Piano Island Competition | 8th edition
Hainan, China
24 - 31 July 2026

PIANO COMPETITION

8th International Piano Island Competition

30th July 2026 - 31st July 2025

ABOUT THE COMPETITION

In 8 years, the International Piano Island Competition has attracted about 1300 competitors from nearly 40 countries. A unique concept of Island hopping, we held our previous in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Reunion Island, an online edition due to the Covid-19 international restrictions. This year our competition destination will be in Hainan, China - After an intensive week of festival concerts, masterclasses and lectures. Previously the competition was only open to 3 categories, Infantile, Youth and Professional. In 2026, for diversity and age differences, the competition will offer 5 categories. The Competition is a member of the Argerich-Alink Foundation and the Global Piano League.

ELIGIBILITY

The competition is open to pianists internationally from any country.
Previous first prize winners of past editions are not eligible to participate in the competition (unless applying for a higher category).

CATEGORIES

The competition consists of 5 Solo categories:

- Infantile Category (9 and under)

- Youth Category (10 - 12)

- Young Talents (13 - 15)

- Young Virtuoso (16 - 18)

- Professional Category (18 - 35)

DATES & VENUE

Dates for the competition - finals for all 5 categories will be held on the 30th and 31st of July 2026 at the university of Hainan. In-Person Registration for competition will be on the 29th of July 2026. Registration will require your passport /identity card.

COMPETITION PROCEDURE

Competition participants are to submit their application here. A registration fee of USD $150 will be charged for online video submission. This fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. Deadline for competition application is on 30th May 2026.

- Screening Round (By Video Submission)
All Categories: At the point of application, all participants must submit a video link for a screening round before the live performance rounds. The repertoire for the video submission is of free choice and maybe different from the live rounds. Videos must not be filmed more than 2 years before date of submission. Video should be in the form of a viewable website link. Only shortlisted participants will proceed to the live performance rounds (finals) in Hainan. The list of selected participants will be announced on the 5th of June 2026.

- Live Performance Round (Finals)

Any changes to the repertoire for the final round will incur a fee of 100 USD. Please inform us if you would like to make any changes before the actual performance.

Infantile and Youth Categories:

Up to 12 Shortlisted participants will perform in the live finals performance round for each categories.

Shortlisted participants will be informed of their participation in the final round no later than 5th of June 2026. The results of the competition will be announced at the closing ceremony. Selected winners may be asked to perform during the prize presentation. In case of last minute withdrawals, a substitution list will be announced on our website and social media platforms.

Professional Category:

Up to 8 Shortlisted participants will participate in the live final performance round. The final result of the professional category will be announced at the prize giving ceremony on the 31st of July 2026. Selected winners may be asked to perform during the closing gala concert and ceremony. In case of withdrawals, the next available contestant will be chosen within 3 days.

Any performance that goes above the time limit will not be scored. The jury reserves the right to stop any performance if necessary.

- Prize announcement / Performance by winners

31st July 2026 (evening):

All competitors are encouraged to attend this prize announcement / performance by winners. This event will be set at 6pm (time to be confirmed). Participants are to register their attendance at least 1 hour before announcement to Piano Island Competition Management. Failure to show up for the prize announcement ceremony will be considered void, and awarded to the next available contestant.

- Closing Gala Concert and Ceremony

31st July 2026 (evening):

All diplomas and certificates will be given out during the closing ceremony on the final day of the competition. All participating competitors will receive an invitation to attend the closing gala concert, where some of the prize winners will be called upon to perform. Special prizes including scholarships to festivals in Europe, printed music scores by Henle Verlag and other special prizes will be announced during this ceremony. In case of absence, the special prize will be awarded to the next available contestant.

ADJUDICATION

The Artistic Director including several members of the 8th Piano Island Festival will shortlist the participants chosen from the screening rounds (live audition and video submission). A panel of International Jury consisting renowned pianists and piano professors will decide the results of the live rounds. Jury members for each competition category and location may differ.

The Adjucating Panel will use a clear and straight forward points system. All points given by each jury member will be out of 100 without any discussion. In case of a tie, the chairman of the jury and artistic director are entitled to 2 votes. The Adjucating Panel reserves the right to award, or not award any prizes as they deem fit.

The Adjucating Panel's decision is final and no discussion or correspondence will be entertained.

