Rules & Repertoire
- Category “Rising Star”
(≤ 45 year old)
July 18 and 19, 2025 1st Round: 5-10 min performance time with two contrasting pieces (should the repertoire exceed allotted time, the jury might choose to interrupt the performance) Final Round: 30 min performance time with free program (program length has to be at least 28 minutes without repeating music from the previous round)
* between both rounds, one first movement of a classical sonata has to be included
Application Fee: 80 euros
Video required for application
(minimum 5-10 min of free program with contrasting styles, demonstrating lyrical and technical abilities of the performer)
Application Deadline: May 31, 2026
- Category “Aspiring Scholar”
(aged 8-18)
July 17, 2026 Two pieces of contrasting styles (cannot exceed 10 minutes)
Application Fee: 30 euros
Video required for application
(minimum 3 min of free program)
Application Deadline: May 31, 2026
*In order to apply for the Competition, please go to “Tuition”.
Prizes
As the culminating component of the festival, the Sicily International Piano Competition will unfold in two separate categories resulting in prize money amounted to 3000 euros, a recording contract with a prestigious label, performance engagements in Europe and scholarships to attend SMF and other music festivals in 2026.
The Competition winners will perform in the closing gala concert followed by award ceremony with presence of all jury members and the President of Jury.
“Rising Star”
– Grand Prix: 2000 Euros
– Recording Prize: production of a final audio master in a professional recording studio in Italy with specialized sound engineers and technicians – the CD will be released on prestigious Dynamic Records and distributed worldwide
– Performance Engagement Prize: a concert tour at 5 series/festivals in Europe and USA (accommodation provided, transportation paid by performer him or herself)
– Scholarship Prize: Partial or full scholarships to attend
• SMF 2027 (Noto, Sicily)
• Global Summer Institute of Music 2027 (Bad Vöslau, Austria)
• Las Vegas Chamber Music Institute (Las Vegas, USA)
• EAFIT Curso de Perfeccionamiento (Medellín, Colombia)
“Aspiring Scholar”
– 1st prize: 300 euros- 2nd prize: 150 euros
– Scholarship Prizes
– Honorable Mentions: certificates
Jury
Competition Adjudication Panel
“Rising Star” Category
President of Jury – Mikhail Voskresensky William Fong
Marina Lomazov
Boris Slutsky Yunjie Chen
“Aspiring Scholar” Category
Walter Roccaro – Chair of Jury
Solungga Liu
Jerfi Aji
Apply for the festival as active participant,
Observer or for the Competion
