2026 Categories

  • There are around 200 competition categories, each with a pre-selected song. Contestants will be performing the same music in each of the events. Competition is per Category per Level per Song per Movement.

  • There is no age limit for these events, and contestants may enter numerous events as they choose.

  • Students may compete in as many categories and/or levels of their desire. For example students can compete in both Young Pianist III, Category A and Young Artist, Category B.

  • Any contestants playing an incorrect piece will be disqualified to win a prize.

Category A: Baroque

Young Pianists 1

  • Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach:
    • Minuet in G Major BWV Anh 114
    • Minuet in g minor BWV Anh 115
    • Musette in D Major BWV Anh 126
    • Polonaise in g minor BWV Anh 119
  • J Krieger: Menuett in A minor

Young Pianists 2

  • J. S. Bach: Little Preludes
    • Little Prelude in C Major BWV 939
    • Little Prelude in F Major BWV 927
  • J. S. Bach (Lute Suite in E Minor): Bourree in e minor BWV 996
  • J. S. Bach: Menuett from French Suite No. 6 BWV 817
  • Jean-Philippe Rameau: Menuett in C Major (Menuet en Rondeau)
  • Georg Philipp Telemann: Gigue in G Major (Gigue a l.Angloise, TWV 32:1)

Young Pianists 3

  • C P E Bach: Solfeggietto in c minor
  • J. S. Bach: Little Preludes
    • Little Prelude in d minor BWV 926
    • Little Prelude in c minor BWV 999
  • J. S. Bach: French Suite No 2 BWV 813 Menuet
  • W. F. Bach: Fruhling/Allegro in A Major

Young Pianists 4

  • J. S. Bach: French Suite No 2 BWV 813
    • Courante
    • Air (Aria)
  • J. S. Bach: French Suite 5
    • Courante
  • J. S. Bach: French Suite 6
    • Courante
  • J. S. Bach: Two Part Invention
    • No. 8 in F Major
    • No. 1
    • No. 4
    • No. 6 in E Major
  • Georg Philipp Telemann: Fantasie No 4 Allegro

Senior Group

  • J. S. Bach: Two Part Invention
    • No. 13 in A minor
    • No. 14 in Bb Major
  • J. S. Bach: French Suites
    • French Suite 4 - Allemande
    • French Suite 5 - Gavotte
    • French Suite 6 - Allemande
  • Domenico Scarlatti: Sonata in D Major, L 463 (K430)

Young Artist I

  • Domenico Scarlatti:
    • Sonata in A Major L.483
    • Sonata in D minor K9/L.413
    • Sonata in C Major L. 104
  • J. S. Bach: Prelude and Fugue BWV 884 (Prelude only is fine)
  • J. S. Bach: Sinfonias 2, 8 and 15
  • J. S. Bach: Preludes and Fugues (or Preludes only) from WTC I – g minor, E Major, D Major
  • J. S. Bach: Prelude No. 6 in D minor, BWV 851 (WTC I)
  • J. S. Bach: Prelude No. 6 in d minor, BWV 875 (WTC II)

Young Artist II

  • J. S. Bach: French Suites 1-6 (any complete suite)
  • J. S. Bach: English Suites 1-6 (any complete suite)
  • J. S. Bach: Partitas 1-6 (any complete suite)
  • J. S. Bach: Italian Concerto (any movement)
  • J. S. Bach: Any Prelude and Fugue of the contestant’s choice (must do both)

Category B: Classical

Young Pianist 1

  • Albert Biehl: Sonatina in C Major, Op.57, No.1
  • William Duncombe: Sonatina in C Major
  • Tobias Haslinger: Sonatina in C Major No.1
    • mvt 1 Allegro non tanto
    • mvt 2 Allegretto
  • Theodore Latour: Sonatina in C Major, No.1
  • Felix Le Couppey: Sonatina in C Major mvt 1 Moderato
  • Wolfgang A. Mozart: Waltz Bread and Butter (KV Anh. 284n)
  • Fritz Spindler: Sonatina with Tarantella

Young Pianist 2

  • Ludwig v. Beethoven: Sonatina in G major
    • Mvt. 1 Moderato
    • Mvt. 2 Romanza
  • Ludwig v. Beethoven: Minuet in G, WoO 10
  • Muzio Clementi: Sonatina in C Major Op 36 No. 1
    • Mvt 1 Allegro Spiritoso
    • Mvt. 3 Vivace