- Infantile and Youth Categories
All points will be tabulated from all judges and averaged. The First, Second, and Third Prize winners will be announced based on the points tabulated only. If any jury has any of his / her student in the category of competition, the scores will not be valid by the particular jury in that process. The scores will be tabulated by averaging on the other adjudicator's scores. Special prizes will also be awarded in this categories.

- Professional Category

Finals: The judges will determine the First, Second, and Third Prize winners through a scoring system with no verbal discussion.

All Participants will receive a certificate of participation. Certificate of Merit will be awarded to all semi-finalists. Certificate of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Prize will be awarded to all 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Prize winners. Special Prize certificates will also be awarded to all special prize award winners.

RULES & REGULATIONS

9 and Under (Infantile Category)

Registration Fees - USD $150

Repertoire

Screening: 10mins max - free program (youtube link to any video recorded within the last 2 years)

Live Final Round (12 Finalists): 7 mins Max - free program

Prizes:
• 1st Prize - 50% scholarship and live performance at the 9th Piano Island Festival
• 2nd Prize - Invitation and 20% Scholarship to 9th Piano Island Festival
• 3rd Prize - Invitation and 20% Scholarship to 9th Piano Island Festival

All Participants will receive a certificate of participation. Certificate of Merit will be awarded to all finalists. Certificate of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Prize will be awarded to all 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Prize winners. Special Prize certificates will also be awarded to all special prize award winners.

10 - 12 (Youth Category)

Registration Fees - USD $150

Repertoire

Screening: 20mins max - free program (youtube link to any video recorded within the last 2 years)
Live Final Round (12 Finalists): 10 mins Max - free program

Prizes:
• 1st Prize – Cash Prize of SGD300 Full Scholarship and live performance at the 9th Piano Island Festival
• 2nd Prize - Cash Prize of SGD200, Invitation and 20% Scholarship to 9th Piano Island Festival
• 3rd Prize - Cash Prize of SGD100 Invitation and 20% Scholarship to 9th Piano Island Festival

13 - 15 (Young Talents Category)

Registration Fees - USD $150

Repertoire

Screening: 25mins max - free program (youtube link to any video recorded within the last 2 years)
Live Final Round (12 Finalists): 12 mins Max - free program

Prizes:
• 1st Prize – Cash Prize of SGD500 Full Scholarship and live performance at the 9th Piano Island Festival
• 2nd Prize - Cash Prize of SGD300, Invitation and 20% Scholarship to 9th Piano Island Festival
• 3rd Prize - Cash Prize of SGD100, Invitation and 20% Scholarship to 9th Piano Island Festival

16 - 18 (Young Virtuoso Category)

Registration Fees - USD $150

Repertoire

Screening: 30mins max - free program (youtube link to any video recorded within the last 2 years)
Live Final Round (12 Finalists): 15 mins Max - free program

Prizes:
• 1st Prize – Cash Prize of SGD1000 Full Scholarship and live performance at the 9th Piano Island Festival
• 2nd Prize - Cash Prize of SGD500, Invitation and 20% Scholarship to 9th Piano Island Festival
• 3rd Prize - Cash Prize of SGD250, Invitation and 20% Scholarship to 9th Piano Island Festival

18 - 35 years (Professional)
Registration Fees - USD $150

Repertoire:
Screening: 45 mins Max - free program (youtube link to any video recorded within the last 2 years)

Final Round (8 Finalists): 30mins Max - free program including one major work from the Romantic period

Prizes:

• Grand Prize

– Cash Prize of SGD5000

– 5000€ worth of scholarships and prizes including:

2 Recitals in the 2025/2026 season

Full Scholarship to Piano Concerto Festival in Europe 2026

Full Scholarship to 8th Edition Piano Island Festival

Economy Air Tickets return and accommodation to 8th Edition Piano Island Festival

Invitation as Faculty to 8th Edition Piano Island Festival (Subjected to demand)

Invitation as Jury Member of 8th Edition Piano Island Competition

Concert management offered by Piano Island Management PTE LTD for 2 seasons starting 2025/2026

G. Henle prize - Music Scores

• 2nd Prize
– Cash Prize of SGD2500

– 2500€ worth of prizes including:

50% Scholarship to 8th Piano Island festival

50% Scholarship to Piano Concerto Festival in Europe 2026

Partial Concert management offered by Piano Island Management PTE LTD for 2 seasons starting 2025/2026

G. Henle prize - Music Scores

• 3rd Prize
– Cash Prize of SGD1000

– 1500€ worth of prizes including:

20% Scholarship to 8th Piano Island festival

20% Scholarship to Piano Concerto Festival in Europe 2026

Partial Concert management offered by Piano Island Management PTE LTD for 2 seasons starting 2025/2026

G. Henle prize - Music Scores

• Recording Prize – Piano Island Records Award (Professional Production)

*** Other special prizes may be offered to prize or non-prize winners of both categories: ***

PRACTICE & REHEARSAL

Each participant may book one rehearsal session to rehearse at the competition venue.

