Eisteddfodau, Competitions, Masterclasses etc.!
A list of various eisteddfodau, competitions, masterclasses etc. - mainly for piano. Please let me know if there are more to add!
2025
All dates in AQUA are confirmed for 2025. Information in BLACK is from previous year(s).
JANUARY
3MBS The Talent - Season 1, 2025
deadline: 5 January in 2024
Age: 12-25 years
FEBRUARY
Marten Bequest Travelling Scholarships
deadline: 6 February in 2024
Website: https://creative.gov.au/investment-and-development/the-marten-bequest-scholarships/
NB: open to musicians 21-35 years of age for travel interstate/overseas
MARCH
4th International Piano Competition "Jeune Chopin" for Children and Youth - 27-31 March (Switzerland)
deadline: 22 December
Three age categories: I (12 and under); II - 15 and under; III - 18 and under
Website:https://jeunechopin.com/
Northern Lights Piano Festival and Competition - 10-30 March (ONLINE)
deadline: 20 February
Nine age categories (including Open age) and 26 Repertoire categories
Website:https://www.northernlightspiano.com/
London International Chopin Competition for Young Pianists 2025 (UK)
deadline: 31st December
Pianists up to 19 years of age
Preliminary Round via video. Semifinal/Final Rounds in London 3rd-4th March 2025
Website: https://www.li-cc.org/
International Competition for Young Pianists Kronberg 2025 - 21-23 March (Germany)
deadline: 11 January
Age 6-20 years
Website:https://piano-competition-kronberg.de/en/
APRIL
11th "Brin d'herbe" Competition - live rounds 10-13 April (France)
deadline: 4 February
Website:https://oci-piano.com/en/evenements/junior-competitions-en/
Pianists: Age up to 18 years
Palm Springs International Piano Junior Competition 2025 - live rounds 11-21 April (USA)
deadline: 15 November 2024
Website:https://psipc.org/2025-junior-competition/
Pianists: Age 13-17
3rd Nordic Junior Piano Competition 2025 - 12-13 April 2025 (Sweden)
deadline: video application 28 February
Website:https://www.nordicpianointernational.com/
Pianists: Age 13-17
Sydney Eisteddfod (NSW) – April to August (Piano: 5 July - 08 October)
(deadline: video upload for some sections - 29 April - piano)
Website: https://sydneyeisteddfod.com.au/
Piano Sections: HERE
MAY
Steinway 2025 National Online Competition – May to June
(deadline: 23rd June in 2024
Website: HERE
Piano sections: 23rd June
City of Toowoomba Eisteddfod (QLD) – Piano 9th-19th May
(deadline: 27th February in 2024
Website: https://toowoombaeisteddfod.org.au/
Piano Sections: HERE
Burdekin Junior Eisteddfod (QLD) – Piano 13th-15th May in 2024
(deadline: 1st March in 2024
Website: https://burdekinjunioreisteddfod.com.au/
Piano Sections: https://burdekinjunioreisteddfoddotcomdotau.files.wordpress.com/2024/01/music-syllabus-2024.pdf
Cowra Eisteddfod (NSW) – Piano 15th to 17th May
(deadline: 7th March)
Website: http://cowraeisteddfod.com.au/entries/
Piano Sections: Syllabus downloadable here
Bendigo Competitions Society (VIC) - Piano 18-19 May
(deadline: TBC)
Website: https://www.bendigocomps.org.au/
Boroondara Eisteddfod (VIC) – from May to late July
(deadline: 8th May) - Registrations open 20th March
Website: https://www.boroondara.vic.gov.au/recreation-arts/boroondara-arts/whats/boroondara-eisteddfod
Piano Sections: HERE
Border District Eisteddfod (QLD) – Commencing 20th May
(deadline: 22nd March)
Piano: TBC
Website: http://www.borderdistricteisteddfod.org.au/
Music Sections: HERE
Annual Centralian Eisteddfod (Alice Springs, NT) – 18th - 30th May
(deadline: 24th March)
Website: https://www.centralianeisteddfod.org/
Piano sections: 20th - 25th May