Young Pianist 3a

  • Ludwig v. Beethoven: Bagatelle Op. 119 No. 1
  • Muzio Clementi: Sonatina in F Major Op 36 No. 4
    • Mvt. 1 Allegro con spirito
    • Mvt. 3 Rondeau Allegro Vivace
  • Anton Diabelli: Sonatina Op. 151, No. 1
    • Mvt. 1 Andantino Cantabile
    • Mvt. 2 Moderato
  • Friedrich Kuhlau: Sonatina op. 55 #1
    • Mvt. 1 Allegro
    • Mvt. 2 Vivace

Young Pianist 3b

  • Ludwig van Beethoven:
    • Fur Elise
    • Sonatina in F Major
      • mvt. 1 Allegro assai
      • mvt. 2 Rondo: Allegro
    • Sonata in G Major, Op. 49 No. 2 (mvt. 1)
  • Muzio Clementi:
    • Sonatina in G Major Op 36 No 2 (Mvt 1 Allegretto)
    • Sonatina in C Major Op 36 No 3 (Mvt 1 Spiritoso)
    • Sonatina in F Major Op. 36 No. 4 (Mvt. 2 Andante con espressione)
    • Sonatina in G Major Op 36 No. 5 (Mvt. 3 Rondo Allegro di molto)
    • Sonatina in D Major Op 36 No. 6 (Mvt. 1 Allegro con Spirito)
  • Franz Joseph Haydn:
    • Sonata in G Major Hob XVI27 (Mvt. 1 Allegro con brio)
    • Sonata in C major Hob. XVI:35 (Mvt 1 Allegro con brio)
  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart:
    • Sonata in G Major, K 283 Mvt 2 Andante
    • Sonata in D Major, K 545 Mvt.1 Allegro

Young Pianist 4

  • Ludwig van Beethoven: Rondo in C Op 51 No. 1
  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart:
    • Sonata in G Major, K283 Mvt.1 Allegro
    • Sonata in D Major, K284 Mvt.1 Allegro
    • Sonata in C Major, K330 Mvt 1 Allegro moderato
    • Sonata in A Major, K331 Mvt 3 “Turkish March” Rondo Alla Turca
    • Sonata in F Major, K332 Mvt 1 Allegro

Senior Group

  • Ludwig van Beethoven:
    • Sonata in G Major Op. 14 Mvt 1 Allegro
    • Sonata in G Minor, Op. 49 No. 1 Mvt. 1 Andante
    • Moonlight Sonata Mvt. 1
  • Joseph Haydn:
    • Sonata in E Minor Hob XVI: 34 Mvt.1 Presto
    • Sonata in F Major Hob XVI: 23 Mvt.1 Allegro Moderato
  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart:
    • Sonata in F Major K332 Mvt 3, Presto
    • Sonata in C minor K457 Mvt. 1 Molto Allegro
    • Sonata in F Major K533 Mvt. 1 Allegro
    • 12 variations on “Ah, vous dirai-je, maman”

Young Artist I

  • Ludwig van Beethoven:
    • Sonata in F minor Op. 2 No 1 Mvt 3 Prestissimo
    • Sonata in A Major Op. 2 No 2 Mvt 1 Allegro Vivace
    • Sonata Op. 13 C minor “Pathetique”
      • Mvt. 1, Grave
      • Mvt. 3, Allegro
    • Sonata in C# minor Op 27 No 2. “Moonlight” Mvt 3 Presto Agitato
  • Franz Schubert: Sonata in A Major, D 664 (mvt. 1 or mvt. 3)

Young Artist II

  • Ludwig van Beethoven: Any Sonata Not listed Above
  • Franz Schubert: Any Sonata Not listed Above

Category C: Romantic

Young Pianist 1

  • Cornelius Gurlitt:
    • Day Dream ( Fond Memory), Op. 210 No. 32
    • Gavotte (selected Piece) Op.192 No.9
    • The Storm Op. 82 No 65
  • Robert Schumann: Album for the Young, Op. 68
    1. Melodie
    2. Soldatenmarsch
  • Peter I. Tchaikovsky: Children’s Album, Op. 39
    • Italian Song
    • French Song

