2027 Rules and Regulations

Eligibility

1. ELIGIBILITY

  1. The 2027 Sydney International Piano Competition (The Sydney) is open to pianists of all nationalities aged between 18 and 35 years for the duration of the competition. This means applicants must be born between 25 July 1991 and 10 July 2009 inclusive. No exceptions will be made to this requirement.
  2. Admission to the competition will be limited to a maximum of thirty two competitors.
  3. A reserve list of competitors will also be chosen.
  4. A selection committee of three judges, including Artistic Director Piers Lane AO, will be responsible for the choice of competitors from the applications received.

2. JURY

  1. Artistic Director Piers Lane AO will be the non-voting Chairman of the Jury.
  2. An international voting jury of seven will be assembled.
  3. Members of the jury will be published on the website when announced.

3. APPLICATIONS

  1. Applications open Friday 24 July 2026
  2. Applications close Tuesday 15 December 2026 at 11.59pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT).
  3. A non-refundable application fee of USD $225 is payable.
  4. Applications must be made online via ACCEPTD
  5. The application fee must be paid online through ACCEPTD
  6. Applications will be checked by the Sydney International Piano Competition and formal notice of acceptance or rejection of the application will be sent via email no later than the end of February 2027.
  7. Reserve competitors will be notified when the list of 32 successful applicants is announced.
  8. Once applications are submitted NO changes to repertoire can be made.
  9. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
  10. The Sydney reserves the right to request additional information as required.
  11. All supporting documents must be uploaded and submitted at the time of application.
  12. Supporting documents will be used to promote the competition and the selected 32 competitors in printed and electronic forms.
  13. The applicant grants to The Sydney the right to use any and all submitted documents free of any rights, fees or charges.

4. LATE APPLICATIONS

  1. Late applications will be accepted up to Thursday 31 December 2026 at 11:59pm AEDT
  2. A non-refundable late application fee of USD $300 is payable.
  3. Late late applications will be accepted up to Friday 8 January 2027 at 11:59pm AEDT
  4. A non-refundable late late application fee of USD $375 is payable.
  5. All rules 3d – 3m will apply to late applications.

5. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

  1. All documents must be submitted online at the time of application.
  2. Document(s) must include the following:
    i. Brief biography of no less than 150 words and no more than 500 words.
    ii. Copy of current passport clearly showing all personal details.
    iii. Current professional photographs. Must be 300dpi resolution and a minimum size of 1.8MB. Colour versions only are acceptable.
    iv. Documentation of musical studies.
    v. The names and contact details of at least two musicians of standing who would be happy to support the application if asked.  Email addresses and phone numbers must be provided.
    vi. Documentation of musical activity in the last five years. This may include participation in international piano competitions, awards, concert appearances, programs and reviews, upcoming engagements and any commercial recordings.

6. VIDEO RECORDING REQUIREMENTS

  1. The recording may be a single, unedited recording of the applicant’s entire audition program or the application may be made up of separate unedited recordings of entire works. In all cases, the total time of all recordings submitted must not be less than 20 minutes nor more than 30 minutes and must show the face and hands of the applicant at all times.
  2. The recording must be clearly and visibly labelled on the video screen for 3 – 5 seconds, showing the applicant’s full name and the details of where and when it was made. This can be either a separate slide or an overlay at the start of the video.
  3. To ensure the integrity of the performance, all video submissions must include a continuous, visible frame counter from the beginning to the end of the recording. Videos that do not meet this requirement may not be accepted.
  4. The recording must be of excellent technical quality and preferably recorded professionally.
  5. The recording must be made within 12 months of the submission of the application.
  6. Post production affecting the sound quality is permitted, but must be stated.
  7. The recording must contain solo piano works by at least THREE composers.
  8. One of the works performed may be repeated in the competition.
  9. Movements of works are acceptable for the audition video.
  10. Only solo piano works will be accepted.

Competition Details

8. COMPETITION STAGES AND REPERTOIRE 

All Rounds will be open to the general public, except for the preselection process.

PRELIMINARY ROUNDS

a. The Preliminaries will consist of two Rounds.

All 32 competitors will perform both Round 1 and Round 2 in the Preliminaries.

1. ROUND 1: A 20-MINUTE RECITAL
The repertoire is Own Choice and should contain pieces by at least two composers. 

2. ROUND 2: A 30-MINUTE RECITAL
i. The repertoire is Own Choice and should contain pieces by at least two composers.
ii. Round 2 should contain different composers from Round 1.

b. An Australian piece or pieces must be included in either Round 1 or Round 2. The piece or pieces should total a minimum of 7 minutes. A list of possible works can be found at Australian Music Centre and additional works can be found on our website here. Competitors who choose Australian piece(s) of extreme complexity may seek approval from the Artistic Director to perform from the score.

c. In certain circumstances, individual movements of larger works may be allowed. Please contact The Sydney for approval before submitting your application.

