Competitions & Festivals
A sampling of NY local & semi-local competitions / summer music festivals (non-exhaustive)
MTNA Competitions
$95-125 Application Fee⠀
Ages 11-14yo (junior) and 15-18yo (senior).
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Applications due typically in September.
Ages 11-14yo (junior) and 15-18yo (senior).
Heddy Kilian Empire State Competition
$35-55 Application Fee
$250-350 cash prizes.
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$250-350 cash prizes.
Applications due typically in April.
Grades 7-9: required 3 time periods (Impressionist or 20th century work required)
Grades 10-12: required 3 time periods (Impressionist or 20th century work required)
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NYSMTA Winners Concert Audition
$70+ Application Fee
Also, occasionally, a Winter Musicale is opened in the fall semester (details sent by email).
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Applications due around April
Also, occasionally, a Winter Musicale is opened in the fall semester (details sent by email).
Four age groups 6-18yo (4-10min of free-choice repertoire)
Concert in Manhattan.
Certificates / trophy / judges comments.
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Application registration is sent through email to NYSMTA Teacher Members.
PTC Young Artist Recital & Masterclass Auditions
$50 (4 min), $70 (8 min), $90 (12 min)
Ages 9-18yo for both the recital + masterclass, below 9yo only for the recital.
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Applications due in February
Ages 9-18yo for both the recital + masterclass, below 9yo only for the recital.
Masterclass teacher (world-class pianist) TBA.
Minimum level equivalent to Bach Inventions.
Live audition held at RESSONA: 306 W 38th Street.
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Sejong Music Competition
$100 Application Fee
$700+ prizes in multiple categories
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Applications due typically in October
$700+ prizes in multiple categories
Own choice piece, one required from Korean set list.
Two rounds, first pre-recorded, final round live at BISCO Hall in Wheeling, IL.
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Kaufman Music Center International Youth Piano Competition (Biennial: June 2028)
Unlisted Application Fee
$4,500+ cash prizes
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$4,500+ cash prizes
Applications in late 2027 - spring 2028
Three rounds: First and second pre-recorded.
First Round is free-choice (up to 20min) and should include one fast-paced piece.
Second Round includes a virtuoso etude, Baroque polyphonic piece, and other free-choice (up to 25min)
Final Round Classical Sonata and other pieces (up to 40min), live performance at Kaufman Music Center's Merkin Concert Hall.
Three age categories, up to 10yo, 11-14yo, 15-18yo.
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U.S. Marine Band Concerto Competition (Biennial: 2027)
No Application Fee
$2,500 scholarship for first prize
Repertoire set list (opens every two years for piano), available around November 2026
$2,500 scholarship for first prize
"Golden Classical Music Awards" International Competition
https://www.goldenclassicalmusicawards.com/regulations
Little Mozarts
Berkshire High Peaks Music Festival
Brevard Music Festival
Bowdoin International Music Festival