

Two contrasting pieces for solo piano from two different eras of classical music including Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Twentieth Century must be performed memorized. Original compositions and improvisations are not permitted.

Based on age as of January 1, 2025

• Division I: AGED 6 AND UNDER (two videos total 6 minutes max)
• Division II: AGED 7 - 9 (two videos total 8 minutes max)
• Division III: AGED 10 - 13 (two videos total 10 minutes max)
• Division IV: AGED 14 - 18 (two videos total 12 minutes max)

PRIZES & MARKS

• Awards marks scale:
  Overall: the participant with the highest mark in each division
  Gold: 87% and above
  Silver: 80-86%
  Bronze: 77-79%
  Merit: 76% and under
• Five awards for each division in all regions: Overall, Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Merit.
• Awards ceremony and winners concert.
• Professional adjudicators
• All winners will receive a participation certificate. Gold, Silver and Bronze winners will receive a medal and merit winners will receive a ribbon. Overall will receive a trophy.
• The opportunity to be nominated to apply for Steinway Standards of Excellence Awards for Young Artists.
• The opportunity to be nominated to apply for Steinway Young Artist for those winners aged 16 and over.

JUDGING

Contestants will be graded on the following criteria, using a rating scale of 1-20 for each scoring category for a total of 80 in full scores:

• Musicality and artistry: Students who score well will not simply play their selected pieces cleanly, but will demonstrate an appropriate understanding of aspects of performance including artistic and stylistic interpretation. Judges will look for students who exhibit attention to details of musicality such as phrasing, dynamics, touch, and shaping, and who can elevate their performance from merely playing the written notes, to giving a dynamic and engaging performance.
• Technical mastery: Students who score well will demonstrate that they can meet the technical requirements of their selected pieces. They should be able to comfortably navigate the technical challenges of the literature. Their performance should be free of major note or fingering errors. Students should look to utilize an appropriate tempo and, when required, clean pedaling.
• Adherence to the score: Students who score well will demonstrate a nuanced understanding of the composers’ intent in both pieces they perform. Their performances should reflect instructions given by the composer in the score including (but not limited to) tempo, style, pedaling, dynamic markings, etc., as well as customs of the period in which their selected piece was written.
• Stage presence: Students should demonstrate a high level of professionalism throughout their video recording. Students who score well will display both confidence and charisma, whether it is their first time participating in a competition, or they are more experienced. This includes appropriate performance attire.

There are two judges assigned to each marking category (full mark is 20). These categories are listed above. Divide the categories total score (full marks for all 4 categories are 80 x 2 titles =160) by 160 and you get the percentage of the score by a judge. The average score of 2 judges will be used for determining the placement of the performer. 87% and above is gold award, 80-86% is silver award, 77-79% is bronze award and 76% and under is merit award. The highest mark achiever in each division will be the overall award winner.

ADJUDICATORS:

• Dr. Leonard Gilbert - View bios here
• Dr. Adam Piotr Zukiewicz - View bios here

Enquiry:

• Vancouver: (604) 685-8471
• Richmond: (604) 273 -6661
• Coquitlam: (604) 941-8447
• Langley: (604) 532-8303
• Victoria: (250) 383-5222
• Calgary: (403) 460-7888
• Ottawa: (613) 842-8388