Young Pianist 2

  • Friedrich Burgmüller: 25 Etudes Op 100
    • No 7 Clear Stream
    • No 22 Barcarolle
    • No 23 The Return
    • No 25 The Knight
  • Chopin: Waltz in a minor B150 Op. Posth
  • Robert Schumann: Kinderszenen, Op. 15
    • No 10: Almost Too Serious Op.15 No 10
  • Robert Schumann: Albumblätter, Op.124
    1. Soldatenmarsch
    2. Fantasietanz (Fantasy)
  • Peter I. Tchaikovsky: Children’s Album, Op. 39
    • The New Doll
    • Sweet Dreams

Young Pianist 3

  • Friedrich Burgmüller: 18 Etudes Op 109
    • No 2 The Peer
    • No 10 Velocity
    • No. 17 March
  • Frederic Chopin: Waltzes
    • Op. 64 No. 1
    • Op. 64 No. 2
    • Op. 69 No. 2
  • Frederic Chopin: Mazurkas
    • Op. 7 No. 1
    • Op. 67 No. 2
  • Peter I. Tchaikovsky: Children’s Album, Op. 39
    • Mazurka
    • Polka
    • Neapolitan Song
    • Song of the Lark
    • Waltz

Young Pianist 4

  • Frederic Chopin:
    • Nocturne Op 9 No. 2
    • Nocturne in c# minor Op. Posth
    • Waltz in E minor Op. Posth
    • Grande Valse Brillante Op. 18
    • Valse Brillante Op. 34 No. 1
  • Felix Mendelssohn: Venetian Boat Song No. 1 Op 19. No 6

Senior Group

  • Johannes Brahms:
    • Intermezzo Op 118 No.1
    • Ballade Op 118 No. 3
  • Frederic Chopin:
    • Impromptu No. 1, Op. 29
    • Fantasie Impromptu, Op. 66
    • Polonaise Op. 26 No. 1
    • Polonaise Op. 40 No. 1
    • Nocturne Op. 9 No. 1
    • Nocturne Op. 9 No. 3
    • Nocturne Op. 72 #1
  • Edvard Grieg: Op 54. No.4 Notturno
  • Franz Liszt: Liebestraum #3
  • Felix Mendelssohn: Songs without words
    • Op. 19 No. 1
    • Op. 72 No. 6
    • Op. 53 No. 1
  • Franz Schubert: Impromptu Op, 90 No. 2

Young Artist I

  • Frederic Chopin:
    • Ballade No.1
    • Ballade No.2
    • Ballade No. 3
    • Polonaise Op. 53
    • Nocturne Op. 15 No. 2
    • Nocturne Op. 48 No. 1
  • Franz Liszt: Genomenreigen (Concert Etude)
  • Mily Balakirev: The Lark
  • Felix Mendelssohn: Scherzo in e minor Op. 16 No. 2
  • Robert Schumann: Op 2 Papillons
  • Sergei Rachmaninoff:
    • Prelude Op 32 No. 8
    • Prelude Op 23 No. 7
    • Prelude Op 23 No. 5
  • Robert Schumann: “Aufschwung” Op 12 No 2

Young Artist 2

  • Frederic Chopin:
    • Ballade No.4
    • Scherzo No. 2
  • Felix Mendelssohn: Variations Serieuses, Op. 54
  • Robert Schumann: Noveletten Op. 21 (complete)

Category D: Contemporary

Young Pianists 1

  • Dmitry Kabalevsky: 24 Pieces for Children, Op. 39
    • No. 19 Prelude
    • No. 20 The Clown
  • Tansman: Pour les enfants vol 2
    • No. 3 Mazurka

Young Pianists 2

  • Bela Bartok: For Children, Book 1
    • No. 17 Round Dance
  • Bela Bartok: Romanian Folk Dances
    • No. 2 Braul
  • Aram Khachaturian: Ivan Sings
  • Tansman: Pour les enfants vol 2 No. 9 Dance Lesson
  • Aleksandr Gretchaninoff: Grandfather’s Album, Op119
    • No. 1 My Dear Mummy
    • No. 12 Out for a Walk

