Eleventh International Chopin Youth Competition
Saturday and Sunday
October 26 and 27, 2019
University of St Thomas
3800 Montrose Blvd
Houston, TX 77006
Saturday and Sunday
October 26 and 27, 2019
University of St Thomas
3800 Montrose Blvd
Houston, TX 77006
Rules and Repertoire
The Eleventh International Chopin Youth Competition will take place Saturday and Sunday, October 26 and 27, 2019 at the University of St. Thomas on Montrose Blvd in Houston, Texas. It is open to pre-college pianists. The application deadline is Friday, October 5, 2019.
The application fee is $60. All information, including payment, will be made through our web site. This will be done through our Store. To apply, purchase the appropriate category: Elementary, Junior or Senior. Then select the required Nocturne. In the additional fields enter the remaining pieces (with times), the YouTube link (see following) and the teacher's name, email and phone number. Applicant contact information (student's name, email, address and phone number) will be entered when completing the purchase.
Contestants must enter a Preliminary round prior to the main event by preparing a video of the entire performance and uploading the video to YouTube. The link should be provided on the application form. No titles or names should appear on the recording but should be on the description of the video. Individual pieces may be recorded separately but no editing of individual pieces is allowed.
Successful contestants that pass the Preliminary round will be posted on our Website.
The contestants will be judged by a panel of outstanding musicians. Written comments from the judges will be available following the competition.
Gold medalists of previous competitions may not compete in the same age category. They may compete in another age category if of the appropriate age.
Repertoire Requirements
Contestants are required to perform a selection of one longer or several shorter compositions of Fryderyk Chopin and, in addition, one Nocturne chosen from the list given below. Contestants are limited to the total time including the required Nocturne.
There are three different age categories and time limits (including the required Nocturne):
• Elementary: K1 - 5 (DOB on or after 9/1/08), 8-minute limit
• Junior: Grade 6 - 8 (DOB between 9/1/05 and 8/31/08), 10-minute limit
• Senior: Grade 9 -12 (DOB between 9/1/01 and 8/31/05), 12-minute limit
If several smaller works are performed, they should be contrasting in either style or tempo. If a contestant wishes to perform one larger composition (such as a Ballade or Scherzo), which exceeds the time limit, he/she is allowed to play it along with the required Nocturne. Judges reserve the right to cut a performance that exceeds the time limit. These rules apply to all age groups.
Unlike previous competitions, contestants may choose from this list of Nocturnes regardless of category:
A warm-up time 15 minutes before the performance will be allowed in designated practice rooms.
Contestants are responsible for their own travel and lodging arrangements.
Awards
• Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals in each category
• Honorable Mentions as deserved
• Special Prize for the best Nocturne in each category
• Special Prize for the best among the youngest performers
• Jan Ekier Prize for the best performance of the most difficult work
The judges’ decisions will be final and cannot be appealed.
Any further questions please contact us via email. We will answer in as timely a manner as possible.
The application fee is $60. All information, including payment, will be made through our web site. This will be done through our Store. To apply, purchase the appropriate category: Elementary, Junior or Senior. Then select the required Nocturne. In the additional fields enter the remaining pieces (with times), the YouTube link (see following) and the teacher's name, email and phone number. Applicant contact information (student's name, email, address and phone number) will be entered when completing the purchase.
Contestants must enter a Preliminary round prior to the main event by preparing a video of the entire performance and uploading the video to YouTube. The link should be provided on the application form. No titles or names should appear on the recording but should be on the description of the video. Individual pieces may be recorded separately but no editing of individual pieces is allowed.
Successful contestants that pass the Preliminary round will be posted on our Website.
The contestants will be judged by a panel of outstanding musicians. Written comments from the judges will be available following the competition.
Gold medalists of previous competitions may not compete in the same age category. They may compete in another age category if of the appropriate age.
Repertoire Requirements
Contestants are required to perform a selection of one longer or several shorter compositions of Fryderyk Chopin and, in addition, one Nocturne chosen from the list given below. Contestants are limited to the total time including the required Nocturne.
There are three different age categories and time limits (including the required Nocturne):
• Elementary: K1 - 5 (DOB on or after 9/1/08), 8-minute limit
• Junior: Grade 6 - 8 (DOB between 9/1/05 and 8/31/08), 10-minute limit
• Senior: Grade 9 -12 (DOB between 9/1/01 and 8/31/05), 12-minute limit
If several smaller works are performed, they should be contrasting in either style or tempo. If a contestant wishes to perform one larger composition (such as a Ballade or Scherzo), which exceeds the time limit, he/she is allowed to play it along with the required Nocturne. Judges reserve the right to cut a performance that exceeds the time limit. These rules apply to all age groups.
Unlike previous competitions, contestants may choose from this list of Nocturnes regardless of category:
- Nocturne in B-flat minor, Op. 9, No. 1
- Nocturne in E-flat Major, Op. 9, No. 2
- Nocturne in B Major, Op. 9, No. 3
- Nocturne in F Major, Op. 15, No. 1
- Nocturne in F-sharp Major, Op. 15, No. 2
- Nocturne in G-minor, Op. 15, No. 3
- Nocturne in C-sharp minor, Op. 27, No. 1
- Nocturne in D-flat Major, Op. 27, No. 2
- Nocturne in B Major, Op. 32, No. 1
- Nocturne in A-flat Major, Op. 32, No. 2
- Nocturne in G minor, Op. 37, No. 1
- Nocturne in G Major, Op. 37, No. 2
- Nocturne in C minor, Op. 48, No. 1
- Nocturne in F-sharp minor, Op. 48, No. 2
- Nocturne in F minor, Op. 55, No. 1
- Nocturne in E-flat Major, Op. 55, No. 2
- Nocturne in B Major, Op. 62, No. 1
- Nocturne in E Major, Op. 62, No. 2
- Nocturne in E minor, Op. 72, No. 1
- Nocturne in C-sharp minor, Op. Posth. (Lento con gran espressione)
- Nocturne in C minor, Op. Posth.
A warm-up time 15 minutes before the performance will be allowed in designated practice rooms.
Contestants are responsible for their own travel and lodging arrangements.
Awards
• Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals in each category
• Honorable Mentions as deserved
• Special Prize for the best Nocturne in each category
• Special Prize for the best among the youngest performers
• Jan Ekier Prize for the best performance of the most difficult work
The judges’ decisions will be final and cannot be appealed.
Any further questions please contact us via email. We will answer in as timely a manner as possible.