QUARTER-FINALS

Twelve competitors will be selected to advance to the Quarter-Finals.

d. The Quarter-Finals will consist of two Rounds: 

    1. ROUND 1: CHAMBER MUSIC
      i. Competitors should prepare one set of works from each of Group 1 (violin and piano works) and Group 2 (cello and piano works) below.
      ii. When the results of the Preliminaries are announced, Quarter-Finalists will be informed whether they will be performing their chosen pieces from Group 1 or Group 2
      iii. Six Quarter-Finalists will perform works from Group 1 and six Quarter-Finalists will perform works from Group 2.   

Group 1 
Please select ONE pair of pieces from this list to be performed with violinist Jack Liebeck. 

Ludwig van Beethoven: Sonata No.7 for Piano and Violin in C minor Op.30 No.2 +
Fritz Kreisler: Caprice Viennois Op.2
Johannes Brahms: Sonata for Piano and Violin No.3 in D minor Op.108 +
Fritz Kreisler: Liebesleid
Gabriel Fauré: Sonata for Piano and Violin No.1 in A major Op.13 +
Fritz Kreisler: Syncopation
César Franck: Sonata for Piano and Violin in A major +
Frédéric Chopin arr. Pablo de Sarasate: Nocturne in Eb major Op.9 No.2

Group 2
Please select ONE pair of pieces from this list to be performed with cellist Timo-Veikko Valve.

Ludwig van Beethoven:Sonata No.2 for Piano and Cello in G minor Op.5 No.2 +
Anton Webern: from Two Pieces (1899) No.1 in G major
Johannes Brahms: Sonata for Piano and Cello No.1 in E minor Op.38 +
Frédéric Chopin: Largo from Sonata in G minor Op.65
Sergei Prokofiev: Sonata for Cello and Piano Op.119 +
Jean Sibelius: Romance Op.78 No.2
Sergei Rachmaninov: Sonata for Cello and Piano Op.19 +
Alexander Scriabin: Romance

2. ROUND 2: 70-MINUTE SOLO RECITAL
i.  The repertoire is Own Choice and should consist of two or more pieces.
ii. The program should be built around a THEME of the competitor’s choice.    
iii. Competitors will be asked to give VERBAL INTRODUCTIONS to their programs.

    • The introductions may be given at the commencement of the recital or between major groups of pieces
    • The introductions should be in English, but special consideration will be given to performers whose first language is not English
    • The introductions may be just factual, or more personal, serious or witty.
    • The introductions should reveal the competitor’s ability to communicate verbally with an audience, while highlighting the connections between the pieces chosen for the program.

iv. A short encore must be included in the performance. The title must be announced from the stage.
v. The timing of the encore and verbal introductions must be included within the 70-minute time limit.

SEMI-FINAL

Six competitors will be chosen to advance to the Semi-Final.

e. The Semi-Final will consist of one Round

    1. Competitors should choose one concerto by Ludwig van Beethoven from the following list. The concertos will be performed in their string quintet versions. The solo piano parts remain unchanged from the original orchestral versions.
Concerto No.1 in C major Op.15
Concerto No.2 in Bb major Op.19
Concerto No.3 in C minor Op.37
Concerto No.4 in G major Op.58
Concerto No.5 in Eb major Op.73

FINAL

Three competitors will be chosen to advance to the Final.

f. The Final will consist of one Round

  1. Competitors should choose one concerto from the following list. The concertos will be performed with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra conducted by Benjamin Northey in the Concert Hall of the Sydney Opera House
Béla Bartók: Concerto No.2 in G major Sz.95 BB101
Frédéric Chopin: Concerto No.1 in E minor Op.11
Aram Khachaturian: Concerto in D flat major Op.38
Franz Liszt: Concerto No.2 in A Major S.125
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Any Concerto
Sergei Prokofiev: Concerto No.2 in G minor Op.16
Sergei Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Op.43
 Maurice Ravel: Concerto in G major
 Camille Saint-Saëns: Concerto No.2 in G minor Op.22
Robert Schumann: Concerto in A minor Op.54
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Concerto No.1 in B flat minor Op.23
 Carl Vine: Concerto No.1

9. REPERTOIRE AND PERFORMANCE REGULATIONS 

a. Any applicant who knowingly gives inaccurate or misleading information will be disqualified.  
b. Applicants who have competed in a previous edition of the competition may not submit any piece performed in that competition.
c. Where repertoire is prescribed, applicants must choose from that list.
d. Recital repertoire should not include any works for prepared piano.
e. Overall timings in recital rounds must be adhered to. If competitors exceed the time limit for any round, they will be stopped and may be disqualified.  
f. Repeats may be observed at the competitor’s discretion. Please consider timings when making such decisions.
g. The Australian piece or pieces in the Preliminaries must be published and must total a minimum of 7 minutes in length. Individual movements of sets or sonatas may be played at the discretion of the Artistic Director. Applicants should contact The Sydney before applying to check if their selection meets the required criteria. Transcriptions may be included. A list of possible works can be found at Australian Music Centre and additional works can be found on our website here.
h. Quarter Finalists may not repeat any piece played in the Preliminaries. 
i. A page turner will be provided for Round 1 of the Quarter-Finals  
j. The playing order of competitors will be drawn by May 2027 and competitors will be advised in advance of arrival in Sydney. Competitors will maintain the same playing order throughout the competition, with the possible exception of the finals concertos.
k. The order of appearances in the Final will be at the discretion of the Artistic Director for rehearsal and programming considerations.
l. All works must be played from memory except for Round 1 of the Quarter-Finals and the Australian piece if approved by the Artistic Director.
m. Each solo program should be chosen as a recital, such as would be presented for a public concert, whether it be 20 minutes, 30 minutes or 70 minutes long. Each program should have its own logic and shape, chosen to highlight the competitor’s range and strengths, while demonstrating a developed understanding of program-building and communication with an audience. Intelligent programming will be considered during pre-selection of competitors.
n. No changes are permitted to repertoire after submission of the application
o. During the Quarter-Final recitals, competitors must refrain from making any comments from the stage that are of a political nature or may be construed to be political or potentially divisive in any way. Any competitor breaching this requirement may face immediate expulsion from the competition.
p. All applicants must acknowledge that the personal notes, comments and rankings of individual jury members will remain confidential and will not be shared.