Launceston Competitions (TAS) – Instrumental - 28th May - 7th June
(deadline: 22nd March)
Website:https://launcestoncompetitions.org/
Music Section Details: Instrumental: HERE
WPTA Competition (Finland/Online) – Piano
(deadline: 31st May)
Website:https://www.wpta.info/finland/ipc/
Music Section Details: Rules: HERE
Franco Margola International Music COmpetition (Italy) – Piano
(deadline: 20th May)
Website:https://www.francomargolacompetition.it/
Also: chamber music etc. No age limit
JUNE
Lev Vlassenko Piano competition (QLD) – June-July
Age: 16-30 or 12-17 (Young competition)
deadline: 5 April
Website: HERE
Melbourne Recital Centre Baroque Competition (VIC) – 16th June
Age: 17 and under
deadline: 1st May
Website: HERE
Hamilton Eisteddfod – 3rd to 8th June
(deadline: 1st April)
Website: https://hamiltoneisteddfod.org.au/
Music Section Schedule: https://hamiltoneisteddfod.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Hamilton-Eisteddfod-2024-Music-Schedule.pdf
Forbes Eisteddfod (NSW) – 17th to 28th June
(deadline: 5th May)
Website: https://www.forbeseisteddfod.com.au/
Piano Sections: 17th to 28th June
Ringwood Eisteddfod (VIC) – 7th - 10th June
(deadline:now)
Website: https://ringwoodeisteddfod.org.au/
Music Sections: Piano 7th - 10th June
City of Warrnambool Eisteddfod (VIC) – 17th - 20th June
(deadline: 10th May)
Website: https://www.warrnambooleisteddfod.org.au/
Competition Sections (Instrumental): 13th - 16th June
Bluescope WIN Wollongong Eisteddfod (NSW) – Piano: 15th-16th June
(deadline: 28th March)
Website: https://www.wollongongeisteddfod.com.au/
Competition Syllabus: HERE
Mildura Eisteddfod (VIC) – 30th May - 20th June
(deadline: March)
Website: http://www.milduraeisteddfod.com.au/
Piano Sections: 1st - 3rd June
Adelaide Eisteddfod (SA) – Piano 10th - 26th June
(deadline: 13th April)
Website: https://sacoment.com/aes/eisteddfod/
Piano Sections: HERE
Steinway 2023 National Online Competition – 1st - 31st May
(deadline: 31st May)
Website: HERE
Burnie City Eisteddfod (TAS) – Music: 22nd to 28th June
(deadline: - 15th April)
Website: https://www.burnieeisteddfod.com.au/
Music Sections: HERE
Kaufman Music Center 2024 International Youth Piano Competition (USA) - 26 to 28 June 2024
Deadline: 13 February
Website:https://www.kaufmanmusiccenter.org/kc/about/youth-piano-competition/
JULY
Lyon International Piano Competition (France) – 4th to 8th July in 2023
(deadline: 1st April)
Website: International Piano Competition of Lyon (France) (gpipl.fr)
Music Section Details: Age 16-35 - 1st round online video, remainder in-person
Melbourne International Piano and Strings Festival Competition (ONLINE)
(deadline: TBC was 17th July in 2022) Next in 2025
Website: https://www.iamusica.org
Application page: Next in 2025
NB - Open age category available in 2022
Australian Youth Classical Music Competition (Geelong, VIC) – May to July
(deadline: 12th May -Regional; 9th June - National)
Website: https://www.aycmc.org.au/
17 to 25 years of age via video submissions
1st prize Geelong residents - $2,000
1st prize National - overseas travel scholarship worth $20,000
Brescia Talent International Summer Courses (Italy) – 14th - 19th July (Kenji will be there)
deadline: 30th May
Website:https://www.talentsummercourses.it/
Any age active or passive participation. Fees: Active EUR570 / Passive EUR275
Active participants receive at least four lessons during the week, as well as the opportunity to enter performance and recording competitions.
Active participants will have access to at least two hours of practice room time daily.