Young Pianists 3

  • William Gillock: Lyric Preludes in Romantic Style
      1. Soaring
  • Dmitry Kabalevsky: 30 Pieces for Children Op 27
    • No 3 Etude in A minor
    • No 7 Toccatina
    • No 18 Sonatina
  • Dmitry Kabalevsky: Op. 40 Easy Variations in D Major
  • Dmitry Kabalevsky: Children’s Dreams Op 88
    • No 1 Dreams

Young Pianists 4

  • Bela Bartok: Romanian Folk Dances, Sz. 56
    • No. 1 Dance with Sticks
    • No. 6 Quick Dance
  • Dmitry Kabalevsky: Sonatina Op. 13 No 1
    • Mvt 1 Allegro assai
    • Mvt. 3 Presto

Senior Group

  • Aaron Copland: The Cat and the Mouse
  • Jacques Ibert: The Little White Donkey (from Histoires)
  • Nikolay Medtner: Four Tales Op 26 No.3
  • Dmitry Kabalevsky: 24 Preludes Op 38
    • No. 3 Vivace leggiero
    • No. 6 Allegro molto
  • Sergei Prokofiev: Ten Pieces Op 12
    • No. 2 Gavotte
    • No. 7 Prelude (Harp)
  • Alexander Tcherepnin: Bagatelles, Op. 5 No. 9, 10

Young Artist

  • Bela Bartok: Suite for Piano, Op. 14
    1. Allegretto
    2. Scherzo
    3. Allegro molto
  • Scott Joplin:
    • Maple Leaf Rag
    • The Entertainer
  • Aram Khachaturian: Toccata
  • Dmitry Shostakovich: Fantastic Dances (all 3)

Young Artist 2

  • Sergei Prokofiev: Sonata No. 3
  • Charles Griffes

Category E: Etudes

Young Pianist 1

  • Ferdinand Beyer: Vorschule im Klavierspiel Op. 101
    • Nos. 80, 88, 89, 93, 100

Young Pianist 2

  • Henry Lemoine: Études enfantines, Op.37
    • Nos. 23, 31, 34, 44
  • Stephen Heller: 25 Etudes mélodiques, Op.45
    • No. 18
  • Stephen Heller: 25 Etudes, Op.47
    • No. 1

Young Pianist 3

  • Stephen Heller: 25 Etudes mélodiques, Op.45
    • Nos.10, 18
  • 30 Etudes progressives, Op.46
    • Nos. 8, 10
  • Stephen Heller: 25 Etudes, Op.47
    • Nos. 4, 23
  • Moritz Moszkowski: 20 Petites Etudes, Op.91
    • Nos. 7, 11, 14

Senior Group

  • Frederic Chopin: Etude Op. 25 No. 7
  • Johann Baptist Cramer: 60 selected studies
    • No. 3 a minor
    • No. 19 d minor
    • No 23 e minor
  • Moritz Moszkowski:
    • Etude Op. 72 No. 2
    • Etude Op. 72 No. 6
  • Franz Liszt: Etudes de Concert, Un Sospiro

Young Artist I

  • Frederic Chopin: Etudes Op 10
    • No. 5, 9
    • Etude Op. 10 No. 5 (Black Key)
    • Etude Op. 10 No. 9
    • Etude Op. 10 No. 12 (Revolutionary)
  • Frederic Chopin: Etudes Op. 25
    • No. 1, 5, 7, 9
  • Sergei Rachmaninoff: Etude Tableau in g minor, Op. 33 No. 8

Young Artist II

  • Frederic Chopin: Etudes Op 10 and 25 (not listed above)
  • Franz Liszt: Transcendental Etudes (any of your choice)

Category F: French Impressionist

Young Pianist 3

  • Claude Debussy: The Little Shepherd (from Children’s Corner)

Young Pianist 4

  • Claude Debussy: Golliwogg’s Cake Walk

Senior Group

  • Claude Debussy:
    • Arabesque No.1
    • Arabesque No. 2
    • “Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum”
    • Clair de lune

Young Artist 1

  • Claude Debussy: Preludes, Book I (choose one)
  • Maurice Ravel:
    • Une Barque Sur l'océan (from Miroirs)
    • Jeux D’eau
    • Sonatine
    • Rigaudon (Tombeau de Couperin)
    • Forlane (Tombeau de Couperin)

Young Artist 2

  • Maurice Ravel: Toccata (Tombeau de Couperin)
  • Claude Debussy: Toccata (Pour le Piano)