Young Artist Piano Competition

    ☛ As of January 1, 2026, applications are fully online!

    Please note: Entry fee refunds cannot be issued once confirmation emails have been sent, as participation details and administrative processing are finalized at that stage.

    In collaboration with Westfield State University Presents the Twenty-Third Annual Young Artist Piano Competitions and Evaluations


    Westfield State University 577 Western Avenue – Westfield, MA

    ENTRY CATEGORIES
    • Age Achievement Competition
    • Length of Study Competition
    • Piano Duet Competition
    • Evaluation Division

    We encourage all New England students to apply.

    Any student that does not bring their sheet music will be automatically disqualified from their category. NO music will be provided at the event.

    Competition Date: TBD



    Age Achievement

    • 1st place Age winners ONLY have the option to perform after receiving their award.


    Requirements: Two contrasting pieces from the following periods: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic, 20th Century/Contemporary.

    1. Ages 5 to 7 years………….two contrasting period compositions not to exceed 5 minutes.
    2. Ages 8 to 10 ………………..two contrasting period compositions not to exceed 7 minutes.
    3. Ages 11-12 …………………..two contrasting period compositions not to exceed 10 minutes.
    4. Ages 13-14…………………….two contrasting period compositions not to exceed 12 minutes.
    5. Ages 15-18……………………two contrasting period compositions not to exceed 15 minutes.
    •  All repertoire must be memorized. Repeats are not allowed. A clean copy of each piece is required, with numbered measures. If contestants exceed time limits they will be asked to cease playing. Contestant will be disqualified for age discrepancy.
    • ***The time limits are for the two pieces together – not each separately.
    • Each contestant will compete within a single age level. The groupings listed above are solely time requirements for different ages, not the age groups you will compete against. The committee, however, does reserve the right to combine 2 age groups if there is low enrollment in those groups.


    Age Achievement Division cannot be combined with Length of Study Division on a single instrument.

    Length of Study Competition

    Requirements: Contestants play a selection of their own choice. The category is determined by how long (years and months) a student has been playing the piano, including study from any and all teachers the student may have had.


    Time Limit is 3 minutes

    1. Early Study………………………………0 months to 1 year
    2. Junior ……………………………………..1 year and 1 month to 2 years
    3. Intermediate.…………………………..2 years and 1 month to 3 years



    Time Limit 4 minutes

    1. Senior.……………………………………3 years and 1 month to 4 years
    2. Advanced.…………………………….. 4 years and 1 month to 5 years
    3. Student Artist Junior.…………… 5 years and 1 month to 6 years



    Time Limit 5 minutes

    1. Student Artist Senior………………..6 years and 1 month to 7 years
    2. Young Adult……………………………….over 7 years
    3. Adult Study.……………………………….21 years of age or older



    All repertoire must be memorized. No simplified arrangements will be accepted. Length of Study Division cannot be combined with Age Achievement Division.


    Evaluation Division

    • Students who do not wish to participate in a competition may signup for an evaluation only.
    • Evaluation students will be evaluated on the performance of one selection of their own choice and will receive an award for seriousness of purpose and effort.
    • Students who wish to enter a competition and have an evaluation as well are welcome to sign up for both.
    •  Evaluation students do not have to memorize their repertoire.


    Duet Competition

    1. LEVEL ONE……………………………………..Length of study up to 2 years
    2. LEVEL TWO…………………………………….Length of study 2-4 years
    3. LEVEL THREE………………………………… Length of study 5- 6 years
    4. LEVEL FOUR …………………………………. Length of study 7+ years


    Level is determined by the average* length of study of the two participants. Repertoire must be memorized original music for piano 4- hands. No simplified arrangements are permitted.

    *Average determined by adding the years of both performers and then dividing by two.

    Judges

    1.  Judges must be provided with clean copies of the piece(s) performed. Measure numbers have to be marked at beginning of each line.
    2.  Judges shall have absolute privacy at all times. No one may speak to them under any circumstances or condition, except for members of the supervisory committee and monitors. Contestants, teachers and parents or friends who violate this rule will cause immediate disqualification of the contestant.
    3. The decision of the judges is final.



    Judges’ Adjudication Sheets With Comments

    • Every participant’s teacher will receive, by PDF in email, a copy of the Judges’ Adjudication sheets within 7 days of the competition.
    • These sheets contain the evaluations and remarks.
    • Students are advised to check with their teachers and request the judges’ comments.


    Awards

    All students who participate in the days events will receive a Certificate of Participation. All competition level winners will also receive a trophy for winning 1st, 2nd, or 3rd Place. Honorable Mentions will be given at the sole discretion of the judges.

    Evaluation participants will receive evaluation certificates and trophies.

    All awards will be presented, on-site in our Award Room immediately after the end of each division.


    Contest Entry Fees

    • Age Achievement Division……………….. $60.00
    • Duet Division……………………………………. $60.00 (per team)
    • Length of Study Division…………………. $50.00
    • Evaluation………………………………………… $30.00



    Incomplete applications or improper payment will be returned.
    On the day of the contest, the contestant must not be over or under the age set forth in rules.

    Handicap Provisions

    Any student or teacher in need of special consideration regarding a handicap issue will be provided for.

    Please let Brianna (telephone: 413-747-0339) know if you have a special need.

    Discrimination Policy

    • Discrimination will not be tolerated.
    • One of the goals of this competition is to promote a positive environment by which the students can learn about themselves and grow musically while learning to compete against others.
    • As such, it will be insisted that everyone involved with this competition (parents, students, teachers, and judges – everyone) is to be gentle, courteous and respectful of each other while at the competition site.
    • This is also an opportunity to show professionalism by choosing proper daytime attire. Concert full dress attire is not necessary.



    THE FOLLOWING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES:

    •  Recruiting of students or parents by teachers.
    • Harassment of students, judges, parents or other teachers by others associated with this competition.



    Disclaimer: The competition site is not responsible for any bodily injury or property damage or loss, by any contestant or visitor during the time they are on the premises in which the competition is held.

    Good Luck!
    We Look Forward To Your Participation.

    Board of Directors: Galina Gertsenzon, Ellen Buoniconti, and Dr. Brianna Buoniconti