This rehearsal session may be conducted on the day of competition or before the competition. Further details will be announced closer to the competition dates. Piano Island Festival will inform all shortlisted applicants once these practice sessions are available for booking. All bookings must be made via our website only. These booking slots will be on a first come first serve basis only. Due to limited availability, participants are encouraged to book these slots upon release. This booking fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.

Practice rooms with upright pianos will be made available during the competition period to the participants in the right order of passage. The practice slots have to be booked in advance. Each participant will be given 1 hour of practice time before the competition. If any participant requires more practice time, additional practice slots will be at the expense of the participant (subject to availability). This booking is non-transferable. Warm up pianos will be made available right before the actual performance. Competitors will need to arrive at competition venue at least one hour before their scheduled performance.

TERMS & CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION IN COMPETITION

Jury members will consist of invited guest artist, internationally renowned teachers and performers.
Any jury member with students competing in the competition is to opt out of voting - The chairman of the jury will get 2 votes in this case. (for professional finals round only)
The decisions of the jury at every round of the competition are final.
The Jury may award or withhold any prize as deemed fit.
All performance will be open to all festival participants, competitors and observer pass holders only.
Each competitor is only allowed to bring one accompanying member only.
The works at every round must be performed from memory.
The works may be performed with or without repeats at the contestant's discretion.
All works must be communicated precisely, including key and opus number, on the application form or by email.
All changes on works must be communicated at least 2 weeks before live rounds competition.
Past prize winners of previous editions of Piano Island Competition will be allowed to participate in the competition category that is higher than their age group category.
All prize winners may be requested to perform at the prize winner's concert. Refusal to perform will result in the immediate disqualification of the prize.
The Piano Island Festival Competition is sole holder of the rights to all video or audio recordings and Internet broadcasts (if any) in all stages of the Competition. Competitors cede to the International Piano Island Competition, without remuneration.
No refunds will be made to any withdrawals of participation.
By sending the application form the participants declare that they approve the terms and conditions mentioned in the regulations.
Registration fees and any booking fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. (unless due to force majeure)
Where participants perform an unpublished work or works in manuscript form, it is incumbent upon the Participants to obtain necessary approval under the Copyright Act to perform such works during the competition. If the participant fails to do so, the organizer will not be responsible for any copyright or composer's fee incurred. Participants also agree to indemnify the organizer against any action and / or claims for damages from any third party who owns the copyright.
Prize winners in all categories may be invited to perform in public, or television, on radio and / or attend interviews related to the competition without payment.
The Organizer reserves the right to record all or part of the proceedings of the competition and related activities for broadcast / promotional purposes without any payment to the participants. The organizer retains all rights to the recorded materials.
Shortlisted participants will have to provide necessary documents (passport copy, identity card, music scores) upon registration. Failure to do so may result in disqualification on registration day.
Participants who are unable to be present at the scheduled performance time may be disqualified.
Participants and supporters of participants must not communicate with or attempt to influence the adjudicating panel. Failure to adhere to this rule may result in disqualification of the participant.
Photography, audio and video recording by the participants and their supporters are not allowed during the competition or for any competition - related events.
Any participant who knowingly gives inaccurate or misleading information will be disqualified.
In case of any dispute, the organizer's decision, or that of the adjudicating panel acting on the organizer's behalf, shall be final and no discussion or correspondence will be entertained.
Piano Island Management Pte. Ltd. reserves the rights to amend the rules and conditions of this competition.

All applications must be received no later than 30th of May 2026

Please contact us if you require further information - pianoislandfestival@gmail.com

Piano Island Competition | 8th edition Hainan, China 24 - 31 July 2026

PIANO COMPETITION

Piano Island Competition | 8th edition
Hainan, China
24 - 31 July 2026