World Youth and Teenage Piano Competition -Season 3

World Youth and Teenage Piano Competition -Season 3 consists of three core modules: Basic Piano Performance Skills, which covers intonation control and rhythm management, proficiency in using piano performance tools (keyboard, pedals), basic performance techniques (such as smooth connection in legato, clear articulation in staccato, and lively expression in staccatissimo), as well as cognition of performance styles (such as the rigorous interpretation of Bach's works in classical style, the emotional rendering of Chopin's works in romantic style, and the rhythmic presentation of modern pieces in pop style); Piano Culture and Creation Principles, including the historical origins of piano music forms (such as classical piano sonatas, romantic piano nocturnes, modern piano concerto works), piano music symbols in different cultures (such as the court rhythm in European classical piano works, the ethnic modes in Chinese piano works, and the improvisational rhythm characteristics in jazz piano), and the impact of contemporary trends on the evolution of piano performance styles; Practical Application of Piano, including the thematic interpretation of piano works, improvisational performance (such as completing quick piano adaptations based on on-site given melodies), and conveying concepts through piano in real-life scenarios (such as conveying the belief of hope through public welfare piano performances or showcasing the integration characteristics of local culture and piano art). The competition sets up a variety of piano competition categories and customizes difficulty levels according to age and experience. The Children's Group focuses on basic skills (such as completing the performance of simple piano pieces and mastering basic rhythm and intonation), while the Youth Group emphasizes creative expression (such as developing a unique piano performance style), work interpretation (such as exploring the in-depth emotions of piano works through performance details), and the ability to solve problems through piano creation (such as selecting appropriate performance forms and creative methods to convey specific emotions or the connotation of piano pieces).

Entry Requirements for the World Youth and Teenage Piano Competition -Season 3 (Online Submission & Jury Evaluation)

1. Basic Piano Skills

Focus on technical foundations and painting structure:

Technical Skills: Ability to control intonation, mastery of piano tools (keyboard, pedals), precision in executing performance details, and piano theme-specific performance techniques (such as smooth legato connection in classical pieces, delicate pedal control in romantic pieces, lively staccato expression in pop pieces, and authentic rendition of ornamentation charm in ethnic pieces).

Theme Cognition: Familiarity with piano competition categories (classical solo, pop adaptation, ethnic piece performance, improvisational creation) and classic works/styles (such as the classical rigor exhibited in Bach's The Well-Tempered Clavier, the romantic lyricism presented in Chopin's Nocturnes, the modern freshness embodied in Joe Hisaishi's Summer, and the grand ethnic momentum contained in The Yellow River Piano Concerto).

Piano Literacy: Understanding of professional piano knowledge (such as differences in performance techniques for pieces from different periods, principles of musical form analysis), creative forms (such as complete solo pieces, piano concerto excerpts, improvised piano adaptations), and style recognition (such as matching performance techniques to piece types: requirements for rhythmic stability in classical pieces, presentation of emotional tension in romantic pieces, restoration of modal characteristics in ethnic pieces).

1. Artistic Expression & Cultural Context

Explore theme interpretation and historical depth:

Category Analysis: Origins and stylistic characteristics of piano performance forms (such as the court origin of classical piano solos, the emotional attributes of romantic piano concertos, the mass communication evolution of modern pop piano, and the cultural traits of ethnic piano pieces from different countries).

Work Interpretation: Convey the emotions and themes of a piece through performance elements (such as using gentle key touch and soft pedal to demonstrate the elegance of Mozart's pieces, and using strong dynamics and full pedal to express the passion of Beethoven's pieces), while connecting to the cultural/historical background of piano (such as restoring the ornamentation characteristics of Baroque-era piece performances, integrating ethnic music elements into modern piano adaptations, and reflecting the historical context of a piece's creation in contemporary performances).

Modern Adaptation: Integration of traditional and modern elements (such as interpreting classical piece excerpts using jazz performance techniques, adapting ethnic folk melodies by combining them with pop piano rhythms, and using electronic sound effects to assist in presenting the layered texture of piano pieces).