 

10. VISAS, TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATION 

a. Competitors must arrive in Sydney no later than Wednesday 7 July 2027.
b. All entry into Australia and issue of a visa will be at the determination of the Australian Government, Department of Home Affairs.
c. Competitors must complete all VISA paperwork as required by the Department of Home Affairs and provide such paperwork to The Sydney no later than 28 February 2027. The Sydney will apply to the Department of Home Affairs for a VISA on behalf of the competitor
d. Competitors must supply to The Sydney no later than 28 February 2023 a valid health and travel insurance policy for the period they will be in Australia for the Competition. 
e. An airfare contribution will be made by the competition to the value of two thirds of a return economy airfare from the competitor’s nearest international airport. The maximum contribution will be AUD $3,000. Transport to or from the departure airport will not be provided  
f. Accommodation will be provided along with a daily travel allowance for each overnight stay from arrival into Sydney. 
g. Ground transport from competitors accommodation to the competition venues will not be provided. 
h. If eliminated at any stage of the competition, accommodation and living allowances will become the sole responsibility of the eliminated competitor from the start of the following day. Piano Plus will endeavour to try to find billeted accommodation, but no guarantees can be made.
i. All other travel, accommodation and living expenses are the sole reasonability of the competitor. 

11. PIANOS, PRACTICE AND REHEARSALS 

a. Four piano makes will be used during the Competition.
b. Competitors will perform on at least two and up to four different piano makes during the Preliminaries and Quarter Finals of the competition, the order of which will be determined through a public draw in May 2027. 
c. Daily practice facilities will be provided for competitors with some possible limitations on duration.
d. Piano trials and rehearsals for every Round will be provided to competitors, including rehearsal time with chamber music partners and orchestras.  
e. Competitors will be required to participate in certain promotional and publicity activities during the competition but such events will not be excessive  

12. VOTING 

a.  Voting procedures are detailed here.

13. BROADCAST RIGHTS 

a. Competitors will be required to grant The Sydney the right to film, photograph, record, broadcast, live stream, reproduce, transmit, play, show and/or televise as part of a film, online series/platform or television documentary the competitor’s performance(s) in the Competition, for the purpose of promoting the current and future Competition(s), and/or the Arts in Sydney, Australia and internationally.  
b. The competitor grants to The Sydney and its commercial broadcast partners the right to include any recital performance(s) of the competitor as selected or approved by the Artistic Director on any commercial physical and/or digital CD recordings made or authorised by The Sydney. 

14. CONTRACTS AND TAXATION 

a. Successful applicants will be required to agree to a separate Competitor’s Agreement no later than 4 weeks after notification of entry to the competition.  
b. The First Prize Winner will be bound under an exclusive Australian performance contract until 31 December 2028.  
c. All prize monies are taxable under the Australian Taxation Office.
d. The Sydney will assist Competitors to apply for a compulsory Australian Tax File Number and Australian Business Number. 

15. INTERPRETATION 

a. Any interpretation or disputes arising in any part will be read as the rules and conditions contained in English on the official website.
b. These rules may be updated from time to time.
c. As an Australian incorporated entity The Sydney is required to comply with international sanctions laws imposed by Australia.
d. Applicants should assess whether they are subject to any sanctions or restrictions in Australia, including with respect to obtaining an Australian visa to enter the country, before submitting an application. The Sydney can at its own discretion refuse or cancel a competitor’s application to ensure compliance with Australian Law. Where necessary applicants should seek their own legal or immigration advice about this process.
e. The Sydney will not be liable for any liability or loss arising from, and costs associated with, the Competitor’s application for entry into or participation in the Competition, including loss incurred as a result of international conflict, airline disruptions, pandemics or other acts beyond its control, except to the extent caused or contributed to by The Sydney’s negligence, wrongful act, omission or default
f. The Jury’s decision is final and binding. All jury deliberations and voting will remain strictly confidential and will not be released.
g. There will be no appeal process and no correspondence will be entered into. 
g. The law applicable to The Sydney and contractual and other rights shall be the law of the State of New South Wales, Australia.