Ovation Young Artist Piano Competition

Rules & Eligibility

The Ovation Young Artist Piano Competition is open to young artists of any residence or nationality up to the age of 17 at the time of the competition.

  1. Applicants will be divided into 3 divisions by age:
    • Division I: Up to 8 years old as of November 30th, 2019 (no minimum age)
    • Division II: Ages 9-12 as of November 30th, 2019
    • Division III: Ages 13-17 as of November 30th, 2019
  2. Applications must be completed and will not be accepted without payment.
  3. Applications must be submitted online by midnight November 17th, 2019.
  4. Only the first 15 applications from each division will be accepted.  After all slots have been taken, registration for the competition will be closed.
  5. Applicants will be notified of their performance date and time by e-mail no later than Saturday November 23th, 2019.
  6. Applicants must check-in at least 20 minutes before their performance time.
  7. All applicants are expected to dress in formal performance attire (dress pants, dress shoes, and button-down shirt for boys; dress, or dress pants and blouse for girls)
  8. All decisions by the judges are final.
  9. Competition performances are open to the public.

Repertoire Requirements

  1. All music must be played from memory.
  2. Applicants must provide the judges with an original score (no photocopies) of their pieces.
    • Division I: Two or three pieces of contrasting style and character with a duration of no more than 10 minutes.
    • Division II: Two or three pieces of contrasting style and character with a duration of no more than 15 minutes.
    • Division III: Two or three pieces of contrasting style and character with a duration of no more than 20 minutes.

Cash Prizes and Awards

After the completion of each division, Division winners and Special Award winners will be announced, and cash prizes and certificates will be awarded. After the completion of each division, Division winners and Special Award winners will be announced, and cash prizes and certificates will be awarded.

Division III (Ages 13-17)

1st Place: $500

2nd Place: $300

3rd Place: $200

Special Awards (may be awarded to division prizewinners)

For excellence in technique: $25

For excellence in artistry: $25

Division II (Ages 9-12)

1st Place: $150

2nd Place: $100

3rd Place: $75

Special Awards (may be awarded to division prizewinners)

For excellence in technique: $25

For excellence in artistry: $25

Division I (Up To 8 Years Old)

Certificate of Excellence