Rules of the competition

  1. The Competition is open to pianists of all nationalities;
  2. The Competition includes separate age groups;
  3. Participants may enter a category of a higher age group;
  4. Each application folder must include the following documents:
    1. Application form, dully completed, including the name of teacher;
    2. Copy of passport or identity document;
    3. Photo (passport type, good quality);
    4. Short CV (up to 500 characters in English or French) for groups E and F;
    5. Proof of payment of the entry fee;
    6. The URL link to the video recording on YouTube for groups A, B, C, D - Online section, and first round for groups E and F. The videos must respect the specifications below (*);
  5. An acknowledgement will be e-mailed to the applicants upon receipt of the complete application folder;
  6. Entries will be taken into consideration only after payment proof is received for the full amount (all bank charges must be paid by the candidate);
  7. The application fee is not refundable;
  8. Specific rules for groups A, B, C, D:
    1. The competition for these groups will take place in two separate sections:
      1. Section Online for participants not wishing to come to Athens;
      2. Section Live for participants present in Athens;
    2. The complete application folders (including the video links, for Online section) must be received by May 18th, 2025 at the latest;
    3. Laureates for both sections (Online and Live) of groups A, B, C, D will be announced at the end of the competition on July 6th;
    4. The prizes will be:
      1. mailed to the laureates for Online section;
      2. handed out during the 6th July Prize Distribution and Gala Concert for Live section in Athens;
    5. First prize's videos will be posted on the competition's website; 
  9. Specific rules for groups E and F:
    1. The competition for these groups will consist of:
      1. a first selection round Online,
      2. a second selection round that will take place Live at the Philippos Nakas Conservatory,
      3. the final third round, also at the Philippos Nakas Conservatory, with a string quartet accompaniment.
    2. The complete application folders, including the video links to the first round, must be received on April 6th, 2025 at the latest;
    3. The candidates selected to pass to the following rounds will be informed by the 16th of April 2025;
    4. The second and third rounds will take place, for the selected candidates of the first round, Live at the Philippos Nakas Conservatory on 2 – 6 July, 2025;
    5. Laureates of groups E and F will be announced at the end of the third round and prizes distributed at the Prize Distribution and Gala Concert that will follow;
    6. Should a winner not participate at the Gala Concert his prize will not be awarded (cancelled);
  10. General rules for all groups:
    1. The jury may interrupt a candidate during his performance;
    2. All the performances and the Gala Concert are open to the public;
    3. The organisers will not accept any responsibility for accidents during the live competition in Athens;
  11. Participants of the Online section of groups A, B, C and D and those not selected for the Live participation in Athens of groups E and F, will receive a summary of the jury's comments on their video submissions;
  12. Candidates must play from memory. Exceptionally for contemporary music scores will be tolerated. All must be able to present the score from which they are playing, if requested;
  13. The Jury can split a prize or not award a prize at its discretion;
  14. The Jury’s decisions are final;
  15. Teachers who have three or more participants will receive a Diploma of Distinction for Outstanding Teacher;
  16. All video / audio recordings remain the property of the organizers;
  17. Jury members may present their students. However, they abstain from judging them;
  18. Entry to the competition implies full acceptance of the Competition’s Rules; In case of withdrawal, the candidates are kindly requested to inform the organisers;
  19. Rules may be subject to change; In particular if special constraints are imposed, like sanitary ones or others;

 

(*) Video Recording Specifications

  1. The video must be recorded and uploaded on YouTube. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that their links are active, viewable and of adequate quality for the jury's purposes, until the end of July at least;
  2. Performances on upright pianos are allowed, as are video recordings with a smartphone;
  3. Each movement must be recorded in a continuous take;
  4. The instrument, face and hands of the performers should be clearly visible;
  5. Candidates must play from memory. Exceptionally, for contemporary pieces (groups E and F) scores will be tolerated;
  6. Scores of contemporary pieces (free choice pieces of groups E and F) must be submitted. The jury may ask additionally for other scores.