Eligibility

 

The competition is open to all pianists age 18 and under. All contestants will compete in two divisions determined by their age. 

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Junior Division: Ages 10 – 14

Senior Division: Ages 15 – 18

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Age requirements apply to applicant’s age on date of the Live Final Round of the competition.

 

Location

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Preliminary Round: Online video submission by registration deadline. 

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Final Round: Live performance at Arizona State University

School of Music, Katzin Concert Hall. 

50 E. Gammage Parkway, Tempe, AZ 85281

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Awards

Winners in each division will receive an award certificate and a cash award in the amount of:

Juniors                           Seniors             

1st Prize: $500                1st Prize: $800   

2nd Prize: $300               2nd Prize: $500  

3rd Prize: $200                3rd Prize: $300  

Finalist: $100                  Finalist: $100  

• In addition to the cash awards, first prize winners of both divisions will be featured in a Winners Recital at Katzin Concert Hall at Arizona State University at the 14th Steinway/Avanti Competition and Festival in 2025. 

• Finalists who do not obtain a prize will have the opportunity to perform in a masterclass for a member of the jury on Sunday, March 3, 2024. 
   

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Repertoire Requirements

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Junior Division - 15 minutes maximum

At least TWO (2) stylistically contrasting pieces representing two different periods of music history from the standard published classical repertoire for solo piano.

 

Senior Division - 20 minutes maximum

At least THREE (3) stylistically contrasting pieces representing three different periods of music history from the standard published classical repertoire for solo piano.

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Repertoire Guidelines

• No original compositions and improvisations are permitted.

• Repeats may be taken or omitted at the performer’s discretion; cuts are not permitted.

• Only complete, unabridged solo piano works in the original form and key will be accepted; no concertos, or arrangements may be used.

• Transcriptions by composers such as Liszt, Busoni are acceptable, but please submit their names to the committee before you commit yourself, so that the Competition maintain its level of artistry.

• Individual movements of multi-movement works that can be performed as musical units are permitted.

• All performances are to be from memory and must stay within the time guidelines listed above.

• Contestants may perform their program in their preferred order.

• While no minimum performance time is required, the chosen program must be representative for its age division and demonstrate variety of style, tempo, and character.

• The jury reserves the right to stop a performance if it exceeds the time limit for the respective division.

• No repertoire changes allowed after registration closes.

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Application Procedure

 

• All applicants must submit complete application at www.avantistudents.org by the deadline February 3, 2024. Application page will be closed at midnight.

• A non-refundable $40 application fee must be paid at the time of application submission.

• No late applications will be accepted.

• YouTube video link of the applicant's Preliminary Round performance should be included in the application. Detailed requirement for the video submission is outlined int he following section. 

• A confirmation message will be sent once the complete application is received.

• 6 finalists will be selected for each division to perform live on Saturday, March 2, 2024. 

• Selected finalists will be notified by email by February 11, 2024. All finalists are requested to confirm participation in the Live Final Round by February 14, 2024.

• For questions and clarifications of repertoire requirements and for any other questions, please email to competition@avantistudents.org.

 

 

 

Preliminary Round Video Submission Guidelines

 

• A YouTube video link of the contestant's performance should be submitted in the application. Please ensure the link is functional and unrestricted for the jury members to view starting February 4, 2024 through February 11, 2024.  

• All videos must be uploaded by registration deadline. 

• Non-functional links and/or videos uploaded after the registration deadline will result in automatic disqualification. 

• The entire required repertoire must be recorded in one continuous uncut take without post editing. Videos that do not meet this requirement will be automatically disqualified.

• The video must contain all pieces listed in the application. 

• The contestant's entire side profile should be visible in the video frame. 

• Contestants are encouraged to submit videos of high sound/video quality. 

• Conventional dress code for public performance is expected in video recording. 

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General Regulations

 

• Live Final Round will be open to the public. 

• All finalists should bring one published score AND two additional photocopies of each piece from the chosen repertoire on the day of the competition. Contestants without the required scores may be disqualified. 

• No video or audio recording is allowed at the competition.

• No contestant, teacher, parent, or audience member should approach the jury members at any time during the competition.

• Each contestant, their teacher, and parents must abide by all requirements and deadline. Non-compliance will result in disqualification.

• Contestants may not reveal their names or their teachers’ names to the jury.

• Contestants are expected to dress appropriately and to conduct themselves at all time in a professional manner.

• Only contestants will be allowed in the green room area on the day of the Final Round. 

• All decisions by the jury are final.

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