Presenting the
A celebration of artistry, technique, and musical expression
The Vanguard International Piano Competition was founded to celebrate young pianists between the ages of 13 and 18, providing a global stage where preparation meets artistry and technique meets passion.
As a fully online competition, participants from anywhere in the world may enter by submitting a video recording of their performance. Competitors will be evaluated on technical proficiency, musicality, interpretation, and stage presence by a distinguished panel of three expert judges.
All finalists' recordings will be shared publicly, making this a true international celebration of the next generation of pianists.
Two opportunities to compete โ pre-register now for either or both seasons
Our inaugural season โ compete in the summer and receive professional written feedback from our panel of three expert judges.
Our second season โ perfect for competitors who want more time to prepare, or who want to compete again after the summer.
Recognition and rewards for the top three performers โ awarded each season
Certificate of Excellence & Medal of Achievement
Certificate of Grand Champion & Trophy & Gold Medal
Certificate of Merit & Bronze Medal
All participants receive a certificate of participation. Prizes are distributed following the final adjudication. Prize structure applies to each season independently.
The competition is open to pianists aged 13 to 18 years old at the time of registration. Participants must register before the stated deadline, submit a complete application, and provide valid proof of age (passport, national ID, or birth certificate).
Competitors may perform any solo piano piece of their choosing. Music may be from any period or style. All repertoire must be performed from memory. Arrangements are permitted.
Competitors must submit a single continuous video recording of their performance, with a maximum duration of 12 minutes. The video must be filmed in good lighting with clear audio. No editing, cuts, or post-processing of the audio or video is permitted. Maximum file size: 2GB. Accepted formats: MP4, MOV.
Performances are scored on four equally weighted criteria: Technical Proficiency, Musicality & Expression, Interpretation, and Stage Presence. Each judge scores independently.
Three judges will score each performance independently. Final scores are determined by averaging all three judges' scores. Judges' decisions are final and not subject to appeal.
By registering, competitors and their guardians grant the competition organizers the right to publish submitted video recordings for adjudication and promotional purposes. Finalist recordings may be shared publicly on the competition website and social media channels.
Three distinguished musical professionals bring decades of combined expertise
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Registration is handled through our secure online form. You'll be asked to provide your details, upload your sheet music and proof of age, and then proceed to payment. The non-refundable registration fee is $35 USD per season.
Fill in your personal details, repertoire, and upload required documents (sheet music + proof of age).
After submitting the form, complete the $35 USD registration fee via our secure Stripe payment page.
You'll receive a confirmation email. Our team will review your application and be in touch.
Before you begin, make sure you have:
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Want to secure your spot early? Pre-register now and be first in line when applications open.
Pre-Register for Either Season โ