The sections for the Piano Categories are:
- Solo, Duet/Ensemble, one piano (for contestants who choose to become professional musicians)
- Solo Devotee, Duet/Ensemble Devotee, one piano (for contestants who began their piano education recently at any age, and who are musical devotees)
- Solo Special, Duet/Ensemble Special, one piano (for contestants with special needs)
Competition Categories, Age Levels, and Performance Time
- Solo
- Elementary A (ages 5 to 7) up to 5 min
- Elementary B (ages 8 to 10) up to 5 min
- Intermediate A (ages 11 to 13) up to 8 min
- Intermediate B/Advanced A (ages 14 to 17) up to 10 min
- Advanced B (ages 18 to 23) up to 10 min
- Solo Devotee
- Elementary (ages 5 to 9) up to 5 min
- Elementary/Intermediate (ages 10 to 12) up to 8 min
- Intermediate/Advanced (ages 13 to 15) up to 10 min
- Advanced (ages 16 to 23) up to 10 min
- Solo Special
- Elementary (ages 5 to 9) up to 5 min
- Elementary/Intermediate (ages 10 to 13) up to 8 min
- Intermediate/Advanced (ages 14 to 23) up to 8 min
- Duet/Ensemble (one piano)
- Elementary (ages 5 to 9) up to 5 min
- Intermediate (ages 10 to 13) up to 6 min
- Advanced A (ages 14 to 17) up to 7 min
- Advanced B (ages 18 to 23) up to 8 min
- Duet/Ensemble Devotee (one piano)
- Elementary (ages 5 to 9) up to 5 min
- Intermediate (ages 10 to 13) up to 6 min
- Intermediate/Advanced (ages 14 to 17) up to 7 min
- Advanced (ages 18 to 23) up to 8 min
- Duet/Ensemble Special (one piano, playing with teacher is acceptable)
- Elementary (ages 5 to 11) up to 4 min
- Intermediate (ages 12 to 15) up to 5 min
- Intermediate/Advanced (ages 16 to 23) up to 6 min
Repertoire for the Audition Round (AR) and Winners Gala Concert (GC)
Solo, Solo Devotee, Solo Special Categories:
Classical performance style requirements for children who develop their piano education professionally or just for themselves. For Solo Special Category, according to the individual musician’s abilities.
- One or two piano compositions (preferably in a contrasting style, if two compositions) from any musical period (Baroque, Classical, or Romantic), including contemporary composers and jazz composers of the contestant’s choice. (Find more suggested repertoire on the pages Featured Composers and Jevdet Hajiyev).
- No arrangements are allowed, only original compositions.
- Simple versions and arrangement of classical piano repertoire are allowed only for Solo Special Category.
- Improvisations for Jazz repertoire are acceptable.
- Contestant may select short piano compositions from opuses (3-5 contrasted selections) of classical or contemporary composers for his/her program (Ex.: “Preludes” by F.Chopin, “Scenes from Childhood” op. 15 by R.Schumann, “Lyric Pieces” op.12 by E.Grieg, “Twelve Preludes” by Timothy Brown, etc), but the contestant must follow the time limit, according to his/her age level category.
- Contestants may select the part/parts of the suites or any big musical forms for their program, following the time limit, according to their category.
- For Sonata or Sonatina, only one movement (any movement) is required, but playing the whole Sonata, according to category’s time limit is acceptable.
- No repeats for parts of composition if repeats do not have different endings and do not disturb the musical form.
- Memorization is required.
- Only ONE of the two presented pieces (and same chosen pieces from opuses from the Audition Round) will be selected by the Judges for the Gala Concert for those who are chosen to perform in Carnegie Hall.
Duet/Trio/Ensemble, Duet/Trio/Ensemble Devotee, Duet/Trio/Ensemble Special:
Only one piano is acceptable for this Category. Playing duet with teacher is acceptable only for Special Category.
- One or Two piano duets or trios (partners should play different parts in their duets).
- For ensemble: one piano ensemble piece.
- Original compositions, arrangements, and transcriptions are all acceptable.
- No repeats if repeats have same ends.
- Memorization is not required.
- Only ONE of the two presented pieces will be selected by the Judges for the Gala Concert for winners who are chosen to perform in Carnegie Hall.
By signing the Entrance Application (Audition Round), participants agree to all terms and regulations of the Competition. Please direct any questions about the Competition to: floridakeyscompetition@gmail.com
Complete Application Form here.