Recording Prize Information: https://www.talentsummercourses.it/recording-production-prize
Concerto Audition Information: https://www.talentsummercourses.it/soloist-orchestra-concerto-audition
Competition Information: https://www.talentsummercourses.it/talent-summer-international-competition
Application Form: HERE
Australian Concerto and Vocal Competition (QLD): 17th - 21st July
(deadline: 13th May)
Open section: 1st prize $4000
Website: https://acvc.com.au/
Competition Sections: HERE
Wimmera Music Eisteddfod (Horsham, VIC) – 26th - 27th July
(deadline: TBC)
Website: https://www.wimmeraeisteddfod.com/
Competition Sections: tbc
Sydney Eisteddfod (NSW) – April to August (Piano: 5 July - 08 October)
(deadline: 29 April - piano)
Website: https://sydneyeisteddfod.com.au/
Piano Sections: HERE
6th International Piano Island Competition (Singapore) - 29 July - 01 August
Deadline: 15th May
Website: https://www.pianoislandfestival.com/competition
SEPTEMBER
MozArte International Piano competition (Germany) – 2nd-7th September
(deadline: 31st July)
Website (Professional U32): https://www.mozarte-aachen.com/professional
Website (Junior 6-17): https://www.mozarte-aachen.com/junior
Townsville Eisteddfod (QLD) – 3rd - 21st September
(deadline: 3rd June)
Website: http://townsvilleeisteddfod.org/
Instrumental Sections: Piano: 5-11 September
Eisteddfod By The Bay (Melbourne, VIC) – 25th May - 15th September
(deadline: Piano - 16th August)
Website: https://www.eisteddfodbythebay.com.au/
Piano Sections: 8th, 14th - 15th September https://www.eisteddfodbythebay.com.au/pianoforte
Full Schedule: HERE
PolMUsicA Polish Music Competition – 15th September to 6th October
(deadline: 10th September)
Website: https://www.polmusica.com.au/
Instrumental Sections: 17 years and under
Video auditions due 10th September. Semi Finals 22/24 September (NSW/VIC). Finals 5th October (Sydney)
Preston Youth concerto Competition (VIC) – FINALS: 8th September
(deadline: 24th April)
Website:https://prestonsymphony.org.au/about-us/youth-concerto-competition
5th Zhuhai International Mozart Competition for Young Musicians (Zhuhai, China) – 8th - 21stSeptember
(deadline: 4th May)
Three categories for piano and violin; A (12 and under), B (13-16 years) C (17-23 years)
Website:http://en.zhmozart.org/index.html
3rd Singapore International Music Competition for for Piano and Violin (ONLINE - Singapore)
(deadline: 30th September)
Gala concert 26th December 2024
Website:https://simcsg.com/
Musical Society of Victoria David Henkels Composition Award - U25 Composition
(deadline: 30th September)
Website:https://www.msv.org.au/events-1/david-henkels-composition-award-2024
OCTOBER
Geoffrey McFerran Young Victorian Piano Competition –21st October
(deadline: 18th August)
Website: https://www.vmta.org.au/eventdetails/19131/geoffrey-mcferran-young-victorian-piano-competition
NOVEMBER
Bangkok Young Piano Talents competition 2024 – 3rd - 4th November
(deadline: 10th October)
Website: https://www.dmmusic.org/event/2024/bangkok-young-piano-talents-competition-2024.html
DECEMBER
Sauter Piano Competition (National) - 3rd December
Website: tbc
VARIOUS or TBC
Hephzibah Menuhin Memorial Awards (VIC) (deadline: tbc)
Website: https://www.msv.org.au/index.php/Current-Awards
Musical Society of Victoria (MSV) Awards - various dates (deadline: various)
Website: https://www.msv.org.au/index.php/Current-Awards
(you will need to become a member of MSV to participate in the competitions and various concerts)
Geoffrey Parsons Award (SA) - usually September (deadline: usually June)
Website: https://accompanist.org.au/event-infoforms/the-geoffrey-parsons-award/
Brochure: HERE
Application Form: HERE
Other
The Geelong Eisteddfod - no update since 2019
Website: https://www.facebook.com/GeelongEisteddfod/
West Gippsland Performing Arts Competition - usually July to August
Discontinued in 2022
Website: http://www.wge.org.au/
Biloela Eisteddfod (QLD) – CANCELLED 2024
(deadline: cancelled in 2022 and 2023)
Website: https://www.biloelaeisteddfod.org.au/
Competition Sections: N/A
2021 Young Performers Awards (National) - April to November (deadline: 14th April)
Website: https://youngperformersawards.org
Sydney Piano Lovers' Competition – TBC (unlikely in 2024)
(deadline: TBC 20th June)
Website: https://www.thesydney.com.au/other-competitions/the-sydney-piano-lovers-competition/
NB - this is for amateur pianists aged 30 and over