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Presenting the

The Vanguard
International
Piano Competition

A celebration of artistry, technique, and musical expression

2026 Season Β· Ages 13–18 Β· 100% Online Β· $370 in Prizes
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Where Excellence
Takes the Stage

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.

3 Expert Judges
$370 Total Prize Pool
13–18 Eligible Ages
🌐 100% Online

Prize Structure

Recognition and rewards for the top three performers

2nd Place
✦
$100
Silver Award

Certificate of Excellence & Medal of Achievement

3rd Place
✧
$70
Bronze Award

Certificate of Merit & Bronze Medal

All participants receive a certificate of participation. Prizes are distributed following the final adjudication.

Rules & Regulations

01

Eligibility

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).

02

Repertoire

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.

03

Video Submission

Competitors must submit a single continuous video recording of their performance. 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.

04

Scoring Criteria

Performances are scored on four equally weighted criteria: Technical Proficiency, Musicality & Expression, Interpretation, and Stage Presence. Each judge scores independently.

05

Adjudication

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.

06

Media & Privacy

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.

Our Judges

Three distinguished musical professionals bring decades of combined expertise

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Judge 1

To Be Announced

TBD

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Judge 3

To Be Announced

TBD

Ready to Compete?

Complete the form below to apply for the Vanguard International Piano Competition. All fields marked with * are required. Registration is open to pianists aged 13–18 worldwide.

Personal Information
Repertoire
Required Documents

Upload a PDF of the complete score for every piece you will perform. Clearly annotated editions are accepted.

Upload a clear scan or photo of a valid government-issued document: passport, national ID, or birth certificate. Personal information will be kept strictly confidential.

Registration Fee
$35 USD

A non-refundable registration fee is required to complete your application. After submitting this form, you will be redirected to our secure payment page powered by Stripe.

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