Pianist Composing Competition 2024

Kawai

COMPETITION CLOSED. WINNERS ANNOUNCED IN MARCH.

Compose your own piano piece and WIN a Kawai piano worth over £2,000!

Win a Kawai ES920 black piano with matching stand, pedal set and bench for over £2,000

The Pianist Composing Competition returns for another year, this time with an even bigger and better prize package!

We've once again teamed up with Kawai... but this time we're giving you the chance to win the TOP model in Kawai's ES range: the ES920 model. A matching stand, pedal set and bench are also included, bringing the total worth to over £2,000.

Alongside this stunning piano set, you will also have your winning score officially distributed on Spotify for the world to stream! Your piece will be recorded by our in-house pianist Chenyin Li for a future Pianist album. Your score will also feature in the famous Scores section of a future issue of Pianist. Full details on this year's prize package can be found below. We are also delighted to introduce a brand-new critique option! Entrants who purchase the critique option will be given an in-depth, critique by one of the esteemed pianists on this year's judging panel. Find out more here.

What are we looking for?

If you have a passion for writing music for the piano, this competition is for you. We are on the lookout for unknown talents who are passionate about composing, and who love to tell a story through their compositions.

The requirements

Want to enter? Make sure your composition is written for solo piano. It can be in any style you like, and for any technical level. The length should not exceed 64 bars. Entry costs £30, with a discounted rate of £25 for Pianist subscribers. Full terms and conditions can be found at the bottom of this page.

Please note: Entries from those who earn their primary income from composition will be automatically disqualified.

NEW critique option now available

You asked, we listened! After many requests from past entrants to include a critique option, we are now delighted to be able to offer a service for this year's competition. Entrants who purchase the critique option will be given an in-depth critique by one of the esteemed pianists on this year's judging panel. This critique will address both the strengths and weaknesses in your composition. Once you have entered, sign up for your personalised critique here.

Prize

✔ A Kawai ES920 black piano with matching stand, pedal set and bench for over £2,000

✔ Winning score featured in a future issue of Pianist

✔ Winning score recorded concert pianist Chenyin Li and published on Spotify

✔ Performance of winning score filmed by Chenyin Li for the Pianist YouTube channel

✔ Be interviewed for an exclusive feature inside the magazine

Those in 2nd and 3rd place will also receive honourable mentions

The winner receive a Kawai ES920 black piano with matching stand, pedal set and bench for over £2,000

ELIGIBILITY

There are no restrictions of age or nationality. However, you are ineligible if your primary profession is composition and you will be automatically disqualified.
Your composition must not exceed 64 bars in length.
Your composition must be written for solo piano.
Your composition can be written in any style of your choosing, and for any technical level.
Should you win, and if you reside outside of the UK, you will be required to pay for the shipping fees of your chosen piano.
Entries cost £30 (£25 for Pianist print subscribers) and must be submitted online as a PDF by Monday 11 December 2023.
Entries must be submitted at the top of this page as a PDF by Monday 11 December 2023.
Sign up for a personalised, in-depth critique of your piece here.