1. Practical Creation Application

Emphasize original presentation and creative ability:

Submission Format:

High-definition video files of original piano performance works (AI-generated audio/video is prohibited; only basic editing such as volume calibration and frame cropping is allowed, while excessive post-production audio tuning or clip splicing is forbidden). The video must fully present performance details, including the clarity of finger movements, the standardization of pedal use, and the appeal of emotional expression. For concerto excerpts or improvised works, a piece score (if available) or creative concept explanation should be attached to assist in understanding the performance logic.

Materials: Professional tools and equipment that conform to the piano category should be used (such as tuning and maintenance of acoustic pianos, timbre settings of digital pianos, microphones and cameras for recording). A brief description of the materials must be included when submitting (e.g., "Classical Solo Moonlight Sonata (1st Movement): Performed on an acoustic grand piano, recorded with a lavalier microphone"; "Pop Adaptation Lonely Brave: Performed on a digital piano, with basic reverb processing"; "Improvised Creation Spring Overture: Performed on a home upright piano, no additional sound modification").

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Work Selection:

Children’s Group (8–12 yrs): Small-scale works (such as short classical excerpts, simple children's song adaptations, basic etude performances), including copying and adapting classic children's piano pieces (such as Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Variations, Ode to Joy), basic piano exercises (such as Hanon finger exercises, basic pieces from Beyer), and simple original piano excerpts (including melody conception and basic accompaniment design, no complex techniques required).

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Adolescent Group (13–18 yrs): Complex works (such as complete classical sonatas, multi-voice pop adaptations, ethnic characteristic piece performances, improvised piano creations), including in-depth interpretation of classic piano works (such as full-movement performance of Beethoven's Appassionata Sonata, authentic rendition of the adapted piano version of Jasmine Flower), thematic piano creation (e.g., "Four Seasons Scenery", "Cultural Integration" series pieces), integration of diverse performance forms (such as piano ensemble excerpts with other instruments, modern arrangement performances of classical pieces), and conceptual piano works (e.g., exploring social issues such as "environmental protection" and "youth growth" through piano performance, or conveying cultural identity).

Improvisation Tasks: Adolescent Group  is required to complete a 30-minute quick performance or melody creation task based on the designated piano theme (e.g., "Whispers of Autumn", "Collision Between Tradition and Modernity") or designated piece style (e.g., "Baroque-style Improvisation", "Jazz Piano Adaptation").

1. Judging Criteria & Format

Evaluation Areas:

Technical Ability (50%): Precision of performance techniques, mastery of tools/equipment, and execution of piano theme-specific techniques (such as stability of intonation and rhythm, standardization of finger touch, rationality of pedal use, authenticity of style restoration).

Artistic Expression (30%): Depth of piece theme interpretation, uniqueness of performance creativity, effectiveness of emotional transmission (such as the effectiveness of the work in presenting musical atmosphere, the adaptability of performance ideas to the piece style).

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Auditory Effect  (20%): Integrity of performance structure, expressiveness of the piece, audience appeal (such as layered timbre, emotional resonance, overall musical appeal).

Submission Rules:

One entry per participant; no copied or plagiarized works (including direct reproductions of existing work).

Blind judging: Judges receive anonymized submissions with no participant identifiers.

1. Difficulty & Age Groups

Children’s Group: Focuses on basic skills (such as use of basic performance tools, complete performance of simple pieces) and interesting expression (such as conveying the childlike charm of a piece through performance, demonstrating basic performance techniques).

Adolescent Group: Higher requirements include theme complexity (e.g., exploring cultural integration and musical connotation through performance), cross-technical attempts (e.g., combining traditional performance with modern sound effects, integrated interpretation of multi-style pieces), and conceptual depth (e.g., conveying abstract concepts such as "persistence and breakthrough", "cultural inheritance" through piano language).

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1. Submission & Results

Deadline: Upload digital submissions via the portal by [e.g., "May 31, 2026"].

Results: Announcement: Entries will be notified via email/social media within two weeks, and the results will be ranked based on the judges' scores. Awards include certificates, professional piano accessory sets, and opportunities for online exhibition of outstanding performances.

Exhibition: Outstanding works will be displayed in the online concert hall on the competition's official platform, showcasing the diverse cultures and artistic expressions of youth and children's piano performances worldwide.

This framework balances technical proficiency and creative expression, highlighting the diversity of youth and children's piano performances globally while promoting the inheritance and innovation of piano performance techniques.